Two-dimensional modelling of subduction zone anisotropy with application to southwestern Japan

We present a series of 2-D numerical models of viscous flow in the mantle wedge induced by a subducting lithospheric plate. We use a kinematically defined slab geometry approximating the subduction of the Philippine Sea plate beneath Eurasia. Through finite element modelling we explore the effects of different rheological and thermal constraints (e.g. a low-viscosity region in the wedge corner, power law versus Newtonian rheology, the inclusion of thermal buoyancy forces and a temperature-dependent viscosity law) on the velocity and finite strain field in the mantle wedge. From the numerical flow models we construct models of anisotropy in the wedge by calculating the evolution of the finite strain ellipse and combining its geometry with appropriate elastic constants for effective transversely isotropic mantle material. We then predict shear wave splitting for stations located above the model domain using expressions derived from anisotropic perturbation theory, and compare the predictions to ∼500 previously published shear wave splitting measurements from seventeen stations of the broad-band F-net array located in southwestern Japan. Although the use of different model parameters can have a substantial effect on the character of the finite strain field, the effect on the average predicted splitting parameters is small. However, the variations with backazimuth and ray parameter of individual splitting intensity measurements at a given station for different models are often different, and rigorous analysis of details in the splitting patterns allows us to discriminate among different rheological models for flow in the mantle wedge. The splitting observed in southwestern Japan agrees well with the predictions of trench-perpendicular flow in the mantle wedge along with B-type olivine fabric dominating in a region from the wedge corner to about 125 km from the trench.     

Geometry and brittle deformation of the subducting Nazca Plate, Central Chile and Argentina

We use data from the Chile Argentina Geophysical Experiment (CHARGE) broad-band seismic deployment to refine past observations of the geometry and deformation within the subducting slab in the South American subduction zone between 30°S and 36°S. This region contains a zone of flat slab subduction where the subducting Nazca Plate flattens at a depth of ∼100 km and extends ∼300 km eastward before continuing its descent into the mantle. We use a grid-search multiple-event earthquake relocation technique to relocate 1098 events within the subducting slab and generate contours of the Wadati-Benioff zone. These contours reflect slab geometries from previous studies of intermediate-depth seismicity in this region with some small but important deviations. Our hypocentres indicate that the shallowest portion of the flat slab is associated with the inferred location of the subducting Juan Fernández Ridge at 31°S and that the slab deepens both to the south and the north of this region. We have also determined first motion focal mechanisms for ∼180 of the slab earthquakes. The subhorizontal T -axis solutions for these events are almost entirely consistent with a slab pull interpretation, especially when compared to our newly inferred slab geometry. Deviations of T -axes from the direction of slab dip may be explained with a gap within the subducting slab below 150 km in the vicinity of the transition from flat to normal subducting geometry around 33°S.     

Numerical comparison of different convergent plate contacts: subduction channel and subduction fault

At convergent plate boundaries, the properties of the actual plate contact are important for the overall dynamics. Convergent plate boundaries both mechanically decouple and link tectonic plates and accommodate large amounts of strain. We investigate two fundamental physical states of the subduction contact: one based on a fault and the other based on a subduction channel. Using a finite element method, we determine the specific signatures of both states of the subduction contact. We pay particular attention to the overriding plate. In a tectonic setting of converging plates, where the subducting plate is freely moving, the subduction channel reduces compression relative to the fault model. In a land-locked basin setting, where the relative motion between the far field of the plates is zero, the subduction channel model produces tensile stress regime in the overriding plate, even though the amount of slab roll-back is small. The fault model shows a stronger development of slab roll-back and a compressive stress regime in the upper plate. Based on a consistent comparison of fault and channel numerical models, we find that the nature of the plate contact is one of the controlling factors in developing or not of backarc extension. We conclude that, the type of plate contact plays a decisive role in controlling the backarc state of stress. To obtain backarc extension, roll-back is required as an underling geodynamic process, but it is not always a sufficient condition.     

塔里木西南缘新太古代变质辉长岩脉的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年及其地质意义

在塔里木西南缘发现多条变质辉长岩脉,经稀土和微量元素分析,辉长岩岩脉具有稀土总量较低、轻稀土和大离子亲石元素富集,重稀土和高场强元素亏损的特征。通过锆石SHRIMP法U-Pb测年,6个点207Pb/206Pb加权年龄平均值为(2675±12)Ma(MSWD=0.20);根据9个点获得的不一致曲线上交点年龄为(2671±13)Ma、下交点年龄为(287±16)Ma(MSWD=0.91)。2675Ma权重年龄或不一致曲线上交点2671Ma年龄代表变质辉长岩的结晶年龄;下交点(287±16)Ma年龄代表变质年龄。塔里木西南缘新太古代变质辉长岩脉的发现,证实塔里木西南缘存在太古宙古陆核,提供了华北克拉通新太古代古陆核裂解的岩浆活动记录,为该区地层划分对比以及古陆核早期构造演化提供了重要信息。     

洋壳深俯冲超高压变质作用研究及其地质意义

洋壳深俯冲经历超高压变质作用的岩石比较稀少,是目前超高压变质作用研究的重要前沿领域,有关这方面的研究对于建立新的冷俯冲带变质作用类型、探讨地幔水流体的成因、建立更广泛的超高压变质岩石的抬升机制具有重要意义。另外,洋壳深俯冲高压变质带往往与低压高温变质带组成双变质带,对双变质带的深入研究对于完整地重塑俯冲碰撞造山带的形成演化过程具有重要意义。简要地介绍了新疆西天山洋壳深俯冲超高压变质带的研究现状和存在的问题。     

废光谱感光板中银的提取

废光谱感光板用自来水浸泡，剥离的乳胶经氢氧化钠和双氧水溶解后，在微酸性溶液中加入锌粉置换出银，银沉淀经过滤和硼砂与碳酸钠的混合熔剂熔炼后得到成品银锭。采用建立的方案提取废光谱感光板中成品银的纯度达到95．4％，工艺操作简便，成本低、环境污染小。     

Tectonic and eustatic control on the distribution of black-shale source beds in the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations (Ordovician-Silurian),South China

It is known that high-quality, black-shale source rocks occur in the uppermost Ordovician Wufeng Formation and in the lowermost Silurian Longmaxi Formation in South China. Hence, it is important to understand their lithostratigraphy and the controls on their deposition. A review of lithostratigraphic criteria for subdividing the two adjacent formations provides new regional correlations between the formations and related stratigraphic successions and facies. Both the black shales and the related, overlying flysch deposits at the Ordovician-Silurian transition in South China appear to have migrated northwestward in time and space, reflecting probable flexural control in a foreland basin that developed in response to subduction-type orogeny southeast of the Yangtze block. The black shales also contain K-bentonites from explosive, felsic-intermediate volcanism, the distribution of which also supports orogeny to the southeast. Finally, the analysis of sequence stratigraphy, which shows that the initiation of transgressive system tracts (TST) and condensed section (CS) in the related third-order sequences coincided with the two black-shale horizons respectively, indicates that the main controlling factors for the deposition of the Ordovician-Silurian black shales in South China are (1) northwestwardly migrating, foreland-basin subsidence caused by deformational loading related to episodic accretion of the Cathaysia block to the Yangtze block during this period, and (2) the anoxic, sediment-starved water column caused by rapid rise of the sea-level during the two successive phases of third-order global sea-level rise near the Ordovician-Silurian transition in South China. In future exploration for hydrocarbon source rocks in the area, it is important to consider likely flexural and eustatic causes for subsiding, deep, anoxic seas in recognizing other source rock intervals, and our understanding of the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations may serve as models for future source rock exploration. __________ Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6): 818–827 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]     

Temporal Geochemical Evolution of Neogene Magmatism in the Baguio Gold–Copper Mining District (Northern Luzon, Philippines)

Baguio, in the Central Cordillera of Northern Luzon, is a district that displays porphyry copper and epithermal gold mineralization, associated with Early Miocene–Pliocene–Quaternary calc‐alkaline and adakitic intrusions. Systematic sampling, K‐Ar dating, major and trace elements, and Sr, Nd, Pb isotopic analyses of fresh magmatic rocks indicate three magmatic pulses: an Early Miocene phase (21.2–18.7 Ma), a Middle–Late Miocene phase (15.3–8 Ma) and finally a Pliocene–Quaternary event (3–1 Ma). The first phase emplaced evolved calc‐alkaline magmas, essentially within the Agno Batholith complex, and is thought to be related to the westward‐dipping subduction of the West Philippine Basin. After a quiescence period during which the Kennon limestone was deposited, magmatic activity resumed at 15.3 Ma, in connection with the start of the subduction of the South China Sea along the Manila Trench. It emplaced first petrogenetically related and relatively unradiogenic low‐K calc‐alkaline lavas and intermediate adakites. Temporal geochemical patterns observed from 15.3 to 1 Ma include progressive enrichment in K and other large ion lithophile elements, increase in radiogenic Sr and Pb and corresponding decrease in radiogenic Nd. These features are thought to reflect the progressive addition to the Luzon arc mantle wedge of incompatible elements largely inherited from South China Sea sediments. The origin of the long quiescence period, from 8 to 3 Ma, remains problematic. It might represent a local consequence of the docking of the Zambales ophiolitic terrane to Northern Luzon. Then, magmatic activity resumed at 3 Ma, emplacing chemically diversified rocks ranging from low K to high K and including a large proportion of adakites, especially during the Quaternary (dacitic plugs). The authors tentatively relate this diversity to the development of a slab tear linked with the subduction of the fossil South China Sea ridge beneath the Baguio area.     

The potential influence of subduction zone polarity on overriding plate deformation, trench migration and slab dip angle

A geodynamic model exists, the westward lithospheric drift model, in which the variety of overriding plate deformation, trench migration and slab dip angles is explained by the polarity of subduction zones. The model predicts overriding plate extension, a fixed trench and a steep slab dip for westward-dipping subduction zones (e.g. Mariana) and predicts overriding plate shortening, oceanward trench retreat and a gentle slab dip for east to northeastward-dipping subduction zones (e.g. Chile). This paper investigates these predictions quantitatively with a global subduction zone analysis. The results show overriding plate extension for all dip directions (azimuth α = − 180° to 180°) and overriding plate shortening for dip directions with α = − 90° to 110°. The wide scatter in data negate any obvious trend and only local mean values in overriding plate deformation rate indicate that overriding plate extension is somewhat more prevalent for west-dipping slabs. West-dipping subduction zones are never fixed, irrespective of the choice of reference frame, while east to northeast-dipping subduction zones are both retreating and advancing in five out of seven global reference frames. In addition, westward-dipping subduction zones have a range in trench-migration velocities that is twice the magnitude of that for east to northeastward-dipping slabs. Finally, there is no recognizable correlation between slab dip direction and slab dip angle. East to northeast-dipping slabs (α = 30° to 120°) have shallow (0–125 km) slab dip angles in the range 10–60° and deep (125–670 km) slab dip angles in the range 40–82°, while west-dipping slabs (α = − 60° to − 120°) have shallow slab dip angles in the range 19–50° and deep slab dip angles in the range 25–86°. Local mean deep slab dip angles are nearly identical for east and west-dipping slabs, while local mean shallow slab dip angles are lower by only 4.7–8.1° for east to northeast-dipping slabs. It is thus concluded that overall, there is no observational basis to support the three predictions made by the westward drift model, and for some sub-predictions the observational basis is very weak at most. Alternative models, which incorporate and underline the importance of slab buoyancy-driven trench migration, slab width and overriding plate motion, are better candidates to explain the complexity of subduction zones, including the variety in trench-migration velocities, overriding plate deformation and slab dip angles.