Geological evolution and hydrocarbon potential of the salt-cored Hoodoo Dome,Sverdrup Basin,Arctic Canada

The evaporite-cored Hoodoo Dome on southern Ellef Ringnes Island, Sverdrup Basin, was examined to improve the understanding of its structural geological history in relation to hydrocarbon migration. Data from geological mapping, reflection seismic, thermal maturity and detrital apatite (U–Th)/He cooling ages are presented. Five stages of diapirism are interpreted from Jurassic to Recent times:1. 180 to 163 Ma (pre-Deer Bay Formation; development of a diapir with a circular map pattern).2. 163 to 133 Ma (Deer Bay to lower Isachsen formations; development of salt wings).3. 115 to 94 Ma (Christopher and Hassel formations; ongoing diapirism and development of an oval map pattern)4. 79 Ma (Kanguk Formation; reactivation of the central diapir).5. 42 Ma to 65 Ma (Eurekan Orogeny; tightening of the anticline).During phase1, the Hoodoo diapir was circular. During phase 2, salt wings formed along its margin. During phase 3, the Hoodoo Dome geometry evolved into a much larger, elongate, doubly plunging anticline. Phase 4 is inferred from thermochronology data as indicated by a cluster of cooling ages, but the extent of motion during that time is unknown. During Phase 5 the dome was tightened creating approximately 700 m of structural relief. Denudation since the end of the Eurekan Orogeny is estimated to be about 600 m.A one dimensional burial history model predicts hydrocarbon generation from Middle and Late Triassic source rocks between 140 and 66 Ma, with majority of hydrocarbon expulsion between 117 and 79 Ma. Hydrocarbon generation post-dates salt wing formation, so that this trap could host natural gas expelled from Triassic source rocks.     

Tectono–Thermal Evolution, Hydrocarbon Filling and Accumulation Phases of the Hari Sag, in the Yingen–Ejinaqi Basin, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

This work restored the erosion thickness of the top surface of each Cretaceous formations penetrated by the typical well in the Hari sag, and simulated the subsidence burial history of this well with software BasinMod. It is firstly pointed out that the tectonic subsidence evolution of the Hari sag since the Cretaceous can be divided into four phases: initial subsidence phase, rapid subsidence phase,uplift and erosion phase, and stable slow subsidence phase. A detailed reconstruction of the tectonothermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation histories of typical well was undertaken using the EASY R_0% model, which is constrained by vitrinite reflectance(R_0) and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions. In the rapid subsidence phase, the peak period of hydrocarbon generation was reached at c.a.105.59 Ma with the increasing thermal evolution degree. A concomitant rapid increase in paleotemperatures occurred and reached a maximum geothermal gradient of about 43-45℃/km. The main hydrocarbon generation period ensued around 105.59-80.00 Ma and the greatest buried depth of the Hari sag was reached at c.a. 80.00 Ma, when the maximum paleo-temperature was over 180℃.Subsequently, the sag entered an uplift and erosion phase followed by a stable slow subsidence phase during which the temperature gradient, thermal evolution, and hydrocarbon generation decreased gradually. The hydrocarbon accumulation period was discussed based on homogenization temperatures of inclusions and it is believed that two periods of rapid hydrocarbon accumulation events occurred during the Cretaceous rapid subsidence phase. The first accumulation period observed in the Bayingebi Formation(K_1 b) occurred primarily around 105.59-103.50 Ma with temperatures of 125-150℃. The second accumulation period observed in the Suhongtu Formation(K_1 s) occurred primarily around84.00-80.00 Ma with temperatures of 120-130℃. The second is the major accumulation period, and the accumulation mainly occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The hydrocarbon accumulation process was comprehensively controlled by tectono-thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation history. During the rapid subsidence phase, the paleo temperature and geothermal gradient increased rapidly and resulted in increasing thermal evolution extending into the peak period of hydrocarbon generation,which is the key reason for hydrocarbon filling and accumulation.     

青海南山地区角孔变质岩地质特征、年代学及其地质意义

青海南山达不祖乎山北部一带的角孔变质岩系原划为早中三叠世隆务河组。通过野外实测地质剖面和路线地质调查,查明该套地层单元野外产出状态及岩石组合特征,并对其物质来源和形成时代进行分析,对进一步研究该区晚古生代-早中生代的构造演化具有重要意义。该套变质岩系为一套长石石英岩、石英岩、大理岩和黑云石英片岩组合,由下向上划分为3个岩段,叠置厚度大于3186.3m。根据碎屑锆石年龄分布特征,可大致划分为5个年龄组段,分别为250～304Ma、405～546Ma、649～1077Ma、1402～1620Ma和1861～2990Ma,其中250～304Ma可进一步划分为250～269Ma和289～304Ma两个亚组。综合前人研究资料与区域构造岩浆活动,将青海南山地区角孔变质岩的沉积时代限定为二叠纪,物源主要来自祁连造山带加里东期和晋宁期岩浆弧,柴北缘构造带海西期岩浆弧也提供了部分物质,晚古生代—早中生代经历了陆内裂陷、洋盆拉张及俯冲碰撞的构造演化过程。     

Nature and source of the ore-forming fluids associated with orogenic gold deposits in the Dharwar Craton

Neoarchean orogenic gold deposits, associated with the greenstone-granite milieus in the Dharwar Craton include(1) the famous Kolar mine and the world class Hutti deposit;(2) small mines at HiraBuddini, Uti, Ajjanahalli, and Guddadarangavanahalli;(3) prospects at Jonnagiri; and(4) old mining camps in the Gadag and Ramagiri-Penakacherla belts. The existing diametric views on the source of ore fluid for formation of these deposits include fluids exsolved from granitic melts and extracted by metamorphic devolatilization of the greenstone sequences. Lode gold mineralization occurs in structurally controlled higher order splays in variety of host rocks such as mafic/felsic greenstones, banded iron formations, volcaniclastic rocks and granitoids. Estimated metamorphic conditions of the greenstones vary from lower greenschist facies to mid-amphibolite facies and mineralizations in all the camps are associated with distinct hydrothermal alterations. Fluid inclusion microthermometric and Raman spectroscopic studies document low salinity aqueous-gaseous(H_2O + CO_2 ± CH_4 + NaCl) ore fluids,which precipitated gold and altered the host rocks in a narrow P-T window of 0.7-2.5 kbar and 215-320℃. While the calculated fluid O-and C-isotopic values are ambiguous, S-isotopic compositions of pyrite-precipitating fluid show distinct craton-scale uniformity in terms of its reduced nature and a suggested crustal sulfur source.Available ages on greenstone metamorphism, granitoid plutonism and mineralization in the Hutti Belt are tantamount, making a geochronology-based resolution of the existing debate on the metamorphic vs.magmatic fluid source impossible. In contrast, tourmaline geochemistry suggests involvement of single fluid in formation of gold mineralization, primarily derived by metamorphic devolatilization of mafic greenstones and interlayered sedimentary rocks, with minor magmatic contributions. Similarly, compositions of scheelite, pyrite and arsenopyrite point toward operation of fault-valves that caused pressure fluctuation-induced fluid phase separation, which acted as the dominant process of gold precipitation,apart from fluid-rock sulfidation reactions. Therefore, results from geochemistry of hydrothermal minerals and those from fluid inclusion microthermometry corroborate in constraining source of ore fluid,nature of gold transport(by Au-bisulfide complex) and mechanism of gold ore formation in the Dharwar Craton.     

Electrical analogy for modelling thermal regime and moisture distribution in sandy soils

The soil mass is subjected to temperature variation due to several human activities (viz. tanks storing heated fluids, buried cables and pipelines, air-conditioning ducts, disposal of nuclear and thermal power plant wastes etc.), which result in heat-induced migration of the moisture in it. Though several studies have been conducted in the past to investigate the mechanism of heat migration through the soil mass, a methodology for ‘real-time measurement of the variations in temperature, flux and moving moisture front, in tandem, with respect to space' has rarely been attempted. In this context, extensive laboratory investigations were conducted to measure real-time flux and temperature variations in the sandy soils, and the validation of results has been done by employing an equivalent electrical circuit programme, LTspice. Subsequently, a mathematical model PHITMDS (i.e. Prediction of Heat-Induced Temperature and Moisture Distribution in Soil) has been developed and its utility and efficacy, for predicting the depth-wise temperature and heat-induced moisture migration, due to evaporation, in terms of position of moving moisture front in the sandy soil has been critically discussed and demonstrated.     

Alpine metamorphism of low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Croatia): new P-T and geochronological constraints

Low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Tisia Mega-Unit, Mt Papuk, Croatia), previously assigned to Precambrian to Lower Palaeozoic metamorphism, have been subjected to geochemical investigations, P-T modelling, and in situ age dating of monazite. The studied fine-grained metasediments consist of chlorite (5–15 vol.%), K white-mica (40–55 vol.%), quartz (20–35 vol.%), feldspar (albite 15–20 vol.%), opaques (<2 vol.%), and accessory minerals. According to their whole-rock geochemistry, the detritus of the former sediments came from upper crustal felsic rocks as they occur, for instance, at Mt Papuk. The schists show a complex microtectonic fabric, including well-developed schistosity systems. P-T pseudosections in the system MnNCKFMASHTO, constructed for typical schists of the study area, resulted in peak P-T conditions of 445–465 °C and 4.6–6.0 kbar for a sample from Kutjevo (eastern part of the study area) and 450–460 °C and 5.2–6.0 for a Vranovo sample (western part). Electron microprobe (EMP) dating of monazite in the schists gave a weighted average age of 109.0 ± 13.1 Ma (2σ) eventually with three subgroups of ages at 225 ± 63 (two analyses), 114 ± 24 and 83 ± 22 Ma. We conclude that the metamorphism of the studied schists at depths of c. 20 km is due to an Alpine collisional event.     

青藏铁路多年冻土区含融化夹层路基的热状态

基于青藏铁路K1496+750监测断面含融化夹层路基长达10 a的地温监测数据,分析了在气候转暖及工程活动下天然场地及路基左右路肩下多年冻土热状态年变化过程、融化夹层的年变化过程及其对多年冻土热状态的影响。结果表明：监测断面天然场地、左右路肩下多年冻土上限逐年下降,热稳定性逐年降低;观测期内,左路肩下发育有融化夹层,融化夹层厚度在波动中呈增厚趋势,且其增厚主要是由多年冻土人为上限下降所致,而天然场地及右路肩下未发育融化夹层;多年冻土上限附近土体热积累显著,进而导致多年冻土上限逐年下降及其附近土体温度逐年升高,弱化了多年冻土的热稳定性;后期增加的块石护坡和热管两种具有“主动冷却”效能的工程补强措施很好的改善了路基的热稳定性,右路肩经工程补强措施后,多年冻土人为上限得到显著抬升,热稳定性得到显著改善,而左路肩由于融化夹层的存在,工程补强措施仅仅维持了当前多年冻土热状态,融化夹层的存在一定程度上弱化了工程补强措施所产生的冷却效能。     

基于GIPL2模型的青藏高原活动层土壤热状况模拟研究

青藏高原活动层土壤热状况,对深入了解高原活动层的厚度变化特征、下垫面的热力作用以及对气候变化预测均有重要意义。利用GIPL2模型模拟青藏高原多年冻土区不同植被状况下活动层土壤热状况。模拟结果表明：模型在高寒草原（QT06）试验点模拟效果较好,高寒沼泽草甸（QT03）试验点的模拟效果较差,高寒草甸（QT01）、高寒荒漠草原（QT05）和高寒草原化草甸（QT04）试验点的模拟效果介于高寒草原试验点和高寒沼泽草甸试验点之间。QT01、QT03、QT04、QT05和QT06的土壤温度模拟值与观测值相比,均方根误差分别为0.67、1.29、0.73、0.7和0.56℃;相关系数分别为0.99、0.87、0.98、0.98和0.96;平均误差分别为0.37、0.61、0.31、0.45和0.16℃。QT06模拟结果较好,原因在于此点土壤质地变化不大,模型的分层与所取的参数更加接近此点的实际状况。QT03模拟结果较差,可能由于此地区土壤中存在砾石,在导热率参数化方案中没有考虑砾石含量,导致模拟结果偏差较大。总体而言,GIPL2模型对青藏高原活动层土壤热状况的模拟具有一定的优势,是一种模拟多年冻土区活动层土壤热状况较为理想的模型。     

关于巴罗式变质带的最新研究及其对研究秦岭杂岩的意义

本文对苏格兰高地Grampian造山运动中产生的经典巴罗变质带进行了讨论,重点介绍了近年来关于其变质作用的特征及发生机制认识方面的重大变化。强调巴罗变质作用仅发生在整个造山运动过程中的部分时段,纪录了短暂的加热过程,时空上与区域内大规模的双峰式岩浆活动有关。经典的巴罗变质系列并非形成于地壳增厚及其热弛豫,而是代表了中地壳内大规模的接触变质作用。参考经典地区的变质特征,对发育巴罗式变质作用的秦岭杂岩进行了初步对比分析,指出其中与夕线石有关的变质P-T-t轨迹可能是等压冷却过程,而不是等温降压的顺时针演化模式。秦岭杂岩的变质作用时间仍需要进一步准确厘定。结合其它相关地质特征的分析和对比,得出如下推论:巴罗式变质带发育地区的变质作用、混合岩与花岗岩均属于同一动力系统作用的结果,花岗质岩体不是变质作用的原因;基性岩浆可能提供了巴罗式变质作用发生所需要的热能,但不是必要条件;巴罗式变质作用可以发生在正常地壳厚度情况下,不是碰撞构造的标志;伴随热异常的变形过程中产生了变质带的梯度分布(巴罗式变质带)和一些花岗岩,形成类似于底辟的冲起构造。     

长春地区粉质黏土导热系数与其物性参数相关性研究

为研究导热系数与影响因素之间的相关关系,建立导热系数的推算公式,以长春地区粉质黏土为研究对象,对原状土样的导热系数与其物理参数之间的相关性进行回归分析。制作9个重塑土样,测其相关的参数值,以验证回归方程的适用性。结果表明,回归分析建立导热系数与2个物理参数之间的关系式不成立;考虑天然密度、含水率和孔隙度为自变量,其分别对应的相关性系数T检验显著值(Sig)都0. 05,复决定系数为0. 886,建立的回归方程成立,自变量能准确解释因变量的变化,且含水率与导热系数呈负相关,天然密度和孔隙度呈正相关。重塑土样相关参数代入回归方程得到的导热系数值与实验实测值之间相对误差低于4%,验证了该回归方程的普遍性和适用性。