Isotopic evidence for the magmatic and tectonic histories of the Carolina terrane: implications for stratigraphy and terrane affiliation

Establishing the age and crustal nature of exotic terranes and their underlying basements helps to determine their paleogeographic origin and tectonic histories. We present U–Pb ages of zircons and Sm–Nd whole rock isotopic data for volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Carolina terrane, one of several peri-Gondwanan terranes that were accreted to the margins of the circum-Atlantic continents during the Paleozoic. Volcanism in this subduction-related arc culminated in the eruption of the Morrow Mountain rhyolite, at ca. 540 Ma; thus, magmatism in the Carolina terrane ceased at the beginning of the Cambrian. The presence of inherited zircons and non-juvenile depleted mantle model ages of Carolina slate belt rocks favor a basement that is, at least in part, composed of evolved continental crust. Ages of inherited xenocrystic zircons cluster at ca. 1000, 2100 and 2500 Ma. These ages, in addition to volcanism at ca. 618–540 Ma, correlate best with well-known tectonic events in present-day northern South America. Specifically, the Orinoquian-Sunsas, the Trans-Amazonian and the Central Amazonian orogenic zones are likely candidates for potential basement correlatives to the Carolina terrane. Sm–Nd isotopic signatures vary significantly, but permit assimilation of Orinoquian age (1000 Ma) crust by magmas derived from the depleted mantle in a subduction (arc-related) setting. Our findings are also consistent with proposed correlations between the Carolina terrane and Avalonia which is likewise believed to have formed along the northern margin of present-day South America.     

Zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic and geochemical characteristics of the Xierzi biotite monzogranite pluton,Linxi, Inner Mongolia and its tectonic implications

The opening, subduction and final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean led to the formation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Controversy has long surrounded the timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Here we present zircon U-Pb ages and petrological, geochemical and in situ Hf isotope data for the Xierzi biotite monzogranite pluton, Linxi, SE Inner Mongolia. U-Pb dating of zircon by LA-ICP-MS yields a middle Permian emplacement age(268.7 ± 2.3 Ma) for the Xierzi pluton that is dominated by biotite monzogranites with high SiO_2(71.2-72.8 wt.%),alkali(Na_2 O + K_2 O =8.05-8.44 wt.%), Al_2 O_3(14.4-15.2 wt.%) and Fe_2 O_3~T relative to low MgO contents, yielding Fe_2 O_3~T/MgO ratios of 2.87-3.44, and plotting within the high-K calc-alkaline field on a SiO_2 vs. K_2 O diagram. The aluminum saturation indexes(A/CNK) of the biotite monzogranites range from 1.06 to 1.19, corresponding to weakly to strongly peraluminous. They are enriched in rare earth elements(REE), high field strength elements(HFSEs; Zr,Hf). and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs; Rb, U, Th). The LREEs are enriched relative to the HREEs,with a distinct negative Eu anomaly in a chondrite-normalized REE diagram. Geochemically, the Xierzi biotite monzogranite is classified as an aluminous A-type granite, with all samples plotting within the A2-type granite field on a Y/Nb vs. Rb/Nb diagram. Zircon ε_(Hf)(t) values and two-stage modal ages of the zircons within the pluton range from +4.80 to +13.65 and from 983 to 418 Ma, respectively, indicating that the primary magma was generated through partial melting of felsic rocks from juvenile crust.Consequently, these results demonstrate that the Xierzi pluton formed under the post-orogenic extensional setting after arc-continent collision in the middle Permian.     

基于Arc/Info的线状要素制图综合算法

制图综合是当前地图学家们关注的焦点问题和前沿问题,在地图中线状要素所占比重往往最高,因此它是制图综合的一个重要方面。本文分析了线状要素制图综合的特点及Arc/Info软件的综合功能,并在此基础上提出了基于Arc/Info解决线综合问题的策略;然后以土地利用专题图作为实验数据,给出其在Arc/Info中的实现算法,同时对不同的实现方法进行比较,最后分析实验结果。     

Fluid inclusions in high pressure/low temperature rocks from the Calabrian Arc (Southern Italy): the burial and exhumation history of the subduction-related Diamante-Terranova unit

The Diamante-Terranova Unit (DIATU), in the Calabrian Arc of southern Italy, is part of an ophiolitic sequence involved in a high pressure/low temperature event (P=8 kbar; T =400 °C) followed by re-equilibration at greenschist facies conditions (P=3 kbar; T =300 °C). The rocks contain two types of quartz–calcite veins – an earlier generation of deformed, folded and faulted veins formed during or before subduction, and a later set of planar, undeformed veins formed during exhumation of the DIATU. The earlier folded quartz–calcite veins contain regularly shaped aqueous inclusions as well as inclusions with a highly irregular dendritic texture. The later planar veins contain only regularly shaped aqueous inclusions similar to those in the earlier veins. In both vein types, all inclusions are demonstrably secondary in origin. Regularly shaped inclusions from both vein types are low salinity (0–5 wt% NaCl). Most contain liquid and vapour and homogenize to the liquid (Th 135–180 °C), whereas others contain only liquid at room temperature. Both the two-phase and monophase inclusions occur in the same fractures and are thought to record the same trapping event, with the monophase inclusions remaining metastable liquid at room temperature. No microthermometric data could be obtained from the dendritic inclusions in the earlier folded veins. Inclusions with the highly irregular dendritic texture found in the earlier veins are similar to those produced experimentally during laboratory-induced deformation of synthetic inclusions in quartz under conditions of internal underpressure, simulating either isobaric cooling or isothermal compression. The occurrence of inclusions with the dendritic texture in the earlier folded veins, and their absence from the later planar veins, suggests that the earlier veins formed before or during subduction and were folded and faulted in a compressional environment and their contained fluid inclusions were modified to produce the dendritic texture. During later uplift of the DIATU, planar veins containing regularly shaped aqueous inclusions formed and some of the fluids forming these veins were also trapped as secondary inclusions in the earlier folded veins. The results of this study provide convincing evidence that inclusions with a highly irregular dendritic morphology represent early inclusions that have survived prograde conditions in a high pressure/low temperature metamorphic environment (but have been texturally modified). The high pressure/low temperature ‘implosion’ texture is preserved over geological time, even after being overprinted by internal overpressure conditions generated during retrograde decompression. We suggest that inclusions that have survived prograde metamorphism are common in high pressure/low temperature rocks, but are often not identified as such due to their morphology which makes their recognition difficult.     

Fractal approach of the temporal earthquake distribution in the Hellenic arc-trench system

The time clustering of earthquakes occurring in the Hellenic arc-trench system is quantitatively analyzed by means of the fractal dimension,D, of their time distribution in the time intervals of 1950–1985 (M _s >-4.5) and 1964–1985 (M _s 4.0). The results obtained imply that scale-invariant clustering holds over very large scale lengths of time,T, with 2²–2⁸T (in min) 2²⁰–2²², depending on the seismotectonic segment considered. In all segments a common feature is the relation between theD ₁,D ₂ andD ₃-values found for shallow, intermediate-depth and all-depth shocks, respectively:D ₃>D₁>D₂. TheD-values found for shallow shocks range between 0.137 and 0.191 with the exception of the Ionian Islands and Cretan segments where anomalously high values (D=0.221–0.251) have been determined. We discuss possible seismotectonic interpretations of the results.     

Paleostress analysis of the Cretaceous rocks in the eastern margin of the Dead Sea transform, Jordan

This paper presents the first paleostress results from fault-slip data on Cretaceous limestone at the eastern rim of the Dead Sea transform (DST) in Jordan. Stress inversion of fault-slip data is performed using an improved right dieder method, followed by rotational optimization (Delvaux, TENSOR Program). The orientation of the principal stress axes (σ₁, σ₂ and σ₃) and the ratio of the principal stress differences ( ) show two main paleostress fields marking two main stress regimes, strike-slip and extensional. The first is characterized by NNW–SSE compression and ENE–WSW extension and related to Middle Miocene-Recent sinistral movement along the Dead Sea transform and the opening of the Red Sea. The second paleostress field is a WNW–ESE compression and NNE–SSW extension restricted to the northern part of the investigated area. This stress field could be associated with the development of the Syrian Arc fold belt which started during the Turonian, or it may be due to an anticlockwise rotation of the first stress field.     

Caribbean island-arc rifting and back-arc basin development in the Late Cretaceous: Geochemical, isotopic and geochronological evidence from Central Hispaniola

We present new regional petrologic, geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, and U–Pb geochronological data on the Turonian–Campanian mafic igneous rocks of Central Hispaniola that provide important clues on the development of the Caribbean island-arc. Central Hispaniola is made up of three main tectonic blocks—Jicomé, Jarabacoa and Bonao—that include four broad geochemical groups of Late Cretaceous mafic igneous rocks: group I, tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts and andesites; group II, low-Ti high-Mg andesites and basalts; group III, tholeiitic basalts and gabbros/dolerites; and group IV, tholeiitic to transitional and alkalic basalts. These igneous rocks show significant differences in time and space, from arc-like to non-arc-like characteristics, suggesting that they were derived from different mantle sources. We interpret these groups as the record of Caribbean arc-rifting and back-arc basin development in the Late Cretaceous. The> 90 Ma group I volcanic rocks and associated cumulate complexes preserved in the Jicomé and Jarabacoa blocks represent the Albian to Cenomanian Caribbean island-arc material. The arc rift stage magmatism in these blocks took place during the deposition of the Restauración Formation from the Turonian–Coniacian transition (~ 90 Ma) to Santonian/Lower Campanian, particularly in its lower part with extrusion at 90–88 Ma of group II low-Ti, high-Mg andesites/basalts. During this time or slightly afterwards adakitic rhyolites erupted in the Jarabacoa block. Group III tholeiitic lavas represent the initiation of Coniacian–Lower Campanian back-arc spreading. In the Bonao block, this stage is represented by back-arc basin-like basalts, gabbros and dolerite/diorite dykes intruded into the Loma Caribe peridotite, as well as the Peralvillo Sur Formation basalts, capped by tuffs, shales and Campanian cherts. This dismembered ophiolitic stratigraphy indicates that the Bonao block is a fragment of an ensimatic back-arc basin. In the Jicomé and Jarabacoa blocks, the mainly Campanian group IV basalts of the Peña Blanca, Siete Cabezas and Pelona–Pico Duarte Formation, represent the subsequent stage of back-arc spreading and off-axis non-arc-like magmatism, caused by migration of the arc toward the northeast. These basalts have geochemical affinities with the mantle domain influenced by the Caribbean plume, suggesting that mantle was flowing toward the NE, beneath the extended Caribbean island-arc, in response to rollback of the subducting proto-Caribbean slab.     

Volcanic and Tectonic Framework of the Hydrothermal Activity of the Izu–Bonin Arc

In the Izu–Bonin Arc, hydrothermal activities have been reported from volcanoes along present‐day volcanic front, a rear arc volcano and a back‐arc rift basin as well as a remnant arc structure now isolated from the Quaternary arc. It is widely known that characteristics of hydrothermal activity (mineralogy, chemistry of fluid etc.) vary depending upon its tectonic setting. The Izu–Bonin Arc has experienced repeated back‐arc or intra‐arc rifting and spreading and resumption of arc volcanism. These characteristics make this arc system a suitable place to study the tectonic control on hydrothermal activity. The purpose of the present paper is, therefore, to summarize volcanotectonic setting and history of the Izu–Bonin Arc in relation to the hydrothermal activity. The volcanotectonic history of the Izu–Bonin Arc can be divided into five stages: (i) first arc volcanism (boninite, high‐Mg andesite), 48–46 Ma; (ii) second arc volcanism (tholeiitic, calc‐alkaline), 44–29 Ma; (iii) first spreading of back‐arc basin (Shikoku Basin), 25–15 Ma; (iv) third arc volcanism (tholeiitic, calc‐alkaline), 13–3 Ma; and (v) rifting in the back‐arc and tholeiitic volcanism along the volcanic front, 3–0 Ma. Magmas erupted in each stage of arc evolution show different chemical characteristics from each other, mainly due to the change in composition of slab‐derived component and possibly mantle depletion caused by melt extraction during back‐arc spreading and prolonged arc volcanism. In the volcanotectonic context summarized here, hydrothermal activity recognized in the Izu–Bonin Arc can be classified into four groups: (i) present‐day hydrothermal activity at the volcanic front; (ii) active hydrothermal activity in the back arc; (iii) fossil hydrothermal activity in the back‐arc volcanoes; and (iv) fossil hydrothermal activity in the remnant arc. Currently hydrothermal activities occur in three different settings: submarine caldera and stratocones along the volcanic front; a back‐arc rift basin; and a rear arc caldera. In contrast, hydrothermal activities found in the back‐arc seamount chains were associated with rear arc volcanism in Neogene after cessation of back‐arc spreading of the Shikoku Basin. Finally, sulfide mineralization associated with boninitic volcanism in the Eocene presumably took place during forearc spreading in the initial stage of the arc. This type of activity appears to be limited during this stage of arc evolution.     

Rapid vertical motions and formation of volcanic arc gaps: Plateau collision recorded in the forearc geological evolution (Costa Rica margin)

The collision of bathymetric features with modern convergent margins has been investigated with the full range of tools used in geosciences. Hence, a comprehensive picture exists of the characteristic effects of collision events on the evolution of convergent margins. In contrast, much less studies documented past collisions of bathymetric features with convergent margins, as colliding features were generally lost to subduction. The arc‐trench system of southern Central America provides modern and past textbook examples of active margin interaction with incoming bathymetric reliefs. Here, we propose a synthesis which combines basin and terrane analysis of the forearc of northern Costa Rica and takes up the challenge of documenting past episodes of plateau accretion to the active margin. As illustrated in modern examples, our study shows that kilometric uplift of the overriding plate and termination of the volcanic arc activity are the most profound effects of colliding/accreting oceanic plateaus. Kilometric uplift of the forearc is documented by short‐lived (ca. 3 m.y.) occurrences of shallow‐water deposits in an overall deep‐water forearc record. These shallow deposits contain material reworked from underlying sedimentary and basement lithologies. The development of spatial gaps in arc volcanism is deduced from the transition from arc‐derived turbidites to pelagic sediments. Eventually, end of the collision event is evidenced by the subsidence of the whole forearc to deep‐water environments. Basin subsidence is accompanied or followed by renewed volcanic arc activity and coeval arc‐derived sedimentation, which may occur 1–7 m.y. after plateau collision. These past episodes of plateau accretion are archetypal for the following reasons: (a) they may be studied in outcrop, whereas most of the modern collisions of plateaus largely occur underwater; (b) no tectonic or metamorphic imprint has significantly complicated the forearc geological record; (c) the colliding feature and the sedimentary response to its collision are both preserved in the forearc geology; (d) they may be used as analogues for any setting where a bathymetric feature is suspected to have caused rapid forearc uplift and cessation of the volcanic arc activity.     

Evidence for tidal triggering on the earthquakes of the Hellenic Arc,Greece

In this paper we investigate the tidal triggering evidence on the earthquakes of the seismic area of the Hellenic Arc using the Hist(ogram)Cum(mulation) method. We analyze the series of the earthquakes occurred in the area which is confined by the longitudes 22° and 28°E and latitudes 34° and 36°N in the time period from 1964 to 2012. In this time period 16,137 shallow and of intermediate depth earthquakes with M_L up to 6.0 and 1,482 deep earthquakes with M_L up to 6.2 occurred. The result of the this analysis indicate that the monthly variation of the frequencies of earthquake occurrence is in accordance with the period of the tidal lunar monthly variations, and the same happens with the corresponding daily variations of the frequencies of earthquake occurrence with the diurnal luni-solar (K1) and semidiurnal solar (S2) tidal variations. These results are in favor of a tidal triggering process on earthquakes when the stress in the focal area is near the critical level.