Seafloor spreading, obduction and triple junction tectonics of the Mineoka Ophiolite, Central Japan

The Tertiary Mineoka ophiolite occurs in a fault zone at the intersection of the Honshu and Izu forearcs in central Japan and displays structural evidence for three major phases of deformation: normal and oblique-slip faults and hydrothermal veins formed during the seafloor spreading evolution of the ophiolite at a ridge-transform fault intersection. These structures may represent repeated changes in differential stress and pore-fluid pressures during their formation. The second series of deformation is characterized by oblique thrust faults with Riedel shears and no significant mineral veining, and is interpreted to have resulted from transpressional dextral faulting during the obduction of the ophiolite through oblique convergence and tectonic accretion. This deformation occurred at the NW corner of a TTT-type (trench–trench–trench) triple junction in the NW Pacific rim before the middle Miocene. The third series of deformation of the ophiolite is marked by contractional and oblique shear zones, Riedel shears, and thrust faults that crosscut and offset earlier structures, and that give the Mineoka fault zone its lenticular (phacoidal) fabric at all scales. This deformation phase was associated with the establishment and the southward migration of the TTT Boso triple junction and with the kinematics of oblique subduction and forearc sliver fault development. The composite Mineoka ophiolite hence displays rocks and structures that evolved during its complex geodynamic history involving seafloor spreading, tectonic accretion, and triple junction evolution in the NW Pacific Rim.     

Transpressional tectonics of the Mineoka Ophiolite Belt in a trench–trench–trench-type triple junction, Boso Peninsula, Japan

Abstract   Structures developed in metamorphic and plutonic blocks that occur as knockers in the Mineoka Ophiolite Belt in the Boso Peninsula, central Japan, were analyzed. The aim was to understand the incorporation processes of blocks of metamorphic and plutonic rocks with an arc signature into the serpentinite mélange of the Mineoka Ophiolite Belt in relation to changes in metamorphic conditions during emplacement. Several stages of deformation during retrogressive metamorphism were identified: the first faulting stage had two substage shearing events (mylonitization) under ductile conditions inside the crystalline blocks in relatively deeper levels; and the second stage had brittle faulting and brecciation along the boundaries between the host serpentinite bodies in relatively shallower levels (zeolite facies). The first deformation occurred during uplift before emplacement. The blocks were intensively sheared by the first deformation event, and developed numerous shear planes with spacing of a few centimeters. The displacement and width of each shear plane were a few centimeters and a few millimeters, respectively, at most. In contrast, the fault zone of the second shearing stage reached a few meters in width and developed during emplacement of the Mineoka Ophiolite. Both stages occurred under a right-lateral transpressional regime, in which thrust-faulting was associated with strike-slip faulting. Such displacement on an outcrop scale is consistent with the present tectonics of the Mineoka Belt. This implies that the same tectonic stress has been operating in the Boso trench–trench–trench-type triple junction area in the northwest corner of the Pacific since the emplacement of the Mineoka Ophiolite. The Mineoka Ophiolite Belt must have worked as a forearc sliver fault during the formation of a Neogene accretionary prism further south.     

The internal deformation of the Peridotite Nappe of New Caledonia: A structural study of serpentine-bearing faults and shear zones in the Koniambo Massif

We present a structural analysis of serpentine-bearing faults and shear zones in the Koniambo Massif, one of the klippes of the Peridotite Nappe of New Caledonia. Three structural levels are recognized. The upper level is characterized by a dense network of fractures. Antigorite and polygonal serpentine form slickenfibers along fault planes with distinct kinematics. As a result, the upper level keeps the record of at least two deformation events, the first associated with the growth of antigorite (WNW-ESE extension), the second with the growth of polygonal serpentine (NW–SE compression). The lower level coincides with the ‘serpentine sole’ of the nappe, which consists of massive tectonic breccias overlying a layer of mylonitic serpentinites. The sole records pervasive tangential shear with top-to-SW kinematics and represents a décollement at the base of the nappe. The intermediate level is characterized by the presence of several meters-thick conjugate shear zones accommodating NE–SW shortening. Like the sole, these shear zones involve polygonal serpentine and magnesite as the main syn-kinematic mineral phases. The shear zones likely root into the basal décollement, either along its roof or, occasionally, around its base. Compared to top-to-SW shearing along the sole, the two deformation events recorded in the upper level are older.The three structural levels correlate well with previously recognized spatial variations in the degree of serpentinization. It is therefore tempting to consider that the intensity of serpentinization played a major role in the way deformation has been distributed across the Peridotite Nappe. However, even the least altered peridotites, in the upper level, contain so much serpentine that, according to theoretical and experimental work, they should be nearly as weak as pure serpentinite. Hence, no strong vertical gradient in strength due to variations in the degree of serpentinization is expected within the exposed part of the nappe. Our proposal is that strain localization along the serpentine sole results from the juxtaposition of the nappe, made of weak serpentinized peridotites, against the strong mafic rocks of its substratum. This interpretation is at odds with the intuitive view that would consider the nappe, made of peridotites, as stronger than its basement.     

西藏班公湖-怒江缝合带西段特提斯洋晚二叠世(Ca.252Ma)洋内俯冲的地球化学和年代学证据

多龙蛇绿混杂岩是班公湖-怒江蛇绿岩带的重要组成部分,位于西藏阿里地区改则县北西约120 km的多龙矿集区内,大地构造位置处于班公湖-怒江缝合带中西段,南羌塘板块南缘。多龙蛇绿混杂岩主要分布在多龙矿区中部及东北部。矿区中部蛇绿岩主要由辉长岩、辉绿(玢)岩、枕状玄武岩、气孔杏仁状玄武岩、玄武质岩屑凝灰岩及硅质岩等组成,东西向延伸约35 km,南北宽3~7 km,出露面积约180 km2;该蛇绿岩残片的组成单元(包括基性岩单元以及硅质岩单元等)多被构造肢解,整体表现为不规则透镜体,以构造岩片的形式断续分布于侏罗系次深海陆棚-盆地斜坡复陆碎屑岩-类复理石建造内的断层带中,构成典型的网结状构造。矿区东北部蛇绿岩主要由含铁斜方辉石橄榄蛇纹岩、玻基玄武岩、碳酸盐化角闪辉长岩、微纹层状硅质岩等组成,该蛇绿混杂岩带沿北西-南东向断裂展布,延伸约12 km,宽1~3 km,出露面积约30 km2;该蛇绿岩残片组成单元(包括超基性岩单元、基性岩单元以及硅质岩单元等)均呈构造岩片的形式产出在三叠系灰岩地层内的断层带中。     

新特提斯洋俯冲起始的地质记录:土耳其南部蛇绿岩和变质底板

在现行板块构造理论的框架下,板块的初始俯冲是岩浆活动和构造运动发生转变的重要过程,亦是理解板块运动的关键节点。在俯冲起始过程中,主要存在四个方面的地质记录,分别为一系列地球化学成分多样的岩浆活动、SSZ型蛇绿岩、变质底板和玻安岩及其对应的铬铁矿床。特提斯造山带作为公认的研究板块构造理论尤其是初始俯冲的关键场所,一直备受地学界的重视。而土耳其南部构造带作为特提斯造山带的重要组成部分,亦是确定亚欧板块和阿拉伯板块之间缝合线存在的重要标志。该南部构造带是研究新特提斯洋俯冲起始的理想场所,上述关于俯冲初始的四个地质记录均保存良好,且有如下方面的重要特点:1)不同地区的镁铁质岩石甚至同一地区的镁铁质岩石具有不同的地球化学特征,从似洋中脊玄武岩,到过渡型岩石类型和玻安质岩石均有发育; 2)大部分蛇绿岩具有完整的序列,各单元及变质底板岩石中普遍发育侵入的基性岩脉,产状多变,是多期岩浆事件的产物; 3)蛇绿岩下部通常发育一套角闪岩相变质底板,且其年龄与蛇绿岩的形成年龄基本一致; 4)蛇绿岩中普遍发育铬铁矿床,以高Cr型为主,部分蛇绿岩中还赋存高Al-高Cr的过渡型铬铁矿,均被认为是幔源岩浆与地幔橄榄岩反应的产物。因而,这些地质体完整记录了新特提斯洋形成-俯冲-消减的演化过程。     

Geochemistry of Khor Um-Safi ophiolitic serpentinites,central Eastern desert,Egypt: Implications for neoproterozoic arc-basin system in the Arabian-Nubian shield

Serpentinites in the Eastern Desert of Egypt are the most distinctive lithological unit in the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) ophiolite sequence which associated with major suture zones. Khor Um-Safi (KUS) serpentinites represent dismembered fragments of ophiolitic rocks located in the central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt.KUS serpentinites exhibit affinity to the typical metamorphic peridotites with harzburgitic protolith compositions. Their opaque mineral assemblage (pentlandite, heazlewoodite and magnetite) is similar to that observed in oceanic serpentinites and implies serpentinization under highly reducing conditions. They have refractory major element compositions with Al₂O₃ contents comparable to oceanic and active margin peridotites as well as Pan-African serpentinites. The Cr and TiO₂ contents reflect evolution within a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) environment. This implication is confirmed by the Al₂O₃/SiO₂ and MgO/SiO₂ ratios which akin to ANS ophiolitic peridotites in fore-arc setting. Their enrichment in compatible trace elements (Cr, Ni and Co) reveals a depleted mantle peridotite protolith.Modelling trace elements indicates that they represent the mantle residues from 15 to 20 % melting of spinel peridotite at oxygen fugacity conditions of the QFM + 1 buffer. This range of melt extraction is consistent with the typical range of SSZ peridotite. Oxygen fugacity estimation suggests evolution under more oxidizing regime similar to modern fore-arc basin system. Moreover, this implication indicates that the KUS mantle represents arc lithosphere interacted with arc melt.     

Geological controls on Pleistocene glaciation and cirque form in Greece

Limestone and ophiolite rocks are common across the eastern Mediterranean and many of the highest mountains are formed in these rock types. In northwest Greece, Pleistocene glacial erosion was much more effective on limestone terrain where pronounced glacial incision and subglacial glacio-karst processes produced locally-complex topography. This enabled Pleistocene glaciers to form on a range of slope orientations in contrast to ophiolite terrains, where glaciers were strongly controlled by aspect. On limestone terrains, the largest ice masses formed on south-facing slopes, whereas in neighbouring higher mountains formed in ophiolite, glaciers were much more restricted and predominantly formed on north- and east-facing slopes.     

有关蛇绿岩研究的一些新进展

本文扼要介绍有关蛇绿岩的形成环境、成因类型划分及有关上地幔岩变形特征方面的新成果。     

益阳火山岩特征及其形成构造环境分析

益阳火山岩中的熔岩、辉长辉绿岩和玄武质科马提岩,分别与蛇绿岩套中的熔岩、熔岩中的脉岩或岩墙杂岩和层状堆晶辉长岩有相似或相同的化学成分与微量元素含量,它们具有蛇绿岩套属性。与邻区广西、江西和安徽等省的蛇绿岩套分布在同一带上。因而认为,湖南境内沿通道—淑浦—宁乡—浏阳一带存在一条元古宙的古板块消减带,它控制了湖南中北部地区大地构造的演化和发展。     

祁连山蛇绿岩型超镁铁岩铬铁矿床成矿的主要特征

祁连山造山带目前已发现不同规模的超镁铁岩体（群）1000余个,产有铬铁矿床（点）和矿化点80余处,这些岩体及其矿产主要产在北祁连优地斜增生地体边部的海沟带中,少数产在祁连中间地块的边部。岩体成因类型为蛇绿岩组合中的超镁铁质单元,铬铁矿的富集部位是地幔橄榄岩和堆积杂岩带底部的纯橄榄岩。岩石多为铝过饱和系列,岩体的平均化学成分接近于斜辉橄榄岩;Cr₂0₃的平均含量大于0.40％,Al₂0₃的平均含量近于或者大于1％。铬尖晶石的化学参数特征反映出低铁富镁的介质对形成富铬尖晶石是有利的。富铬岩体中Cr、Co、Ti、V的含量较高。