Migration of Depocenters and Accumulation Centers and its Indication of Subsidence Centers in the Mesozoic Ordos Basin

Based on the integrated study of structure attributions and characteristics of the original basin in combination with lithology and lithofacies, sedimentary provenance analysis and thickness distribution of the Mesozoic Ordos Basin, it is demonstrated that the depocenters migrated counterclockwise from southeast to the north and then to the southwest from the Middle-Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous. There were no unified and larger-scale accumulation centers except several small isolated accumulation centers before the Early Cretaceous. The reasons why belts of relatively thick strata were well developed in the western basin in several stages are that this area is near the west boundary of the original Ordos Basin, there was abundant sediment supply and the hydrodynamic effect was strong. Therefore, they stand for local accumulation centers. Until the Early Cretaceous, depocenters, accumulation centers and subsidence centers were superposed as an entity in the southwest part of the Ordos Basin. Up to the end of the Middle Jurassic, there still appeared a paleogeographic and paleostructural higher-in-west and lower-in-east framework in the residual basin to the west of the Yellow River. The depocenters of the Ordos Basin from the Middle–Late Triassic to the Middle Jurassic were superposed consistently. The relatively high thermal maturation of Mesozoic and Paleozoic strata in the depocenters and their neighborhood suggest active deep effects in these areas. Generally, superposition of depocenters in several periods and their consistency with high thermal evolution areas reveal the control of subsidence processes. Therefore, depocenters may represent the positions of the subsidence centers. The subsidence centers (or depocenters) are located in the south of the large-scale cratonic Ordos Basin. This is associated with flexural subsidence of the foreland, resulting from the strong convergence and orogenic activity contemporaneous with the Qinling orogeny.     

满洲里-额尔古纳地区中生代花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年代学与岩石组合：对区域构造演化的制约

本文对满洲里地区灵泉盆地、包格德乌拉盆地及额尔古纳地区上护林盆地和恩和盆地及周边的原确定为古生代和中
生代的花岗质岩石进行了岩石学和锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb 年代学研究,以便揭示研究区中生代的构造演化历史。研究区内
12 个代表性花岗岩中的锆石均呈自形-半自形晶,显示出典型的岩浆生长环带,结合其较高的Th/U比值（0.31~3.63）,暗
示其为岩浆成因。测年结果表明,该区中生代花岗质岩浆活动可划分成以下三期：（1）中三叠世岩浆活动,可进一步划分
成241 Ma 和229 Ma 两期岩浆事件,241 Ma 黑云母正长花岗岩和229 Ma 正长花岗岩的存在可能与古亚洲洋闭合后的伸展环
境有关;（2）早- 中侏罗世岩浆事件,可进一步划分成（180±5）Ma 和（171±2）Ma 两期岩浆事件,黑云母二长花岗岩-
正长花岗岩组合,结合其斑岩型Mo 矿的存在,反映研究区处于活动陆缘的构造背景,可能与蒙古- 鄂霍茨克洋的俯冲作用
有关;（3）早白垩世早期岩浆活动,可进一步划分成（140~150）Ma 和（134±2）Ma 两期岩浆事件,前者与区域内发育的
吉祥峰组火山岩形成时代相近,后者的火口充填型产状表明它们应是该期岩浆事件演化晚期的产物,该期岩浆事件在松辽
盆地以东地区的缺乏暗示它们形成于伸展环境,并与蒙古-鄂霍茨克缝合带的演化有关。     

Mesozoic collision-related magmatism and crust–mantle interaction along the Anhui segment of the Yangtze River Valley,east-central China

The middle segment of the Yangtze River Deep Fault Belt, located in the foreland of the Dabie orogen, contains widely exposed volcanic–intrusive complexes that formed during two episodes of magmatism (post-collisional and post-orogenic), reflecting crust–mantle interactions during the Late Jurassic (J₃) to Early Cretaceous (K₁). This article summarizes research on the Mesozoic igneous suites and xenolith suites in the area along the Yangtze River. ‘Post-collisional magmatism’ occurred during lithospheric extension at ～145–130 Ma. Its beginning and end are marked by gabbroic xenoliths and pyroxene cumulates within intrusions at Tongling, and by alkali-rich magmatic rocks. The association includes peraluminous silicic rocks and metaluminous mafic–felsic igneous suites, ranging from medium-K to high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic compositions. Taking the Tongling region as an example, quartz monzodiorite yields a sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon U–Pb age of 139.5 ± 2.9 Ma, and granodiorite yields an age of 135.5 ± 4.4 Ma. These intrusive rocks contain 52.79–66.46 wt.% SiO₂, 13.12–17.73 wt.% Al₂O₃, 1.37–4.62 wt.% MgO, 3.86–6.84 wt.% FeO^T, and 4.71–7.87 wt.% total alkalis (Na₂O?+?K₂O). ACNK values range from 0.62 to 1.20, and ANK values from 1.45 to 3.48. ‘Post-orogenic magmatism’ occurred during lithospheric delamination at ～130–120 Ma. The start of magmatism was marked by the formation of gabbro containing spinel lherzolite xenoliths in the Nanjing–Wuhu Basin (NWB), and its end was marked by the generation of feldspathoid phenocryst-bearing phonolite in the NWB and the Lujiang–Zongyang Basin (LZB), respectively. The association that formed during this episode ranges from alkaline to peralkaline. Taking the Niangniangshan Formation in the NWB as an example, the Nosite phonolite yields a whole-rock monomineral Rb–Sr isochron age of 120 ± 9 Ma, and contains 49.92–60.09 wt.% SiO₂, 17.67–20.65 wt.% Al₂O₃, 0.08–2.45 wt.% MgO, 1.32–6.62 wt.% FeO^T, and 9.24–13.92 wt.% total alkalis (Na₂O?+?K₂O). ACNK values range from 0.72 to 1.24, and ANK values from 1.03 to 1.35.

The two magmatisms correspond to two episodes of crust–mantle interaction. The first involved intensive interaction between middle–lower crust and underplated basaltic magma derived from the upper mantle lithosphere, whereas the second involved minor interaction between the middle–lower crust and basaltic magma derived from the lower lithospheric mantle.     

Mesozoic and early Cenozoic tectonic convergence-to-rifting transition prior to opening of the South China Sea

We have investigated Mesozoic geological problems around the South China Sea (SCS) based on gravimetric, magnetic, seismic, and lithofacies data. Three-dimensional analytical signal amplitudes (ASA) of magnetic anomalies clearly define the inland tectonic boundaries and the residual Mesozoic basins offshore. The ASA suggest that the degree of magmatism and/or the average magnetic susceptibility of igneous rocks increase southeastwards and that late-stage A-type igneous rocks present along the coast of southeast China possess the highest effective susceptibility. The geophysical data define Mesozoic sedimentary and tectonic structures and reveal four major unconformities [Pz/T–J, T–J/J, J/K, and Mesozoic/Cenozoic (Pz, Palaeozic; T, Triassic; J, Jurassic; K, Cretaceous)], corresponding to regional tectonic events revealed by nine palaeogeographic time slices based on prior geological surveys and our new fieldwork. Showing both sedimentary and volcanic facies and regional faults, our palaeogeographic maps confirm an early Mesozoic northwestward-migrating orogeny that gradually obliterated the Tethyan regime, and a middle-to-late Mesozoic southeastward migration and younging in synchronized extension, faulting, and magmatism. Three major phases of marine deposition developed but were subsequently terminated by tectonic compression, uplift, erosion, faulting, rifting, and/or magmatism. The tectonic transition from the Tethyan to Pacific regimes was completed by the end of the Middle Triassic (ca. 220 Ma), reflecting widespread Mesozoic orogeny. The transition from an active to a passive continental margin occurred at the end of the Early Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma); this was accompanied by significant changes in sedimentary environments, due likely to an eastward retreat of the palaeo-Pacific subduction zone and/or to the collision of the West Philippine block with Eurasia. The overall Mesozoic evolution of southeast China comprised almost an entire cycle of orogenic build-up, peneplanation, and later extension, all under the influence of the subducting palaeo-Pacific plate. Continental margin extension and rifting continued into the early Cenozoic, eventually triggering the Oligocene opening of the SCS.     

New rebbachisaurid (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) material from the Wessex Formation (Barremian, Early Cretaceous), Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

Rebbachisauridae is a poorly understood clade of diplodocoid sauropod dinosaurs, currently known only from the Cretaceous of Africa, Europe and South America. European representatives are particularly rare and fragmentary. Here, we report an anterior caudal vertebra from the Barremian (Early Cretaceous) Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of England. This specimen possesses several features known only in rebbachisaurids and shares two synapomorphies with the Afro-European taxa Demandasaurus darwini and Nigersaurus taqueti, both pertaining to the morphology of the neural spine. These features are the development of triangular lateral processes and the presence of an elliptical fossa on the lateral surface, bounded by the lateral lamina and postspinal rugosity. The Isle of Wight specimen also shares several features solely with Demandasaurus, indicating a close relationship with the Spanish taxon. These include the presence of a hyposphenal ridge, as well as an anteriorly excavated caudal rib that is restricted almost entirely to the neural arch. However, it differs from Demandasaurus in a number of ways, including the lack of excavation on the posterior surface of the caudal rib, the orientation of the neural spine, and the composition and morphology of the lateral lamina. In addition, the Isle of Wight vertebra possesses one potential autapomorphy: bifurcation of the elliptical fossa on the neural spine. However, because of the fragmentary nature of the material, a new name is not erected. Along with Demandasaurus and Histriasaurus boscarollii, this caudal vertebra indicates the presence of at least three European rebbachisaurid taxa and provides new anatomical information on this enigmatic clade of sauropod dinosaurs.     

U-Pb Dating of Volcanic Rocks and Granites along the Wuyishan Belt: Constraints on Timing of Late Mesozoic Tectonic Events in Southeast China

Five volcanic rock samples and two granite samples taken from the volcanic basins in western Fujian and southern Jiangxi were dated by using the zircon laser albation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U-Pb method. Together with previously dated ages, the dates obtained provide important constraints on the timing of late Mesozoic tectonic events in SE China. The volcanic rock samples yield ages of 183.1±3.5 Ma, ca. 141 Ma to 135.8±1.1 Ma, 100.4±1.5 to 97.6±1.1 Ma, confirming three episodes of late Mesozoic volcanic activities, which peaked at 180±5 Ma, 140±5 Ma and 100±5 Ma, respectively, along the Wuyishan belt. Moreover, based on field investigations of these volcano-sedimentary basins, we have recognized two compressional tectonic events along this belt. The early one was characterized by Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic NNE-trending folds that were intruded by late Jurassic granites; and the late one caused the Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary layer to be tilted. The dated age 152.9±1.4 Ma of the granitic samples from the Hetian granitic pluton in the Changting Basin and that from the Baishiding granitic pluton, 100.2±1.8 Ma, in the Jianning Basin, give the upper boundaries of these two tectonic events respectively. Hence, the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of SE China was alternated between extension and compression.     

中蒙边境查夫—甲乌拉地区中生代银多金属矿床成矿作用

对中蒙边境东段查夫、甲乌拉和查干布拉根银-铅-锌矿床以及额仁陶勒盖银矿床的产出环境、地质特征和时空分布规律进行了讨论,初步确定了银多金属矿床的成因类型和形成机理。研究结果表明,银多金属矿化大多数在侏罗系火山-沉积岩地层中呈脉状和条带状产出,并且与燕山晚期高钾钙-碱性侵入岩脉群和张裂构造具有密切的时空分布关系。华北—蒙古块体与西伯利亚板块对接碰撞期后大规模伸展构造作用所诱发的岩浆及相关流体活动是导致银多金属矿床形成的主导控制因素。尽管上述4处矿床在容矿围岩、几何形态和矿物组分上存在一定差异,但是其产出环境和形成机理大体相似,均属中硫化型浅成热液银多金属矿床。充填有高钾钙-碱性侵入岩脉的北西向和近南北向张裂构造带是寻找银多金属矿床(点)的有利场所。     

Overview of the subsurface structural pattern of the Paris Basin (France): Insights from the reprocessing and interpretation of regional seismic lines

The study presents the methodology used by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) for the building, reprocessing and interpretation of selected regional seismic lines in the Paris intracratonic basin (France): the 14 constructed E-W and N-S regional transects represent a total of 2,516 km length, and are based on the merge of 240 seismic single profiles recorded by petroleum operators between 1971 and 1995. The regional lines have been selected to cross the main oil fields of the Paris Basin, as well as high potential areas for oil exploration. A first difficulty was to recover the raw data necessary to build-up the regional transects. The signal reprocessing, harmonization and merge of the single seismic lines, constituent of the regional transects, are then described; these operations represent the cornerstone of the study. We put the emphasis on the primary static corrections, as the targeted structures are commonly spatially associated with large seismic velocity variations in the upper Cretaceous chalk and Tertiary sedimentary cover.The interpreted regional transects definitely give complementary information to the existing studies, which generally lack seismic (and therefore structural) data: we give an overview of the main structural and geometrical features of the Paris Basin: inversion structures, major unconformities, as well as Permo-Carboniferous basins. We also describe the structural pattern, and show the close relationships between the faults geometry, the faults density, and the geological evolution of the Paris Basin: we distinguish (1) few large-scale polyphase faults, with a Variscan origin, representing the first order structural frame of the Paris Basin; (2) monophase normal faults, with strike-slip features, representing the subsurface prolongation of Cenozoic grabens cropping out in the neighbourhood; (3) deep normal faults, sealed by the base Calcareous Dogger sequence, related to the Permo-Liassic extensional tectonic regime. This large-scale view of the Paris Basin has highlighted several potential exploration targets.     

The origin of the Naturaliste Plateau,SE Indian Ocean: Implications from dredged basalts

Although a 1972 dredging by USNS Eltanin from the submarine Naturaliste Plateau was reported to yield rocks of continental origin, a re‐examination of the dredge haul shows that the rock clasts are in fact altered tholeiitic basalts. They have affinities both with MOR basalts and, especially, within‐plate basalts. Petrographically they correlate most closely with the Bunbury Tholeiitic Suite on the Australian mainland to the east. The basalts are reworked cobbles in a manganiferous Quaternary slump mass, which contains a quartz‐rich, felsic, detrital mineral suite with a granite‐gneiss provenance. The basalt cobbles were part of a basal conglomerate, which covered large areas of the Plateau. It is suggested that this was laid down from nearby elevated volcanic structures formed during the inception of seafloor spreading and the separation of Greater India from Australia at about 122 Ma BP.