Thrust tectonics in the Andean retro-foreland basin of northern Peru: Permian inheritances and petroleum implications

In northern Peru, the Huallaga-Moyabamba-Marañon Subandean foreland basin system results from the interaction between thin and thick-skinned tectonics. Geophysical data and the construction of two balanced cross-sections show that this structural configuration has been controlled by Permian inheritances. A fossilized west-verging Middle Permian fold and thrust belt, which developed during the Gondwanide orogeny, has been partly reactivated by the Andean compression and controlled thick-skinned tectonics propagation. This west-verging thrust system is still active and causes the crustal and damaging seismicity of the Moyabamba region. Late Permian salt, which has sealed the Middle Permian fold and thrust belt, controlled thin-skinned tectonics propagation and the development of the must large overthrust of the Peruvian Subandean zone. The fossilized and partly reactivated Middle Permian fold and thrust belt constitutes a new petroleum play for the exploration in the northern Peruvian Subandean basins. Sub-thrust traps of the Moyabamba and Huallaga wedge-top basins are particularly attractive but stay unexplored.     

Yanshanian (Late Mesozoic) ore deposits in China – An introduction to the Special Issue

The Late Jurassic-Cretaceous Yanshanian Orogeny (or “Yenshan Movement”), one of the most important tectonothermal events, is first recognized in China, especially eastern China. This Late Mesozoic orogeny, which was initiated most likely by a Mesozoic tectonic switch, strongly reworked or destructed the older continental lithospheres or cratonic keels that are manifested by alternating compressive and extensional deformation, voluminous igneous rocks, and a variety of characteristic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems. Despite its first discovery and definition in Yenshan-Yinshan area of North China craton, the Yanshanian Orogeny probably is of global tectonic, magmatic and metallogenic significance. However, there have been hot debates on the precise starting time, accurate duration or time-interval, detailed processes and evolution linked to deep lithospheres, tectonic nature, and geodynamic mechanism(s) of the Yanshanian Orogeny, which inevitably have hindered the understanding of the genesis, mineralizing processes and geodynamic mechanism of the Late Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems.This Special Issue captures some of the latest research results on the Yanshanian ore deposits that are involved into a few main Mesozoic metallogenic belts or provinces, from northeast to southwest China, including: (1) the Jiaodong Peninsula metallogenic province in the North China Craton, (2) the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt in the central eastern China, (3) the Jiangnan and (4) the Nanling metallogenic belts in the South China Block, (5) the southeastern China Coast metallogenic belt, and (6) the Sanjiang metallogenic belt in southwest China. Through a multidisciplinary study, this Special Issue re-investigated and re-evaluated the relationship between the Late Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems and the Yanshanian tectonothermal events in the studied metallogenic belts or provinces. A few important contributions to the topic in this Special Issue (Yanshanian metallogeny) are summarized as followings: (1) A new ore-deposit type, i.e. the “intracontinental reactivation” type, has been suggested to interpret the genesis of those Au-(polymetallic) deposits that are hosted within older metamorphic rocks and related to the Late Mesozoic basin-and-range extensional settings; (2) Late Mesozoic re-activation of the preexisting structures by the Yanshanian tectono-thermal event(s) might be an important mechanism controlling the Yanshanian large-scale mineralization; (3) A-type granites formed by partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic crust, but with inputs from mantle-derived melt are also favorable for Sn mineralization, in addition to S-type and I-type granites as previously recognized; (4) Calculated oxygen fugacities (ƒO₂) of granitic magmas based on chemical compositions of primary biotite have been confirmed to be effective proxy for distinguishing Cu-Au-Mo-W-Sn-Pb-Zn mineralized granites from barren granites; (5) A significant epoch of W–Sn magmatic-hydrothermal ore system at ca. 145–135 Ma has been identified in the southeastern China Coast metallogenic belt; and (6) In addition to traditional structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and geochronology, new analytical techniques (e.g. Cu isotopes) and data treatment method (e.g., Bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition) can be used to provide more constraints for deep exploration.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Eocene back arc mafic rocks in the Zagros suture zone,northern Noorabad,western Iran

The northern Noorabad area in western Iran contains several gabbro and basalt bodies which were emplaced along the Zagros suture zone. The basalts show pillow and flow structures with amygdaloidal textures, and the gabbroic rocks show massive and foliated structures with coarse to fine-grained textures. The SiO₂ contents of the gabbros and basalts are similar and range from 46.1–51.0 wt.%, and the Al₂O₃ contents vary from 12.3–18.8 wt.%, with TiO₂ contents of 0.4–3.0 wt.%. The Nb concentrations of some gabbros and basalts are high and can be classified as Nb-enriched arc basalts. The positive εNd(t) values (+3.7 to +9.8) and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(initial) ratios (0.7031–0.7071) of both bodies strongly indicate a depleted mantle source and indicate that the rocks were formed by partial melting of a depleted lithospheric mantle and interaction with slab fluids/melts. The chemical composition of trace elements, REE pattern and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios show that the rocks have affinities to tholeiitic magmatic series and suggest an extensional tectonic regime over the subduction zone for the evolution of these rocks. We propose an extensional tectonic regime due to the upwelling of metasomatized mantle after the late Cretaceous collision in the Harsin-Noorabad area. These rocks can be also considered as Eocene back arc magmatic activity along the Zagros suture zone in this area.     

Multistage Enrichment of the Sawafuqi Uranium Deposit: New Insights into Sandstone-hosted Uranium Deposits in the Intramontane Basins of Tian Shan, China

Meso-Cenozoic intracontinental orogenic processes in the Tian Shan orogenic belt have significant effect on the sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the intramontane basins and those adjacent to the orogen. The Sawafuqi uranium deposit, which is located in the South Tian Shan orogenic belt, is investigated to reveal the relationships between uranium mineralization and orogenies. Recent exploration results show that the Sawafuqi uranium deposit has tabular, stratiform, quasi-stratiform, and lens-like orebodies and various geological characteristics different from typical interlayer oxidation zone sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. Systematic studies of ore samples from the Sawafuqi uranium deposit using a variety of techniques, including thin section observation, α-track radiograph, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope, suggest that uranium mineralization is closely related to pyrite and organic matter. Mineralization-related alterations in the host rocks are mainly silicification and argillation including kaolinite, illite(and illite-smectite mixed layer) and chlorite. Tree stages of mineralization were identified in the Sawafuqi uranium deposit:(i) uranium-bearing detritus and synsedimentary initial pre-enrichment;(ii) interlayer oxidization zone uranium mineralization; and(iii) vein-type uranium mineralization. The synsedimentary uranium pre-enrichment represents an early uranium enrichment in the Sawafuqi uranium deposit, and interlayer oxidation zone uranium mineralization formed the main orebodies, which are superimposed by the vein-type uranium mineralization. Combining the results of this study with previous studies on the Meso-Cenozoic orogenies of South Tian Shan, it is proposed that the synsedimentary uranium pre-enrichment of the Sawafuqi uranium deposit was caused by Triassic Tian Shan uplift, and the interlayer oxidation zone uranium mineralization occurred during the Eocence-Oligocene period, when tectonism was relatively quiet, whereas the vein-type uranium mineralization took place in relation to the strong orogeny of South Tian Shan since Miocene.     

粤西印支期那蓬岩体的岩石学、地球化学特征及其成因

那蓬岩体为混合岩化-花岗岩化作用的产物,主体岩性为中细粒(斑状)黑云母二长混合花岗岩、弱片麻状细粒黑云母二长混合花岗岩,富含堇青石、矽线石、红柱石等富铝矿物,靠近岩体边部为混合片麻岩、花岗片麻岩,逐渐过渡至围岩。对中细粒黑云母二长混合花岗岩进行LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb同位素测年,锆石以变质锆石为主、岩浆锆石为辅,获得多期锆石UPb年龄,将最新的变质年龄252±1.9Ma作为成岩年龄,将那蓬岩体的成岩时代定为早三叠世。那蓬岩体形成于碰撞造山构造环境。     

湘黔边境加里东板内造山期后正向滑脱构造与成矿

湘黔边境地处扬子板块东南缘,加里东运动是区内古生代最强烈的板内造山运动;由新元古界板溪群至下古生界奥陶系所构成的NE-NNE向褶皱带为区内主体构造;近期区域地质调查所发现的加里东造山期后,构造体制由挤压转换为伸展所产生的一套正向顺层滑脱构造系统更具特色,不但空间结构完整,构造变形清楚,正向顺层滑脱标志明显,而且成矿控矿作用突出,是湘黔边境著名汞矿带的重要控矿构造.     

鄂北大洪山晋宁期MORB-like玄武岩的识别与洋内俯冲作用

鄂北随州大洪山地区出露大量镁铁质岩(如:辉长岩、辉绿岩、(枕状)玄武岩),它们主要以岩块的形式构造混杂在一套碎屑岩中,表现为典型造山带基质-岩块混杂的特征。大洪山镁铁质岩为拉斑玄武岩系列岩石组合,地球化学方面,不相容元素Rb、Ba、K、Th、U富集,高场强元素Nb、Ta亏损,表现为岛弧玄武岩的特点,而平坦的稀土配分模式(ΣLREE/ΣHREE=1.41～4.48,LaN/YbN=0.76～4.79),Zr/Y=2.65～5.38,Ti/V=29.19～54.97,又可与洋中脊玄武岩对比。因此,我们推测大洪山镁铁质岩属于MORB-like玄武岩(或前弧玄武岩)类岩石组合,其形成于洋内初始俯冲环境,成岩岩浆由俯冲洋板片脱水交代亏损洋中脊地幔减压熔融产生。通过LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,分别获得南风垭、绿林寨玄武岩(816.6±7.6) Ma (MSWD=0.47)、(813.1±4.8) Ma (MSWD=0.37)的成岩年龄,结合已经取得的杨家棚辉长岩947 Ma、厂河枕状玄武岩824 Ma、绿林辉绿岩820 Ma的年龄结果,说明大洪山地区的这套前弧镁铁质岩组合大致形成于817～947 Ma,它们可能是多阶段洋内俯冲的产物。大洪山地区这套前弧镁铁质岩的厘定说明扬子地块与桐柏-大别地块之间晋宁期发生过一定规模的洋内-洋陆俯冲和造山运动,二者可能曾在青白口纪晚期拼合到一起。     

Inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the SW Korean Peninsula:Implication for the Mesozoic “Laramide-style” orogeny along East Asian continental margin

During subduction, continental margins experience shortening along with inversion of extensional sedimentary basins. Here we explore a tectonic scenario for the inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems, where the Early-Middle Jurassic intra-arc volcano-sedimentary Oseosan Volcanic Complex was developed on top of the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-collisional sequences, namely the Chungnam Basin. The basin shortening was accommodated mostly by contractional faults and related folds. In the basement, regional high-angle reverse faults as well as low-angle thrusts accommodate the overall shortening, and are compatible with those preserved in the cover. This suggests that their spatial and temporal development is strongly dependent on the initial basin geometry and inherited structures.Changes in transport direction observed along the basement-sedimentary cover interface is a characteristic structural feature, reflecting sequential kinematic evolution during basin inversion. Propagation of basement faults also enhanced shortening of the overlying sedimentary cover sequences. We constrain timing of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous(ca. 158-110 Ma) inversion from altered K-feldspar 40 Ar/39 Ar ages in stacked thrust sheets and K-Ar illite ages of fault gouges, along with previously reported geochronological data from the area. This "non-magmatic phase" of the Daebo Orogeny is contemporaneous with the timing of magmatic quiescence across the Korean Peninsula. We propose the role of flat/low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate for the development of the "Laramide-style" basement-involved orogenic event along East Asian continental margin.     

北秦岭柞水——太白区段两类激动陆缘型幔源岩浆活动与岩浆过程

研究区内有两类密切共生的活动陆缘型幔源侵入岩组合，它们分属拉斑系列和钙碱系列。这两个系列的侵入岩存在系统的化学差异，而且在高位岩浆房中普遍经历了镁铁矿物的分离结晶作用。     

The Aguablanca Cu–Ni ore deposit (Extremadura, Spain), a case of synorogenic orthomagmatic mineralization: age and isotope composition of magmas (Sr, Nd) and ore (S)

The Aguablanca Cu–Ni orthomagmatic ore deposit is hosted by mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Aguablanca stock, which is part of the larger, high-K calc-alkaline Santa Olalla plutonic complex. This intrusive complex, ca. 338 Ma in age, is located in the Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) of the Iberian Variscan Belt. Mineralization consists mainly of pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite resulting from the crystallization of an immiscible sulphide-rich liquid. Isotope work on the host igneous rocks (Sr, Nd) and the ore (S) suggests that contamination with an upper-crustal component took place at some depth before final emplacement of the plutons (Nd₃₃₈=−6 to −7.5; Sr₍₃₃₈₎=0.7082 to 0.7100; δ³⁴S_(sulphides) near +7.4‰). Assimilation–fractional crystallization (AFC) processes are invoked to explain early cumulates and immiscible sulphide-magma formation. Intrusion took place at the beginning of the type-A oblique subduction of the South Portuguese Zone under the Ossa-Morena Zone and was probably driven by transpressive structures (strike-slip faults). The mineralization is thus synorogenic.Aguablanca is probably the first case referred to in the literature of a magmatic Cu–Ni ore deposit hosted by calc-alkaline igneous rocks.