Petrology and Geochronology of Granulites from the McKaskle Hills, Eastern Amery Ice Shelf, Antarctica, and Implications for the Evolution of the Prydz Belt

A combined petrological and geochronological study was carriedout on mafic granulites and associated felsic gneisses fromthe McKaskle Hills, eastern Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica.Garnet-bearing mafic granulites exhibit reaction textures andexsolution textures that indicate two-stage metamorphic evolution.Thermobarometric estimates from matrix and symplectite assemblagesyield peak and retrograde P–T conditions of 9·0–9·5kbar and 880–950°C and 6·6–7·2kbar and 700–750°C, respectively. Similar but slightlyscattered peak P–T estimates of 7·9–10·1kbar and 820–980°C are obtained from the core compositionsof minerals from felsic para- and orthogneisses. Evidence forthe prograde history is provided by muscovite inclusions ingarnet from a paragneiss. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobeU–Pb zircon dating reveals an evolutionary history forthe granulites, including a mafic and felsic igneous intrusionat 1174–1019 Ma, sedimentation after 932–916 Ma,and a high-grade metamorphism at 533–529 Ma. In contrast,Sm–Nd mineral–whole-rock dating mainly yields asingle age population at 500 Ma. This suggests that the McKaskleHills form part of the Prydz Belt, and that the relatively highpeak P–T conditions and a decompression-dominated P–Tpath for the rocks resulted from a single Cambrian metamorphiccycle, rather than two distinct metamorphic events as formerlyinferred for the granulites from Prydz Bay. The age data alsoindicate that the Precambrian history of the McKaskle Hillsis not only distinct from that of the early Neoproterozoic terranein the northern Prince Charles Mountains, but also differentfrom that of other parts of the Prydz Belt. The existence ofmultiple basement terranes, together with considerable crustalthickening followed by tectonic uplift and unroofing indicatedby the clockwise P–T–t evolution, suggests thatthe Prydz Belt may represent a collisional orogen that resultedin the assembly of Gondwana during the Cambrian period. KEY WORDS: Mesoproterozoic basement; Cambrian metamorphism; P–T path; Prydz Belt; East Antarctica     

Geochronology and geochemistry of lithium-rich tuffs in the Sichuan basin,western Yangtze: Implication for the magmatic origin and final closure of eastern Paleo-Tethys

The felsic volcanogenic tuffs named “green-bean rocks” (GBRs), characterized by a green or yellowish green color, are widely distributed in the western Yangtze platform and have a high lithium content (286–957 ppm). This paper studies the ages, origin and tectonic setting of the GBRs in the Sichuan basin on the western margin of the Yangtze platform through the whole-rock geochemistry and zircon trace elements by using U–Pb dating and Hf–O isotopes. The GBR samples from the Quxian and Beibei sections yielded zircon U–Pb ages of 245.5 ± 1.8 Ma and 244.8 ± 2.2 Ma. These samples can be used as the isochronous stratigraphic marker of the Early–Middle Triassic boundary (EMTB) for regional correlation. The whole-rock and zircon geochemistry, and zircon Hf–O isotopes exhibited S-type geochemical affinities with high positive δ¹⁸O values (9.28‰–11.98‰), low negative ε_Hf(t) values (?13.87 to ? 6.79), and T_DM² ages of 2150–1703 Ma, indicating that the lithium-rich GBRs were generated by the remelting of the pre-existing ancient Paleoproterozoic layer without mantle source contamination in the arc-related/orogenic tectonic setting. The results of this study demonstrate that the lithium-rich GBRs in the western Yangtze platform were derived from arc volcanic eruptions along the Sanjiang orogen, triggered by the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the syn-collision between the continental Indochina and Yangtze blocks at ca. 247 Ma. This was marked by a major shift from I-type magmas with intermediate ε_Hf(t) values to S-type magmas with low negative ε_Hf(t) values. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the origin of the GBRs and decodes the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys.     

Holocene initiation and expansion of the southern margins of northern peatlands triggered by the East Asian summer monsoon recession

Northern peatlands represent one of the largest biospheric carbon reservoirs in the world. Their southern margins act as new carbon reservoirs, which can greatly influence the global carbon dynamics. However, the Holocene initiation, expansion and climate sensitivity of these peatlands remain intensely debated. Here we used a compilation of basal peat ages across six isolated peatlands at the southern margins of northern peatlands to address these issues. We found that the earliest initiation event of these peatlands occurred after the Younger Dryas (YD, 12,800–11,700 years ago) period. The second initiation event and rapid expansion occurred since 5 ka cal. BP. The recession of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during the YD period and at around 5 ka cal. BP likely played a major role in controlling the initiation and expansion of these peatlands. The rapid expansion of these peatlands possibly contributed to the significant increases in atmospheric methane concentrations during the late Holocene because of the minerotrophic fens status and rapid expansion of them. These ecological processes are different from northern peatlands, indicating the special carbon sink and source implications of these peatlands in the global carbon cycle.     

东昆仑拉陵高里河沟脑地区晚三叠世花岗闪长斑岩年代学、岩石地球化学及Hf同位素特征

本文对东昆仑拉陵高里河沟脑花岗闪长斑岩开展详细的全岩地球化学、LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb年代学、锆石Hf同位素研究,确定其形成时代,并探讨其岩石成因及成岩构造背景。结果显示,花岗闪长斑岩LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb年龄为231. 1±1. 2 Ma,指示其侵位于晚三叠世早期。全岩K2O/Na2O值为0. 69～0. 71,Mg#值为40. 5～41. 6,里特曼指数σ为1. 90～2. 09,A/CNK=1. 01～1. 03,属弱过铝质中—高钾钙碱性岩石系列。岩石的轻重稀土元素分异明显,(La/Yb)N值为19. 54～25. 52,具弱负Eu异常（δEu为0. 96～0. 97）,富集大离子亲石元素K、Rb、Ba、Th,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti等,具有高的Sr含量(606. 0×10-6～647. 9×10-6)和Sr/Y值(60. 38～62. 99),较低的Y(9. 62×10-6～10. 66×10-6)和Yb(0. 86-6～0. 92×10-6)含量,显示Adakite（高锶低钇中酸性岩）的地球化学特征。锆石Hf同位素εHf(t)值介于-6. 93~-2. 94,地壳模式年龄（TDM2）范围为1. 45~1. 70 Ga。综合分析表明,拉陵高里河沟脑花岗闪长斑岩形成于东昆仑洋壳俯冲末期至局部碰撞的转换阶段,岩浆源于高压条件下的加厚下地壳部分熔融。     

东昆仑巴隆河西金矿地质特征与找矿标志

巴隆河西金矿床是东昆仑金成矿带近年来新发现的金矿床,其形成时代、地质特征与矿床类型尚不明确。本次在详细野外地质调查的基础上,通过构造-蚀变填图、锆石U-Pb定年和综合对比等方法,研究巴隆河西矿床的成矿特征和岩体侵位时代,以确定该矿床的成因类型与成矿时代。构造-蚀变填图发现巴隆河西矿床的金矿化赋存于花岗质岩体的9条构造蚀变带,明确了5个金矿体呈带状分布于北西西向断裂中,揭示金矿化与高岭土化、褐铁矿化、硅化和黄铁矿化等蚀变密切相关。赋含金矿化的花岗闪长岩和花岗斑岩的锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,其侵位时代分别为202.5±1.8 Ma和222.1±1.1Ma,属于印支晚期,约束了巴隆河西金矿的形成时代。结合区域岩浆活动时限、巴隆金矿地质特征、矿体产状与中低温矿物组合特征,提出巴隆河西矿床为造山带型金矿,推断逆断层及其伴随的热液活动是巴隆河西矿床金元素活化、迁移和富集的关键因素,指出北西西向构造蚀变带是该区带金矿成矿的有利部位。     

东昆仑深部结构地震探测研究现状与展望

东昆仑位于青藏高原北部, 是研究青藏高原向北生长的重要地区。该区在印度板块向北俯冲与亚洲阿拉善地块向南挤压下, 新生代构造和地震活动强烈, 是研究青藏高原隆升、构造变形、强震发生机理等问题的极佳试验场。近几十年来, 在东昆仑及邻区开展了大量的地球物理探测, 取得了很多进展, 也存在一些问题。本文通过收集近年来在该研究区开展的人工地震和天然地震探测成果, 综合分析了研究区的壳幔速度结构, 莫霍面形态及各向异性特征, 总结得出以下几点认识: 柴达木盆地南缘上地幔内的北倾界面可能代表早古生代昆仑洋向北俯冲的遗迹; 东昆仑缺乏“山根”, 重力均衡调整对东昆仑莫霍面加深没有起主导作用, 印度板块向北俯冲, 通过青藏高原对柴达木盆地的挤压造成东昆仑地壳垂向增厚。最后我们探讨了东昆仑地区壳幔结构研究的不足, 并对下一步的研究思路和方向进行了展望。     

青海昆仑河北地区岩浆活动、金矿成矿特征及找矿前景分析

青海昆仑河北地区靠近昆中断裂带,经历早古生代、晚古生代—中生代多期岩浆活动,近年来自西至东陆续发现黑海北、拉陵灶火、苏海图、加祖它士西、向阳沟、加祖它士东、大灶火、黑刺沟等多个金矿床（点）,形成一条东西长度近150 km长的成矿带。文章在总结带内金矿成矿基本特征基础上,选取黑海北金矿和加祖它士东金矿的赋矿围岩开展锆石U-Pb定年,结果显示黑海北硅化二长花岗岩锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为443±8 Ma,形成于原特提斯洋向柴达木地块俯冲碰撞后伸展环境;加祖它士东的花岗闪长岩脉含有较多的继承锆石,锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为250±1 Ma,继承锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为420±2 Ma,加祖它士东花岗闪长岩侵位于古特提斯洋向北俯冲背景下的大陆弧构造环境。综合分析认为昆仑河北地区金矿成矿作用与早中生代三叠纪岩浆活动关系更为密切,其矿床类型存在造山型金矿与岩浆热液型金矿两种不同认识。昆仑河北地区土壤化探异常、低阻高极化激电异常、主要断裂（穿矿区）的次级断裂形成的蚀变破碎带等可以作为区内主要的找矿标志,推测该成矿带具有较大的找矿前景。      

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of A-type Granites in Zhaheba in the East Junggar Region of Xinjiang, China: Evidence from Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source, petrogenesis, tectonic setting and geochronology of the late Paleozoic A-type granites widely exposed in the Zhaheba area, East Junggar, have thus far not been well-constrained. A better understanding of these issues will help to reveal the magmatic processes and continental growth of Central Asia. The A-type granites in Zhaheba include the Ashutasi alkaline granites and the Yuyitasi syenogranites, which were emplaced at 321.5 ± 4.8 Ma and 321.7 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively. The major rock-forming minerals are orthoclase, perthite, arfvedsonite and quartz, which exhibit the following principal geochemical characteristics of A2-type granites. (1) Their REE distribution curves each exhibit a ‘V’-shaped pattern and a marked depletion in Eu. They are rich in large-ion lithophile elements Rb, Th and U as well as high-field-strength elements Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf, but significantly depleted in Ba, Sr, P and Ti. (2) Their (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.7021–0.7041), εNd(t) values (4.57–5.16) and REE distribution patterns are in basic agreement with those of the Kalamaili A-type granite belt in East Junggar. The TDM2 values of the alkaline granites and syenogranites range from 661 to 709 Ma. The A-type granites may be the products of upwelling asthenosphere-triggered partial melting of immature lower crust. The alkaline granites were late-stage products of crystallization and differentiation. Compared to the syenogranites, the alkaline granites are significantly lower in K2O, Na2O, Al2O3, FeO, MgO and CaO, but significantly higher in incompatible elements (e.g., SiO2, Rb, and Sr). The magmatic crystallization temperatures of the syenogranites and alkaline granites are 874°C and 819°C, respectively. As their age gradually decreases (peak ages: 322 Ma and 307 Ma, respectively), there is a gradual decrease in the TDM2 of the A-type granites and a gradual increase in the εNd(t) value from the Ulungur belt to the Kalamaili belt in East Junggar. The study of A-type granites is therefore one of the keys to understanding the laws and mechanisms of crustal accretion during the Phanerozoic period, as well as also being of great significance for understanding the Paleozoic accretion.     

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.