Early–Middle Ordovician volcanism along the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif,Northeast China: constraints on the suture location between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs

We present new zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic as well as whole-rock geochemical data for volcanic rocks from the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif, Northeast China, in order to further our understanding of the suture location between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs. Zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry U–Pb dating indicates that the volcanic rocks formed during the Early–Middle Ordovician (473–463 Ma). Compared with the coeval Moguqi basalts (rare earth element [REE] = 171–183 ppm; εHf_(t) = +0.3 to +2.7; T_DM1 = 1074–977 Ma), the Duobaoshan andesites exhibit lower overall REE abundances (109–131 ppm) with relatively high heavy REE contents, stronger high-field-strength element depletion, higher εHf_(t) values (+13.0 to +14.8), and much younger T_DM1 ages (559–484 Ma). This suggests that the primary magma for the andesites was generated by the partial melting of a relatively depleted mantle wedge that was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. The primary magma for the basalts in the Moguqi area was probably derived from the partial melting of a relatively enriched lithospheric mantle that was also modified by fluids sourced from a subducted slab. These interpretations suggest that the andesites in Duobaoshan formed in a newly accreted island arc setting, whereas the coeval basalts in Moguqi formed along an active continental margin. We therefore attribute the Early–Middle Ordovician volcanism along the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif to the northwestward subduction of the Nenjiang–Heihe oceanic plate beneath the Xing’an Massif. Furthermore, considering coeval igneous activity in the southern parts of the Xing’an Massif, we suggest that a magmatic arc existed along the margin of the Xing’an Massif in the early Palaeozoic (490–420 Ma). We conclude that the location of the suture between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs runs from Airgin Sum, via south of Xilinhot, to Ulanhot, Moguqi, Nenjiang, and finally Heihe.     

Magmatic history during late Carboniferous to early Permian in the North of the central Xing’an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt: a case study of the Houtoumiao pluton,Inner Mongolia

We undertake zircon U–Pb dating, Hf isotopes, and geochemical analyses of the Houtoumiao pluton in the Xilinhot microcontinent (XLMC) in the central Inner Mongolia with an aim of determining their ages, petrogenesis, and sources, which are important for understanding the late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing’an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt. The Houtoumiao pluton consists of medium-grained granodiorite, coarse- and medium-grained syenogranite. Mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) are common in the Houtoumiao pluton. Zircon U–Pb dating has yielded ages of 303 ± 2 and 301 ± 2 Ma for the granodiorite, 295 ± 2 Ma for the syenogranite, and 292 ± 1 Ma for the MMEs. The granodiorite and syenogranite have features of high-K high silica content, rich in Rb, U, and Th, but low content of HFSE, belong to calc-alkaline series. The P₂O₅ concentration decreases with the increasing SiO₂ content, suggesting I-type affinity. The MMEs, which are characterized by low SiO₂, relatively high and variable TiO₂, Al₂O₃, FeO^T, MgO, CaO, Ni, and Cr contents, also have much higher total rare earth element concentrations that the REE patterns are subparallel to those of the host rocks. Zircons from the host rocks have ε_Hf(t) values from +3.91 to +7.73 and T_DM2 values of 820–1067 Ma, suggesting that the granitoids were probably dominated by remelting of juvenile crust materials. The MMEs are of ε_Hf(t) value ranging from +6.23 to +11.04 and T_DM1 values from 490 to 693 Ma, suggesting that the primary magma probably was derived from partial melting of a depleted lithospheric mantle, the mafic mineral fractional crystallization and crustal contamination occurred during the magma evolution. Combined with previous studies on the contemporaneous magma-tectonic activities in the Uliastai Continental Margin and XLMC, we suggest that the Houtoumiao pluton formed in a post-orogenic setting.     

Petrogenesis of the Mairupt microgranite: A witness of an Uppermost Silurian magmatism in the Rocroi Inlier,Ardenne Allochton

Magmatism in the Rocroi inlier (Ardenne Allochton, southeastern Avalonia during eo-Hercynian times) consists of a swarm of bimodal dykes (diabase and/or microgranite) emplaced in Middle to Upper Cambrian siliciclastics (Revin Group). Felsic volcanites interbedded within the Upper Silurian/Lower Devonian transgressive strata on the eastern edge of the inlier were interpreted as belonging to the same magmatic event. This was subsequently invalidated by zircon U–Pb dating of the Mairupt and Grande Commune magmatic rocks, which yielded an Upper Devonian age. Here we report a reevaluation of the age of the Mairupt microgranite based on LA–ICP–MS in situ U–Pb zircon geochronology, which yields a concordant age of 420.5 ± 2.9 Ma (Late Silurian/Early Devonian). This new dating restores the consistency between the different magmatic occurrences in the Rocroi inlier. The geochemical and petrographical data furthermore indicate a major crustal contribution, which fits well within the context of crust thinning of the Ardenne margin (southeastern Avalonia) in the transtensional Rheno-Hercynian back-arc basin.     

Provenance of detrital zircon from siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit of the Adrar Souttouf Massif (Moroccan Sahara) – Palaeogeographic implications

The Oued Togba and Sebkha Gezmayet units of the Adrar Souttouf Massif in the southern Moroccan Sahara are thought to represent tectonic fragments that may have an affinity to the Avalonian and Meguma terranes of eastern North America. Here we study siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit with respect to their detrital zircon spectra. Beside the commonly used U–Th–Pb ages, several aspects of zircon morphology (length, width, roundness, surficial indicators of sedimentary transport, morphotype) are described. The detrital zircon age spectrum of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit resembles that of the already dated underlying igneous rocks. Occurrences of Early Devonian zircon ages are at odds with the magmatic history of the West African Craton but are common in the Avalonian and Meguma terranes, which were affected by the Appalachian orogenies. The scarcity of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon grains corroborates the previously suggested Meguma terrane affinity of this part of the Adrar Souttouf Massif. Combining zircon morphology and isotopic data, we propose first assumptions on the sedimentary environments of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit during different periods of the Palaeozoic.     

Magnetostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous strata in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,southern Utah: The Santonian–Campanian Stage boundary,reassessment of the C33N/C33R magnetochron boundary,and implications for regional sedimentation patterns within the Sevier Foreland Basin

Samples were collected for magnetostratigraphic analysis from the Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs and Wahweap formations within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southern Utah, in an attempt to locate the C34n–C33r and C33r–C33n boundaries; the former approximates the Santonian–Campanian Stage boundary. Locating both of these horizons within the Monument provides for refined temporal resolution of the many new fossil localities discovered in these units, while also adding to our understanding of the overall Straight Cliffs–Wahweap sequence stratigraphic architecture. Results indicate that the John Henry and Drip Tank members of the Straight Cliffs Formation are of normal polarity, and represent the later part of C34n, the Cretaceous Normal Polarity Super-Chron. The C34n–C33r boundary apparently resides in a significant hiatus determined to occur between the Drip Tank Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation and the lower part of the overlying Wahweap Formation. In stratigraphically ascending order, the informally named lower, middle, and most of the upper members of the Wahweap Formation are of reversed polarity. The C33r–C33n polarity change occurs in the upper part of the upper member, and C33n continues stratigraphically upward through the capping sand member of the Wahweap Formation and into the overlying Kaiparowits Formation. The presence of over 200 m of reversely magnetized strata above a level in the lower part of the middle member dated to 79.9 ± 0.3 Ma, which coincides with the GTS2012 date for the C33r–C33n boundary of 79.9 Ma, suggests that the published age of that boundary may be in error. A new date of approximately 78.91 Ma is proposed, in turn allowing for the thick sequence of reversely magnetized strata above the 79.9 Ma level. Age revision of the Kaiparowits Basin's Late Cretaceous record demonstrates that during late Santonian through early middle Campanian time, except in central Utah, a close correlation in time and facies successions with other successions throughout the Western Interior Basin suggests a eustatic influence on the depositional patterns. Starting in the late middle Campanian, the Kaiparowits record, along with those both to the north and south, appear to diverge in style and facies successions. We consider this to have resulted from a fundamental change in depositional controls triggered by the Laramide Orogeny. The anomalous central Utah record appears to have been profoundly influenced by a massive salient (Nebo-Charleston thrust system) in the Sevier Fold and Thrust belt that was active for much of the Late Cretaceous.     

Geochemistry and geochronology of mafic rocks from the Spanish Central System:Constraints on the mantle evolution beneath central Spain

The Spanish Central System(SCS) contains several suites of Palaeozoic mafic igneous intrusions with contrasting geochemical affinity:Ordovician tholeiitic metabasites,Variscan calc-alkaline gabbros(Gb1) and microdiorites(Gb2),shoshonitic monzogabbros(Gb3) and alkaline diabases and lamprophyres(Gb4).Not all of these rocks are accurately dated,and several aspects of their genesis are still poorly understood.We present new whole-rock geochemical data(major and trace elements,and Sr-Nd isotopes),U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic ratios on magmatic zircons and 40 Ar/~(39)Ar amphibole geochronology results in order to establish a precise chronology for the successive events of magmatism in the SCS,and discuss the nature of their mantle sources.Accurate ages have been determined for the Variscan gabbros(305-294 Ma),the microdiorites(299 Ma) and the accompanying felsic porphyries(292 Ma),the shoshonitic monzogabbros(285 Ma),and the alkaline diabases(274 Ma) and monzosyenites(271-264 Ma).According to this information,the Variscan mafic magmatism would be mainly concentrated in the range of 305-294 Ma,with a final manifestation represented by the minor shoshonitic dykes.The alkaline magmatism proved to be slightly older than previously thought and yielded at least two distinct pulses:diabases and lamprophyres-monzosyenites.Zircon Hf isotopes evidence the involvement of depleted and slightly enriched mantle sources.The bulk of the eHf values are in the broad range of-8 to+11,indicative of melting both depleted and enriched mantle regions.The high within-sample Hf isotope variation(up to-11 epsilon units) shown by samples from the Variscan series(gabbros,microdiorites and monzogabbros) could be explained mainly by hybridisation of magmas derived from heterogeneous lithospheric mantle sources.Pressure estimates indicate that the Variscan mafic magmas were extracted from the lithosphere.The Nd-Hf isotopic composition of these suites of rocks suggests the recycling of pelitic sediments during the Cadomian orogeny.Deeper(asthenospheric) mantle levels were involved in the generation of the alkaline suite,whose anomalous negative eHf values(moderately decoupled with respect to radiogenic Nd) could be associated with subducted oceanic components raised by mantle upwelling associated with lithosphere thinning and extension during the Permian.     

Static soil culvert interaction the effect of box culvert geometric configurations and soil properties

The response of box culverts to static loads is controlled by soil arching. Soil arching is a result of a complex soil culvert interaction (SCI) due to the relative stiffness between the culvert and the surrounding soil, and is a critical consideration in culvert design. The factors that affect soil arching on box culverts include the soil height above the culvert, the geometrical configuration of the box culvert and the properties of the soil around it. Box culverts are typically designed using formulae that assume simplified behaviors and in some cases rely on considerable empiricism. In the present study, small scale centrifuge physical model tests were conducted to investigate SCI considering the height and density of soil above the culvert and the geometry of the culvert. The results of these centrifuge tests were used to calibrate and verify a numerical model that was used to further investigate the response of box culverts to static loads. The results have been evaluated for bending moment and soil culvert interaction factors. The results demonstrated that the soil culvert interaction factors are not only a function of the height of soil column above the culvert, but also a function of the culvert thickness, soil elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Therefore, the results were used to establish charts and equations that can be employed to assess the design values of the static soil pressure and static bending moment for box culverts.     

Elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositional disparity of riverine sediments around the Yellow Sea: Constraints from grain-size and chemical partitioning

To obtain a better understanding of the source compositions of the river sediments around the Yellow Sea and their relationship with source rocks, elements and strontium-neodymium (Sr–Nd) isotopes of different grain-sizes (silt and clay populations) and chemical (labile and residual phases) fractionations in riverine sediments were studied extensively. These results clearly revealed a systematic compositional disparity between Korean river (KR) and Chinese river (CR) sediments, especially in the residual (detrital) fraction. The geochemical dissimilarity between these might reflect inherited signatures of their source rocks but with minor control from chemical weathering. In particular, the remarkable enrichment of some elements (iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg)) and the behavior of large ion lithophile elements (e.g., barium (Ba), potassium (K) and Sr) during weathering as well as less-radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions implies that CR sediments might be weathering products of relatively more mafic rocks, with abundant ferromagnesian and plagioclase feldspar minerals, compared with KR sediments derived from silicic granites with relatively higher quartz and potassium feldspar contents. This different petrological rationale is clearly evident in an A–CN–K diagram, which estimated the source rock of CR sediments as granodioritic, a composition that reflects accurately the average composition of weathered continental crust in China. The recognition of such geochemical systematics in two river sediments, especially in grain-size and chemically partitioned data, may contribute to the establishment of provenance tracers for the Yellow Sea and East China Sea sediments with multi-sources as well the dust deposition in the western Pacific.     

Zircon U–Pb age constraints on the Paleoproterozoic sedimentary basement of the Ediacaran Porongos Group,Sul-Riograndense Shield,southern Brazil

Thick quartzites record significant information on cratonic environments during long geological periods. The capacity to resist weathering and deformation turn the quartzite covers especially useful in the provenance studies of Precambrian basins. Provenance of 194 detrital zircon grains from two samples of thick quartzite cover on the Paleoproterozoic Encantadas Complex displays mostly Paleoproterozoic (95%) and minor Archean (5%) sources. The results indicate that sediments were derived from the La Plata Craton with the maximum depositional age at 2.03 Ga possibly up to 1.7 Ga. In comparison, the adjacent Porongos Group has provenance data of 61 detrital zircon grains indicating mostly Mesoproterozoic (69%), subordinately Paleoproterozoic (26%) and minor Archean ages (5%). Considering previous published data, the Porongos Group is Ediacaran in age and probably chronocorrelated with sedimentary basins from the Tandilia Belt (Argentina). Therefore, the quartzite cover and the Porongos Group require distinct evolution in time and in tectonic environment.     

A new species of Baikuris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Sphecomyrminae) in mid-Cretaceous amber from France

A new species of the extinct ant genus Baikuris Dlussky, 1987 (Formicidae: Sphecomyrminae) is described and figured from a male preserved in a piece of ∼100 Myr amber from Charentes, in southwestern France. Baikuris maximus sp. nov., is distinguished from other species notably by its larger size, its forewing with vein 2M+Cu absent and vein 3Cu tubular, and the presence of a subpetiolar process. The diagnosis of the genus is emended, and its distribution during the Cretaceous is briefly discussed.