Application of stress mapping in cross‐section to understanding ore geometry,predicting ore zones and development of drilling strategies

Stress mapping is a numerical modelling technique used to determine the distribution and relative magnitude of stress during deformation in a mineralised terrane. It is based on the general principle that fluid flow in the Earth's crust is primarily related to pressure gradients. It is best applied to epigenetic hydrothermal mineral deposits, where fluid flow and fluid flux are enhanced in dilational sections of structures and in sites of enhanced rock permeability due to high fracture density. These are defined by sites of low minimum principal stress (σ₃). Most stress mapping is carried out in two dimensions in plan view using geological maps. This is suitable for terranes with steeply dipping lithostratigraphy and structures in which the distribution of mineral deposits is largely controlled by fault structures portrayed on the maps. However, for terranes with gently dipping sequences and structures, and for situations where deposits are sited in and near the hinges of complex fold structures, stress mapping in cross‐section is preferable. The effectiveness of stress mapping is maximised if mineralisation was late in the evolutionary history of the host terrane, and hence the structural geometry of the terrane and contained deposits were essentially that expressed today. The orientation of syn‐mineralisation far‐field stresses must also be inferred. Two examples of orogenic gold deposits, which meet the above criteria, are used to illustrate the potential of stress mapping in cross‐section. Sunrise Dam, located in the Archaean Yilgarn Craton, is a lode‐gold deposit sited in a thrust‐fold belt. Stress mapping illustrates the heterogeneity of stress distribution in the complex structural geometry of the deposit, and predicts the preferential siting of ore zones around the intersections of more steeply dipping, linking thrusts and banded iron‐formation units, and below the controlling more gently dipping basal thrust, the Sunrise Shear. The Howley Anticline in the Pine Creek block hosts several Palaeoproterozoic gold deposits, sited in complex anticlinal structures in greywacke sequences. Stress mapping indicates that gold ores should develop in the hinge zones of symmetrical anticlines, in the hinge zones and more steeply dipping to overturned limbs of asymmetric anticlines, and in and around thrusts in both anticlines and parasitic synclines. The strong correlation between the predictions of the stress mapping, based on the distribution of low σ₃, and the location of gold ores emphasises the potential of stress mapping in cross‐section, not only as an exploration tool for the discovery of additional resources or deposits, but also as a test of geological models. Knowledge of the potential siting of gold ores and their probable orientations also provides a guide to drilling strategies in both mine‐ and regional‐scale exploration.     

The last deglaciation in the Picos de Europa National Park (Cantabrian Mountains,northern Spain)

A sedimentological and geochemical study of the Lago Enol sequence (Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain), together with detailed geomorphological mapping, provides a first record of glacier evolution and climate change over the last 40 ka in the Picos de Europa National Park. The Enol glacier retreated from its maximum extent prior to 40 ka BP as demonstrated by the onset of proglacial lacustrine sedimentation in two glaciated depressions: the Comella hollow to the north (before 40 ka BP) and the Lago Enol (before 38 ka BP). These results support previous evidence that the maximum extent of southern European glaciers occurred earlier than in northern Europe. Alternation of homogeneous and laminated proglacial sediments during the glacier retreat illustrate a dynamic glacial evolution during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (40–26 ka BP). A slight warming is detected at 26 ka ago with the change from proglacial sediments (in a lake located in contact to the glacier) to glaciolacustrine sedimentation (in a non‐contact or distal lake). Finally, the onset of organic‐rich sediments took place at 18 ka ago. This last transition occurred in two phases, similarly to the North Atlantic Last Termination, suggesting a link between North Atlantic Deep Water formation oscillations and palaeohydrological variability in the Cantabrian Mountains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional graphic display of disconnected bodies

Lett= (x, y, z) be an ore grade function sampled at the nodes of a three dimensional regular grid. Ift ₀ is a given cut-off, the ore deposit may be considered to be constituted by all the points (x, y, z) such that (x, y, z)>t ₀. In fact, the ore deposit may be constituted by one or several disconnected bodies and two algorithms to display these bodies may be considered. The first consists in drawing intersections of the bodies with a series of equidistant parallel planes. The second consists in covering their surface with painted triangles. In both cases, how to remove hidden parts of the drawing is shown. An interactive approach of the problem also is considered.This paper presented at Emerging Concepts, MGUS-87 conference, Redwood City, California, 13–15 April 1987.     

土地类型系列制图的几个理论问题

实际存在的不同尺度地域分异规律是土地类型系列制图的客观基础。多种尺度制图构成的土地类型系列制图可以全面揭示区域土地类型的形成因素、分布规律和空间结构特征,也为不同层次土地规划管理之间的相互补充、协调提供了重要基础。     

专题制图决策支持系统的设计

专题制图中有很多决策问题,如何建立一个专题制图决策支持系统是本文要讨论的问题。本文对下面的问题进行了讨论和介绍;专题制图决策支持系统的总体设计、子系统间的信息交换、地图表达手段、数据处理方法等。     

岩石的热惯量研究

本文阐述了热惯量的物理意义及其在地质遥感中的作用。在测得２３种岩石热物理性质的有关参数──热传导率、热容量和密度的基础上，计算并列表给出了岩石的热惯量值和热扩散系数等基础数据。文中分析讨论了沉积岩、变质岩和岩浆岩岩石的热惯量变化由高到低的初步规律。取得了碳酸盐岩和砂岩类等沉积岩和沉积浅变质岩的热惯量差异的结果，指出了它们的易区分性；也指出了中－酸性、碱性岩浆岩之间的热惯量值差异较小，不易区分。     

遥测地震台网实时处理系统

本文介绍了采用程序驻留内存技术，利用系统的硬件中断和时钟中断，在微机上研制成功了实时处理系统。该系统具有前后台处理功能，能够在主机ＣＰＵ中同时运行多道程序，使数据采集、事件检测、数据转存、地震定位等均能进行实时处理。该系统可用于区域遥测地震台网和地方遥测地震台网的实时处理。