The Alpine Rif Belt (Morocco): A Case of Mountain Building in a Subduction-Subduction-Transform Fault Triple Junction

—The Rif belt forms with the Betic Cordilleras an asymmetric arcuate mountain belt (Gibraltar Arc) around the Alboran Sea, at the western tip of the Alpine orogen. The Gibraltar Arc consists of an exotic terrane (Alboran Terrane) thrust over the African and Iberian margins. The Alboran Terrane itself includes stacked nappes which originate from an easterly, Alboran-Kabylias-Peloritani-Calabria (Alkapeca) continental domain, and displays Variscan low-grade and high-grade schists (Ghomarides-Malaguides and Sebtides-Alpujarrides, respectively), shallow water Mesozoic sediments (mainly in the Dorsale Calcaire passive margin units), and infracontinental peridotite slices (Beni Bousera, Ronda). During the Late Cretaceous?-Eocene, the Alboran Terrane was likely located south of a SE-dipping Alpine-Betic subduction (cf. Nevado-Filabride HP-LT metamorphism of central-eastern Betics). An incipient collision against Iberia triggered back-thrust tectonics south of the deformed terrane during the Late Eocene-Oligocene, and the onset of the NW-dipping Apenninic-Maghrebian subduction. The early, HP-LT phase of the Sebtide-Alpujarride metamorphism could be hypothetically referred to the Alpine-Betic subduction, or alternatively to the Apenninic-Maghrebian subduction, depending on the interpretation of the geochronologic data set. Both subduction zones merged during the Early Miocene west of the Alboran Terrane and formed a triple junction with the Azores-Gibraltar transform fault. A westward roll back of the N-trending subduction segment was responsible for the Neogene rifting of the internal Alboran Terrane, and for its coeval, oblique docking onto the African and Iberian margins. Seismic evidence of active E-dipping subduction, and opposite paleomagnetic rotations in the Rif and Betic limbs of the Gibraltar Arc support this structurally-based scenario.     

扬子克拉通东南缘新元古代陆缘弧型TTG的厘定及其构造意义

在扬子克拉通东南缘的江山-绍兴结合带沿线多处出露新元古代深成杂岩,以往被认为是沿扬子克拉通和华夏地块碰撞缝合带侵入的板内型深成岩类。本文选择其中的浙江金华罗店中酸性深成杂岩进行了系统的岩石学、年代学和地球化学研究,提出它们属TTG岩石组合,包括英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗闪长岩组合(T1T2G1)和二长花岗岩-花岗岩组合(G2QM)两类,普遍以明显富集Rb、Ba、K、Pb等大离子亲石元素而强烈亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、P等高场强元素为特征,δCe为弱负异常或无异常,属典型的弧岩浆岩类。T1T2G1组合富钠贫钾,εNd(t)值=+2.6~+9.4,Mg#值为41.5~63.1,推断由玄武质俯冲板片脱水部分熔融而成,并受到地幔楔橄榄岩熔体的混染。G2QM组合与T1T2G1组合地球化学特征类似,但又明显富K2O(2.75%~5.08%)、LILE和LREE,低Mg#值(27.2~52.31)和εNd(t)值(+1.7~+2.0),应是T1T2G1源区继续部分熔融的产物,可能未受到明显的地幔楔橄榄岩混染。测得花岗闪长岩(G1)锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄为841±10Ma,奥长花岗岩(T2)锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb年龄为793±13Ma,前人报道之花岗岩(G2)年龄为832±44Ma,结合上述地球化学特征,说明T1T2G1和G2QM组合是由新元古代古华南洋向扬子东南缘持续俯冲形成的。综合区域地质资料及前人研究结果,提出金华罗店与诸暨璜山、绍兴平水等地的深成杂岩共同构成了扬子克拉通东南缘一条长达200km的青白口纪(930~793Ma)陆缘弧型深成杂岩带,反映迟至793Ma前仍存在强烈的洋壳俯冲,扬子克拉通尚未与华夏地块发生碰撞拼合,且T1T2G1-G2QM组合的出现指示洋壳俯冲正处于早-中期阶段。     

K–Ar ages from seamount chains in the back-arc region of the Izu–Ogasawara arc

The Izu–Ogasawara arc contains, from east to west, a volcanic front, a back-arc extensional zone (back-arc knolls zone), and a series of across-arc seamount chains that cross the extensional zone in an east-northeast and west-southwest direction and extend into the Shikoku Basin. K–Ar ages of dredged volcanic rocks from these across-arc seamount chains and extension-related edifices in the back-arc region of the Izu–Ogasawara arc were measured to constrain the volcanic and tectonic history of the arc since the termination of spreading in the Shikoku Basin. K–Ar ages range between 12.5 and 1 Ma. Andesitic to dacitic rocks of 12.5–2.9 Ma occur mainly on the western part of the chains. The western part of the chains are the locus of volcanism behind the front which erupted mainly calc-alkaline andesitic lavas. The youngest rocks (< 2.8 Ma), characterized by cpx-ol basalt, occur along the western margin of the back-arc knolls zone. Basaltic rocks of 12.5–2.9 Ma have relatively high concentrations of Na₂O (> 2.0 wt%), Zr (> 50 p.p.m.) and Y (> 20 p.p.m.) and low CaO (< 12 wt%). On the other hand, basalts of 2.8–1 Ma have lower Na₂O (< 1.8 wt%), Zr (< 50 p.p.m.) and Y (< 20 p.p.m.), but significantly higher CaO (> 12 wt%). The age inferred for the initiation of back-arc rifting (∼ 2.35–2.9 Ma: Taylor 1992 ) behind the current volcanic arc coincides with the time that basalt chemistry changed drastically (eruption of the low-Na₂O and high-CaO basalt). This implies that post-2.8 Ma volcanism in the back-arc knolls zone is associated with rifting. Similarly, the change in chemical composition might be explained by a different type of source mantle following rift initiation. Volcanism in the western seamounts ceased after the onset of rifting at ∼ 2.8 Ma.     

雪峰弧形构造带南段牛角界钨矿区花岗岩地球化学特征

湖南牛角界钨矿区花岗岩体位于雪峰弧形构造带南段。岩体主要由细粒黑云母二长花岗岩、中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩、中粗粒黑云母二长花岗岩组成,其中钨矿化与细粒、中细粒花岗岩有关。岩石地球化学特征表明,富碱[ω(Na2O+K2O)=7.58~8.23wt%)],富钾(K2O/Na2O=1.41~1.56),A/CNK=1.45~1.55,属过铝质高钾“S”型花岗岩。稀土元素总量较低(66.29×10^-6~107.78×10^-6),富集轻稀土,LREE/HREE为4.59~8.51,呈右倾型。δEu含量为0.13~0.48,远小于1,显示明显的负异常。在微量元素配分模式中,岩石富集K、W、Ba、Cs、Rb等大离子亲石元素,亏损Th、Nb、Ta、P、Zr、Yb等高场强元素。岩体形成于碰撞造山后环境,并且对牛角界钨矿的形成具有一定的贡献。     

藏北新生代两套钾玄质火山岩系列地球化学特征

岩石学和元素地球化学特征研究表明，藏北新生代自南向北沿可可西里岩带和喀喇昆仑—玉门岩带出露有两套钾玄质系列火山岩。它们富集大离子亲石元素(LILE)和轻稀土(LREE)及明显亏损Nb—Ta—Ti，同时具有板内和岛弧(陆弧)的双重特征。源区来源于可能与俯冲带流体有关的相似交代富集地幔，成岩过程主要经历了低度(＜10％)辉石分离结晶作用，同时，源区伴有地壳物质的混染作用。     

兰坪中新生代沉积盆地演化

兰坪中新生代沉积盆地形成和演化与金沙江洋的俯消减及洋陆转换过程密切相关,记录了其盆－山转换过程,早二叠世晚期－晚二叠世时期,由于金沙江洋的俯冲消减,形成了金沙江弧－盆系的空间配置,兰坪地区成为弧后盆地,早中三叠世,金沙江弧－盆系及东西两侧的昌都－兰坪陆块和中咱－中甸陆块的构造沉积式样发生大的转米,开始了兰坪中新生代盆－山转换历史,由于弧陆碰撞作用,使得兰坪分国地由弧后盆地转化成弧后前陆舅地,盆地中     

Ground deformation of the southern sector of the Aeolian islands volcanic arc from geodetic data

The deformation pattern and the dynamics of the southern sector of the Aeolian archipelago are investigated. A study on the ground deformation, measured over the last 20 years in the trilateration geodetic network between the islands of Vulcano and Lipari, has been conducted. Analysis of the relative displacements and the uniform strain tensor parameters, as well as the comparison between areal dilatation and the vertical variations deduced by precise levelling, allow distinguishing different phases associated both with the regional dynamics and the local volcanic context of the area. These phases, however, appear to be closely interrelated. The analysis of the deformation pattern allows to constrain the predominance of a roughly E–W trending extension and a N–S contraction at a regional scale. This regime is consistent with right-lateral movements along a NW–SE striking fault system.     

祁连山哈拉湖地区奥陶纪岛弧火山岩及其构造意义

通过1∶5万区域地质调查,对祁连山哈拉湖地区火山岩进行了野外地质、岩石学、锆石U-Pb同位素年龄、地球化学等研究。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素定年结果显示,该火山岩年龄为466.3±2.4Ma(n=9,MSWD=1.4),形成于中奥陶世。岩石地球化学研究表明,哈拉湖地区火山岩为低钾拉斑玄武系列,绝大多数样品的亲石元素Rb、Th、U、Ce、Zr、Nd和稀土元素La、Sm富集明显;高场强元素(Sr、P、Ti)强烈亏损,Zr、Hf微弱富集,Ba明显亏损。总的特征显示,少数火山岩具有过渡型洋脊玄武岩的特征,大多数火山岩样品显示岛弧火山岩的特征。此外,哈拉湖地区的岛弧火山岩与晚奥陶世的岛弧花岗岩伴生在一起。这些特征表明,与俯冲有关的奥陶纪岛弧岩石可能与拉脊山地区古大洋的闭合有关。     

Possible Miocene rifting of the Izu–Ogasawara (Bonin) arc deduced from magnetic anomalies

A magnetic anomaly map of the northern part of the Philippine Sea plate shows two conspicuous north–south rows of long-wavelength anomalies over the Izu–Ogasawara (Bonin) arc, which are slightly oblique to the present volcanic front. These anomalies are enhanced on reduced-to-pole and upward-continued anomaly maps. The east row is associated with frontal arc highs (the Shinkurose Ridge), and the west row is accompanied by the Nishi-Shichito Ridge. Another belt of long-wavelength anomalies very similar to the former two occurs over the Kyushu–Palau Ridge. To explain the similarity of the magnetic anomalies, it is proposed that after the spreading of the Shikoku Basin separated the Izu–Ogasawara arc from the Kyushu–Palau Ridge, another rifting event occurred in the Miocene, which divided the Izu–Ogasawara arc into the Nishi-Shichito and Shinkurose ridges. The occurrence of Miocene rifting has also been suggested from the geology of the collision zone of the Izu–Ogasawara arc against the Southwest Japan arc: the Misaka terrain yields peculiar volcanic rocks suggesting back-arc rifting at ～ 15 Ma. The magnetic anomaly belts over the Izu–Ogasawara arc do not extend south beyond the Sofugan Tectonic Line, suggesting a difference in tectonic history between the northern and southern parts of the Izu–Ogasawara arc. It is estimated that the Miocene extension was directed northeast–southwest, utilizing normal faults originally formed during Oligocene rifting. The direction is close to the final stage of the Shikoku Basin spreading. On a gravity anomaly relief map, northeast–southwest lineaments can be recognized in the Shikoku Basin as well as over the Nishi-Shichito Ridge. We thus consider that lines of structural weakness connected transform faults of the Shikoku Basin spreading system and the transfer faults of the Miocene Izu–Ogasawara arc rifting. Volcanism on the Nishi-Shichito Ridge has continued along the lines of weakness, which could have caused the en echelon arrangement of the volcanoes.     

Petrology and geochemistry of greywackes of the ~1.6 Ga Middle Aravalli Supergroup,northwest India: evidence for active margin processes

Geochemical and petrological studies of the well-preserved greywacke horizon of the ‘Middle Aravalli Group’ were carried out to constrain the early evolution of the Aravalli basin. Petrological and geochemical attributes of Middle Aravalli greywackes (MAGs) such as very poor sorting, high angularity of framework grains, presence of fresh plagioclase and K-feldspars, variable Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) index (46.7–74.5, avg. 61), and high Index of Compositional Variability (ICV) value (~1.05) suggest rapid physical erosion accompanying an active tectonic regime. The sediments record post-depositional K-metasomatism and extraneous addition of 0–25% (avg. ~10%) K is indicated. Assuming close system behaviour of immobile elements during sedimentation, various diagnostic element ratios such as Th/Sc, La/Sc, Zr/Sc, and Co/Th, Eu anomaly and rare earth element patterns of MAG suggest that the Archaean Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) basement was not the major source of sediments. In conjunction with the dominant 1.8–1.6 Ga detrital zircon age peaks of Middle Aravalli clastic rocks, these data rather indicate that the sediments were derived from a young differentiated continental margin-type arc of andesite–dacite–rhyodacite composition. A highly fractionated mid-oceanic-ridge-basalt-normalized trace element pattern of MAGs, with characteristic enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depletion of heavy rare earth elements, negative Nb-Ta, Ti and P anomalies, positive Pb anomaly, and distinctive Nb/Ta, Zr/Sm, Th/Yb, and Ta/Yb, Ce/Pb ratios envelop the composition of modern continental arc magmas (andesite–dacite) of the Andes, suggesting a subduction zone tectonic setting for precursor magma. High magnitude of LILE enrichment and high Th/Yb ratios in these sediments indicate that thick continental crust (~70 km) underlay the ‘Middle Aravalli’ continental arc, similar to the Central Volcanic Zone of the modern Andes. We propose that eastward subduction of Delwara oceanic crust beneath the BGC continent led to the formation of a continental volcanic arc, which supplied detritus to the forearc basin situated to the west. This model also explains the opening of linear ensialic basins in the Bhilwara terrain, such as in Rajpura–Dariba and Rampura–Agucha in a classical back-arc extension regime, similar to the Andean continental margin of the Mesozoic. On the basis of the recent ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb detrital zircon age of Middle Aravalli sediment, a time frame between 1772 and 1586 Ma can be assigned for Middle Aravalli continental arc magmatism.