Chronology and tectonic significance of Cenozoic faults in the Liupanshan Arcuate Tectonic Belt at the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The Liupanshan Arcuate Tectonic Belt (LATB) is located at the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Major strike-slip and thrust faults in the Liupanshan area are prominent Cenozoic structures, which are critical in understanding and reconstructing the tectonic deformation history. This paper not only provides detailed investigations on geometric and kinematic characteristics of these faults in the LATB, but also dates the faults’ movements by electron spin resonance (ESR). The LATB underwent a succession of compression, extension and again compression tectonic deformation processes since the Cenozoic. The Liupanshan Curved Faults first experienced sinistral strike-slip shear during 57–61 Ma. The Liupanshan Curved Faults responded to the deformation caused by the eastward escape of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and acted as the northeastern boundary of the deformation. Timing for the formation of the Liupanshan Curved Faults shows that the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates must have occurred earlier than these faults’ activity because the latter is reflected the far-field effect of the collision.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic settings of the Late Carboniferous Jiamantieliek and Baogutu ore-bearing porphyry intrusions in the southern West Junggar,NW China

Porphyry Cu deposits occurred in the southern West Junggar of Xinjiang, NW China and are represented by the Baogutu and newly-discovered Jiamantieliek porphyry Cu deposits. Petrographical and geochemical studies show that both Jiamantieliek and Baogutu ore-bearing intrusions comprise main-stage diorite stock and minor late-stage diorite porphyry dikes and are the calc-alkaline intermediate intrusions. Based on U–Pb zircon SHRIMP analyses, the Jiamantieliek intrusion formed in 313 ± 4 Ma and 310 ± 5 Ma, while, based on U–Pb zircon SIMS analyses, the Baogutu intrusion formed in 313 ± 2 Ma and 312 ± 2 Ma. Rocks in the Jiamantieliek intrusion are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE) with negative Nb anomaly. Their isotopic compositions (ε_Nd(t) = +1.6 to +3.4, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.70369–0.70401, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 15.31–5.41) suggest a mixing origin from depleted to enriched mantle sources. In the Baogutu intrusion, the rocks are similar to those of the Jiamantieliek intrusion. Their Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic composition (ε_Nd(t) = +4.4 to +6.0, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.70368–0.70385, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 15.34–5.42) shows a more depleted mantle source. These features suggest generation in an island arc. The Jiamantieliek and Baogutu intrusions have similar characteristics, indicating that a relatively uniform and integrated source region has existed in the southern West Junggar since the Palaeozoic. A larger contribution of calc-alkaline magma would be required to generate the Jiamantieliek intrusion, which may reflect the development of magma arc maturation towards the western section of the southern West Junggar.     

U–Pb–Hf zircon study of two mylonitic granite complexes in the Talas-Fergana fault zone,Kyrgyzstan, and Ar–Ar age of deformations along the fault

A 2000 km long dextral Talas-Fergana strike–slip fault separates eastern terranes in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan from western terranes. The aim of this study was to constrain an age of dextral shearing in the central part of the fault utilizing Ar–Ar dating of micas. We also carried out a U–Pb–Hf zircon study of two different deformed granitoid complexes in the fault zone from which the micas for Ar dating were separated. Two samples of the oldest deformed Neoproterozoic granitoids in the area of study yielded U–Pb zircon SHRIMP ages 728 ± 11 Ma and 778 ± 11 Ma, characteristic for the Cryogenian Bolshoi Naryn Formation, and zircon grains analyzed for their Lu–Hf isotopic compositions yielded εHf(t) values from −11.43 to −16.73, and their calculated tHfc ages varied from 2.42 to 2.71 Ga. Thus varying Cryogenian ages and noticeable heterogeneity of Meso- to Paleoproterozoic crustal sources was established for mylonitic granites of the Bolshoi Naryn Formation. Two samples of mylonitized pegmatoidal granites of the Kyrgysh Complex yielded identical ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 279 ± 5 Ma corresponding to the main peak of Late-Paleozoic post-collisional magmatism in the Tien Shan (Seltmann et al., 2011), and zircon grains analyzed for their Lu–Hf isotopic compositions yielded εHf(t) values from −11.43 to −16.73, and calculated tHfc ages from 2.42 to 2.71 Ga indicating derivation from a Paleoproterozoic crustal source. Microstructural studies showed that ductile/brittle deformation of pegmatoidal granites of the Kyrgysh Complex occurred at temperatures of 300–400 °C and caused resetting of the K–Ar isotope system of primary muscovite. Deformation of mylonitized granites of the Bolshoi Naryn Formation occurred under high temperature conditions and resulted in protracted growth and recrystallization of micas. The oldest Ar–Ar muscovite age of 241 Ma with a well defined plateau from a pegmatoidal granite of the Kyrgysh Complex is considered as a “minimum” age of dextral motions along this section of the fault in the Triassic while younger ages varying from 227 Ma to 199 Ma with typical staircase patterns indicate protracted growth and recrystallization of micas during ductile deformations which continued until the end of the Triassic.     

Maximum magnitudes in aftershock sequences in Taiwan

In this work, Båth’s Law, the b-value in Gutenberg–Richter Law (G–R Law) in the form of the 1/β relationship, and both the a- and b-values in the G–R Law were introduced in order to estimate maximum aftershock magnitudes of earthquake sequences in the Taiwan region. The averaged difference of magnitude between the mainshock and the maximum aftershock is 1.20, and is consistent with Båth’s Law, however, with a large uncertainty. The large uncertainty implies that the difference may result from a variable controlled by other factors, such as the aftershocks number of an earthquake sequence and magnitude threshold for mainshock. With 1/β, since 86% of the earthquake sequences with a M ⩾ 6.0 mainshock follow this relationship, the upper bound of the maximum magnitude can be estimated for an earthquake sequence with a large mainshock. The a- and b-values in the G–R Law was also considered by evaluating maximum aftershock magnitudes. As there are low residuals between the model and the observations, the results suggest that the G–R Law is a good index for maximum aftershock magnitude determinations. In order to evaluate the temporal decays of maximum aftershock magnitudes, modified Omori’s Law was introduced. Using the approaches mentioned above, the maximum magnitudes and the temporal evolution of an earthquake sequence could be modeled. Among them, the model of the G–R Law has the best fit with observations for most of earthquake sequences. It shows its feasibility. The results of this work may benefit seismic hazards mitigation in the form of rapid re-evaluations for short-term seismic hazards immediately following devastating earthquakes.     

Jurassic detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic geochronology of Luxi Uplift,eastern North China,and its provenance implications for tectonic–paleogeographic reconstruction

Relatively successive sequences of Late Mesozoic are preserved and exposed in Luxi Uplift (LU), eastern North China block (NCB), which is an important region to study the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern NCB. In this study, in situ U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic analyses on detrital zircons from the sandstones of Jurassic Fangzi and Santai Formations in LU combining the analysis of sandstone detrital modes were performed, with an aim to trace the Jurassic sediment provenances and the tectonic–paleogeographic configuration of eastern NCB. Three sandstone samples (one from Fangzi Formation and two from Santai Formation) have very similar U–Pb age spectrums which can be divided into three major groups: Phanerozoic (I), Paleoproterozoic (II), and Neoarchean (III). Detrital zircons of Group II and Group III broadly match the age spectra of the basement of NCC which exposed extensively in the northern part. No middle Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons or Triassic metamorphic zircons were found in this study, ruling out the clastic provenance transported from the Sulu orogen to LU. Dominant zircon populations of Group Iare Late Paleozoic (250–393 Ma) recording the corresponding magmatic activities which are not found both in LU and its peripheral tectonic terranes, but can be well compared with that of the northern NCB (NNCB) and the Xing-Meng Orogenic Belt (XMOB). Furthermore, Hf isotope compositions of the Phanerozoic detrital zircons can be distinctly divided into two clusters with ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −1.0 to +12.7 and −21.9 to −3.0, respectively resemble those from the XMOB and NCB (mainly from NNCB). Sandstone detrital modes analysis indicates the provenance came from the areas that have been eroded deeply to expose the basement rocks which accords with the tectonic setting of the NNCB. This research proposes that an evident mountain or provenance region once increasingly developed along NNCB during Early to Late Jurassic (182–155 Ma) due to the continuous collision of the Siberia and North China–Mongolian plates, easily shed mass clastic materials southward into the inner NCB and became the major provenance of Jurassic sediments in LU.     

Strontium and carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Late Jurassic shallow marine limestone in western Palaeo-Pacific,northwest Borneo

Strontium and carbon isotope stratigraphy was applied to a 202 m-thick shallow marine carbonate section within the Late Jurassic Bau Limestone at the SSF quarry in northwest Borneo, Malaysia, which was deposited in the western Palaeo-Pacific. Strontium isotopic ratios of rudist specimens suggest that the SSF section was formed between the latest Oxfordian (155.95 Ma) and the Late Kimmeridgian (152.70 Ma), which is consistent with previous biostratigraphy. The δ¹³C_carb values of bulk carbonate range from −0.10 to +2.28‰ and generally show an increasing upward trend in the lower part of the section and a decreasing upward trend in the upper part of the section. A comparable pattern is preserved in the δ¹³C_org isotope record. Limestone samples of the SSF section mainly preserve the initial δ¹³C_carb values, except for the interval 84–92 m, where an apparent negative anomaly likely developed as a result of meteoric diagenesis. Comparing with the Tethyan δ¹³C_carb profile, a negative anomaly in the lower SSF section can be correlated with the lowered δ¹³C values around the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary. In addition, δ¹³C_carb values of the Bau Limestone are generally ∼1‰ lower than the Tethyan values, but comparable with the values reported from Scotland and Russia, located in Boreal realm during the Late Jurassic. This suggests that either the Tethyan record or the other records have been affected by the δ¹³C values of regionally variable dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The Late Jurassic δ¹³C_DIC values are thought to have been regionally variable as a result of their palaeoceanographic settings. This study shows that δ¹³C chemostratigraphy of the Palaeo-Pacific region contributes to an improved understanding of global carbon cycling and oceanography during this time period.     

Origin of fluids in the Hetaoping Pb–Zn deposit,Baoshan–Narong–Dongzhi block metallogenic belt,Yunnan Province,SW China

The Hetaoping skarn type Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Baoshan–Narong–Dongzhi block metallogenic belt (BND belt), a belt between the Tengchong terrane and the Lanping basin. The deposit is hosted by marble of the upper Cambrian Hetaoping Formation and there are no outcrops of plutonic rocks present. This deposit is one of two large Pb–Zn deposits recently discovered in the BND belt. The Hetaoping deposit is a high Mn skarn. Four types of fluid inclusions were recognized in quartz from the deposit: vapor-rich inclusions (Type I), liquid-rich inclusions (Type II), pure vapor inclusions (Type III), and pure fluid inclusions (Type IV). The coexistence of Type I and Type III inclusions in Stage I (pre-ore stage) and Stage II (main ore stage) shows evidence of fluid boiling. Quartz-hosted fluid inclusions (Stage I and Stage II) display high homogenization temperatures and salinities (134–315 °C; 3.7–18.6 wt% NaCl equivalent) but calcite-hosted fluid inclusions in Stage III (post-ore stage) record lower homogenization temperatures and salinities (85–214 °C; 0.5–5.4 wt% NaCl equivalent). These data suggest a possible mixing between primary magmatic water and meteoric water. Based on chromatography data, the fluid inclusions in quartz contain abundant CO₂ and O₂ and subordinate CO, CH₄ and C₂H₂ + C₂H₄, suggesting an oxidizing environment. Based on their Na/K and Cl/SO₄ ratios, fluids contained in fluid inclusions are similar to volcanic spring waters. The low Na/K ratios (0.40–1.34) of the ore-forming fluids may have resulted from interaction with a deep alkaline intermediate-acid intrusion. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope determinations on quartz from different ore stages show low δ¹⁸O and δD values relative to VSMOW (−4.3‰ to 2.3‰; −109‰ to −91‰), indicating that the ore-forming fluids were diluted by external fluid sources as the skarn system cooled. Overall, geological and geochemical interpretations suggest that the Hetaoping deposit is a distal manganese skarn Pb–Zn deposit related to concealed intrusions.     

He–Ar isotope geochemistry of iron and gold deposits reveals heterogeneous lithospheric destruction in the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) provides a classic example for extensive destruction of the cratonic lithosphere. The Mesozoic magmatism which contributed to the decratonization of the NCC was also accompanied by the formation of a variety of mineral deposits. In order to gain further insights into the cratonic destruction process, typical iron and gold deposits are investigated here. Helium–argon isotopic data on pyrite, from typical skarn iron deposits of the Beiminghe and Fushan in the Han-Xing district of the central NCC, and the Linglong and Canzhuang gold deposits in the Jiaodong district in the eastern NCC, are presented in this paper. The ³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/⁴He ratios show generally uniform patterns within the individual deposits and reveal a complex evolutionary history of the ore-forming fluids with varying degree of crust–mantle interaction. The ore-forming fluids associated with the gold mineralization at the Jiaodong mine have higher content of fluids of mantle origin with mantle helium ranging from 1.24% to 18.02% (average 6.73%; N = 18). In contrast, the ore-forming fluids related to the iron ore deposits contain less mantle contribution with mantle helium ranging from 0.12% to 4.96% (average 1.29%; N = 10). Our results suggest complex and heterogeneous crust–mantle processes associated with the magmatism and metallogeny, where the lithosphere of the eastern NCC was subjected to more extensive thinning and destruction as compared with that in the western part, consistent with the observations from geophysical studies in the region. Our study demonstrates that fluids associated with the Mesozoic metallogenic processes in the NCC provide useful insights into the geodynamics of destruction and refertilization of the cratonic lithosphere.     

Undrained behaviour of Changi sand in triaxial and plane-strain compression

The results of an experimental study of the undrained behaviour of Changi sand under axisymmetric and plane-strain conditions are presented. K₀ consolidated undrained plane-strain tests and K₀ or isotropically consolidated triaxial tests on very loose and medium dense specimens were conducted. The undrained behaviour of sand at very loose and medium dense states under plane-strain conditions was characterised and compared with that under axisymmetric conditions. It was observed that the undrained behaviour of very loose and medium dense sand under plane strain is similar to that under axisymmetric conditions. However, because of the formation of shear bands in plane-strain tests, the post-peak behaviour of medium dense sand in plane strain is different from that in triaxial tests. It was also established that an instability line for plane-strain conditions can be defined in a way similar to that for axisymmetric conditions. Using the state parameter, a unified relationship between the normalised slope of instability line and the state parameters can be established for both axisymmetric and plane-strain conditions. Using this relationship, the instability conditions established under axisymmetric conditions can be used for plane-strain conditions.     

Effect of vehicle–pavement interaction on dynamic response of rigid pavements

In the present paper, dynamic response of rigid pavements subjected to moving vehicular loads is presented using an analytical procedure based on the finite element method. The vehicle–pavement interaction effects are taken into account while developing the solution algorithm. The concrete pavement is discretized by finite and infinite beam elements. Infinite elements are helpful in appropriate modeling of end conditions. The main purpose of the development of infinite elements is to model the unbounded domain. The underlying soil medium is modeled by Pasternak model which assumes the existence of shear interaction between the spring elements. The moving vehicle is represented by a mass supported by a spring-dashpot system. The vehicle -pavement interaction force is modeled with Dirac-delta function. Dynamic equilibrium equation is solved with Newmark-Beta integration scheme. It has been observed that the dynamic interaction between the moving load and the pavement has significant effect on pavement response. Parametric study is carried out to investigate the effect of vehicle–pavement interaction (VPI) and soil parameters on the response of pavement.