Hydrothermal alteration processes in the giant Dahutang tungsten deposit,South China: Implications from litho-geochemistry and mass balance calculation

The giant Dahutang tungsten (W) deposit has a total reserve of more than 1.31 Mt WO₃. Veinlet-disseminated scheelite and vein type wolframite mineralization are developed in this deposit, which are related to Late Mesozoic biotite granite. Four major types of alterations, which include albitization, potassic-alteration, and greisenization, and overprinted silicification developed in contact zone. The mass balance calculate of the four alteration types were used to further understanding of the mineralization process. The fresh porphyritic biotite granite has high Nb, Ta, and W, but low Ca and Sr while the Jiuling granodiorite has high Ca and Sr, but low Nb, Ta, and W concentrations. The altered porphyritic biotite granite indicated that the Nb, Ta, and W were leached out from the fresh porphyritic biotite granite, especially by sodic alteration. The low Ca and Sr contents of the altered Neoproterozoic Jiuling granodiorite indicate that Ca and Sr had been leached out from the fresh granodiorite by the fluid from Mesozoic porphyritic biotite granites. The metal W of the Dahutang deposit was mainly derived from the fluid exsolution from the melt and alteration of W-bearing granites. This study of alteration presents a new hydrothermal circulation model to understand tungsten mineralization in the Dahutang deposit.     

Tracing exhumation record in high-pressure micaschists: A new tectonometamorphic model of the evolution of the eastern part of the Fore Sudetic Block,Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt,NE Bohemian Massif,SW Poland

The Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt comprises a volcano-sedimentary succession exposed within a collision zone between the Saxothuringian and Brunovistulian crustal domains of the European Variscides. The studied rocks recorded two metamorphic episodes. The first episode, M₁, occurred at conditions of c. 485 ± 25 °C and 18 ± 1.8 kbar related to burial within a subduction zone. The subsequent episode, M₂, was linked to the final phases of exhumation to mid-crustal level, associated with pressure and temperature (P–T) conditions ranging from c. 520 ± 26 °C and 6 ± 0.6 kbar through 555 ± 28 °C and 7 kbar ± 0.7 to ~590 ± 30 °C and 3–4 ± 0.4 kbar. The documented deformation record is ascribed to three events, D₁ to D₃, interpreted as related to the burial and subsequent exhumation of the Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt. The D₁ event must have witnessed the subduction of the Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt rock succession whereas the D₂ event was associated with the exhumation and folding of the Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt in an E-W-directed shortening regime. A subsequent folding related to the D₂ event was initiated at HP conditions, however, the planar fabric produced during a late stage of the D₂ event, defined by a low-pressure mineral assemblage M₂, indicates that the D₂ final stage was synchronous with the onset of the M₂ episode. Consequently, the entire D₂ event seems to have been associated with the exhumation of the Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt to mid crustal level. The third deformation event D₃, synchronous with the M₂ episode, marked the last stage of the exhumation, and was linked to emplacement of granitoid veins and lenses. The latter resulted in heating and rheological weakening of the entire rock succession and in the formation of non-coaxial shear zones.     

Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing-Meng Orogenic Belt: Constraints from detrital zircon geochronology of western Erguna–Xing’an Block,North China

To better constrain the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the western part of the Erguna–Xing’an Block, detrital zircon U–Pb dating was applied on the Ordovician to Devonian sedimentary strata along the southeast part of the China–Mongolia border. Most of the zircons from five sedimentary samples display fine-scale oscillatory growth zoning and Th/U ratios higher than 0.1, indicating a magmatic origin. All five Ordovician–Devonian samples display the similar age distribution patterns with age groups at ∼440 Ma, ∼510 Ma, ∼800 Ma, ∼950 Ma, and few Meso- to Paleo-Proterozoic and Neoarchean grains. This age distribution pattern is similar to those from adjacent blocks in the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Considering previous tectonic studies, we propose bidirectional provenances from the Erguna–Xing’an Block and Baolidao Arc.Consequently, a new model was proposed to highlight the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the western Erguna–Xing’an Block, which constrains two main Early Paleozoic tectonic events of the Xing-Meng Orogenic Belt: (a) pre-Late Cambrian collision between Erguna–Kerulen Block and Arigin Sum-Xilinhot-Xing’an Block; (b) the Early Paleozoic subduction of Paleo-Asian Ocean and pre-Late Devonian collision between Erguna–Xing’an Block and Songliao-Hunshandake Block.     

Mid–Late Triassic metamorphic event for Changhai meta-sedimentary rocks from the SE Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt,North China Craton: Evidence from monazite U–Th–Pb and muscovite Ar–Ar dating

The precise constraints on the timing of metamorphism of the Changhai metamorphic complex is of great importance considering the prolonged controversial issue of the north margin and the extension of the Sulu–Dabie HP–UHP Belt. While the monazite U–Th–Pb and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar techniques are widely accepted as two of the most powerful dating tools for revealing the thermal histories of medium–low grade metamorphic rocks and precisely constraining the timing of metamorphism. The Changhai metamorphic complex at the SE Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, North China Craton consists of a variety of pelitic schist and Grt–Ky-bearing paragneiss, and minor quartzite and marble. Analyses of mineral inclusions and back-scattered electric (BSE) images of monazites, combined with LA–ICP–MS U–Th–Pb ages for monazites and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages for muscovites, provide evidence of the origin and metamorphic age of the Changhai metamorphic complex. Monazites separates from various Grt–Mus schists and Grt–Ky–St–Mus paragneisses exhibit homogeneous BSE images from cores to rims, and contain inclusion assemblages of Grt + Mus + Qtz ± Ctd ± Ky in schist, and Grt + Ky + St + Mus + Pl + Kfs + Qtz inclusions in paragneiss. These inclusion assemblages are very similar to matrix minerals of host rocks, indicating they are metamorphic rather than inherited or detrital in origin. LA–ICP–MS U–Th–Pb dating reveals that monazites of schist and paragneiss have consistent ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging from 228.1 ± 3.8 to 218.2 ± 3.7 Ma. In contrast, muscovites from various schists show slightly older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 236.1 ± 1.5 to 230.2 ± 1.2 Ma. These geochronological and petrological data conclude that the pelitic sediments have experienced a metamorphic event at the Mid–Late Triassic (236.1–218.2 Ma) rather than the Paleoproterozoic (1950–1850 Ma), commonly regarded as the Precambrian basement for the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt. Hence, the Changhai metamorphic complex should be considered as a discrete lithotectonic group.This newly recognized Mid–Late Triassic metamorphic event (236.1–218.2 Ma) for the Changhai metamorphic complex is coeval with the HP–UHP metamorphic event (235–220 Ma) for Sulu–Dabie rocks. This leads us to speculate that the metamorphism of the Changhai complex belt along the SE margin of the North China Craton was genetically related to the Mid–Late Triassic collision of the North China and South China cratons. By the same token, the Sulu–Dabie HP–UHP Belt may have extended through Yantai, and the southern Yellow Sea, and to the southern side of the Changhai metamorphic complex.     

Time scale of an early to mid-Paleozoic orogenic cycle of the long-lived Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Inner Mongolia of China: Implications for continental growth

We present a detailed, new time scale for an orogenic cycle (oceanic accretion–subduction–collision) that provides significant insights into Paleozoic continental growth processes in the southeastern segment of the long-lived Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The most prominent tectonic feature in Inner Mongolia is the association of paired orogens. A southern orogen forms a typical arc-trench complex, in which a supra-subduction zone ophiolite records successive phases during its life cycle: birth (ca. 497–477 Ma), when the ocean floor of the ophiolite was formed; (2) youth (ca. 473–470 Ma), characterized by mantle wedge magmatism; (3) shortly after maturity (ca. 461–450 Ma), high-Mg adakite and adakite were produced by slab melting and subsequent interaction of the melt with the mantle wedge; (4) death, caused by subduction of a ridge crest (ca. 451–434 Ma) and by ridge collision with the ophiolite (ca. 428–423 Ma). The evolution of the magmatic arc exhibits three major coherent phases: arc volcanism (ca. 488–444 Ma); adakite plutonism (ca. 448–438 Ma) and collision (ca. 419–415 Ma) of the arc with a passive continental margin. The northern orogen, a product of ridge-trench interaction, evolved progressively from coeval generation of near-trench plutons (ca. 498–461 Ma) and juvenile arc crust (ca. 484–469 Ma), to ridge subduction (ca. 440–434 Ma), microcontinent accretion (ca. 430–420 Ma), and finally to forearc formation. The paired orogens followed a consistent progression from ocean floor subduction/arc formation (ca. 500–438 Ma), ridge subduction (ca. 451–434 Ma) to microcontinent accretion/collision (ca. 430–415 Ma); ridge subduction records the turning point that transformed oceanic lithosphere into continental crust. The recognition of this orogenic cycle followed by Permian–early Triassic terminal collision of the CAOB provides compelling evidence for episodic continental growth.     

Drought and institutional adaptation in the Great Plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan, 1914–1939

Agriculture in the southern Great Plains of Canada has been particularly vulnerable to prolonged episodes of drought. Using climate data and a precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration index, the extent of the region’s exposure to drought is examined. Between 1914 and 1917, the Dry Belt was particularly vulnerable to drought, whereas after 1928, a much larger region known as the Palliser Triangle covering most of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan was much more exposed to drought. These droughts provoked major institutional adaptation, in particular the establishment of the Special Areas Board by the Government of Alberta, and the creation of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration by the Government of Canada. Both organizations have proved to be relatively permanent public adaptations to the natural hazard of drought in the region. Moreover, these earlier experiences with prolonged drought as well as institution-building may be of value in helping the residents of the Palliser Triangle adapt to predicted climate changes in the future as well as anticipate some of the barriers to effective institutional adaptation.     

大兴安岭北段新巴尔虎右旗韧性剪切带的发现及其地质意义

大兴安岭北段新发现一条韧性剪切带——新巴尔虎右旗韧性剪切带。根据野外露头观测,该韧性剪切带为左行-逆断层性质。韧性剪切带内变形的最年轻地质体为早三叠世花岗闪长岩,其被侏罗系覆盖,且下侏罗统柴河组未发生韧性变形。通过SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年,得出早三叠世花岗闪长岩的年龄加权平均值为249.3±4.1 Ma,结合野外地质关系,将新巴尔虎右旗韧性剪切带变形时代归属于中-晚三叠世。根据区域构造演化分析,认为其形成于蒙古-鄂霍茨克洋三叠纪晚期向额尔古纳地块南向俯冲的活动大陆边缘构造背景。通过区域韧性断裂对比,认为新巴尔虎右旗韧性剪切带为额尔古纳河-阿龙山NE向韧性变形域的南部延伸。新巴尔虎右旗韧性剪切带的发现为研究区域韧性变形构造及兴蒙造山带构造演化提供了基础资料。     

内蒙古北山造山带时空结构与古亚洲洋演化

内蒙古北山造山带自北向南发育红石山－百合山、月牙山－洗肠井和帐房山－玉石山3条蛇绿构造混杂岩带。其中北部的2条蛇绿岩带揭示了北山造山带两阶段演化的历史：月牙山－洗肠井蛇绿混杂岩带洋壳形成于530~520 Ma,沿该带多处保存较完好的蛇绿岩洋壳残块（洋壳结构具向北变新特征）,与北侧的早古生代公婆泉岩浆弧（由南向北岛弧成熟度变高）共同指示了北山洋向北俯冲消减的过程,即490 Ma初始俯冲,450~440 Ma为俯冲峰期,430~420 Ma为同碰撞阶段,400 Ma的双峰式岩浆岩组合指示了北山洋的消亡和后造山伸展的过程;红石山－百合山蛇绿混杂岩带是发育在雀儿山－圆包山岛弧基础上的SSZ型蛇绿岩,弧后开裂洋壳的形成与南侧最早发育的岛弧岩浆作用年龄接近（340~320 Ma）,310~290 Ma俯冲峰期造成南侧白山岩浆弧大量的岩浆活动,早二叠世末期（275 Ma）的辉长岩和花岗岩侵位及早—中二叠世双堡塘组下部的角度不整合均反映了红石山洋盆的闭合。前人所划"石板井－小黄山蛇绿岩带"实为一条早古生代发育的深大断裂,沿带发育中基性侵入体及少量超基性岩,后期（志留纪末）叠加有较强的韧性剪切变形。中生代以来的走滑作用和逆冲推覆构造改造了古生代的构造格架,使红石山-百合山蛇绿混杂岩带向北左行切错了十余千米,北山南部的中—新元古界推覆至下古生界之上。对内蒙古北山造山带时空结构的厘定,有助于中亚造山带造山作用过程的理解及其对古生代地壳增生的深入研究,也对银额盆地晚古生代新层系油气资源勘查起到基础支撑。     

东昆仑金水口地区格林威尔期超高温麻粒岩

格林威尔期构造事件是了解罗迪尼亚超大陆形成的关键。本文报道了东昆仑造山带东段金水口地区古生代花岗岩中新发现二辉麻粒岩包体,其峰期变质矿物组合为单斜辉石+紫苏辉石+钙长石+石英+磁铁矿。通过锆石U-Pb测年,我们确定二辉麻粒岩样品的峰期变质年龄为995±34Ma,并受到泥盆纪(～417Ma)构造热事件的叠加改造。利用单斜辉石-斜方辉石温压计估算出该区二辉麻粒岩变质峰期温度867～1079℃,压力46～89kbar,属于低压超高温变质的温压范围,可能形成于高地温梯度的岛弧环境。该二辉麻粒岩是首次在东昆仑地区发现的格林威尔期超高温麻粒岩,代表罗迪尼亚超大陆汇聚过程中低压高温变质的产物。该发现对了解东昆仑造山带前寒武纪基底的构造属性和起源有重要意义。     

内蒙古东乌旗北部早古生代火山岩年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

内蒙古北部二连-东乌旗地区出露早古生代火山岩,为兴蒙造山带北缘构造-岩浆岩带的组成部分,对研究造山带早古生代构造格局及演化具有重要作用。本文对东乌旗北部早古生代中基性及酸性火山岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、岩石学、全岩地球化学及Sr-Nd-Hf同位素分析。定年结果显示,中基性火山岩成岩年龄为452±2Ma,酸性火山岩为430±20Ma,表明早古生代岩浆活动可延续至中志留世。地球化学组成上,中基性火山岩稀土总量中等,Eu异常不明显,富集Rb、Sr、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素,特征类似岛弧岩浆岩;酸性火山岩富集Th、U,Eu负异常显著,但Rb、Ba等大离子亲石元素富集程度不高,Nb、Ta等高场强元素亏损不明显,表现出板内岩浆特点。中基性和酸性火山岩均具有亏损的同位素组成:中基性火山岩ε_(Nd)(t)=+203～+267,ε_(Hf)(t)值介于+79～+145之间;酸性火山岩ε_(Nd)(t)=+494,ε_(Hf)(t)值为+99～+153。岩石学及地球化学分析表明,中基性火山岩为岛弧环境下遭受俯冲流体交代的地幔楔部分熔融产物,酸性火山岩则来源于新生基性下地壳熔融并具有板内岩浆特征,可能指示了俯冲的结束。结合前人资料,二连-东乌旗地区早古生代岩浆活动介于晚寒武-中志留世之间,形成时间及阶段性演化特征近似于苏尼特左旗-锡林浩特早古生代岩浆岩带,暗示两者可能具有成因联系,均为早古生代古亚洲洋向北俯冲的产物。