Fault systems and paleostresses in the Vestfirdir Peninsula. Relationships with the Tertiary paleo-rifts of Skagi and Snaefells (Northwest Iceland)

Abstract

The Vestfirdir Peninsula of northwestern Iceland mainly consists of tholeiitic lava flows, 8–14 Ma old, gently dipping to the southeast. A detailed study of strike-slip and normal faulting allowed identification of two main paleostress regimes. Two sets of normal faults were recognized. The largest set trends ENE-WSW to NNE-SSW; the minor set trends NW-SE to WNW-ESE. Concerning the major extension, the reconstruction of paleostress trajectories shows a gradual change in trend from ESE-WNW, in the northern half of the peninsula, to NNW-SSE to the south. The minor extension also shows a gradual change from NNE-SSW to ENE-WSW trends, from north to south. The nearly constant perpendicularity between the major and minor trends of extension is accounted for by permutation of stress axes within the general pattern of extension related to oceanic rifting. The progressive azimuthal change of the major extension trend, from northeast to southwest across the peninsula, is interpreted as the expression of a change in trend of the extinct Skagi-Snaefells rift, a structure that cannot be reconstructed directly through geological mapping. The average trends of extension in the southern Vestfirdir Peninsula, N150°E, suggest a N60°E trend for the ancient Snaefells rift segment. Likewise, the N100–110°E trends of extension in northern Vestfirdir suggest a N10–20°E trend for the Skagi paleo-rift., © Elsevier, Paris     

The occurrence of gold in hydrothermal sulfide at Southwest Indian Ridge 49.6°E

Massive sulfide precipitates found in the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR) 49.6°E hydrothermal field are enriched in gold.Here,the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of these massive sulfides to constrain the process of gold precipitation were studied.Sulfide samples in this field include lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and relative higher-temperature Fe-rich sulfides.Zn-rich sulfides are dominated by sphalerite-pyrite-chalcopyrite assemblages,with concentrations of gold ranging from 9.08 to 17.0 μg/g.Fe-rich sulfides consist mainly of pyrite-marcasite-isocubanite assemblages,with gold concentrations from 2.17 to 3.79 μg/g.The significant enrichment in gold within the lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and the effective separation of Zn and Fe in hydrothermal precipitates at the surface of this field are here interpreted to reflect the strong temperature dependence of gold transportation and deposition within the sulfides.In Zn-rich samples,large amounts of isolated native gold grains were identified.They were found mainly as inclusions up to 8 μm in diameter,occupying porous cavities in sphalerite or in the elevated iron content rim of sphalerite.The fineness of the gold ranged from 810 to 830.Unlike previously published results on other hydrothermal fields,these data show a low gold fineness values in SWIR 49.6°E.The FeS content of sphalerite associated with gold grains ranged from 3.2 mole % to 18.9 mole %.This was higher than in other fields,indicating that the sulfur activity is relatively low during the gold precipitation process and that sulfur activity may be one of the main factors affecting gold fineness in the SWIR 49.6°E hydrothermal field.Evidence regarding gold fineness and sulfur activity suggests that gold was quite likely transported as AuHS0 rather than as a Au(HS)-2 complex.     

基于极化相干最优与极化总功率的Wishart-H/Alpha分类

Wishart-H/Alpha法进行聚类可以实现复杂场景的高精度分类。然而在聚类的过程中,由于各类中心所对应的散射机理发生了混淆,使得不透水层代表之一的水泥路面与裸露土壤发生了混淆,这对实际应用不利。提出了利用最优相干系数与极化总功率系数构成的二维直方图空间进行阈值分割,将Wishart-H/Al-pha分类方法中混淆的水泥道路与裸露土壤重新分离出来,并通过国内机载X波段双天线极化干涉实验,验证了本方法的有效性。     

A Quantitative Method for Active Fault Migration Distance Assessment on both Sides of Mid-Ocean Ridges—Based on Multi-Beam Data

Fracture-fissure systems found at mid-ocean ridges are dominating conduits for the circulation of metallogenic fluid. Ascertaining the distribution area of active faults on both sides of mid-ocean ridges will provide a useful tool in the search for potential hydrothermal vents, thus guiding the exploration of modern seafloor sulfides. Considering the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 20°N–24°N (NMAR) and North Chile Rise (NCR) as examples, fault elements such as Fault Spacing (?S) and Fault Heave (?X) can be identified and quantitatively measured. The methods used include Fourier filtering of the multi-beam bathymetry data, in combination with measurements of the topographic slope, curvature, and slope aspect patterns. According to the Sequential Faulting Model of mid-ocean ridges, the maximal migration distance of an active fault on either side of mid-ocean ridges—that is, the distribution range of active faults—can be measured. Results show that the maximal migration distance of active faults at the NMAR is 0.76–1.01 km (the distance is larger at the center than at the ends of this segment), and at the NCR, the distribution range of active faults is 0.38–1.6 km. The migration distance of active faults on the two study areas is positively related to the axial variation of magma supply. In the NCR study area, where there is an abundant magma input, the number of faults within a certain distance is mainly affected by the variation of lithospheric thickness. Here a large range of faulting clearly corresponds to a high proportion of magmatism to seafloor spreading near mid-ocean ridges (M) value, and in the study area of the NMAR, there is insufficient magmatism, and the number of faults may be controlled by both lithospheric thickness and magma supply, leading to a less obvious positive correlation between the distribution range of active faults and M.     

Mineralogy and trace element geochemistry of sulfide minerals from the Wocan Hydrothermal Field on the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge,Indian Ocean

The basalt-hosted Wocan Hydrothermal Field (WHF), located on the NW slope of an axial volcanic ridge at a depth of ∼3000 m at 6°22′N on the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge, northwest Indian Ocean, was discovered in 2013 during Chinese DY28th cruise. Preliminary investigations show that the field consists of two hydrothermal sites: Wocan-1, which shows indications for recent high-temperature hydrothermal activity, is located near the peak of the axial volcanic ridge at a water depth of 2970–2990 m, and Wocan-2 site, located at a water depth of 3100 m, ∼1.7 km to the northwest of Wocan-1. The recovered hydrothermal precipitates can be classified into four groups: (i) Cu-rich chimneys; (ii) Cu-rich massive sulfides; (iii) Fe-rich massive sulfides; and (iv) silicified massive sulfides. We conducted mineral texture and assemblage observation and Laser-ablation ICP-MS analyses of the hydrothermal precipitates to study the mineralization processes. Our results show that there are distinct systematic trace element distributions throughout the different minerals in the four sample groups. In general, chalcopyrite from the group (i) is enriched in Pb, As, Mo, Ga, Ge, V, and Sb, metals that are commonly referred to as medium- to low-temperature elements. In contrast these elements are present in low contents in the chalcopyrite grains from other sample groups. Selenium, a typical high-temperature metal, is enriched in chalcopyrite from groups (ii) and (iv), whereas Ag and Sn are enriched only in some silicified massive sulfides. As with chalcopyrite, pyrite also shows distinct trace element associations in grains with different habitus. The low-temperature association of elements (Pb, Mo, Mn, U, Mg, Ag, and Tl) is typically present in colloform/framboidal pyrite, whereas the high-temperature association (Se, Co, and Bi) is enriched in euhedral pyrite. Sphalerite in the groups (i) and (iii) at Wocan-1 is characterized by high concentrations of Ga, Ge, Pb, Cd, As, and Sb, indicating that sphalerite in these sample groups likely precipitated at intermediate temperatures. Early bornite, which mainly occurs in the central part of the Cu-rich chimney, is typically enriched in Sn and In compared to the other minerals. In contrast, late bornite that likely formed during increasing interaction of hydrothermal fluids with cold, oxygenated seawater has low Sn and In, but significantly higher concentrations of Ag, Au, Mo and U. Digenite, also forming in the exterior parts of the samples during the late stages of hydrothermal fluid venting, is poor in most trace elements, except Ag and U. The notable Ag enrichment in the late-stage mineral assemblages at both Wocan-1 and Wocan-2 may therefore be related to lower temperatures and elevated pH. Our results indicate that Wocan-1 has experienced a cycle of heating with Cu-rich chimney growth and subsequent cooling, followed by late seafloor weathering, while Wocan-2 has seen intermediate- to high-temperature mineralization followed by intense silicification of sulfides. Seafloor weathering processes or mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater during the waning stages of hydrothermal fluid flow result in significant redistributions of trace elements in sulfide minerals.     

扬马延海脊构造-沉积演化及油气潜力

扬马延海脊位于北大西洋的北极圈附近,东格陵兰板块和挪威板块之间,冰岛东北方向。北极地区地域辽阔,油气资源丰富,但是恶劣的环境一直制约油气的勘探进展。在扬马延海脊的沉积演化过程中,扬马延海脊在第三纪前有着和东格陵兰陆架、挪威陆架相似的沉积序列,其构造演化经历了二叠纪陆内裂谷、三叠纪—侏罗纪同裂谷和微陆块漂移、白垩纪至今热沉降和被动陆缘等3个阶段。结合前人研究成果,对搜集的东格陵兰陆架、挪威陆架的油气地质资料分析,认为扬马延海脊可划分为扬马延盆地、扬马延西部构造带、扬马延中部凸起带、扬马延海槽、扬马延东部斜坡、扬马延南部复杂构造带6个构造单元,在其上发育着2套油气系统。同时扬马延海脊发育有伸展构造圈闭、地垒断块圈闭、构造圈闭和地层圈闭,这些圈闭为油气的赋存提供了良好的环境,也有利于划分有利油气勘探区带。研究结果可为进一步分析扬马延海脊构造特征等方面提供基础信息,同时对我国参与研究开发北极油气资源具有重大意义。     

中印度洋脊Edmond热液区成矿流体属性与来源:来自流体包裹体和He-Ar同位素的证据

To understand the source and nature of the ore-forming fluids of the Edmond hydrothermal field on the Central Indian Ridge, we studied the He-Ar isotope composition and fluid inclusions of the hydrothermal precipitates.Our results show that the sulfide samples contain noble gases He, Ne, Kr, and Xe with their abundances in between those of air-saturated water(ASW) and mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB). The ~3He/~4He ratio varies from1.3 to 8.7 R_a(n=10, average: 5.1 R_a), whereas the ~(40)Ar/~(36) Ar ratio is from 285.3 to 314.7(n=10, average: 294.8). These results suggest that the He was derived from a mixture of MORB with variable amounts of seawater, but the Ar in the ore-forming fluids trapped in the sulfides is predominantly derived from seawater. The fluid inclusions of barite have a wide range of homogenization temperatures and salinities varying from 163°C to 260°C and 2.6 wt%to 8.5 wt% Na Cl equiv., respectively. It is suggested that the ore-forming fluids were produced by phase separation, which agreed with the present-day vent fluid study.     

Isostatic response of the Laccadive Ridge from admittance analysis of gravity and bathymetry data

The Laccadive Ridge (L-R), trending roughly parallel to the west coast of India, is an intriguing segment of the northernmost Chagos-Laccadive Ridge (C-L-R) system. Although crustal nature and isostatic response of the southern C-L-R is well known, there are no similar studies on the L-R. In the present study, the isostatic response of the lithosphere beneath the L-R is estimated so as to characterize its crustal nature, total crustal as well as effective elastic plate thickness and mode of compensation. Twelve gravity and bathymetry profiles across the ridge were analyzed using linear transfer function and forward model techniques. The observed admittance function within the diagnostic waveband of 250 < λ > 80 km (0.025 < k > 0.080 km⁻¹) fits well with (i) the Airy model whose average crustal thickness (T_c) and density are 17 ± 2 km and 2.7 × 10³ kg m⁻³, respectively, and (ii) the thin plate flexure model of isostasy with an effective elastic plate thickness (T_e) of 2–3 km. The estimated average crustal thickness and density are in good agreement with published seismic refraction results over the ridge. The results of the present study support an Airy model of isostasy for the L-R. The low T_e value, in view of other published results in the study area, suggests stretched and loaded continental lithosphere of the L-R during the evolution of the western continental margin of India.     

Unusual behavior of the Kuroshio Current System from winter 1996 to summer 1997 revealed by ADEOS-OCTS and other data— Suggestion of topographically forced alternating-jet instability

While the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) was operating, the Kuroshio and the Kuroshio Extension, or the Kuroshio Current System, exhibited unusual behavior from the winter of 1996 to the summer of 1997. This behavior of the Kuroshio Current System has been closely studied using a time series of satellite observation images of SST and ocean color obtained by ADEOS-OCTS, reinforced by SST images obtained by NOAA-AVHRR. Our findings include (i) a long lasting, very southerly path of the Kuroshio Extension; (ii) a Kuroshio path very distant from Japan with the following alternating-jet-like north-south flow pattern of the Kuroshio Extension, which occurred twice, once in February and once in April 1997, as independent events and which was observed to be affected by the bottom topography of the Izu-Ogasawara Ridge and Trench, and of the Japan Trench; (iii) cutting off of a cold water mass after the February event; and (iv) the formation of a vortex pair after the April event. A new mechanism is suggested for the formation of the alternating-jet flow pattern: a topographically forced alternating-jet instability (AJI). An SST-Chlorophyll Diagram (T-Chl Diagram) generated using simultaneous data from a single satellite is useful for analyzing the water mass structure of this region, including biological processes.