Reflectance spectroscopic characterisation of mineral alteration footprints associated with sediment-hosted gold mineralisation at Mt Olympus (Ashburton Basin,Western Australia)

Hydrothermal ore deposits are typically characterised by footprints of zoned mineral assemblages that extend far beyond the size of the orebody. Understanding the mineral assemblages and spatial extent of these hydrothermal footprints is crucial for successful exploration, but is commonly hindered by the impact of regolith processes on the Earth's surface. Hyperspectral drill core (HyLogger?-3) data were used to characterise alteration mineralogy at the Mt Olympus gold deposit located 35 km southeast of Paraburdoo along the Nanjilgardy Fault within the northern margin of the Ashburton Basin in Western Australia. Mineralogy interpreted from hyperspectral data over the visible to shortwave (400–2500 nm) and thermal (6000–14500 nm) infrared wavelength ranges was validated with X-ray diffraction and geochemical analyses. Spaceborne multispectral (ASTER) and airborne geophysical (airborne electromagnetic, AEM) data were evaluated for mapping mineral footprints at the surface and sub-surface. At the deposit scale, mineral alteration patterns were identified by comparing the most abundant mineral groups detected in the HyLogger data against lithology logging and gold assays. Potential hydrothermal alteration phases included Na/K-alunite, kaolin phases (kaolinite, dickite), pyrophyllite, white mica, chlorite and quartz, representing low-T alteration of earlier greenschist metamorphosed sediments. The respective zoned mineral footprints varied depending on the type of sedimentary host rock. Siltstones were mainly characterised by widespread white-mica alteration with proximal kaolinite alteration or quartz veining. Sandstones showed (1) distal white mica, intermediate dickite, and proximal alunite + kaolinite or (2) widespread white-mica alteration with associated intervals of kaolinite. In both, sandstones and siltstones, chlorite was distal to gold mineralisation. Conglomerates showed distal kaolinite/dickite and proximal white-mica/dickite alteration. Three-dimensional visualisation of the gold distribution and spatially associated alteration patterns around Mt Olympus revealed three distinct categories: (1) several irregular, poddy, SE-plunging zones of >0.5 ppm gold intersected by the Zoe Fault; (2) sulfate alteration proximal to mineralisation, particularly on the northern side of the Mt Olympus open pit; and (3) varying Al^IVAl^VISi^IV_–1(Mg,Fe)^VI_–1 composition of white micas with proximity to gold mineralisation. Chlorite that developed during regional metamorphic or later hydrothermal alteration occurs distal to gold mineralisation. ASTER mineral mapping products, such as the MgOH Group Content used to map chlorite (±white mica) assemblages, showed evidence of correlation to mapped, local structural features and unknown structural or lithological contacts as indicated by inversion modelling of AEM data.     

纪念中国大陆科学钻探实施15周年、国际大陆科学钻探委员会成立20周年

大陆科学钻探是“入地”的重要手段,是“深入地球内部的望远镜”。中国大陆科学钻探事业开展15周年以来,取得重要进展,获得全球地学界的高度关注,特别是2001年实施的中国第一口大陆科学深钻 （5158m）,成果辉煌,影响巨大。继后,又开展了青海湖环境科学钻探、松辽盆地白垩纪科学钻探、柴达木盐湖环境资源科学钻探,汶川地震断裂带科学钻探以及中国大陆科钻资源集成计划,总共钻进约 35km,显示了中国科学钻探方兴未艾的景象。为纪念国际大陆科学钻探20周年（1996~2016）和中国大陆科学钻探实施15周年（2001~2016）,本文回顾中国大陆科学钻探实施15年来的艰辛和奋斗的历程,展望中国大陆科学钻探的未来。     

东北帕米尔中新世中下地壳物质的折返过程：公格尔西滑脱剪切带的构造变形与年代学证据

公格尔西滑脱剪切带位于东北帕米尔公格尔片麻岩穹窿西缘。通过我们详细的野外观测、显微构造观察、石英电子背散射衍射(EBSD)测试以及锆石U-Pb测年,对公格尔西滑脱剪切带的几何学、运动学特征及其形成演化时限进行了研究。公格尔西滑脱剪切带糜棱岩中大量的石榴子石、矽线石和蓝晶石等表明其为高级变质产物。S/C组构、旋转碎斑及不对称褶皱等变形现象说明剪切带上盘向W或SW低角度剪切的运动特征。高级变质糜棱岩和浅色岩脉记录约20 Ma的206 U-238Pb锆石年龄,说明公格尔西滑脱剪切带初始形成于早中新世。结合前人研究成果,我们认为公格尔西滑脱剪切带曾是狭长的帕米尔中下地壳滑脱带的最北段。由于新生代印度亚洲大陆碰撞以后印度板块仍持续向N俯冲推进,帕米尔地壳由S向N开始增厚,进变质作用最初发生于南帕米尔,约20 Ma时到达北帕米尔。东北帕米尔中下地壳物质开始折返于中新世中期。而直到6~4 Ma,东北帕米尔公格尔地区开始快速隆起,此时公格尔新生代高级变质岩才快速折返。     

内蒙古东乌旗早二叠世超镁铁岩的发现及其构造意义

为研究东乌旗晚古生代地幔性质和造山演化特征,对在东乌旗西部首次发现的超镁铁岩—辉闪橄榄岩进行系统的岩相学和元素地球化学研究。东乌旗辉闪橄榄岩主要由橄榄石、角闪石、斜方辉石及少量斜长石、单斜辉石组成,SiO_2含量介于42.84%~43.96%、MgO(24.10%~26.10%)、Na_2O+K_2O(1.52%~2.32%,小于3.5%),低m/f(3.03~3.54)比值和高FeO~T(12.67%~14.33%)的含量、高Mg~#(76.42~79.20),属铁质超镁铁岩和拉斑玄武岩系列。岩石稀土总量较高(∑REE=39.57×10~(-6)~83.32×10~(-6)),轻稀土(LREE)相对于重稀土(HREE)明显富集[(La/Yb)_N=4.04~7.66],Eu异常不明显(δEu=0.90~0.95),稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分模式表现为轻稀土相对富集的右倾型。岩石富集大离子亲石元素(LILE)Cs、Rb、Ba、Sr、K等,相对亏损高场强元素(HFSE)Nb、Ta,具明显的Nb、Ta、Ti负异常,而又有别于强烈Nb、Ta亏损的岛弧岩浆岩;相容元素Cr(769×10~(-6)~2480×10~(-6))、Ni(454×10~(-6)~901×10~(-6))含量较高;低Th/U(2.54~3.03)、Nb/U(3.40~12.85)比值和高La/Nb(2.60~3.63)、Ba/Nb(43.11~72.52)、Zr/Y(5.45~7.83)比值。综上,结合区域最新研究成果,我们认为辉闪橄榄岩来源于受俯冲流体交代的尖晶石相地幔橄榄岩部分熔融,上升过程中受地壳物质不同程度的混染,形成于早二叠世板内伸展构造体制,与古亚洲洋闭合之后板内非造山作用有关。这一认识填补了早二叠世幔源岩浆事件和非造山阶段超镁铁质岩石记录的空白。     

Possible spatial variability in the Selwyn Block of Central Victoria: evidence from Late Devonian felsic igneous rocks

The Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Selwyn Block in Central Victoria forms the mainly unexposed basement to the Paleozoic metasediments, granitic rocks and felsic volcanic complexes of the Melbourne Zone of the Lachlan Orogen. The Late Devonian felsic rocks are largely products of partial melting of the Selwyn Block, and their chemistry implies that their sources were most probably arc-related andesite, dacite, volcaniclastic greywackes and some pelites. When plotted against the median longitudes of the plutons and volcanic complexes, the average values for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_t and ?Nd_t (at 370 Ma) reveal broad trends interpreted to reflect possible compositional and/or age structure in the Selwyn Block. Assuming that the trends are real, from W to E, I-type sources are progressively less crustally evolved, probably younging eastward. The S-type sources show no trend in ?Nd_t, suggesting that there was efficient sediment mixing. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_t values, however, become more evolved eastward (opposite in sense to the apparent variation in the I-type sources). This is interpreted as the original Selwyn Block sediments having been more pelitic eastward, perhaps suggesting a deepening of the basin in this direction, as well as structurally upward in the succession. The opposite senses of variation highlights the spatial separation of the S- and I-type sources and suggest that the granitic magmas here are unlikely to represent any sort of mixing continuum.     

Field evidence for normal fault linkage and relay ramp evolution: the Kırkağaç Fault Zone,western Anatolia (Turkey)

Linking of normal faults forms at all scales as a relay ramp during growth stages and represents the most efficient way for faults to lengthen during their progressive formation. Here, I study the linking of normal faulting along the active K?rka?aç Fault Zone within the west Anatolian extensional system to reconstruct fault interaction in time and space using both field- and computer-based data. I find that (i) connecting of the relay zone/ramp occurred with two breaching faults of different generations and that (ii) the propagation was facilitated by the presence of pre-existing structures, inherited from the ?zmir-Bal?kesir transfer zone. Hence, the linkage cannot be compared directly to a simple fault growth model. Therefore, I propose a combined scenario of both hangingwall and footwall fault propagation mechanisms that explain the present-day geometry of the composite fault line. The computer-based analyses show that the approximate slip rate is 0.38 mm/year during the Quaternary, and a NE–SW-directed extension is mainly responsible for the recent faulting along the K?rka?aç Fault Zone. The proposed structural scenario also highlights the active fault termination and should be considered in future seismic hazard assessments for the region that includes densely populated settlements.     

The effects of the North Anatolian Fault on the geomorphology in the Eastern Marmara Region,Northwestern Turkey

North-western Anatolia has been actively deformed since Pliocene by the right-lateral North Anatolian Fault (NAF). This transform fault, which has a transtensional character in its western end due to effects from the Aegean extensional system, is a major control on the regional geomorphologic evolution. This study applied some geomorphic analyses, such as stream longitudinal profiles, stream length-gradient index, ratio of valley floor width and valley height, mountain front sinuosity, hypsometry and asymmetry factor analyses, to an area just east of the Sea of Marmara in order to understand the tectonic effects on the area’s geomorphological evolution. The active and fastest northern branch of the NAF lies within a topographic depression connecting Sea of Marmara in the east to the Adapazar? Basin in the west. This depression filled with early Pleistocene and younger sediment after a series of pull-apart basins opened along the NAF. North of this depression lies the Kocaeli Peneplain, whose southern edge the NAF uplifted. Meandering streams on the central peneplain were incised possibly due to baselevel changes in the Black Sea. South of the depression, an E-trending mountainous area has a rugged morphology. Based on geomorphic analyses, uplifted Pliocene sediment, marine terraces, and recent earthquake activity, this area between northern and southern branches of the NAF is actively uplifting. The geomorphic indices used in this study are sensitive to vertical movements rather than lateral ones. The bedrock lithology that played an important role on the area’s geomorphologic evolution also affects the geomorphic indices used here.     

Recognition features of felsic pyroclastics of Serra do Tombo formation,Minas Gerais,Brazil

In this contribution we report a study of poorly exposed, rhyodacitic welded-ignimbrite deposit from Minas Gerais. A petrographic study of textures indicate high temperature of emplacement. Key features include eutaxitic texture, flattened and agglutinated lapilli and glass menisci. Most of the feldspar minerals and glass are extensively altered to clay minerals, which pseudomorph the original volcanic textures. Glass menisci and spherules suggest a possible process of liquid immiscibility. Immobile trace element distribution indicates a possible link with other post-Palaeozoic felsic volcanic rocks in Brazil, a magmatism interpreted as due to basaltic underplating and partial melting of a hydrous continental crust. A peculiar feature is a high Light REE/Heavy REE ratio. Depletion in heavy rare earth elements is possibly due to a residual HREE-bearing phase in the source. The geologic context of these rocks suggests a Lower Cretaceous age and a tectonic relationship with a continental rifting event.     

长江中下游成矿带庐枞盆地小包庄铁矿床地质特征研究

罗河铁矿床位于长江中下游成矿带内庐枞火山岩盆地的西北部,是成矿带内已发现规模最大的铁矿床。2013年在罗河铁矿床深部又勘探新发现了小包庄大型铁矿床,这是长江中下游成矿带内近年来重大找矿突破之一,具有重要的理论研究意义和勘探应用价值。本文在前人工作基础上,基于详细的钻孔观察和系统的岩相学、矿相学工作并结合电子探针测试分析,研究了小包庄铁矿床的矿化蚀变特征,厘定了矿床的成矿阶段,分析了成矿作用过程,并初步探讨了矿床成因。研究表明,罗河铁矿床和小包庄铁矿床为同一成矿系统在不同深度成矿作用的产物。小包庄铁矿床主矿体矿呈厚大的透镜状、似层状产于砖桥组地层中,位于罗河铁矿床主矿体之下约800~1000m,主要由浸染状矿体组成。矿床中金属矿物主要为磁铁矿和黄铁矿,非金属矿物主要为硬石膏、透辉石和碳酸盐,矿石的代表性矿物组合为磁铁矿-硬石膏-透辉石。矿石的结构构造主要有浸染状构造、脉状构造、块状构造、自形-半自形粒状结构、他形粒状结构和筛状结构等。矿床围岩蚀变强烈,主要蚀变类型有碱性长石化、透辉石化、绿泥石化、绿帘石化、碳酸盐化和硬石膏化。小包庄铁矿床形成经历了热液期的四个阶段,即碱性长石阶段、透辉石-硬石膏-磁铁矿阶段、绿泥石-绿帘石-碳酸盐阶段和硬石膏-黄铁矿-碳酸盐-石英阶段,其中,铁矿化主要发育于透辉石-硬石膏-磁铁矿阶段。通过矿床地质特征的分析以及与宁芜地区铁矿床的对比研究,本文认为小包庄铁矿床成矿物质和成矿流体来源于深部的闪长质侵入岩(?),而矿化发育在远离侵入岩或次火山岩之上的火山岩中,明显有别于宁芜地区玢岩铁矿床,类似于智利安第斯成矿带中部分产于安山质火山岩中的磁铁矿-磷灰石型矿床,是长江中下游成矿带中产于火山岩中的一类特殊类型的玢岩型铁矿。     

冀北中低级变质表壳岩的年代学特征及其对华北克拉通构造演化的约束

华北克拉通在新太古代末期发生克拉通化,形成了现今规模的古陆,大量的太古宙岩石均经历了~2500Ma左右的区域高级变质作用(高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相)。而华北克拉通北部冀北地区出露一套中低级变质(绿片岩相-角闪岩相)的火山-沉积岩系,主要包括胡麻营地区红旗营子表壳岩和大阴山地区单塔子表壳岩中变质程度较低的部分。胡麻营地区红旗营子表壳岩系主要岩石组合为变基性火山岩、绿帘角闪岩、斜长角闪岩、含石榴石斜长角闪岩、角闪斜长片麻岩、黑云斜长片麻岩、黑云角闪斜长片麻岩、黑云二长片麻岩、石英片岩、磁铁石英岩等,SIMS锆石U-Pb定年结果表明斜长角闪岩形成于2486±18Ma(MSWD=1.4),而黑云斜长片麻岩形成于2507±37Ma(MSWD=2.0)。大阴山地区单塔子中低级变质表壳岩系主要由浅变质火山岩、云母石英片岩、斜长角闪岩、磁铁石英岩和大理岩等组成,SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,浅变质火山岩中的变玄武岩形成于2490±19Ma(MSWD=2.0),而变英安岩形成于2502±8Ma(MSWD=0.83)。因此,冀北中低级变质的表壳岩系主要形成于新太古代末期,形成年龄为2507~2486Ma;结合冀东青龙地区新太古代末期(2511~2503Ma)的浅变质火山-沉积岩系(青龙表壳岩),我们认为新太古代末期,中低级变质表壳岩系广泛分布于华北克拉通的核部和边缘地区,此套岩系覆盖在太古宙高级变质杂岩之上,代表华北克拉通化之后的稳定盖层,是克拉通化的主要标志之一。