A virtual voyage through 3D structures generated by chaotic mixing of magmas and numerical simulations: a new approach for understanding spatial and temporal complexity of magma dynamics

In this contribution, we present a virtual voyage through 3D structures generated by chaotic mixing of magmas and numerical simulations with the aim to highlight the power of 3D representations in the understanding of this geological phenomenon. In particular, samples of mixed juveniles from Salina island (Southern Italy) are reconstructed in 3D by serial lapping and digital montage and numerical simulations are performed by using a 3D chaotic dynamical system. Natural and simulated magma mixing structures are visualized by using several multimedia tools including animations and “virtual reality” models. It is shown that magma interaction processes can generate large spatial and temporal compositional heterogeneities in magmatic systems. The same topological structures are observed in both 3D reconstructed rock samples and chaotic numerical simulations, indicating that the mixing of magmas is governed by chaotic dynamics. The use of 3D multimedia models gives the opportunity to penetrate into magma mixing structures and to understand their significance in the context of magma dynamics. Such an approach is very powerful since multimedia tools can strongly capture the attention of the reader bringing him/her into an interactive and memorable geological experience. Electronic supplementary material  enclosed:     

地震前亚失稳应力状态的识别: 以5°拐折断层变形温度场演化的实验为例

利用岩石样品在失稳破裂前有“亚失稳”现象的实验结果,是不能预测大地震的。作此论断的主要理由是：①大地震与小地震的基本区别是,大地震在初始破裂发生后有一个长时间（几十秒,最长可达几百秒）的断层动态破裂过程,目前还不能预测断层的动态破裂何时会停止,因而不能预测地震的大小。②岩样的“亚失稳”实验结果即使可推广到野外地震发生的研究,充其量只能预测地震初始破裂的发生,但无法断定发生初始破裂后,地震是否会发展为一个断层面很大的大地震。③通过反演观测的地震波虽然可以得到地震动态破裂过程的认识,但由于断层破裂动力学目前还不能提供符合实际断层动态破裂过程的理论模型,没有理论模型就不能做预测。     

Large-scale gold mineralization in eastern China induced by an Early Cretaceous clockwise change in Pacific plate motions

Orogenic gold (Au) deposits are the most important type, accounting for more than half of the world's proven Au reserves. They are mainly controlled by three key factors: (1) abundant andesitic rocks (SiO₂ of 55–60 wt.%) at depth, which have systematically higher Au contents than other rock types; (2) a pervasive transition from greenschist facies to amphibolite facies metamorphism within a short period, which releases S^2?-rich fluids that may scavenge Au from host rocks; and (3) deformation and fracturing under a compressive/transpressive tectonic regime. Orogenic belts at convergent margins are the best places for such mineralization because convergent margins are rich in andesites; the transition from greenschist to amphibolite facies recrystallization commonly occurs as a result of collision, compression, and thickening at convergent margins, forming large amounts of Au-rich fluids within a short period of time; and strong deformation and fracturing during orogenic processes provide channels for fluid transportation. Moreover, the overlying plate is injected and enriched by auriferous fluids released during amphibolite facies metamorphism of the subducting plate. The Pacific plate changed course by ～80° (from SW to NW) at approximately 125–122 Ma, reflecting an altered thermal structure and the elevation of the South Pacific plate attending the appearance of the plume head that formed the Ontong Java large igneous province. Consequently, the tectonic regime changed from extension to compressive/transpressive in eastern China, causing deformation, thickening, and metamorphism of the overriding plate, especially along weak crustal belts (e.g. overlying plates of palaeosutures), which resulted in world-class mineralization of orogenic Au deposits. During this process, pyrite changed to pyrrhotite during the transition from greenschist to amphibolite facies, releasing sulphur. Sulphur mobilized and scavenged Au and other chalcophile elements into metamorphic ore-forming fluids. A series of NE-trending compressive faults were formed at ?120 Ma as a result of continuous compression of the subducting Pacific plate, releasing these ore-forming fluids. Auriferous carbonate-rich quartz veins and/or metasomatized Au-bearing wall rocks were formed due to the decompression of the ascending ore-forming fluids. Orogenic belts along the margins of the North China craton and the Jiangnan block were the most favourable regions for mineralization. Compared with the former, the latter has much smaller proven Au reserves. However, more exploration is needed along the margins of the Jiangnan block. Promising targets include accessory faults and kink points of large, NE-trending Cretaceous faults that transect greenschist facies metamorphic rocks of the Niuwu and Jingtan Groups, etc.     

古构造应力场数值模拟及危险性预测研究

在精确确定构造序列与构造格架的基础上,探索出一套从建立构造模型、确定边界条件、选取岩体力学参数与危险性判断准则、计算古构造应力值、预测危险区与安全岛的基本思路与方法。采用有限元法,建立了矿区平面应力与三维构造模型,从加载方式和加载大小两方面模拟历史时期作用于成庄煤矿上的古构造应力。根据地表岩体和深部煤层中的节理,计算其内摩擦角和岩体抵抗变形破坏的能力,获得了古构造应力作用下地表表层、3#煤层的临界区、危险区与安全区。结合研究区节理、断层、褶皱、陷落柱等构造形迹特征,对危险性分区进行综合预测。预测结果揭示,山西晋城成庄煤矿区存在先南北向、后东西向的两期大的古构造运动,即先东西向加载60 MPa,再南北向加载110～180 MPa,可能的危险区分东、西两带,该结论对煤层岩体应力集中带和瓦斯突出区的预测具有重要的意义。     

Geochronology and provenance of detrital zircons from late Palaeozoic strata of central Jilin Province,Northeast China: implications for the tectonic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Here we present new U–Pb and Hf isotopic data for detrital zircons obtained from six samples of late Palaeozoic units from central Jilin Province, Northeast China, and use these data and sedimentary formations to constrain the late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The majority of the detrital zircons from the six samples are euhedral–subhedral and exhibit oscillatory zoning, indicating a magmatic origin. Zircons from sandstones in the Devonian Wangjiajie and Xiaosuihe formations yield seven main age populations (399, 440, 921, 1648, 1864, 1911, and 2066 Ma) and two minor age populations (384 and 432 Ma), respectively. Zircons from a quartz sandstone in the Carboniferous Luquantun Formation yield four age populations (~332, 363, 402, and 428 Ma), and zircons from quartz sandstones of the Permian Shoushangou, Fanjiatun, and Yangjiagou formations yield age populations of 265, 369, 463, 503, and 963 Ma; 264, 310, 337, 486, and 529 Ma; and 262, 282, 312, 338, 380, 465, and 492 Ma, respectively. These data, together with the ages of magmatic zircons from interbedded volcanics and biostratigraphic evidence, as well as analysis of formations, give rise to the following conclusions. (1) The Wangjiajie and Xiaosuihe formations were deposited in an extensional environment during Middle and Middle–Late Devonian time, respectively. The former was sourced mainly from ancient continental material of the North China Craton with minor contributions from newly accreted crust, while the latter was sourced mainly from newly accreted crust. (2) The Luquantun Formation formed in an extensional environment during early–late Carboniferous time from material sourced mainly from newly accreted crust. (3) The Shoushangou, Fanjiatun, and Yangjiagou formations formed during a period of rapid uplift in the late Permian, from material sourced mainly from newly accreted crust.     

Oceanic exchange variability across the continental slope west coast,South Island,New Zealand

Current observations taken at depths between 630 and 830 m from the west coast South Island continental slope exhibit one‐ to four‐weekly periodicities superimposed on the semi‐diurnal tide. These variable flows at 630 m and otter large, longer‐timescale events have a significart onshore/offshore component of flow which leads to a similar transport of alongshore momentum and heat.     

试论东海陆架盆地的基底构造演化和盆地形成机制

本文主要根据东海陆架盆地和周边的地质、地球物理资料,分析盆地的基底岩性特征、结构特征。认为东海陆架盆地的基底除元古界片麻岩外,还分布有一定范围的中生界及古生界。基底构造特征是纵向上多层次,横向上不均一,南北有别,东西分带。构造演化上经历了张、合、压、扭等复杂过程。     

广东地区现代构造应力场的模拟计算

运用已知的断裂边界条件、区内震源机制解、小震应力降和环境应力场等资料作为基本数据,建立地质模型和计算模型,用有限元方法模拟计算了华南地区的现代地壳构造应力场.初步得到了本区的外力作用方式、断裂活动情况、应力集中状况、区应力场分布状况,为划分地震危险区段提供了依据.     

信湖矿水文地质条件分析及涌水量预测研究

基于信湖煤矿水文地质条件,利用数值法和地下水动力学方法分别进行矿坑涌水量预测,并就预测结果进行对比分析,结果显示:利用数值模拟法预测得到的信湖矿的矿坑涌水量为11 000~3 236 m^3/d,水动力学方法得到的信湖矿的涌水量为13 152 m^3/d,两种预测方法所测算出的结果偏差不大,总体认为数值法的计算结果比较可靠。同时可将水动力学法当做数值法计算矿坑涌水量预测的一种检验印证方法,两种计算方法结合起来会使矿坑涌水量的预测结果更加准确。     

湘鄂西中生代弧形叠加扩展的变形记录

通过对湘鄂西构造带进行大量的构造形迹测量、解析,结合研究区内构造变形年龄数据的统计分析.明确燕山中期(J3—K1)早期弧形构造弧顶方向为330°,并向两侧发散状分布,以大别山、黔中、黄陵隆起为约束点,湘鄂西形成了由南东侧至北东侧构造迹线由NE→NEE→EW→NWW逐渐偏转的弧形构造,最大主应力方向偏转近114°.同时早...