Field and petrological evidence for a Late Palaeozoic (Upper Carboniferous–Permian) age of the Erfaulet orthogneiss (Gran Paradiso,western Alps)

In the Gran Paradiso massif (western Alps), the boundary between the Erfaulet orthogneiss and the overlying metasediments (Money Complex) is interpreted as a Late Palaeozoic intrusive contact. Major arguments in favour of this hypothesis are: (i) the obliquity of the sedimentary layering with respect to the contact; (ii) the presence of aplitic dykes within the Money Complex; (iii) the lack of a mylonitic zone; and (iv) rare relics of an early generation of garnet in the Money metasediments, interpreted as evidence of the contact metamorphism of the Erfaulet granite. To cite this article: B. Le Bayon, M. Ballèvre, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Mineral inclusions and geochemical characteristics of microdiamonds from the DO27, A154, A21, A418, DO18, DD17 and Ranch Lake kimberlites at Lac de Gras, Slave Craton, Canada

A mineral inclusion, carbon isotope, nitrogen content, nitrogen aggregation state and morphological study of 576 microdiamonds from the DO27, A154, A21, A418, DO18, DD17 and Ranch Lake kimberlites at Lac de Gras, Slave Craton, was conducted. Mineral inclusion data show the diamonds are largely eclogitic (64%), followed by peridotitic (25%) and ultradeep (11%). The paragenetic abundances are similar to macrodiamonds from the DO27 kimberlite (Davies, R.M., Griffin, W.L., O'Reilly, S.Y., 1999. Diamonds from the deep: pipe DO27, Slave craton, Canada. In: Gurney, J.J., Gurney, J.L., Pascoe, M.D., Richardson, S.H. (Eds.), The J. B. Dawson Vol., Proc. 7th Internat. Kimberlite Conf., Red Roof Designs, Cape Town, pp. 148–155) but differ to diamonds from nearby kimberlites at Ekati (e.g., Lithos (2004); Tappert, R., Stachel, T., Harris, J.W., Brey, G.P., 2004. Mineral Inclusions in Diamonds from the Panda Kimberlite, S. P., Canada. 8th International Kimberlite Conference, extended abstracts) and Snap Lake to the south (Dokl. Earth Sci. 380 (7) (2001) 806), that are dominated by peridotitic stones.

Eclogitic diamonds with variable inclusion compositions and temperatures of formation (1040–1300 °C) crystallised at variable lithospheric depths sometimes in changing chemical environments. A large range to very ¹³C-depleted C-isotope compositions (δ¹³C=−35.8‰ to −2.2‰) and an NMORB bulk composition, calculated from trace elements in garnet and clinopyroxene inclusions, are consistent with an origin from subducted oceanic crust and sediments. Carbon isotopes in the peridotitic diamonds have mantle compositions (δ¹³C mode −4.0‰). Mineral inclusion compositions are largely harzburgitic. Variable temperatures of formation (garnet T_Ni=800–1300 °C) suggest the peridotitic diamonds originate from the shallow ultra-depleted and deeper less depleted layers of the central Slave lithosphere. Carbon isotopes (δ¹³C av.=−5.1‰) and mineral inclusions in the ultradeep diamonds suggest they formed in peridotitic mantle (670 km). The diamonds may have been entrained in a plume and subcreted to the base of the central Slave lithosphere.

Poorly aggregated nitrogen (IaA without platelets) in a large number of eclogitic (67%) and peridotitic (32%) diamonds, with similar nitrogen contents, indicates the diamonds were stored in the mantle at low temperatures (1060–<1100 °C) following crystallisation in the Archean. Type IaA diamonds have largely cubo-octahedral growth forms, and Type II and Type IaAB diamonds, with higher nitrogen aggregation states, mostly have octahedral morphologies. However, no correlation between these groups and their mineral inclusion compositions, C-isotopes, and N-contents rules out the possibility of unique source origins and suggests eclogitic and peridotitic diamonds experienced variable mantle thermal states. Variation in mineral inclusion chemistries in single diamonds, possible overgrowths of ¹³C-depleted eclogitic diamond on diamonds with peridotitic and ultradeep inclusions, and Type I ultradeep diamond with low N-aggregation is consistent with diamond growth over time in changing chemical environments.     

The Ordovician Sierras Pampeanas–Puna basin connection: Basement thinning and basin formation in the Proto-Andean back-arc

The Ordovician Sierras Pampeanas, located in a continental back-arc position at the Proto-Andean margin of southwest Gondwana, experienced substantial mantle heat transfer during the Ordovician Famatina orogeny, converting Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian metasediments to migmatites and granites. The high-grade metamorphic basement underwent intense extensional shearing during the Early and Middle Ordovician. Contemporaneously, up to 7000 m marine sediments were deposited in extensional back-arc basins covering the pre-Ordovician basement. Extensional Ordovician tectonics were more effective in mid- and lower crustal migmatites than in higher levels of the crust. At a depth of about 13 km the separating boundary between low-strain solid upper and high-strain lower migmatitic crust evolved to an intra-crustal detachment. The detachment zone varies in thickness but does not exceed about 500 m. The formation of anatectic melt at the metamorphic peak, and the resulting drop in shear strength, initiated extensional tectonics which continued along localized ductile shear zones until the migmatitic crust cooled to amphibolite facies P–T conditions. P–T–d–t data in combination with field evidence suggest significant (ca. 52%) crustal thinning below the detachment corresponding to a thinning factor of 2.1. Ductile thinning of the upper crust is estimated to be less than that of the lower crust and might range between 25% and 44%, constituting total crustal thinning factors of 1.7–2.0. While the migmatites experienced retrograde decompression during the Ordovician, rocks along and above the detachment show isobaric cooling. This suggests that the magnitude of upper crustal extension controls the amount of space created for sediments deposited at the surface. Upper crustal extension and thinning is compensated by newly deposited sediments, maintaining constant pressure at detachment level. Thinning of the migmatitic lower crust is compensated by elevation of the crust–mantle boundary. The degree of mechanical coupling between migmatitic lower and solid upper crust across the detachment zone is the main factor controlling upper crustal extension, basin formation, and sediment thickness in the back-arc basin. The initiation of crustal extension in the back-arc, however, crucially depends on the presence of anatectic melt in the middle and lower crust. Consumption of melt and cooling of the lower crust correlate with decreasing deposition rates in the sedimentary basins and decreasing rates of crustal extension.     

新疆巴音沟蛇绿混杂岩带中硅质岩及硅质泥岩的元素地球化学特征及其形成环境

巴音沟蛇绿混杂岩带中成薄层状产出的硅质岩、硅质泥岩的Si02：55．37％～91．19％,Al2O3含量较高,变化在3．07～17．66,TiO2=0．12～0．8,Al2O3与TiO2具有较好的正相关关系,表明它们含有较高比例的陆源泥质沉积物质。样品经北美页岩标准化的稀土模式呈现无Ce负异常（Ce／Ce^＊=1．03～1．45）的平坦稀土谱型,球粒陨石标准化稀土模式为轻稀土富集,Eu具明显负异常的右倾谱型。均显示与大陆边缘沉积硅质岩、硅质泥岩相似的稀土配分模式。它们的（La／Ce）N=0．62～0．92,V／Y=0．32～8．87,Th／U=2．99～6．45,表明这些硅质岩、硅质泥岩形成于与陆源物质输入密切相关的大陆边缘环境,综合大地构造背景、蛇绿岩带中超基性、基性岩元素地球化学以及年代学分析认为,蛇绿岩就位于早石炭世晚期,形成在大陆裂谷向大洋裂谷转换并形成小洋盆的环境。     

Evaluation of a Quality Control Monitor Material for the Routine Electron Probe Microanalysis of Kimberlite Exploration Garnets

Election probe microanalysis of indicator minerals is extensively used in the exploration for kimberlite deposits, the evaluation of specific kimberlite occurrences for their diamond bearing potential and to classify grains into different chemical and lithological mantle associations. Kimberlite exploration programmes can involve several tens of thousands of indicator mineral analyses. Procedures for monitoring data quality and consistency of analyses across large data sets are commonly absent. Suitable monitor minerals should be used to verify the data quality of kimberlite exploration and evaluation data sets. This material should have a suitable composition, be homogenous, be available in sufficient quantities and have a similar appearance to the unknown samples. Garnet P1, a megacryst garnet from the Premier kimberlite, was found to have a suitable composition as a monitor for kimberlite garnet analyses. Data were collected on the monitor material at regular intervals during routine analyses, over an extended period, both as a fixed grain mounted on the sample holder and as separate grains set within batches of routine samples. The data were evaluated to assess the quality and consistency in the analyses of large data sets over time. The monitor material was also analysed at independent laboratories using their routine analytical set-up and calibration procedures for comparative purposes. Values are given for the mean ± 2s range, which can serve as guide values for acceptable analyses for all elements.     

Ablation Characteristic of Ilmenite using UV Nanosecond and Femtosecond Lasers: Implications for Non‐Matrix‐Matched Quantification

Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) is a common accessory mineral and has been used as a powerful petrogenetic indicator in many geological settings. Elemental fractionation and matrix effects in ilmenite (CRN63E‐K) and silicate glass (NIST SRM 610) were investigated using 193 nm ArF excimer nanosecond (ns) laser and 257 nm femtosecond (fs) laser ablation systems coupled to an inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometer. The concentration‐normalised ⁵⁷Fe and ⁴⁹Ti responses in ilmenite were higher than those in NIST SRM 610 by a factor of 1.8 using fs‐LA. Compared with the 193 nm excimer laser, smaller elemental fractionation was observed using the 257 nm fs laser. When using 193 nm excimer laser ablation, the selected range of the laser energy density had a significant effect on the elemental fractionation in ilmenite. Scanning electron microscopy images of ablation craters and the morphologies of the deposited aerosol materials showed more melting effects and an enlarged particle deposition area around the ablation site of the ns‐LA‐generated crater when compared with those using fs‐LA. The ejected material around the ns crater predominantly consisted of large droplets of resolidified molten material; however, the ejected material around the fs crater consisted of agglomerates of fine particles with ‘rough' shapes. These observations are a result of the different ablation mechanisms for ns‐ and fs‐LAs. Non‐matrix‐matched calibration was applied for the analysis of ilmenite samples using NIST SRM 610 as a reference material for both 193 nm excimer LA‐ICP‐MS and fs‐LA‐ICP‐MS. Similar analytical results for most elements in ilmenite samples were obtained using both 193 nm excimer LA‐ICP‐MS at a high laser energy density of 12.7 J cm^?2 and fs‐LA‐ICP‐MS.     

Copper Speciation in a Collection of Geochemical Reference Materials Using Sequential Extraction and Evaluation of the Validity Using XANES Spectroscopy

Copper speciation in a collection of Japanese geochemical reference materials (JSO‐1, JLk‐1, JSd‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4, JMs‐1 and JMs‐2) was achieved by sequential extraction and characterised using X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy. In the first step of the extraction, referred to as the acid fraction, between 1% and 20% total Cu within the reference materials was extracted. Such a result is typically accounted for by absorption of Cu onto clay minerals. However, the presence of Cu sulfate (an oxidation product of chalcopyrite) was observed in some of the stream sediments affected by mining activity (JSd‐2 and JSd‐3) instead. Copper was extracted in the reducible fraction (targeting Fe hydroxide and Mn oxide) (2–49% total Cu). Between 2% and 51% Cu was extracted in the oxidised fraction (targeting sulfides and organic matter). X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy clarified that the reducible fraction consisted of Cu bound to Fe hydroxide, whereas the oxidised fraction was a mixture of Cu bound to humic acid (HA) and Cu sulfide. In the oxidisable fraction, chalcopyrite was the predominant species identified in JSd‐2, and Cu bound to HA was the major species identified in JSO‐1 (a soil sample).     

甘肃西秦岭阳山金矿控矿构造特征及对勉略构造混杂岩带金矿勘查的启示

阳山金矿大地构造位置位于秦祁昆造山系秦岭弧盆系南秦岭勉略构造混杂岩带,成矿区划属秦岭成矿省南秦岭成矿带新关-阳山成矿亚带。由于矿床位于构造混杂岩带中,控矿构造复杂,给勘查工作带来了很大的困难,一度无法提交勘查报告。为了详细理清构造控矿样式,利用矿区探矿工程资料,提取大量的构造要素,利用构造统计分析及应力分析方法,结合野外现场观察,提出了全新的构造控矿模式。通过研究认为,阳山金矿位于勉略构造混杂岩带文县安昌河－观音坝逆冲断裂推覆构造体系前锋断褶带的葛条湾-草坪梁复背斜东部转折端,矿体受褶皱两翼的韧脆性断裂破碎带及其核部楔入式断层控制,总体以北东东向展布为主,平面上呈"网结状"展布,剖面上倾向既有向北,也有向南,还有近水平的。从而解决了阳山金矿的控矿构造和矿体圈连问题,对勉略构造混杂岩带中金矿勘查具有很好的借鉴意义。     

内蒙古北山造山带时空结构与古亚洲洋演化

内蒙古北山造山带自北向南发育红石山－百合山、月牙山－洗肠井和帐房山－玉石山3条蛇绿构造混杂岩带。其中北部的2条蛇绿岩带揭示了北山造山带两阶段演化的历史：月牙山－洗肠井蛇绿混杂岩带洋壳形成于530~520 Ma,沿该带多处保存较完好的蛇绿岩洋壳残块（洋壳结构具向北变新特征）,与北侧的早古生代公婆泉岩浆弧（由南向北岛弧成熟度变高）共同指示了北山洋向北俯冲消减的过程,即490 Ma初始俯冲,450~440 Ma为俯冲峰期,430~420 Ma为同碰撞阶段,400 Ma的双峰式岩浆岩组合指示了北山洋的消亡和后造山伸展的过程;红石山－百合山蛇绿混杂岩带是发育在雀儿山－圆包山岛弧基础上的SSZ型蛇绿岩,弧后开裂洋壳的形成与南侧最早发育的岛弧岩浆作用年龄接近（340~320 Ma）,310~290 Ma俯冲峰期造成南侧白山岩浆弧大量的岩浆活动,早二叠世末期（275 Ma）的辉长岩和花岗岩侵位及早—中二叠世双堡塘组下部的角度不整合均反映了红石山洋盆的闭合。前人所划"石板井－小黄山蛇绿岩带"实为一条早古生代发育的深大断裂,沿带发育中基性侵入体及少量超基性岩,后期（志留纪末）叠加有较强的韧性剪切变形。中生代以来的走滑作用和逆冲推覆构造改造了古生代的构造格架,使红石山-百合山蛇绿混杂岩带向北左行切错了十余千米,北山南部的中—新元古界推覆至下古生界之上。对内蒙古北山造山带时空结构的厘定,有助于中亚造山带造山作用过程的理解及其对古生代地壳增生的深入研究,也对银额盆地晚古生代新层系油气资源勘查起到基础支撑。     

Cartographie du métamorphisme faible à trés faible dans les Alpes françaises externes par l’utilisation de la cristallinité de l’illite

Résumé

On présente les tracés proposés, pour la nouvelle carte du métamorphisme alpin, entre la bordure du Mont Blanc et la région de Digne. Ils délimitent le domaine de l’anchizone. Les limites diage-nèse-anchizone et anchizone-épizone sont définies grâce à l’indice de cristallinité des illites après étalonnage. Les données utilisées proviennent pour une bonne part de mesures inédites. La minéralogie de la fraction argileuse, étudiée simultanément, fournit des informations complémentaires.

L’anchizone constitue une auréole plus ou moins large à l’W des massifs cristallins; elle tend à disparaître à la bordure SW du Pelvoux. Au N, l’épizone est générale dès la bordure externe des Aiguilles Rouges, alors qu’au S, elle ne débute qu’à l’E du Pelvoux. Cela est conforme au schéma général du métamorphisme alpin croissant en direction de l’E et du N.

On peut relever les perturbations et points particuliers suivants :

— l’existence de « métamorphisme transporté » dans les Préalpes du N, la région de Digne et l’Embrunais;

— au N, dans le massif de Platé, une « butte témoin » d’anchizone, en gradient inverse dans le substratum des nappes helvétiques;

— vers le col de la Madeleine, un gradient décroissant vers l’E jusqu’à la diagenèse, interrompu par un recouvrement tectonique (ultradauphinois);

— dans le Champoléon, sur la limite S du Pelvoux, un petit affleurement d’anchizone où les lignes d’iso-cristallinité sont déformées par la tectonique anté-priabonienne; l’anchizone serait anté-priabonienne, peut-être même anté-sénonienne.

La comparaison avec les résultats obtenus par d’autres méthodes (inclusions fluides, mesures isotopiques) confirme l’allure générale des transformations. Toutefois, il existe une contradiction avec certains résultats fournis par le pouvoir réflecteur de la vitrinite sur le pourtour de Belledonne.

Pour rendre compte des données disponibles il est nécessaire de faire intervenir plusieurs épisodes, que l’on peut situer à des époques anté-priabonienne, post-priabonienne et anté-nappe, puis post-nappe. L’âge et le nombre exact de ces épisodes sont inconnus.

On souligne qu’il ne faut pas s’attendre à observer de changement décelable au passage des frontières à l’anchizone : elles ne constituent pas des limites de faciès pétrographiques. Ainsi on rencontrera l’épizone d’après les ICr alors que le faciès schiste vert n’est pas encore atteint.