Trace‐element signatures of apatites in granitoids from the Mt Isa Inlier,northwestern Queensland

The concentrations of trace elements in apatite from granitoid rocks of the Mt Isa Inlier have been investigated using the laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) microprobe. The results indicate that the distribution of trace elements (especially rare‐earth elements (REE), Sr, Y, Mn and Th) in apatite strongly reflects the chemical characteristics of the parental rock. The variations in the trace‐element concentrations of apatite are correlated with parameters such as the SiO₂ content, oxidation state of iron, total alkalis and the aluminium saturation index (ASI). The relative enrichment of Y, HREE and Mn and the relative depletion of Sr in the apatites studied reflect the degree of fractionation of the host granite. Apatites from strongly oxidised plutons tend to have higher concentrations of LREE relative to MREE. Manganese concentrations are higher in apatite from reduced granitoids because Mn²⁺substitutes directly for Ca²⁺. The La/Ce ratio of apatite is well‐correlated with the whole‐rock K²O and Na²O contents, as well as with the oxidation state and ASI. Because apatite trace‐element composition reflects the chemistry of the whole rock, it can be a useful indicator mineral for the recognition of mineralised granite suites, where particular mineralisation styles are associated with granitoids that have specific geochemical fingerprints.     

Constraining sequence stratigraphy in north Australian basins: SHRIMP U–Pb zircon geochronology between Mt Isa and McArthur River

Fifty‐five new SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages from samples of northern Australian ‘basement’ and its overlying Proterozoic successions are used to refine and, in places, significantly change previous lithostratigraphic correlations. In conjunction with sequence‐stratigraphic studies, the 1800–1580 Ma rock record between Mt Isa and the Roper River is now classified into three superbasin phases—the Leichhardt, Calvert and Isa. These three major depositional episodes are separated by ～20 million years gaps. The Isa Superbasin can be further subdivided into seven supersequences each 10–15 million years in duration. Gaps in the geological record between these supersequences are variable; they approach several million years in basin‐margin positions, but are much smaller in the depocentres. Arguments based on field setting, petrography, zircon morphology, and U–Pb systematics are used to interpret these U–Pb zircon ages and in most cases to demonstrate that the ages obtained are depositional. In some instances, zircon crystals are reworked and give maximum depositional ages. These give useful provenance information as they fingerprint the source(s) of basin fill. Six new ‘Barramundi’ basement ages (around 1850 Ma) were obtained from crystalline units in the Murphy Inlier (Nicholson Granite and Cliffdale Volcanics), the Urapunga Tectonic Ridge (‘Mt Reid Volcanics’ and ‘Urapunga Granite’), and the central McArthur Basin (Scrutton Volcanics). New ages were also obtained from units assigned to the Calvert Superbasin (ca 1740–1690 Ma). SHRIMP results show that the Wollogorang Formation is not one continuous unit, but two different sequences, one deposited around 1730 Ma and a younger unit deposited around 1722 Ma. Further documentation is given of a regional 1725 Ma felsic event adjacent to the Murphy Inlier (Peters Creek Volcanics and Packsaddle Microgranite) and in the Carrara Range. A younger ca 1710 Ma felsic event is indicated in the southwestern McArthur Basin (Tanumbirini Rhyolite and overlying Nyanantu Formation). Four of the seven supersequences in the Isa Superbasin (ca 1670–1580 Ma) are reasonably well‐constrained by the new SHRIMP results: the Gun Supersequence (ca 1670–1655 Ma) by Paradise Creek Formation, Moondarra Siltstone, Breakaway Shale and Urquhart Shale ages grouped between 1668 and 1652 Ma; the Loretta Supersequence (ca 1655–1645 Ma) by results from the Lady Loretta Formation, Walford Dolomite, the upper part of the Mallapunyah Formation and the Tatoola Sandstone between ca 1653 and 1647 Ma; the River Supersequence (ca 1645–1630 Ma) by ages from the Teena Dolomite, Mt Les and Riversleigh Siltstones, and Barney Creek, Lynott, St Vidgeon and Nagi Formations clustering around 1640 Ma; and the Term Supersequence (ca 1630–1615 Ma) by ages from the Stretton Sandstone, lower Doomadgee Formation and lower part of the Lawn Hill Formation, mostly around 1630–1620 Ma. The next two younger supersequences are less well‐constrained geochronologically, but comprise the Lawn Supersequence (ca 1615–1600 Ma) with ages from the lower Balbirini Dolomite, and lower Doomadgee, Amos and middle Lawn Hill Formations, clustered around 1615–1610 Ma; and the Wide Supersequence (ca 1600–1585 Ma) with only two ages around 1590 Ma, one from the upper Balbirini Dolomite and the other from the upper Lawn Hill Formation. The Doom Supersequence (<1585 Ma) at the top of the Isa Superbasin is essentially unconstrained. The integration of high‐precision SHRIMP dating from continuously analysed stratigraphic sections, within a sequence stratigraphic context, provides an enhanced chronostratigraphic framework leading to more reliable interpretations of basin architecture and evolution.     

Palaeoproterozoic mid‐basin inversion in the northern Mt Isa terrane,Queensland

The Mellish Park Syncline is located in the northern part of the Mt Isa terrane. It has an axial trace that transects the remnants of the unconformity‐bounded Palaeoproterozoic Leichhardt and Isa Superbasins. The syncline is separated into a lower and upper component based upon variation in fold geometry across the basin‐bounding unconformity. The lower syncline, in the Leichhardt Superbasin, is tight and has an inclined west‐dipping axial plane. The upper syncline, in the Isa Superbasin, is open and upright. The geometry of the lower syncline is a consequence of a period of shortening and basin inversion which post‐dated the Leichhardt Rift Event (ca 1780–1740 Ma) and pre‐dated the Mt Isa Rift Event (ca 1710–1655 Ma), forming an open and upright north‐oriented syncline. Subsequent southeast tilting and half‐graben development during the Mt Isa Rift Event resulted in the lower syncline being tilted into its inclined geometry. Sequences of the Isa Superbasin were then deposited onto the eroded syncline. The geometry of the upper syncline reflects regional east‐west shortening during the Isan Orogeny (ca 1590–1500 Ma). The position of the upper syncline was largely controlled by the pre‐existing lower syncline. At this time the lower syncline was reactivated and tightened by flexural slip folding.     

北祁连山中段早中奥陶世蛇绿岩中席状岩墙杂岩的发现及其地质意义

作为蛇绿岩套重要组成部分之一的席状岩墙杂岩(Sheeted dyke complex)近来在北祁连山中段肃南县大岔大坂北坡的早中奥陶世蛇绿岩中被发现。这一发现对于祁连山早古生代蛇绿岩来说尚属首次,而且对于研究蛇绿岩的发展演化及探讨奥陶纪时洋底扩张都有重要意义。席状岩墙杂岩由一系列具单向冷凝边的辉绿岩墙组成,以一墙挨一墙的形式产出,岩墙间无任何填充物。席状岩墙杂岩在矿物组合上,常量元素、稀土元素及痕量元素地球化学特征和配分模式,甚至金属硫化物矿化作用方面都有类似之处。这些证据表明席状岩墙杂岩是连通其下岩浆房与其上枕状熔岩的通道。席状岩墙的单向冷凝边为岩浆上升方式和扩张洋脊的存在提供了令人信服的证据。根据Zr/Y—Zr关系图式,得出该区洋脊的扩张速率大约为2cm/a。     

祁连山北坡水热条件对林草分布的影响

采用气候学方法,计算了祁连山北坡不同海拔处的年降水量和乔木林年蒸散量,据此确定了满足乔木林需水的高度带。分析所得的7月均温10℃和6℃,可分别作为乔木林和灌木林生长的温度下限指标。据祁连山北坡水热条件的分布特点,确定了海拔2500—3200米处适宜发展乔木林,其生长以海拔2700—2900米处为最佳,海拔3200—3700米处适宜发展灌木林,其余山区只能生长草类。     

陕西北秦岭中段构造应力场的初步研究

于华北板块南缘的北秦岭中段,在系统测量微断层的位移参数的基础上,通过采用滑动矢量拟合法,获得了该区自新生代以来的三期构造应力场的平均应力张量。三期应力场的方向及性质分别为:(1)以280°—310°方向拉伸为主的松弛期;(2)以305°—336°方向挤压为主的压缩期;(3)以294°—340°方向拉伸为主、辅以21°—68°方向挤压的现代扩张期。研究表明,最新一期即第三期构造应力场的特征与华北板块的区域构造应力场特征是基本一致的     

北秦岭—北祁连(天水—宝鸡)间早生古代火山岩系及其构造连接关系的研究

依据新发现的生物化石和同位素数据,将分布在陕、甘边界一带的原“牛头河群”哑岩系分解为元古代陇山群、秦岭群和早古生代葫芦河群与丹凤群(西延部分)。葫芦河群为北祁连加里东褶皱带的东廷部分,除局部为晚期宝鸡花岗岩侵位间隔外,基本上可与北秦岭地区的古生代斜峪关群相连接,在研究区内与北秦岭地区的奥陶纪草滩沟群,呈以寒武系为核心、两翼为奥陶系火山岩的复式背斜构造。解体后秦岭群呈断续相连的古老岩块,向西可与祁连中间隆起相衔接,丹风群向西延展可伸入祁连造山带的陇西一带,初步认为陇山群与走廊过渡带内的古老隆起相当。据早古生代葫芦河群及其火山岩系的研究,笔者发现从秦安至宝鸡,有近100km的基性枕状熔岩带,并依其相伴产出的超镁铁质-镁铁质(似)堆晶岩、辉绿岩墙及硅质岩等岩石组合单元,认为属与北祁连和北秦岭北带相当的蛇绿岩带。西延的丹凤群亦主要为火山岩(包括枕状熔岩)与超镁铁岩等岩石单元组成的蛇绿岩带。据此提出,北秦岭与北祁连不但是相互连接的,而且具有中间为古老隆起(秦岭群)岩块、两侧为早古生代火山岩(蛇绿岩)带的相同构造格架组合型式,同为我国华北与扬子板块间的碰撞拼合带产物。早古生代火山岩岩石学研究表明,各岩群皆以拉斑质(TH)+钙碱质(CA)岩石系列组合为主,部分岩群的钙碱系列呈双峰岩套特征,显示为岛弧或岛弧初期与裂谷末期阶段活动构造背景。依区内已知超镁铁岩体多呈断裂构造及其旁支系统产生情况,提出为岛弧根部或上地幔物质,受南、北板块碰撞挤压,沿断裂上升就位机制所形成。此外,对区内已知与火山岩有关的块状硫化物型矿床的矿床类型、特征和成矿规律等进行了研讨,提出它们的岩控和时控特征和一些发现新矿床可能性的远景地段。