Exhumation of high-pressure rocks of the Kokchetav massif: facts and models

The exhumation of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic units from depths more than 100-120 km is one of the most intriguing questions in modern petrology and geodynamics. We use the diamondiferous Kumdy-Kol domain in the Kokchetav Massif to show that exhumation models should take into consideration initially high uplift velocities (from 20 down to 6 cm/year) and the absence of the deformation of UHP assemblages. The high rate of exhumation are indicated by ion microprobe (SHRIMP) dating of zircons from diamondiferous rocks and supported by the low degree of nitrogen aggregation in metamorphic diamonds.Diamondiferous rocks in the Kumdy-Kol domain occur as steeply dipping (60°-80°) thin slices (few hundred metres) within granite-gneiss. Using geological, petrological and isotopic-geochemical data, we show that partial melting of diamondiferous metamorphic rocks occurred; a very important factor which has not been taken into account in previous models.Deformation of diamondiferous rocks at Kumdy-Kol is insignificant; diamond inclusions in garnet are often intergrown with mica crystals carrying no traces of deformation. All these facts could be explained by partial melting of metapelites and granitic rocks in the Kumdy-Kol domain. The presence of melt is responsible for an essential reduction of viscosity and a density difference (Δρ) between crustal rocks and mantle material and reduced friction between the upwelling crustal block, the subducting and overriding plates. Besides Δρ, the exhumation rate seems to depend on internal pressure in the subducting continental crustal block which can be regarded as a viscous layer between subducting continental lithosphere and surrounding mantle.We construct different models for the three stages of exhumation: a model similar to “corner flow” for the first superfast exhumation stage, an intermediate stage of extension (most important from structural point of view) and a very low rate of exhumation in final diapir+erosional uplift.     

The lower marine to lower freshwater Molasse transition in the northern Alpine foreland basin (Oligocene; central Switzerland–south Germany): age and geodynamic implications

The Wilhelmine Alpe section near Immenstadt (Allgäu, south Germany), which represents one of the best continuously exposed outcrops within the northern Alpine foreland basin, has been analyzed for magnetostratigraphic and palynostratigraphic signals. The section comprises the marine-to-terrestrial transition from Lower Marine (UMM) to Lower Freshwater Molasse (USM) sediments. Based on the correlation of the local magnetic pattern with the geomagnetic polarity timescale (GPTS) and palynostratigraphic data, an age of about 31 Ma is suggested for the UMM–USM transition in the Wilhelmine Alpe section. A comparison with coeval magnetostratigraphic sections from central and eastern Switzerland indicates that the regression of the UMM sea along the southern margin of the Molasse basin occurred strongly heterochronously between 31.5 and 30 Ma. The heterochroneity is attributed to the deposition of fan-delta and alluvial fan sediments which document that the overall marine conditions during the UMM were accompanied by strong clastic input derived from the rising Alps. This clastic contribution had a much stronger influence on the depositional pattern than previously thought.     

Intraplate deformation and 3D rheological structure of the Rhine Rift System and adjacent areas of the northern Alpine foreland

The lithosphere of the Northern Alpine foreland has undergone a polyphase evolution during which interacting stress-induced intraplate deformation and upper mantle thermal perturbations controlled folding of the thermally weakened lithosphere. In this paper we address relationships among deeper lithospheric processes, neotectonics and surface processes in the Northern Alpine foreland with special emphasis on tectonically induced topography. We focus on lithosphere memory and neotectonics, paying special attention to the thermo-mechanical structure of the Rhine Graben System and adjacent areas of the northern Alpine foreland lithosphere. We discuss implications for mechanisms of large-scale intraplate deformation and links with surface processes and topography evolution.     

Magnetic susceptibility of ultrahigh pressure eclogite: The role of retrogression

Retrograde metamorphism played the dominant role in changing the low-field rock magnetic properties and density of 198 specimens of variably retrograded eclogites from the main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD) and from surface outcrops in the Donghai area in the southern part of the Sulu UHP belt, China. Bulk magnetic susceptibility (κ) of unretrogressed UHP eclogite is controlled by whole-rock chemical composition and ranges from 397 to 2312 μSI with principal magnetic susceptibility carrying minerals paramagnetic garnet, omphacite, rutile and phengite. Partially retrograded eclogites show large variations in magnetic susceptibility between 804 and 24,277 μSI, with high mean magnetic susceptibility values of 4372 ± 4149 μSI caused by appreciable amounts of Fe-Ti oxide minerals such as magnetite, ilmenite and/or titanohematite produced by retrograde metamorphic reactions. Completely retrograded eclogites have lower susceptibilities of 1094 ± 600 μSI and amphibolite facies mineral assemblages lacking high magnetic susceptibility minerals. Jelínek's corrected anisotropy (P_j) of eclogites ranges from 1.001 to 1.540, and shows a positive correlation with low-field magnetic susceptibility (κ). Arithmetic mean bulk density (ρ) shows a steady decrease from 3.54 ± 0.11 g/cm³ (fresh eclogite) to 2.98 ± 0.06 g/cm³ (completely retrograded eclogite). Retrograde metamorphic changes in mineral composition during exhumation appear to be the major factor causing variations in low field magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy. Retrograde processes must be taken into account when interpreting magnetic surveys and geophysical well logs in UHP metamorphic terranes, and petrophysical properties such as density and low-field magnetic susceptibility could provide a means for semi-quantifying the degree of retrogression of eclogite during exhumation.     

中国西部元古代蓝片岩带——世界上保存最好的前寒武纪蓝片岩

阿克苏附近所发现的元古界阿克苏群为一完整的蓝片岩-绿片岩系列,我们通过野外调查肯定了这一认识,并认为它是高压-温相的变质块体,长40km,宽约2.5km.该变质岩由强烈片理化的绿泥石-黑硬绿泥石石墨片岩、黑硬绿泥石-多硅白云母片岩、绿片岩、蓝片岩及少量石英岩、变铁质岩组成.原岩包活泥质岩、砂岩、基性玻屑凝灰岩、块状熔岩、枕状熔岩及少量深海沉积物.蓝片岩的矿物组合:青铝闪石-绿帘石-绿泥石-钠长石-石英-阳起石.阿克苏群为世界上真正的前震旦纪蓝片岩之一,其变质年龄至少有800Ma.     

祁连山东南段加里东造山期构造变形年代的精确限定及其意义

祁连山东南段呈北西-南东向展布着加里东期中祁连造山带和拉脊山造山带, 其基底为前加里东变质岩系, 在该变质结晶基底岩系中发育着菱形网格状韧性剪切带, 共轭韧性剪切带面对缩短方向的夹角为104°~114°, 其最大主应力方位为SW210°左右.在中祁连地块金沙峡和化隆地块科却两处韧性剪切带中的糜棱岩化岩石, 获取变质矿物白云母40Ar-39Ar坪年龄分别为(405.1±2.4) Ma和(418.3±2.8) Ma.这一年代学结果不仅确定了加里东基底变质岩系中韧性剪切带是加里东造山作用过程中形成, 更重要的是通过对基底韧性剪切带中变质变形岩石的年代学研究, 精确地限定了祁连山东南段的早古生代火山盆地(或岛弧盆地)、拉脊山小洋盆关闭的构造年代.这为造山带构造演化过程中盆地关闭时间的确定开辟了新的途径.      

Cobalt‐Bearing Grunerite in the Metamorphosed Banded Iron Formation in Orissa,India

Banded iron formation (BIF) comprising high grade iron ore are exposed in Gorumahisani‐Sulaipat‐Badampahar belt in the east of North Orissa Craton, India. The ores are multiply deformed and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. The mineral assemblage in the BIF comprises grunerite, magnetite/martite/goethite and quartz. Relict carbonate phases are sometimes noticed within thick iron mesobands. Grunerite crystals exhibit needles to fibrous lamellae and platy form or often sheaf‐like aggregates in linear and radial arrangement. Accicular grunerite also occur within intergranular space of magnetite/martite. Grunerite needles/accicules show higher reflectivity in chert mesoband and matching reflectance with that of adjacent magnetite/martite in iron mesoband. Some grunerite lamellae sinter into micron size magnetite platelets. This grunerite has high ferrous oxide and cobalt oxide content but is low in Mg‐ and Mn‐oxide compared to the ones, reported from BIFs, of Western Australia, Nigeria, France, USA and Quebec. The protolith of this BIF is considered to be carbonate containing sediments, with high concentrations of Fe and Si but lower contents of cobalt and chromium ± Mg, Mn and Ni. During submarine weathering quartz, sheet silicate (greenalite) and Fe‐Co‐Cr (Mg‐Mn‐Ni)‐carbonate solid solution were formed. At the outset of the regional metamorphic episode grunerite, euhedral magnetite and recrystalized quartz were developed. Magnetite was grown at the expense of carbonate and later martitized under post‐metamorphic conditions. With the increasing grade of metamorphism greenalite transformed to grunerite.     

点苍山-哀牢山变质杂岩带变沉积岩的变质演化

点苍山-哀牢山变质杂岩带位于青藏高原东南缘大理-元江-元阳-河口一带,出露规模达数百千米,是扬子板块和印支陆块之间的一条重要构造带.该变质杂岩带主要由各类正片麻岩、副片麻岩、大理岩所组成,夹有斜长角闪岩、石榴辉石岩和超镁铁质岩石的透镜体或团块.其中,变沉积岩如含夕线石和蓝晶石的片麻岩类岩石保存了多阶段的矿物组合及异常复杂的矿物相转变关系.详细的岩相学、成因矿物学以及矿物相转变关系分析表明,变沉积岩系经历了早期进变质阶段(M1)、峰期角闪-麻粒岩相变质阶段(M2)、峰后近等温减压(脱水熔融)阶段(M3)以及晚期退变质阶段(M4)的变质演化.其中,M1阶段的稳定矿物组合为石榴石+斜长石+白云母+石英+十字石±蓝晶石±黑云母±钾长石,M2阶段的稳定矿物组合为石榴石+黑云母+蓝晶石/夕线石+斜长石+石英、石榴石+黑云母+斜长石+石英±钾长石±夕线石,M3阶段的共生矿物组合为石榴石+黑云母+夕线石+斜长石+石英,M4阶段的矿物组合为黑云母+白云母+斜长石+石英±钾长石±石榴石等.通过传统GB-GASP温压计和二云母温度计的估算结果,配合P-T视剖面定量计算,确定早期进变质阶段(M1)的温压条件为T=560 ～ 590℃,P=5.5 ～6.3kb,峰期角闪-麻粒岩相阶段(M2)的温压条件为T=720～ 760℃、P=8.0～9.3kb,峰后近等温减压阶段(M3)的温度压力条件为T=640～760℃,P=5.0～7.3kb,晚期退变阶段(M4)的温压条件为T=521～648℃,P=4.0～5.0kb.上述研究结果表明,点苍山-哀牢山变沉积岩记录了典型碰撞造山带型式的顺时针P-T演化轨迹,表明点苍山-哀牢山变质杂岩带的形成与印度板块和欧亚板块之间的俯冲-碰撞存在密切的成因关系.     

多硅白云母压力计在退变质作用中的稳定性探讨

探讨多硅白云母地质压力计在低温退变质过程中的稳定性，在对大别山东缘和苏鲁造山带西缘郯庐左旋走滑韧性剪切带糜棱岩中的多硅白云母残斑由中心向两侧边缘进行电子探针分析后发现：由中心向两侧边缘Si减少,Al增加,Fe，Mg略有降低，部分样品中K，Na有不同程度的增加．而Ti则显示不活动富集。这是由于退变质过程中流体的活动常会改变残斑白云母的成分．并且在流体活动过程相对短暂的情况下，使残斑白云母的成分不能发生充分变化．最终会导致白云母不同部位具有不同的成分。因而,经历了富流体活动的退变质作用后,岩石中的多硅白云母残斑已不能完全保存其形成时的压力信息。     

羌塘地区榴辉岩中矿物出溶体及其成因机制探讨

西藏羌塘地区榴辉岩石榴子石和磷灰石中均发育矿物出溶体,结合电子探针和扫描电镜分析及能谱分析,确定了石榴子石中的出溶体有金红石、石英和角闪石,指示其可能经历了高压/超高压变质作用。本研究在磷灰石中发现了金红石出溶,并认为其可能是在高压/超高压条件下元素相互置换的结果,置换方式为Ti~(4+)(Fe~(2+)、Si~(4+))=2Ca~(2+),这些出溶体的形成为榴辉岩曾经历高压/超高压变质作用提供了矿物学证据。