Interstratified illite-smectite phases: formation mechanisms and practical applications

Secondary micas after smectite, including mix illite-smectite phases, can form in sediments by three mechanisms, each being specific to particular environments. As the process develops, the newly formed phases undergo structure ordering. Two mechanisms involve transformation of 2:1 mixed-layer structures, and the third is the growth of screw dislocations, with formation of ordered mix phases having a Reichweite parameter of R = 1 or R = 2. We propose methods for identifying such phases when they are present in small amounts or when their XRD patterns lack well-pronounced superperiodic reflections, as well as mathematical formalism for illitization modeling. The theoretical issues are illustrated with field examples, and the illitization mechanisms are discussed in terms of their possible practical applications.     

Neotectonics of the Kharaulakh sector of the Laptev Shelf

Seismotectonic deformation and crustal stress pattern have been studied comprehensively in major seismogenic structures of the Kharaulakh sector of the Verkhoyansk fold system and adjacent parts of the Chersky seismotectonic zone. The study focuses on neotectonic structures, deep structure, and systems of active faults, as well as tectonic stress fields inferred by tectonophysical analysis of Late Cenozoic faults and folds. The results, along with geological and geophysical data, reveal main strain directions and structural patterns of crustal stress and strain in the Arctic segment of the Eurasia-North America plate boundary. The area is a junction of mid-ocean and continental structures evolving in a mixed setting of extension, compression, and their various combinations. The rotation pole of the two plates is presumably located near Buor-Khaya Bay. In this case, extension is expected to act currently upon the neotectonic structures north of the bay and compression to control those in the south and southeast. This inference is consistent with the identified zoning of stress and strain in the Kharaulakh sector.     

Ore-bearing fluids of the Eldorado gold deposit (Yenisei Ridge,Russia)

The Eldorado low-sulfide gold-quartz deposit, with gold reserves of more than 60 tons, is located in the damage zone of the Ishimba Fault in the Yenisei Ridge and is hosted by Riphean epidote-amphibolite metamorphic rocks (Sukhoi Pit Group). Orebodies occur in four roughly parallel heavily fractured zones where rocks were subject to metamorphism under stress and heat impacts. They consist of sulfide-bearing schists with veins of gray or milky-white quartz varieties. Gray quartz predominating in gold-bearing orebodies contains graphite and amorphous carbon identified by Raman spectroscopy; the contents of gold and amorphous carbon are in positive correlation. As inferred from thermobarometry, gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy of fluid inclusions in sulfides, carbonates, and gray and white quartz, gold mineralization formed under the effect of reduced H₂O-CO₂-HC fluids with temperatures of 180 to 490 °C, salinity of 9 to 22 wt.% NaCl equiv, and pressures of 0.1 to 2.3 kbar. Judging by the presence of 11% mantle helium (³He) in fluid inclusions from quartz and the sulfur isotope composition (7.1-17.4‰ δ³⁴S) of sulfides, ore-bearing fluids ascended from a mantle source along shear zones, where they “boiled”. While the fluids were ascending, the metalliferous S- and N-bearing hydrocarbon (HC) compounds they carried broke down to produce crystalline sulfides, gold, and disseminated graphite and amorphous carbon (the latter imparts the gray color to quartz). Barren veins of milky-white quartz formed from oxidized mainly aqueous fluids with a salinity of < 15 wt.% NaCl equiv at 150-350 °C. Chloride brines (> 30 wt.% NaCl equiv) at 150-260 °C impregnated the gold-bearing quartz veins and produced the lower strata of the hydrothermal-granitoid section. The gold mineralization (795-710 Ma) was roughly coeval to local high-temperature stress metamorphism (836-745 Ma) and intrusion of the Kalama multiphase complex (880-752 Ma).     

Natural ring structures on the Baikal ice cover: Analysis of experimental data and mathematical modeling

Hydrophysical studies and mathematical modeling of ring structures during ice cover on Lake Baikal have shown that their existence at the stage of ice cover degradation is due to anticyclonic currents. Such currents can be generated as a result of local upwelling, which we associate with the rise of methane hydrates from the top layer of bottom sediments and their dissociation. Analysis of satellite images shows that the radii of ice rings range from 1300 to 2400 m, which is close to the baroclinic Rossby radius. The measured ice thicknesses in the area of the rings are in agreement with model calculations. Deep water renewal in Lake Baikal can also be associated with the rise of hydrates.     

Calibration of cyclic constitutive models by oscillating functions

Most structures are subjected to more cyclic loads during their life time than static loads. These cyclic action could be a result of either natural or man-made activities and may lead to soil failure. In order to understand the response of the foundation and its interaction with these complex cyclic loadings, various researchers have over the years developed different constitutive models. Although a lot of research is being carried out on these relatively new models, little or no details exist in literature about the model-based identification of the cyclic constitutive parameters which to a large extent govern the quality of the model output. This could be attributed to the difficulties and complexities of the inverse modeling of such complex phenomena. A variety of optimisation strategies are available for the solution of the sum of least-squares problems as usually done in the field of model calibration. However, for the back analysis (calibration) of the soil response to oscillatory load functions, this article gives insight into the model calibration challenges and also puts forward a method for the inverse modeling of cyclic loaded foundation response such that high-quality solutions are obtained with minimum computational effort.     

基于GF-2影像西藏桑耶地区岩性-构造遥感解译

西藏桑耶地区位于青藏高原中南部,区内切割强烈,地势陡峻,属于高山峡谷区。为提高区域地质调查野外工作效率,在调查中率先开展了遥感解译研究。在充分收集已有资料的基础上,通过对GF-2卫星数据进行预处理和影像增强,结合野外验证建立了各地质要素的遥感解译标志,实现了区内不同地层岩性、侵入岩、断裂和褶皱等地质要素的提取,最终编制了研究区1:5万遥感地质解译图,为区域地质调查提供了数据支撑。结果表明: 各地质要素在GF-2数据上均有良好反映,完全满足1:5万尺度的遥感地质解译和编图的需要,充分显示出该卫星数据在区域地质调查等工作中具有良好的应用前景。     

基于航空重磁特征对突泉盆地构造的认识

为获取突泉盆地航空物探基础地质资料,为油气调查评价提供参考,中国国土资源航空物探遥感中心在该盆地开展了1:10万航空重磁综合调查工作。利用最新的航空重磁资料及实测岩石物性数据,对突泉盆地及其邻区重磁异常特征进行研究,分析航空重磁异常与地层展布、断裂活动、岩浆岩体的分布关系,重点探讨盆地的基底性质。结果表明,研究区航空重力异常与航磁异常在强度、范围、形态、梯度和走向等方面具有一定的规律性,该区断裂体系分布与重磁场特征明显相关,NNE-NE向、NW向及NE向3组断裂明显控制盆地沉积岩体及岩浆岩体的展布,盆地基底由下古生界浅变质岩系和前古生界中等变质岩系构成。     

黔东地区航磁特征与岩性构造填图

为了弄清黔东深覆盖地区的成矿地质背景,以2014年该区1:5万比例尺的直升机航磁资料为基础,结合地质、重力等资料,研究了该区不同岩浆岩、断裂构造的航磁特征,在综合分析的基础上,编制了该区的岩性构造图。通过分析对比,本次新圈定具有一定规模的隐伏岩体7处、蚀变岩15处,新圈定不同规模的断裂17条 。上述成果对黔东地区基础地质研究和找矿工作具有重要意义。     

渝东南地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩孔径分布测试方法研究

低温氮气吸附法已普遍用于评价页岩的孔隙结构,但是文献中报道的脱气温度和脱气时间等测试条件不尽相同,此外测试结果中经常出现滞后环不闭合的情况,严重影响了孔径分布等结构参数测试的准确性。为了评价和探索有效的页岩孔径分布测试方法,本文选取渝科1井下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色页岩,重点研究应用低温氮气吸附法分析其孔径分布的测试条件,系统探讨了样品质量、脱气温度、升温速率和脱气时间对测试结果的影响,通过进一步优化参数建立了可靠的孔径分布测试方法,并成功用于测定其他页岩样品。结果表明:吸附-脱附等温线呈反C型,属于Brunauer等提出的BDDT等温吸附曲线分类中的V型,滞后环完全闭合,属于IUPAC分类中的H4型,对应狭窄的狭缝型孔隙,说明此类页岩中除了含有峰值孔径主要集中在3.5~4.5 nm的中孔和一定数量的大孔外,还存在大量微孔。研究认为脱气温度是影响测试结果的主要因素。该研究是页岩孔径分布测试方法的一项补充,为我国页岩气的深入研究提供了关键参数支持。     

3D打印技术在矿床学中的应用研究——以内蒙古乌力吉敖包萤石矿Ⅲ号矿体为例

3D打印(3D printing)是一种以三维模型为样本的快速成形技术,它通过逐层打印或粉末熔铸的方式来构造需要的立体图形。本文从3D打印技术的原理及其发展现状入手,重点列举内蒙古乌力吉敖包萤石矿,利用3D打印机打印具有现实可观性的地质体实体,探讨3D打印技术作为新兴的科技手段应用于矿床学教学与研究的应用价值和发展前景。研究发现,3D打印技术在矿体三维可视化中的应用符合地质图件立体化和3D打印技术多领域化的趋势,未来3D打印技术在地质领域的应用也有助于开拓矿床学教学和研究的新方式与新思路。