An introduction to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

Abstract Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism refers to mineralogical and structural readjustment of supracrustal protoliths and associated mafic-ultramafic rocks at mantle pressures greater than ∼ 25 kbar (80-90 km). Typical products include metapelite, quartzite, marble, granulite, eclogite, paragneiss and orthogneiss; minor mafic and ultramafic rocks occur as eclogitic-ultramafic layers or blocks of various dimensions within the supracrustal rocks. For appropriate bulk compositions, metamorphism at great depths produces coesite, microdiamond and other characteristic UHP minerals with unusual compositions. Thus far, at least seven coesite-bearing eclogitic terranes and three diamond-bearing UHP regions have been documented. All lie within major continental collision belts in Eurasia, have similar supracrustal protoliths and metamorphic assemblages, occur in long, discontinuous belts that may extend several hundred kilometers or more, and typically are associated with contemporaneous high-P blueschist belts. This paper defines the P-T regimes of UHP metamorphism and describes mineralogical, petrological and tectonic characteristics for a few representative UHP terranes including the western gneiss region of Norway, the Dora Maira massif of the western Alps, the Dabie Mountains and the Su-Lu region of east-central China, and the Kokchetav massif of the former USSR. Prograde P-T paths for coesite-bearing eclogites require abnormally low geothermal gradients (approximately 7°C/km) that can be accomplished only by subduction of cold, oceanic crust-capped lithosphere ± pelagic sediments or an old, cold continent. The preservation of coesite inclusions in garnet, zircon, omphacite, kyanite and epidote, and microdiamond inclusions in garnet and zircon during exhumation of an UHP terrane requires either an extraordinarily fast rate of denudation (up to 10 cm/year) or continuous refrigeration in an extensional regime (retreating subduction zone).     

Tectonic evolution of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and high-pressure (HP) metamorphic belts from central China

Abstract In the Triassic suture between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons, the Dabie metamorphic Complex in central China includes three tectonic units: the northern Dabie migmatitic terrane, the central ultrahigh-P coesite- and diamond-bearing eclogite belt, and the southern high-P blueschist-eclogite belt. This complex is bounded to the north by a north-dipping normal fault with a Paleozoic accretionary complex and to the south by a north-dipping reverse fault with Yangtze basement plus its foreland fold-and-thrust sequence. Great differences in metamorphic pressure suggests that these units reached different depths during metamorphism and their juxtaposition occurred by wedge extrusion of subducted old continental fragments. These units were subsequently subjected to (i) Barrovian type regional metamorphism and deformation at shallow depths; (ii) intrusion of Cretaceous granitic plutons; and (iii) doming and segmentation into several blocks by normal and strike-slip faults. A new speculative model of tectonic exhumation of UHP rocks is proposed.     

中国东部中一新生代活动大陆边缘构造—岩浆作用演化和发展

本文论述中国东部中－新生代由科迪勒拉型转变为西太平洋活动大陆边缘过程中的构造－岩浆作用及其演化。在印支旋回（２５０～１８５Ｍａ），初始欧亚板块与古太平洋板块强烈挤压俯冲，并伴随大范围改造型花岗岩类的发育。在燕山早期（１８５～１４０Ｍａ），继续俯冲，改造型花岗岩进一步发育，并开始有同熔型花岗岩类的形成。在约１４０Ｍａ两类花岗岩的形成达到高潮。在１４０～１００Ｍａ广泛发育安山－流纹岩系。燕山晚期（１００～７０Ｍａ）由于弧后扩张，配合红色盆地的广泛形成，发育碱性火山岩和碱性花岗岩带．新生代中国东部大陆花岗岩和中－酸性火山岩活动消失，代之以玄武岩活动；边缘海和岛弧逐渐形成，钙碱性火山岩系转入岛弧地带。     

博格达山晚古生代坳拉谷(Aulacogen)的初步研究

博格达地区在晚古生代不是与哈尔里克相联的岛弧,而是坳拉谷.它发育较完整的滨浅海→陆棚→陆坡→坡角→盆地平原相的沉积相序.建造类型和充填序列与国内外坳拉谷很相似,而与岛弧建造相差甚远.早期具多旋回的火山喷发,中期发育多种重力流沉积组分,晚期出现复理石和磨拉石建造.东与兴蒙大洋相联,西端伸入准噶尔小板块内部.从中泥盆世开始由巴里坤一带逐渐向乌鲁木齐地区发育.     

中国中新生代地洼构造与油气矿藏

中新生代以来的地洼构造在中国陆壳上表现得特别活跃。这些地洼型的沉积盆地都蕴藏着大量的油气资源。作者认为,中国大陆夹持在太平洋和印度板块之间,这几个地质块体相互作用,使大陆抬升解体,形成滨太平洋外侧的近海大陆裂谷盆地;内侧的稳定沉降坳陷盆地;西北发育内陆山前坳陷盆地和山间盆地;青藏地区中生代为古特提斯海相沉积盆地和新生代发育陆相山间盆地。由于地质发展史不同,作者又进一步划分了东北、华北—中下扬子、华南、鄂尔多斯、四川、准噶尔、塔里木—柴达木和青藏等九个含油气盆地区。