Stratigraphy of the tectonically imbricated lithological succession of the Neves Corvo mine area,Iberian Pyrite Belt,Portugal

Biostratigraphic research, based on palynomorphs and ammonoids, of the tectonically imbricated lithological succession of the Neves Corvo mine, in the Portuguese part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, has yielded ages for all formerly recognised lithostratigraphic units. These can be assembled in three main lithological sequences: (1) detrital sandy/shale substrate (Phyllite-Quartzite Formation) of late Famennian age; (2) Volcano-Sedimentary Complex, divided into a lower and an upper suite, in which one basic, three dolerite sills and four felsic volcanic units and a mineralised package of massive sulphides are identified with ages which range from the late Famennian to the late Visean; (3) flysch succession (Mértola Formation) composed of shale and greywacke dated as late Visean to early Serpukhovian. Precise biostratigraphic dating of the sedimentrary host rocks of massive sulphide mineralisation constrains the age of the latter to the late Strunian (354.8–354.0 Ma). Three stratigraphic hiatuses, corresponding to early/middle Strunian, Tournaisian and early Visean respectively and a south-westward progressive unconformity were also recognised. Sequences 1 and 2 are related to extensional episodes while sequence 3 marks the beginning of compressive tectonic inversion which gave rise to south-westward flysch progradation in close relation to a foreland basin development. Our results lead to the reinterpretation of the tectonic structure of the Neves Corvo mine, with implications for the interpretation of the regional basin dynamics and metal exploration.Editorial handling: F. Tornos     

Transcurrent continental tectonics model for the Ossa-Morena Zone Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic evolution,SW Iberian Massif,Portugal

The Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberian Massif) was affected by continuous orogen-parallel transcurrent continental tectonics from the Neoproterozoic to the Carboniferous times, involving transtension (TT) and transpression (TP) processes that co-existed together, occurred separately in neighbouring regions by the means of strain partitioning or even worked diachronically. A first stage of transpression TP1 took place during the Late Neoproterozoic–Lower Cambrian as a result of Cadomian arc-continent collisional processes. Structures generated by transtension TT1 from Cambrian to Lower Devonian were related to strong lithosphere stretching responsible for the development of basins controlled by major detachments, tilting, rifting and important tectono–thermal diachronic processes. Denudation phenomena and inhibition of sedimentation related with thermal uplift (asthenosphere upwelling) and consequent subsidence caused by isostatic equilibrium, involving generalized transgressions, were processes responsible for major unconformities. The Variscan TP2-TT2 episodes that followed diachronically TP1-TT1, by maintaining the orogen-parallel transport direction, were concomitant with syntectonic deposition of continental basins in the OMZ and foreland basins in the SPZ. TT2 local transtension and tectonic exhumation of deep crustal rocks along major shear zones, favoured the opening of tectonic troughs filled up by sediments and volcanism. TP2 shortening have generated fold axes parallel to the orogen-strike and composite dissymmetric flower structures.     

4: Transpressional tectonics, lower crust decoupling and intrusion of deep mafic sills: A model for the unusual metallogenesis of SW Iberia

SW Iberia is interpreted as an accretionary magmatic belt resulting from the collision between the South Portuguese Zone and the autochthonous Iberian terrane in Variscan times (350 to 330 Ma). In the South Portuguese Zone, pull-apart basins were filled with a thick sequence of siliciclastic sediments and bimodal volcanic rocks that host the giant massive sulphides of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Massive sulphides precipitated in highly efficient geochemical traps where metal-rich but sulphur-depleted fluids of dominant basinal derivation mixed with sulphide-rich modified seawater. Massive sulphides formed either in porous/reactive volcanic rocks by sub-seafloor replacement, or in dark shale by replacement of mud or by exhalation within confined basins with high biogenic activity. Crustal thinning and magma intrusion were responsible for thermal maturation and dehydration of sedimentary rocks, while magmatic fluids probably had a minor influence on the observed geochemical signatures.The Ossa Morena Zone was a coeval calc-alkaline magmatic arc. It was the site for unusual mineralization, particularly magmatic Ni–(Cu) and hydrothermal Fe-oxide–Cu–Au ores (IOCG). Most magmatism and mineralization took place at local extensional zones along first-order strike-slip faults and thrusts. The source of magmas and IOCG and Ni–(Cu) deposits probably lay in a large mafic–ultramafic layered complex intruded along a detachment at the boundary between the upper and lower crust. Here, juvenile melts extensively interacted with low-grade metamorphic rocks, inducing widespread anatexis, magma contamination and further exsolution of hydrothermal fluids. Hypersaline fluids (δ¹⁸O_fluid > 5.4‰ to 12‰) were focused upward into thrusts and faults, leading to early magnetite mineralization associated with a high-temperature (> 500 °C) albite–actinolite–salite alteration and subsequent copper–gold-bearing vein mineralization at somewhat lower temperatures. Assimilation of sediments by magmas led in turn to the formation of immiscible sulphide and silicate melts that accumulated in the footwall of the layered igneous complex. Further injection of both basic and sulphide-rich magmas into the upper crust led to the formation of Ni–(Cu)-rich breccia pipes.Younger (330 to 280 Ma?) peraluminous granitoids probably reflect the slow ascent of relatively dry and viscous magmas formed by contact anatexis. These granitoids have W–(Sn)- and Pb–Zn-related mineralization that also shows geochemical evidence of major mantle–crust interaction. Late epithermal Hg–(Cu–Sb) and Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization was driven by convective hydrothermal cells resulting from the high geothermal gradients that were set up in the zone by intrusion of the layered igneous complex. In all cases, most of the sulphur seems to have been derived from leaching of the host sedimentary rocks (δ³⁴S = 7‰ to 20‰) with only limited mixing with sulphur of magmatic derivation.The metallogenic characteristics of the two terranes are quite different. In the Ossa Morena Zone, juvenile magmatism played a major role as the source of metals, and controlled the styles of mineralization. In the South Portuguese Zone, magmas only acted as heat sources but seem to have had no major influence as sources of metals and fluids, which are dominated by crustal signatures. Most of the magmatic and tectonic features related to the Variscan subduction and collision seem to be masked by those resulting from transpressional deformation and deep mafic intrusion, which led to the development of a metallogenic belt with little resemblance to other accretionary magmatic arcs.     

Geochemistry and geothermometry of volcanic rocks from Serra Branca, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

Volcanic rocks from Serra Branca, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal, consist of calc-alkaline felsic and intermediate rocks. The latter are massive andesites, whereas the former include four dacitic to rhyolitic lithologies, distinguishable on spiderdiagrams and binary plots of immobile elements. Zircon thermometry indicates that two felsic suites may have formed from different magmas produced at distinct temperatures, with only limited fractionation within each suite. Alternatively, all the felsic rocks can be related through fractionation of a single magma if the lower zircon saturation temperature obtained for one suite merely results from Zr dilution, mostly reflecting silicification.

The relatively high magma temperatures at Serra Branca ease the classification of felsic rocks based on their HFSE contents and also indicate volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit favorability. This contrasts with other areas of the Belt that register lower magma temperatures and are subsequently barren. However, magma temperatures may have not been high enough to cause complete melting of refractory phases in which HFSE reside during crustal fusion of an amphibolite protolith, implying difficult discrimination of tectonic environments for the felsic rocks. The intermediate rocks were possibly formed by mixing between basaltic magmas and crustal material, compatible with volcanism in an attenuated continental lithosphere setting.     

Structural study of a semiductile strike-slip system in the Central Iberian Zone (Variscan Fold Belt,Spain): structural controls on gold deposits

The Villalcampo shear system is a regional dextral strike-slip fault zone that affects Late Variscan granites and their metamorphic country rocks over an area of about 150 km². The detailed geometry of this subvertical north-west—south-east shear zone is outlined. The system forms an extensional fan to the northwest and extends to the south-east as a broad extensional duplex. Particular attention is focused on the distribution of fault rocks and associated veins in its north-west splay. A structural study of the shear bands (encompassing both geometric and kinematic criteria) and a microscopic study of the fault rocks has led to the interpretation of the system as a brittle—ductile shear zone. Calculations give a shear strain value of = 1.5 and a minimum displacement of s = 3700 m. The localization of gold mineralization in mylonite-filled subvertical extensional veins is a product of the formation of the Villalcampo shear system. The subvertical faults and veins underwent a process of cyclical sealing and reopening. As such they acted as valves controlled by fluid pressure regulating fluid—rock interactions and gold deposition. Conditions favouring these processes occur near the base of the seismogenic zone in the vicinity of the frictional—quasi-plastic transition at mid-greenschist metamorphic conditions (T = 350°C and 10–15 km depth).     

Rescaling the Region: The integration of Hawkes Bay food and forestry industries into East Asia

This paper explores the changing relationship of a region (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand), its industries and enterprises to Asia-Pacific industrial complexes. Land-based industries in Hawkes Bay provide examples of new connections and local adaptations of production to emerging agro-food and forestry complexes, centred upon East Asia. Integration into these complexes, which has only been possible in the context of the gradual relaxation of regulatory regimes that has occurred over the past two decades, has facilitated access to new markets. In some cases, integration is an outcome of East Asian ownership of New Zealand-based nodes along the commodity chain. In others, it is an outcome of New Zealand actors producing to meet 'site of consumption' demand. The paper concludes that new dynamics in the spheres of trade, production and investment are instituted by and feed into new geographic links and interactions, referred to in the paper as a rescaling of the region.     

Potential field constraints on the deep structure of the Lugo gneiss dome (NW Spain)

The Lugo gneiss dome, in the NW Iberian Massif (Spain) is a Variscan structure developed during late stages of orogenic collapse. Crustal extension was mainly accomplished by two kilometre-scale conjugate extensional shear zones and by the late development of the dome and a huge normal fault. These structures overprint previous contractional recumbent folds and a thrust fault. The Lugo dome and its southward continuation, the Sanabria dome, are the site of the conspicuous Eastern Galicia Magnetic Anomaly (EGMA), a N–S band, 50 km wide and 190 km long, with a maximum amplitude of 190 nT. Integrated potential field modelling of the EGMA and its corresponding gravity signature have been carried out aided by constraints provided by the measurement of c. 900 magnetic susceptibilities and by previous geophysical data, mainly seismic refraction and reflection profiles. Results suggest that a large volume of low-density migmatites and associated inhomogeneous granites are the main source of the magnetic anomaly. Small massifs of basic and ultrabasic rocks inside the migmatites and high-susceptibility iron ore bodies sparsely distributed in low-grade Middle Ordovician slates are also thought to contribute to the anomaly but to a minor extent. Although otherwise similar to other gneiss domes, the Lugo dome is accompanied by a striking magnetic anomaly whose origin is discussed in terms of the tectonic evolution of this structure and the provenance of the magnetite-bearing migmatites and inhomogeneous granites that core it.     

3-D electromagnetic imaging of a Palaeozoic plate-tectonic boundary segment in SW Iberian Variscides (S Alentejo, Portugal)

In SW Iberian Variscides, the boundary between the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ) and the Ossa Morena Zone (OMZ) corresponds to a major tectonic suture that includes the Beja Acebuches Ophiolite Complex (BAOC) and the Pulo do Lobo Antiform Terrane (PLAT). Three sub-parallel and approximately equidistant MT profiles were performed, covering a critical area of this Palaeozoic plate-tectonic boundary in Portugal; the profiles, running roughly along an NE–SW direction, are sub-perpendicular to the main Variscan tectonic features. Results of the three-dimensional (3-D) modelling of MT data allow to generate, for the first time, a 3-D electromagnetic imaging of the OMZ–SPZ boundary, which reveals different conductive and resistive domains that display morphological variations in depth and are intersected by two major sub-vertical corridors; these corridors coincide roughly with the NE–SW, Messejana strike–slip fault zone and with the WNW–ESE, Ferreira–Ficalho thrust fault zone. The distribution of the shallow resistive domains is consistent with the lithological and structural features observed and mapped, integrating the expected electrical features produced by igneous intrusions and metamorphic sequences of variable nature and age. The development in depth of these resistive domains suggests that: (1) a significant vertical displacement along an early tectonic structure, subsequently re-taken by the Messejana fault-zone in Late-Variscan times, has to be considered to explain differences in deepness of the base of the Precambrian–Cambrian metamorphic pile; (2) hidden, syn- to late-collision igneous bodies intrude the meta-sedimentary sequences of PLAT; (3) the roots of BAOC are inferred from 12 km depth onwards, forming a moderate resistive band located between two middle-crust conductive layers extended to the north (in OMZ) and to the south (in SPZ). These conductive layers overlap the Iberian Reflective Body (evidenced by the available seismic reflection data) and are interpreted as part of an important middle-crust décollement developed immediately above or coinciding with the top of a graphite-bearing granulitic basement.