Footwall dip of a core complex detachment fault: thermobarometric constraints from the northern Snake Range (Basin and Range,USA)

Low‐angle detachment faults are common features in areas of large‐scale continental extension and are typically associated with metamorphic core complexes, where they separate upper plate brittle extension from lower plate ductile stretching and metamorphism. In many core complexes, the footwall rocks have been exhumed from middle to lower crustal depths, leading to considerable debate about the relationship between hangingwall and footwall rocks, and the role that detachment faults play in footwall exhumation. Here, garnet–biotite thermometry and garnet–muscovite–biotite–plagioclase barometry results are presented, together with garnet and zircon geochronology data, from seven locations within metapelitic rocks in the footwall of the northern Snake Range décollement (NSRD). These locations lie both parallel and normal to the direction of footwall transport to constrain the pre‐exhumation geometry of the footwall. To determine P–T gradients precisely within the footwall, the ΔPT method of Worley & Powell (2000) has been employed, which minimizes the contribution of systematic uncertainties to thermobarometric calculations. The results show that footwall rocks reached pressures of 6–8 kbar and temperatures of 500–650 °C, equivalent to burial depths of 23–30 km. Burial depth remains constant in the WNW–ESE direction of footwall transport, but increases from south to north. The lack of a burial gradient in the direction of footwall transport implies that the footwall rocks, which today define a sub‐horizontal datum in the direction of fault transport, also defined a sub‐horizontal datum at depth in Late Cretaceous time. This suggests that the footwall was not tilted about the normal to the fault transport direction during exhumation, and hence that the NSRD did not form as a low‐angle normal fault cutting down through the lower crust. Instead, the following evolution for the northern Snake Range footwall is proposed. (i) Mesozoic contraction caused substantial crustal thickening by duplication and folding of the miogeoclinal sequence, accompanied by upper greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism. (ii) About half of the total exhumation was accomplished by roughly coaxial stretching and thinning in Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary time, accompanied by retrogression and mylonitic deformation. (iii) The footwall rocks were then ‘captured’ from the middle crust along a moderately dipping NSRD that soled into the middle crust with a rolling‐hinge geometry at both upper and lower terminations.     

A record of Lateglacial/Holocene environmental change from a high‐elevation site in the Intermountain West,USA

Records of past vegetation and fire history can be complicated by changes in the depositional environment of a sampling location. However, these changes can alternatively be used as a measure of climate variability. Our study site, ca. 18.0 cal. ka BP record from Little Brooklyn Lake, Wyoming, located near the crest of the Snowy Range, records three moisture states. Initially, the lake was likely a glacier‐fed pond indicated by the presence of Pediastrum algae colonies. Around 13.0 cal. ka BP this pond transitioned to a meadow environment, suggested by the loss of Pediastrum algae colonies and slow sedimentation rates. Meadow conditions were maintained until ca. 5.0 cal. ka BP when Pediastrum algae colony abundance increased,indicating the formation of a shallow lake. From 18.0 to ca. 5.0 cal. ka BP, the pollen record is suggestive of alpine vegetation conditions with relatively high spruce and herbaceous taxa. Low charcoal influx also characterizes the period between 18.0 and 5.0 cal. ka BP. After 5.0 cal. ka BP, the coincidence of the formation of shallow lake and pollen data, indicating a shift to a spruce and fir forest, suggests an increase in effective moisture. Fire remained rare in this basin over the entire record, however, once the lake established sedimentation rates and charcoal influx increased. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A latest Pleistocene and Holocene glacial history and paleoclimate reconstruction at Three Sisters and Broken Top Volcanoes, Oregon, U.S.A.

At least three sets of moraines mark distinct glacial stands since the last glacial maximum (LGM) in the Three Sisters region of the Oregon Cascade Range. The oldest stand predates 8.1 ka (defined here as post-LGM), followed by a second between ∼ 2 and 8 ka (Neoglacial) and a third from the Little Ice Age (LIA) advance of the last 300 years. The post-LGM equilibrium line altitudes were 260 ± 100 m lower than that of modern glaciers, requiring 23 ± 9% increased winter snowfall and 1.4 ± 0.5°C cooler summer temperatures than at present. The LIA advance had equilibrium line altitudes 110 ± 40 m lower than at present, implying 10 ± 4% greater winter snowfall and 0.6 ± 0.2°C cooler summer temperatures.     

南岭离子吸附型稀土矿床成矿规律研究新进展

离子吸附型稀土矿是我国的优势资源,是全球重稀土的主要来源。20世纪80年代我国对此类矿床的成矿规律开展过大量研究,但仍有诸多未解之谜。为了解目前离子吸附型稀土资源的分布特征和成矿规律,2011~2015年中国地质科学院矿产资源所三稀项目组对52个离子吸附型稀土矿床进行了综合研究,本文介绍稀土成矿规律研究方面取得的一些新进展:(1)离子吸附型稀土矿床广泛分布在华南地区,以南岭最为发育,近些年在越南、老挝、泰国及美国也有发现。矿床主要产在花岗岩和酸性火山岩风化壳中,近几年也在变质岩和灰岩风化壳中有所发现,但花岗岩离子吸附型稀土矿床规模较大,品位较高,仍是最为重要的一类(亚类)稀土矿床;(2)成矿花岗岩的形成时代范围较宽,锆石U-Pb年龄集中在461~384Ma、228~242Ma和189~94Ma三个区间。相对于LREE型成矿花岗岩,HREE型更加富硅,富HREE,具有强烈的负Eu异常,普遍高Rb,低Ti、Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta、Ba、Sr等微量元素,暗示HREE型成矿花岗岩岩浆经历了高度分异。值得注意的是,部分LREE型成矿花岗岩相对富集HREE,特别是富集Y,轻重稀土元素比值(LREE/HREE)多介于1~3之间,风化易形成HREE型风化壳,这很可能是今后重稀土资源的重要来源之一;(3)成矿花岗岩中稀土矿物的成因多样,有岩浆成因(如榍石、褐帘石、独居石、磷钇矿等)、流体交代成因(稀土氟碳酸盐类)和表生成因(水磷铈矿、水磷镧矿等),稀土元素的内生矿化很大程度上受流体交代作用影响;(4)发育完整的风化壳垂向剖面中稀土元素含量呈"弓背式"分布,即表土层和半风化层中含量低,全风化层中含量高,但受地形、地貌及地表水等因素的影响,稀土含量变化曲线呈多种形态。垂向上LREE和HREE可分层富集,即全风化层上部富集LREE,下部富集HREE,也可以同时富集在全风化层下部。华南大量成矿母岩和风化壳样品的化学风化蚀变指数(CIA)与稀土元素总量(∑REE)之间存在明显的相关性,当CIA85%时,CIA与∑REE呈正相关,当85%CIA100%时,CIA与∑REE呈负相关;(5)表生过程中,母岩中易风化的稀土矿物不断释放出可交换性吸附态的稀土元素,酸性淋滤作用是稀土元素迁移的动力,黏土矿物是稀土元素赋存的载体,风化程度影响稀土元素的次生富集。     

Genesis and evolution of hydrocarbons entrapped in the fluorite deposit of Koh-i-Maran, (North Kirthar Range, Pakistan)

The exceptional development of coeval hydrocarbon and aqueous fluid inclusions (FI) in fluorite from the MVT-type ore deposit of Koh-i-Maran, Baluchistan (North Kirthar range, Pakistan), provides samples which are representative of the ore-forming fluid and which support the hypothesis of petroleum migration in the province. Primary brines at 125°C (10 wt% equ. NaCl) and secondary CH₄-rich brines at 135°C (7 wt% equ. NaCl), are recognised to be associated with oil migration in the fluid inclusions. They support the model of a per ascensum MVT (Mississippi Valley Type) stratabound hydrothermal deposit. A pressure–temperature path of 120–125°C to 165–200 bars is calculated from microthermometric data and PVT modelling of hydrocarbon FI using the modified Peng–Robinson Equation of State (IFP software) from primary cogenetic inclusions (oil and brines).The composition of gas and oil fractions is obtained by a combination of Synchrotron FTIR microanalysis and gas chromatography performed on individual fluid inclusions. The oil entrapped as a coeval primary fluid phase is a light aliphatic normal oil in the range C₈–C₃₅ with a high CO₂ content. The brown solid phase found systematically in the oil is probably asphaltene resulting from precipitation after trapping of the heavy fraction, which commonly occurs by decreasing pressure and temperature and\or by CO₂ injection. Later CH₄-rich brine influx probably modified part of the oil in the primary fluid inclusions because degraded oil is observed within such inclusions. Biomarkers obtained by GC-MS analysis indicate a terpane distribution quite similar to the nearest oil seepage in the Gokurt area. This result and the high CO₂ content of organic fluid inclusions indicate a restricted/confined sedimentary environment for the source rock, which could correspond to the Eocene Carbonate formation with type-II organic matter. A possible additional input of gas from the Sambar formation is suggested as feasible. The link between the fluid inclusion data and the geodynamic evolution lead us to propose a circulation of basinal fluids driven mainly by the fault system during dewatering in the foredeep. In Pakistan, they are coeval to major compressional NW–SE Oligocene episode in the thrust belt. The origin of the fluorine may be found in the basin sediments as well as near the basement. The brines originated in salt structures recognized in eocambrian at the decollement level, the source rock was already mature.     

Automatic techniques for 3D reconstruction of critical workplace body postures from range imaging data

The paper shows techniques for the determination of structured motion parameters from range camera image sequences. The core contribution of the work presented here is the development of an integrated least squares 3D tracking approach based on amplitude and range image sequences to calculate dense 3D motion vector fields. Geometric primitives of a human body model are fitted to time series of range camera point clouds using these vector fields as additional information. Body poses and motion information for individual body parts are derived from the model fit. On the basis of these pose and motion parameters, critical body postures are detected. The primary aim of the study is to automate ergonomic studies for risk assessments regulated by law, identifying harmful movements and awkward body postures in a workplace.     

龙门山中段中央断裂和前山断裂的晚新生代垂向活动性差异及其构造意义

2008汶川地震之后,多个研究组对龙门山的新生代剥蚀历史进行了研究,但是在龙门山推覆构造带中段,剥蚀历史研究主要集中在彭灌杂岩,而彭灌杂岩东侧(即中央断裂下盘)的热年代学资料相对缺乏,其剥蚀历史还比较模糊.对于彭灌杂岩东侧岩体的新生代剥蚀历史研究,不仅可以了解龙门山推覆构造带的新生代断层活动历史,而且对于青藏高原东缘的新生代隆升机制具有重要约束作用.在前人热年代学研究基础上,在龙门山推覆构造带中段中央断裂和前山断裂附近补充了一些裂变径迹样品.采用外探测器法(external detector method)对样品进行裂变径迹分析,实验测试在台湾中正大学裂变径迹实验室完成.实验获得了6个锆石裂变径迹和6个磷灰石裂变径迹年龄.前山断裂上盘,AFT(磷灰石裂变径迹)年龄以小鱼洞断裂为界存在明显的差异,其中小鱼洞断裂以南的样品AFT年龄为39 Ma,小鱼洞断裂以北的4个AFT年龄介于6—8 Ma之间.研究揭示出中央断裂和前山断裂的新生代活动性以NW向小鱼洞断裂为界存在较大差异:距今8 Ma以来,小鱼洞断裂以北,中央断裂和前山断裂的平均垂向滑动速率分别为约0.1 mm·a-1和约0.55 mm·a-1;小鱼洞断裂以南,平均垂向滑动速率则分别为约0.55 mm·a-1和约0.1 mm·a-1.低温热年代学方法获得的断层新生代垂向滑动速率与汶川地震断层垂向同震位移分布基本一致.前山断裂(小鱼洞断裂以北)距今8 Ma以来北西-南东向水平缩短量达到8~12 km,表明地壳缩短是造成龙门山抬升和剥蚀的重要因素之一.本研究结论不支持下地壳增厚模型对于龙门山隆升的解释.     

Erosion rates in the southern oregon coast range: Evidence for an equilibrium between hillslope erosion and sediment yield

The relationship of hillslope erosion rates and sediment yield is often poorly defined because of short periods of measurement and inherent spatial and temporal variability in erosion processes. In landscapes containing hillslopes crenulated by alternating topographic noses and hollows, estimates of local hillslope erosion rates averaged over long time periods can be obtained by analysing colluvial deposits in the hollows. Hollows act as local traps for a portion of the colluvium transported down hillslopes, and erosion rates can be calculated using the age and size of the deposits and the size of the contributing source area. Analysis of colluvial deposits in nine Oregon Coast Range hollows has yielded average colluvial transport rates into the hollows of about 35cm³cm^?1yr^?1 and average bedrock lowering rates of about 0.07 mm yr^?1 for the last 4000 to 15000 yr. These rates are consistent with maximum bedrock exfoliation rates of about 0.09 mm yr^?1 calculated from six of the hollows, supporting the interpretation that exfoliation rates limit erosion rates on these slopes. Sediment yield measurements from nine Coast Range streams provide similar basin-wide denudation rates of between 0.05 and 0.08mm yr^?1, suggesting an approximate steady-state between sediment production on hillslopes and sediment yield. In addition, modern sediment yields are similar in basins varying in size from 1 to 1500 km², suggesting that erosion rates are spatially uniform and providing additional evidence for an approximate equilibrium in the landscape.     

Jurassic magmatism related Pb-Zn-W-Mo polymetallic mineralization in the central Nanling Range,South China: Geochronologic,geochemical, and isotopic evidence from the Huangshaping deposit

The Nanling Range in South China is characterized by extensive Mesozoic magmatism and coeval nonferrous and rare metal mineralization. Huangshaping is a world-class Pb-Zn-W-Mo polymetallic skarn deposit in the central Nanling Range. Magmatic rocks occurring in this ore district include quartz porphyry, granite porphyry, granophyre, dacite porphyry, and aplite, with only the first three granitoids genetically associated with polymetallic mineralization. Most of the orebodies are constrained within the contact zones as skarn and veins between these granitic stocks and the carbonate wall rocks.Since the age of the quartz porphyry is still controversial, and studies of the dacite porphyry and aplite are absent, we focus on these magmatic rocks first. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating suggests that the crystallization ages of the quartz porphyry, dacite porphyry, and aplite are 154.3 ± 1.9 Ma, 158.1 ± 0.8 Ma, and 148.4 ± 3.4 Ma, respectively. Combined with previously published age data, we infer the evolutionary sequence of magmatic rocks should be dacite porphyry → quartz porphyry → granite porphyry (granophyre) → aplite. The quartz porphyry, dacite porphyry, and aplite yield high contents of high field strength elements (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y = 255–440 ppm), high ratios of 10,000 × Ga/Al (2.6–3.2), and prominent depletions in Ba, Sr, Eu, P, and Ti, indicating their crustal affinities to A-type granites. They have negative ε_Nd(t) values (−9.4 to −7.0) and high initial Pb isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 18.307–18.644, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 15.689–15.742, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 38.589–38.986), suggesting that they were probably derived by partial melting of ancient granulitic crustal materials.The sulfide minerals exhibit a wide range of δ³⁴S_V-CDT values from −22.6 to 24.2‰, with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 17.669–19.708, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 15.492–15.714, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 37.880–39.789, indicating that sulfur, lead, and other associated metals were derived from a mixture of magmatic components and the Carboniferous wall rocks. Fluid inclusions in pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and marmatite samples have ³He/⁴He ratios of 0.12 to 1.53 Ra, with calculated mantle helium proportions of 1.3 to 18.9%, indicating a predominantly crustal origin for the ore fluids, with minor inputs from the mantle. The Huangshaping deposit is a typical example of the genetic relationship both spatially and temporally between Jurassic magmatism and polymetallic metallogeny in the Nanling Range.     

大兴安岭北段富林矽卡岩铜矿床成因:印支期含矿岩浆源区特征、蚀变矿物学及勘查意义

新近发现的印支期富林矽卡岩铜矿床位于大兴安岭北段新林区新林镇东约90km。矿区发育与成矿直接相关的花岗岩和侵入花岗岩中的花岗斑岩,矿体主要赋存于花岗岩与古元古代兴安桥组大理岩和早奥陶世黄斑脊山组钙质粉砂岩接触带内。富林矿床矿化与矽卡岩密切相关,整个矿化过程可分为两期:矽卡岩期和石英-硫化物期,5个阶段:早期矽卡岩阶段、退化蚀变阶段、氧化物阶段、早期硫化物阶段和晚期硫化物阶段,其中铜矿化主要发生在早期硫化物阶段。硫化物主要包括黄铜矿和黄铁矿,并含少量闪锌矿、方铅矿、斑铜矿等。蚀变类型包括石榴子石-透辉石矽卡岩化、阳起石-透闪石矽卡岩化、绿帘石矽卡岩化、绿泥石化、绢云母-粘土化、钾长石化和局部角岩化。电子探针分析(EMPA)结果表明:矿区内的石榴子石属钙铝-钙铁榴石系列,主要为钙铁榴石,辉石为透辉石-钙铁辉石系列,以透辉石为主,闪石主要为透闪石、阳起石以及少量镁绿钙闪石和铁浅闪石,帘石为黝帘石-绿帘石系列。黑云母以镁铁黑云母和铁叶云母为主,绿泥石主要为密绿泥石和铁叶绿泥石,长石以正长石和钠长石为主。石榴子石成分剖面显示从核部到边部,石榴子石呈现出钙铝榴石和钙铁榴石交替变化的环带特征,且Fe~(3+)含量的逐渐升高暗示后期成矿流体氧逸度升高,结合黑云母Mg-Fe~(3+)-Fe~(2+)图解,说明富林矽卡岩型铜矿床形成于较强的氧化环境。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年结果显示花岗岩形成于~253Ma,花岗斑岩形成于~244Ma,为大兴安岭地区一期新的成矿事件。锆石原位Hf同位素测试结果表明,花岗岩εHf(t)介于-1.60~2.23,花岗斑岩εHf(t)介于-3.53~1.90,二者均具有古老的两阶段模式年龄,结合前人对区域构造背景的研究,认为富林花岗质岩石可能来自于松辽地块和兴安地块后碰撞背景下俯冲板片断离软溜圈上涌导致古老下地壳的部分熔融并卷入少量地幔物质而形成的岩浆。花岗斑岩及与斑岩有关的脉状矿化和蚀变的出现暗示富林地区可能存在印支期的斑岩型矿床,此外结合石榴子石、辉石成分特征以及辉石Mn/Fe比值与世界矽卡岩矿床对比,指出富林矿区外围找矿应综合考虑铜、钼、铁、金、铅、锌等矿化组合。