Seismotectonics of strike–slip earthquakes within the deep crust of southern Italy: Geometry, kinematics, stress field and crustal rheology of the Potenza 1990–1991 seismic sequences (Mmax 5.7)

We present a revision and a seismotectonic interpretation of deep crust strike–slip earthquake sequences that occurred in 1990–1991 in the Southern Apennines (Potenza area). The revision is motivated by: i) the striking similarity to a seismic sequence that occurred in 2002  140 km NNW, in an analogous tectonic context (Molise area), suggesting a common seismotectonic environment of regional importance; ii) the close proximity of such deep strike–slip seismicity with shallow extensional seismicity (Apennine area); and iii) the lack of knowledge about the mechanical properties of the crust that might justify the observed crustal seismicity. A comparison between the revised 1990–1991 earthquakes and the 2002 earthquakes, as well as the integration of seismological data with a rheological analysis offer new constraints on the regional seismotectonic context of crustal seismicity in the Southern Apennines. The seismological revision consists of a relocation of the aftershock sequences based on newly constrained velocity models. New focal mechanisms of the aftershocks are computed and the active state of stress is constrained via the use of a stress inversion technique. The relationships among the observed seismicity, the crustal structure of the Southern Apennines, and the rheological layering are analysed along a crustal section crossing southern Italy, by computing geotherms and two-mechanism (brittle frictional vs. ductile plastic strength) rheological profiles. The 1990–1991 seismicity is concentrated in a well-defined depth range (mostly between 15 and 23 km depths). This depth range corresponds to the upper pat of the middle crust underlying the Apulian sedimentary cover, in the footwall of the easternmost Apennine thrust system. The 3D distribution of the aftershocks, the fault kinematics, and the stress inversion indicate the activation of a right-lateral strike–slip fault striking N100°E under a stress field characterized by a sub-horizontal N142°-trending σ1 and a sub-horizontal N232°-trending σ3, very similar to the known stress field of the Gargano seismic zone in the Apulian foreland. The apparent anomalous depths of the earthquakes (> 15 km) and the confinement within a relatively narrow depth range are explained by the crustal rheology, which consists of a strong brittle layer at mid crustal depths sandwiched between two plastic horizons. This articulated rheological stratification is typical of the central part of the Southern Apennine crust, where the Apulian crust is overthrusted by Apennine units. Both the Potenza 1990–1991 and the Molise 2002 seismic sequences can be interpreted to be due to crustal E–W fault zones within the Apulian crust inherited from previous tectonic phases and overthrusted by Apennine units during the Late Pliocene–Middle Pleistocene. The present strike–slip tectonic regime reactivated these fault zones and caused them to move with an uneven mechanical behaviour; brittle seismogenic faulting is confined to the strong brittle part of the middle crust. This strong brittle layer might also act as a stress guide able to laterally transmit the deviatoric stresses responsible for the strike–slip regime in the Apulian crust and may explain the close proximity (nearly overlapping) of the strike–slip and normal faulting regimes in the Southern Apennines. From a methodological point of view, it seems that rather simple two-mechanism rheological profiles, though affected by uncertainties, are still a useful tool for estimating the rheological properties and likely seismogenic behaviour of the crust.     

Palaeomagnetism of the Loch Doon Granite Complex, Southern Uplands of Scotland: The Late Caledonian palaeomagnetic record and an Early Devonian episode of True Polar Wander

The Southern Uplands terrane is an Ordovician–Silurian back-arc/foreland basin emplaced at the northern margin of the Iapetus Ocean and intruded by granite complexes including Loch Doon (408.3 ± 1.5 Ma) during Early Devonian times. Protracted cooling of this 130 km³ intrusion recorded magnetic remanence comprising a predominant (‘A’) magnetisation linked to initial cooling with dual polarity and mean direction D / I = 237 / 64° (α₉₅ = 4°, palaeopole at 316°E, 21°N). Subsidiary magnetisations include Mesozoic remanence correlating with extensional tectonism in the adjoining Irish Sea Basin (‘B’, D / I = 234/− 59°) and minority populations (‘C’, D / I = 106/− 2° and ‘D’, D / I = 199/1°) recording emplacement of younger ( 395 Ma) granites in adjoining terranes and the Variscan orogenic event. The ‘A’ directions have an arcuate distribution identifying anticlockwise rotation during cooling. A comparable rotation is identified in the Orthotectonic Caledonides to the north and the Paratectonic Caledonides to the south following closure of Iapetus. Continental motion from midsoutherly latitudes ( 40°S) at 408 Ma to equatorial palaeolatitudes by  395 Ma is identified and implies minimum rates of continental movement between 430 and 390 Ma of 30–70 cm/year, more than double maximum rates induced by plate forces and interpreted as a signature of true polar wander. Silurian–Devonian palaeomagnetic data from the British–Scandinavian Caledonides define a 430–385 Ma closed loop comparable to the distributed contemporaneous palaeomagnetic poles from Gondwana. They reconcile pre-430 Ma and post-380 Ma APW from this supercontinent and show that Laurentia–Baltica–Avalonia lay to the west of South America with a relict Rheic Ocean opening to the north which closed to produce Variscan orogeny by a combination of pivotal closure and right lateral transpression.     

Relationships among the monsoon-like southwest Australian circulation,the Southern Annular Mode,and winter rainfall over southwest Western Australia

This study examines the relationships among the monsoon-like southwest Australian circulation (SWAC), the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), and southwest Western Australia winter rainfall (SWR), based on observed rainfall, reanalysis datasets, and the results of numerical modeling. By decomposing the SWAC into two components using a linear model, i.e. the component related to SAM (RSAM) and the component unrelated to SAM (SWACI*), we find it is the SWACI* that shows a significant influence on SWR. Similarly, it is the component of SAM associated with SWAC that exhibits an impact on SWR, whereas the component unrelated to SAM. A similar result is obtained in terms of the circulation associated with SWAC and the SAM. These facts suggest the SAM plays an indirect role in influencing SWR, and raise the possibility that SWAC acts as a bridge between the SAM and SWR, by which the SAM passes its influences onto SWR. This is due to the fact that the variations of SWAC are closely linked to the thermal contrast between land and sea across the southern Indian Ocean and southwest Australia. By contrast, the SAM does not significantly relate to this thermal structure, particularly for the component unrelated to SWAC. The variations of surface sea temperature over the southern Indian Ocean contribute to the favored rainfall circulation patterns. This finding is supported by the numerical modeling results. The strong coupling between SWAC and SWR may be instrumental for understanding the interactions between SWR and the southern Indian Ocean, and provides another perspective in examining the variations in SWR.     

Kinematic evolution of fold-and-thrust belts in the Yubei-Tangbei area:Implications for tectonic events in the southern Tarim Basin

The Yubei-Tangbei area in the southern Tarim Basin is one of the best-preserved Early Paleozoic northeast-southwest trending fold-and-thrust belts within this basin.This area is crucial for the exploration of primary hydrocarbon reservoirs in northwestern China.In this study,we constructed the structural geometric morphology of the Yubei-Tangbei area using geophysical logs,drilling,and recent two-and three-dimensional(2-D and 3-D)seismic data.The Early Paleozoic fault-propagation folds,the Tangnan triangle zone,fault-detachment folds,and trishear fault-propagation folds developed with the detachment of the Middle Cambrian gypsum-salt layer.According to a detailed chronostratigraphic framework,the growth strata in the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian layer formed by onlapping the back limb of the asymmetric fault-propagation folds,which therefore defines the timing of deformations.The changes in kink band hinges and amplitudes in the Permian-Carboniferous and Cenozoic folding strata suggest that the evolution of the fold-and-thrust belts followed a sequential evolution process rather than a simultaneous one.Above the pre-existing Precambrian basement structure,the Yubei-Tangbei fold-and-thrust belts can be divided into four tectonic evolution stages:Late Cambrian,Late Ordovician to Early Carboniferous,Carboniferous to Permian,and Cenozoic.The northwestern-verging Cherchen Fault is part of the piedmont fold-and-thrust system of the southern Tarim foreland basin.We interpreted its strata as a breakthrough trishear fault-propagation fold that developed in three phases:Mid-Late Ordovician,Silurian to Middle Devonian,and Triassic to present.These tectonic events are responses of the Altyn-Tagh and Kunlun collisional orogenic belts and the Indian-Eurasian collision.The inherited deformation and structural modification in the southern Tarim Basin may be an indicator of the growth and evolution of peripheral orogens.     

贵州玉舍冬季滑雪气象指数等级制订

运用1988~2017年贵州省玉舍滑雪场附近30年气候资料和2015~2016年冬季滑雪场客流量资料,分析贵州高海拔地区滑雪运动与气象条件的关系,进而进行滑雪气象指数等级研究。结果表明:(1)玉舍滑雪场冬季具有少雨、低风、温度适宜的气候特点,可以开展滑雪运动。(2)玉舍的滑雪人数与气象因子风速、气温、相对湿度、降水量呈显著反相关。(3)根据玉舍滑雪场气候背景特征,分别对降水量、相对湿度、舒适度指数三个气象要素进行分级,通过实际滑雪人数分级与滑雪气象指数等级预报进行的检验表明:实际滑雪气象指数等级与指数预报等级相同(即绝对值之差为0)的准确率达26.4%,实际滑雪气象指数等级与指数预报等级绝对值之差为1的准确率达66.7%,即预报滑雪气象指数等级与实际滑雪气象指数等级之差≥1的准确率达93%。     

南祁连哈拉湖地区早古生代岩浆侵入事件及其构造热演化历史SCIEI北大核心CSCD

南祁连增生杂岩带作为祁连造山带的构造单元之一,是研究祁连造山带与柴达木地块构造演化及二者耦合关系的关键地区,得到了国内外学者的广泛关注。前人对南祁连增生杂岩早古生代以来的构造热演化历史研究相对较少,且缺少相对准确的年代学数据约束。本文通过对南祁连增生杂岩带哈拉湖地区阿腊郭勒岩体二长花岗岩开展LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年、岩石地球化学特征、锆石和磷灰石裂变径迹年龄测试及热历史模拟,并结合野外地质调查和构造演化特征,揭示南祁连增生杂岩带哈拉湖地区的构造热演化历史和山脉隆升过程。结果显示:(1)南祁连哈拉湖地区在中志留世发生一期岩浆侵入事件(425~429Ma),其形成的岩体具有壳源花岗岩特征,产出于同碰撞的构造环境,说明该期岩浆事件是与祁连洋洋壳俯冲结束后的柴北缘地区大陆碰撞过程中的岩浆活动有关;(2)该岩体经历了中志留世至晚泥盆世的岩浆侵位与快速冷却阶段以及晚泥盆世-侏罗纪的构造平稳与缓慢冷却阶段;(3)早白垩世以来的中低温冷却和快速隆升的构造热演化历史。此外,祁连山地区自始新世以来经历了多期与印度欧亚-板块碰撞有关的构造变形。     

Paleomagnetism of late Cretaceous dykes in the Gangdese belt: New constraints on the position and structure of the southern margin of Asia prior to the India-Asia collision

This paper report paleomagnetic data from late Cretaceous diorite dykes that sub-vertically intrude granodiorites in the eastern Gangdese belt near the city of Lhasa. Our research goals are to provide further constraints on pre-collisional structure of the southern margin of Asia and the onset of the India-Asia collision. Magnetite is identified as the main magnetic carrier in our study. The magnetite shows no evidence of metamorphism or alteration as determined from optical and scanning electron microscope observations. A strong mineral orientation is revealed by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility analysis both for the intruded dykes and the country rocks. The authors interpret this AMS fabric to have formed during intrusion rather than deformation. Fifteen of 23 sites yield acceptable site mean characteristic remanences with dual polarities. A scatter analysis of the virtual geomagnetic poles suggests that the mean result adequately averaged paleosecular variation. The paleomagnetic pole from the Gangdese dykes yields a paleolatitude of 14.3°N±5.8°N for the southern margin of Asia near Lhasa. The paleolatitude corresponds to an in-between position of the Lhasa terrane during about 130–60 Ma. Furthermore, the mean declination of the characteristic remanent magnetization reveals a significant counterclockwise rotation of 18°±9° for the sampling location since about 83 Ma. In the light of tectonic setting of the dykes, the strike of the southern margin of Asia near Lhasa is restored to trend approximately about 310°, which is compatible with the hypothesis that the southern margin of Eurasia had a quasi-linear structure prior to its collision with India.©2023 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Paleoproterozoic emplacement and Cambrian ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism of a layered magmatic intrusion from the Central Madurai Block,southern India: From Columbia to Gondwana

The Madurai Block in the Southern Granulite Terrane(SGT)of Peninsular India is one of the largest crustal blocks within the Neoproterozoic Gondwana assembly.This block is composed of three sub-blocks:the Neoarchean Northern Madurai block,Paleoproterozoic Central Madurai block and the dominantly Neoproterozoic Southern Madurai Block.The margins of these blocks are well-known for the occurrence of ultrahigh-temperature(UHT)granulite facies rocks mostly represented by Mg-Al metasediments.Here we report a dismembered layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion occurring in association with Mg-Al granulites from the classic locality of Ganguvarpatti in the Central Madurai Block.The major rock types of the layered intrusion include spinel orthopyroxenite,garnet-bearing gabbro,gabbro and gabbroic anorthosite showing rhythmic stratification and cumulate texture.The orthopyroxene-cordierite granulite from the associated Mg-Al layer is composed of spinel,cordierite and orthopyroxene.The pyroxene in both rock units is high-Al orthopyroxene formed under UHT metamorphic conditions.Conventional thermobarometry yields near-peak metamorphic conditions of 9.5–10 kbar pressure and a minimum temperature of 980℃.We computed P–T pseudosections and contoured for the compositional as well as modal isopleths of the major mineral phases,which yield temperature above 1000℃.FMAS petrogenetic grid,Al-in-orthopyroxene isopleth,conventional thermobarometry and calculated pseudosection reveal a clockwise pressure–temperature(P–T)path and near isothermal decompression.The U–Pb data on zircon grains from the layered magmatic suite indicate emplacement of the protolith at ca.2.0 Ga and the metamorphic overgrowths yield weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U mean ages ca.520 Ma.Monazite from the garnet-bearing gabbro and Opx-Crd granulite yielded ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean ages of ca.532 Ma and 523 Ma marking the timing of metamorphism.We correlate the layered intrusion to a Paleoproterozoic suprasubduction zone setting,defining the Ganguvarpatti area as part of a collisional suture assembling the Northern and Central Madurai Blocks.The Paleoproterozoic magmatism and late Neoproterozoic-Cambrian UHT metamorphism can be linked to the tectonics of the Columbia and Gondwana supercontinents.     

电子探针和微区X射线衍射研究陕西镇安钨-铍多金属矿床中祖母绿级绿柱石

南秦岭镇安地区发现了以白钨矿-绿柱石为矿石矿物组合的矿床新类型。为查明该矿床中首次发现的翠绿色祖母绿级绿柱石的致色机理并进一步揭示其成矿机制,本文在野外地质调查的基础上,对绿柱石开展了电子探针与微区X射线衍射等矿物学研究。结果表明:矿区中首次发现的祖母绿级绿柱石,呈自形晶产于石英(方解石)脉中并与白钨矿共(伴)生。祖母绿级绿柱石从核部至边缘V2O3含量较高,分别为0.64%~0.98%和1.04%~1.42%,且有增高趋势。X射线衍射数据表明区内祖母绿为"正常"绿柱石,同时存在Al■Me2+和Be■Li两种类质同象替换机制。V为本区祖母绿主要致色元素,来自于区内碳质板岩、金云母片岩及白云质大理岩等地层,Be、Si、Al等主要元素则来自于深部酸性岩浆岩。本次发现为该矿床中钨、铍矿产资源的综合开发利用提供了基础地质资料,并为南秦岭在区域及深部继续寻找稀有金属矿指出新的找矿方向。     

Carbon and strontium isotope stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Campanian) shallow-water carbonates of southern Italy: Chronostratigraphic calibration of larger foraminifera biostratigraphy

Shallow-water carbonates are invaluable archives of past global change. They hold the record of how neritic biologic communities reacted to palaeoenvironmental changes. However, attempts to decipher these geological archives are often severely hampered by the low stratigraphic resolution attained by biostratigraphy. This is particularly the case for the Upper Cretaceous carbonate platforms of the central Tethyan realm: their biostratigraphy suffers from very low resolution and poor correlation with the standard biochronologic scales based on ammonites, planktic foraminifers and calcareous nannoplankton.In this paper we show how this problem can be tackled by integrating biostratigraphy with isotope stratigraphy. We present a detailed record of the benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and carbon and strontium isotope stratigraphy of three upper Cenomanian-middle Campanian sections belonging to the Apennine Carbonate Platform of southern Italy. For the upper Cenomanian-Turonian interval, the carbon isotope curves of the studied sections are easily correlated to the reference curve of the English Chalk. The correlation is facilitated by the matching of the prominent positive excursion corresponding to the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. For the Coniacian-middle Campanian interval, the correlation is mainly based on strontium isotope stratigraphy. We use the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the low-Mg calcite of well preserved rudist shells to obtain accurate chronostratigraphic ages for many levels of the three studied sections. The ages obtained by Sr isotope stratigraphy are then used to better constrain the matching of the carbon isotope curves.From the high-resolution chronostratigraphic age-model stablished by isotope stratigraphy, we derive the chronostratigraphic calibration of benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphic events. For the first time the benthic foraminiferal biozones of the Apennine Carbonate Platform can be accurately correlated to the standard ammonite biozonation. This result is of great relevance because the biostratigraphic schemes of other carbonate platforms in the central and southern Tethyan realm are largely based on the same biostratigraphic events.