Moderation of Cretaceous transgressions by block tectonics: An example from the north and north-west of the Paris basin

Cretaceous transgressions in the epicontinental area of western Europe, and in particular in the Paris-London Basin, were controlled, to a large extent, by the eustatic rise of sea-level in direct relation to the creation of mid-oceanic ridges.On a regional and local scale, positive and negative vertical movements of the Earth's crust have moderated the effects of transgression. These variations are revealed by changes in the nature, or thickness, of sediment deposited on the tectonic blocks which form the basin. The method used for the delimitation of blocks is supported by the presentation of paleogeographical maps from various Mesozoic epochs, as well as a NE-SW section from the Boulonnais area to Normandy which displays tectonic control on sedimentation.     

The transformation of the lithospheric mantle beneath South China Block (SCB): constraints from petrological and geochemical studies of Daoxian and Ningyuan basalts and their melt inclusions

ABSTRACT

The lithospheric mantle beneath the South China Block (SCB) underwent a dramatic transformation from depleted to enriched during late Mesozoic. With a view to deeply understand this process, here we investigate the Mesozoic basalts and their melt inclusions from the Daoxian and Ningyuan regions within the central SCB. The geochemical features of the melt inclusions in these basalts suggest that these rocks originated from the lithospheric mantle enriched through interaction with K-rich aqueous fluids released from subducted Palaeo-Pacific oceanic sediments, whereas the Ningyuan basalts were mainly derived from the asthenospheric mantle source. Geochemical modelling indicates that the Daoxian basalts were generated from 15%-25% of partial melting of garnet lherzolite, whereas the Ningyuan basalts originated from 10%-20% of partial melting of garnet pyroxenites. Our data, combined with those from other Jurassic basalts suggest a temporal evolution of the SCB mantle sources during the Late Mesozoic. Diverse crust–mantle interactions through mixing of the asthenospheric melts with variable proportions of subducted Palaeo-Pacific oceanic sediments might account for the spatial heterogeneity of mantle sources observed beneath the SCB. The transition from Tethyan tectonic realm to the Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regime might have played a significant role in the transformation of the lithospheric mantle beneath the SCB.     

Paleomagnetism of the Carboniferous Gresford Block,Tamworth Belt,southern New England Orogen: minor counter-clockwise rotation of a primary arc segment

Abstract

Four oroclinal structures have been identified from structural, magnetic and gravity trends across a Carboniferous continental arc, forearc basin [Tamworth Belt (TB)] and conjugate accretionary complex in the southern New England Orogen (SNEO) of eastern Australia. None of the structures has yet been confirmed conclusively by paleomagnetism as oroclinal. Ignimbrites are common within the forearc basin and have been demonstrated to retain primary magnetisations despite prevalent overprinting. They are well exposed across six major tectono-stratigraphic blocks with partly interlinked stratigraphies, making the forearc basin highly prospective to oroclinal testing by comparing pole path segments for individual blocks across curved structures. Paleomagnetic studies have shown no noticeable rotation across the western/southwestern TB (Rocky Creek, Werrie and Rouchel blocks), but documented herein is a minor counter-clockwise rotation of the Gresford Block of the southern TB. This study details paleomagnetic, rock magnetic and magnetic fabric results for 87 sites (969 samples) across the southern Gresford Block. Predominantly thermal, also alternating field and liquid nitrogen, demagnetisations show a widely present low-temperature overprint, attributed to regional late Oligocene weathering, and high-temperature primary and overprint components residing in both mainly magnetite and mainly hematite carriers. Subtle, but systematic, directional differences between magnetite and hematite subcomponents show the latter as the better cleaned, better-defined, preferred results, detailing nine primary poles of middle and late Carboniferous ages and Permian and Permo-Triassic overprints as observed elsewhere in the western/southwestern TB. The primary poles update a poorly defined mid-Carboniferous section of the SNEO pole path and demonstrate counter-clockwise rotation, quantified at about 15° ± 13° from comparison of mid-Carboniferous Martins Creek Ignimbrite Member poles for the Rouchel and Gresford blocks, that may not necessarily have been completed prior to the Hunter–Bowen phase of the Gondwanide Orogeny. This minor counter-clockwise rotation of the Gresford Block accentuates a primary curvature of the southwestern/southern TB and heralds further, more complex, rotations of the Myall Block of the southeastern TB.     

Structural development of the Hastings Block and tectonic implications for the southern New England Orogen

Abstract

The shape and structural development of the box-like Parrabel Dome (PD) within the Hastings Block is poorly understood because it has only been weakly cleaved, complexly folded and extensively faulted in comparison to the adjoining blocks. Better characterising this block will provide important controls on the tectonics of the southern New England Orogen. The structural development of the PD and southern Hastings Block (SHB) provides evidence of the degree of rotation, translation and deformation of the Hastings Block, a key terrane within the southern New England Orogen. A major decollement under the Hastings Block–Nambucca Block was suggested to facilitate south-directed deformation caused by the developing Coffs Harbour Orocline. The orientation of bedding and the stratigraphic facing of some fault blocks within the northern Hastings Block (NHB) are consistent with development of the PD, while other fault blocks indicate significant disruption of the NHB prior to, during and after dome development. A deep-seated fault is suggested by the gravity worm analysis consistent with the boundary zone between the PD, NHB-Yarrowitch Block and the east-dipping and younging sequences in the SHB. The eastern limb of the PD underwent clockwise rotation after formation. Fault blocks have been rotated and translated within a restraining bend as the NHB moved post-PD formation northwest along the interface between the NHB and SHB.

1. KEY POINTS

2. The Hastings Block was translated and rotated into its current position from the southeastern end of the Tamworth Belt.

3. Gravity worm data indicate a boundary between northern and southern Hastings Block.

4. The Hastings and Nambucca blocks have been detached from the basement Gondwana rocks.

5. Fault block analysis within the Parrabel Dome, northern Hastings Block indicates relocation of some blocks by faulting.

     

扬子地块东段若干橄揽岩包体的温度－压力计算

采自江苏省六合地区的１１个尖晶石相橄榄岩包体，用电子探针和质子探针精确测定其中橄榄石和辉石的主量和微量成分，采用新近校准的适用于尖晶石相包体的橄榄石一单斜辉石地质压力计和二辉石地质温度计，计算了包体中共生矿物对的平衡温度和压力。其中ＢＭ８５计算的温度比ＢＫＮ９０的约低５０℃左右。而经Ｂｒｅｙ和Ｋｏｈｌｅｒ修改的ＢＭ８５温度计得到的结果与ＢＫＮ９０的几乎相同。假定压力为１．５ＧＰａ，用ＢＫＮ９０计算，１１个包体样品的温度范围为７２２℃～１１９３℃，它大体上反映了扬子地块东段大陆岩石圈地使尖晶石相部分的温度状态。橄榄石一单斜辉石地质压力计用于本样品组计算，仅部分样品获得合理的结果。由于该压力计自身的误差较大，尚不能精确确定尖晶石相橄榄岩的压力。     

SHRIMP II dating of zircons and monazites: reassessing the timing of high-grade metamorphism and fluid flow in the Reynolds Range, northern Arunta Block, Australia

ABSTRACT Key insights into the timing of tectonometamorphic events in a complex high-grade metamorphic terrane can be obtained by combining results from SHRIMP II ion microprobe studies of individual monazite grains with SHRIMP II studies and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging of zircons. Results from the Reynolds Range region, Arunta Block, Northern Territory, Australia, show that the final episode of regional metamorphism to high-T and low-P granulite facies conditions is most likely to have occurred at c. 1580 Ma, not at 1785–1775 Ma, as previously accepted. The previous interpretation was based on zircon studies of structurally controlled granitoids, without SEM-based CL imaging. Monazites in a 1806± 6 Ma megacrystic granitoid preserve rare cores that are interpreted to be inherited magmatic monazite, but record no evidence of another high-T event prior to 1580 Ma. Most monazites from the region record only a single high-T metamorphic event at c. 1580 Ma. Zircon inheritance is very common. Zircons or narrow overgrowths of zircon dated at c. 1580 Ma have only been found in two types of rocks: rocks produced by metasomatic fluid flow at high temperatures (≤750°C), and rocks that have undergone local partial melting. Previous explanations that attributed these 1580 Ma zircon ages to widespread hydrothermal fluid fluxing associated with post-tectonic pegmatite emplacement at amphibolite facies conditions are not supported by the available evidence including oxygen isotope data. The observed high regional metamorphic temperatures require the involvement of advective heating. However, contrary to a previous tectonic model for the formation of this and other low-P, high-T metamorphic belts, the granites that are exposed at the present structural level do not appear to be the source of that heat, unless some of the granites were emplaced at c. 1580 Ma.     

扬子地块东段大陆岩石圈地幔的氧逸度

由尖晶石相橄榄岩包体中的矿物化学成分，采用新近校准的ＦＦＭ地质氧逸度计和地质温－压计，计算包体的平衡氧逸度，Δｌｏｇ（ｆＯ２）ＦＭＱ＝－３．３２－０．１２，它反映了扬子地块东段大陆岩石圈地幔的氧化还原状态。两种氧逸度计计算结果相差在０．５ｌｏｇｆＯ２单位内。     

Contraction induced by block rotation above salt (Angolan margin)

Gravity spreading above salt at passive margins is the major mode of deformation of post-salt sediments. Whereas this process generally creates a structural zoning, extensional upslope and contractional downslope, discrepancies can however arise. For example, evidence of contractional deformation occurs in the extensional domain of the Angolan margin, to the south of the Congo delta fan. Slope-parallel seismic lines show grabens, rollover and extensional diapirs. Conversely, strike-parallel seismic lines present inversion of early grabens, apparently related to a regional-scale decrease in sedimentary thickness away from the Congo delta. As the spreading rate and the characteristic spacing of structures are direct functions of sedimentary loading, one can expect structural changes along strike due to sedimentary thickness variations. This hypothesis was tested using spreading-type experiments of brittle-ductile models lying on top of an inclined rigid substratum. The experiments simulate the progradation of a synkinematic sedimentary cover above salt, with a lateral variation of sedimentation rate. The models show that the spreading rate was higher in the thicker part. Early grabens initiated perpendicular to the slope direction. Where sedimentation rate was high, they kept their orientation during spreading and formed purely extensional synsedimentary structures: Grabens, rollovers and diapirs. Where sedimentation rate was low, blocks separated by grabens rotated in a domino-type fashion but this domain continued to extend in a slope-parallel direction. Strike slip between blocks was entirely localised within the early grabens, which inverted and formed anticlines. Structures obtained in experiments are directly comparable to those in seismic lines of the Angolan margin. In both the Angolan margin examples and the laboratory experiments, block rotation is interpreted as slope-parallel strike-slip shear zones due to lateral variations in spreading rate.     

Crustal Structural and Tectonic Evolution and Oil Prospect Evaluation in the Songpan-Zoige Block

Recent study of magnetotelluric （MT） inversion indicates that the basement of the Songpan- Zoige area could be a stable continental crust. There has developed quite thick and stable Paleozoic continental shelf margin-platform clastic and carbonate sediments during the Triassic. Preliminary field geologic investigation and hydrocarbon potential study show that good-quality source rocks, mainly argillaceous and carbonaceous shale, were deposited in the Cambrian and Silurian in this region, while diverse reservoirs of platform facies carbonate and clastic rocks were in the Carboniferous and Permian. The good vertical source-reservoir-seal configuration might indicate that there exists a certain potential for oil and gas exploration in this area.     

伊朗中伊朗盆地库姆组地层的时代

对伊朗中伊朗盆地卡尚地区库姆组的微体化石样品分析 ,不仅发现了新的有孔虫和介形虫化石组合 ,而且还首次发现了较丰富的钙质超微及少量的沟鞭藻化石。依据这些化石的组合面貌 ,认为库姆组含始新世地层无疑 ,修正了以往认为库姆组地层时代为中—晚渐新世至早中新世的观点。