Microsampling Lu–Hf geochronology on mm‐sized garnet in eclogites constrains early garnet growth and timing of tectonometamorphism in the North Qilian orogenic belt

This study presents Lu–Hf geochronology of zoned garnet in high‐P eclogites from the North Qilian orogenic belt. Selected samples have ~mm‐sized garnet grains that have been sampled with a micro‐drill and analysed for dating. The Lu–Hf dates of bulk garnet separates, micro‐drilled garnet cores and the remnant, rim‐enriched garnet were determined by two‐point isochrons, with cores being consistently older than the bulk‐ and rim‐enriched garnet. The bulk garnet separates of each sample define identical garnet–whole rock isochron date of c. 457 Ma. Consistent U–Pb zircon dates of 455 ± 8 Ma were obtained from the eclogite. The Lu–Hf dates of the drilled cores and rim‐rich separates suggest a minimum garnet growth interval of 468.9 ± 2.4 and 452.1 ± 1.6 Ma. Major and Lu element profiles in the majority of garnet grains show well‐preserved Rayleigh‐style fractionated bell‐shaped Mn and Lu zoning profiles, and increasing Mg from core to rim. Pseudosection modelling indicates that garnet grew along a P–T path from ~470–525°C and ~2.4–2.6 GPa. The exceptional high‐Mn garnet core in one sample indicates an early growth during epidote–blueschist facies metamorphism at <460°C and <0.8 GPa. Therefore, the Lu–Hf dates of drilled cores record the early prograde garnet growth, whereas the Lu–Hf dates of rim‐rich fractions provide a maximum age for the end of garnet growth. The microsampling approach applied in this study can be broadly used in garnet‐bearing rocks, even those without extremely large garnet crystals, in an attempt to retrieve the early metamorphic timing recorded in older garnet cores. Given a proper selection of the drill bit size and a detailed crystal size distribution analysis, the cores of the mm‐sized garnet in most metamorphic rocks can be dated to yield critical constraints on the early timing of metamorphism. This study provides new crucial constraints on the timing of the initial subduction (before c. 469 Ma) and the ultimate closure (earlier than c. 452 Ma) of the fossil Qilian oceanic basin.     

The influence of river training on mountain channel changes (Polish Carpathian Mountains)

The purpose of this paper is to explain the influence of river training on channel changes in mountain rivers. Also considered are the causes of failure of different training schemes. The research was conducted on the regulated Mszanka and Porębianka Rivers, belonging to the Raba River drainage basin in the Polish Flysh Carpathian Mountains. Channel mapping carried out in 2004 drew attention to the contemporary morphology of the channels and the development of their dynamic typology. General changes in channel morphometry and land cover were identified by comparing cartographic sources from various years. Archive material from Cracow's Regional Water Management Authority (RZGW) was used to analyse the detailed channel changes caused by each regulation structure. The material consisted of technical designs of individual training works, as well as plans, longitudinal profiles and cross-sections of trained channel reaches. A series of minimum annual water stages at the Mszana Dolna gauging station was used to determine the tendency of channel bed degradation over 53 years. During the first half of the 20th century, the middle and lower courses of the Mszanka and Porębianka Rivers had braided patterns. The slopes, mostly covered with crops, were an important source of sediment delivery to the river channels. Today, both channels are single-threaded, narrow and sinuous. Downcutting is the leading process transforming the channels. They cut down to bedrock along about 60% of their lengths. The main type of channel is an erosion channel, which occurs also in the middle and lower courses of the rivers. The channel sediment deficit is an important cause for river incision. Sediment supply to the channels was reduced after a replacement of crops on the slopes by meadows or forests. Gravel mining has also caused channel downcutting. The rapid channel changes began after 1959, as systematic training was introduced. Channel regulation seems therefore to be a major factor determining channel adjustment. Debris dams and groynes were built before 1980 and these caused the greatest change of channel pattern, increase of channel gradient and magnitude of river incision. After that date the measures mostly involved drop structures. From then on, the rate of downcutting decreased considerably, but has not ceased. The rivers continued to incise until bedrock was exposed or training structures were destroyed. After that, a tendency to lateral migration and local braiding were observed in the deepened channel. The channels displayed a tendency to return to their morphology and dynamic from before the training. The results demonstrate that river training distorts the equilibrium of channel systems. A channel becomes divided into artificial reaches, which later follow different evolutionary patterns. Most training schemes on mountain channels are ineffective in the long term, as river managers seem to consider a channel at a reach scale only. Individual channel reaches, however, are not independent but rather form a system that must be managed at the entire channel scale.     

阿尔泰山诺尔特地区库马苏金多金属矿的发现及找矿前景

库马苏金多金属矿床是最近在进行1∶2.5万土壤化探异常检查过程中发现的,位于新疆阿尔泰山北部诺尔特断陷盆地内。矿体产于下石炭统红山嘴组下亚组第一岩性段的凝灰质细—粉砂岩中,呈NW向带状展布,已控制矿体长逾500m,宽超过200m,矿体有北西翘起而向南东隐伏的可能,目前已控制储量金、铅、锌矿均达小型规模。矿体所在地区地球化学异常、矿化蚀变发育,矿点、矿化点密集,部分矿点已具有一定规模,只是限于地形和工作条件未进行系统的工程控制和详细检查,仅已评价过的20号矿点中就发现相当规模的矿体。通过与同一大地构造位置的哈萨克斯坦块状硫化物矿床特征的初步对比,并对区内地球化学异常、矿化蚀变带及其矿点分布情况进行综合分析,认为本区成矿条件优越,具有较好的找矿前景。     

北祁连西段熬油沟及卡洼沟一带Au、Pt、Pd异常特征及找矿方向

北祁连西段作为甘肃一个重要的多金属成矿带,随着地质找矿工作不断地加强,日渐重要。根据熬油沟及卡洼沟一带水系沉积物、岩屑和岩石剖面测量结果,对Au、Pt、Pd和Pb、Zn等成矿元素的分布特征和组合关系进行了分析,总结了该处成矿地质背景和地球化学异常特征,指出了找矿方向。     

板内造山作用与成矿

中国大陆广泛分布强烈的板内变形和造山作用,传统的板块构造理论常常将其解释为板块边缘汇聚力的远程效应。然而,中国大陆的板内造山作用与汇聚板块边界之间缺乏可预期的动力学联系,不能简单地解释为大陆碰撞或板块俯冲的远程效应。本文提出另一种可供选择的解释,认为板内变形主要取决于岩石圈不均一性。相邻的板块拼合在一起形成统一板块之后,区域地质演化进入板内阶段。板块碰撞导致的岩石圈不均一性和重力不稳定性可以触发强烈的板内变形甚至造山作用,其延迟时间的长短取决于岩石圈不稳定性的程度和地球深部的热扰动。与板缘造山带相比,板内造山作用缺少板块俯冲-碰撞过程,板内造山带的演化历史相对简单,通常是以岩石圈拆沉作用开始,以地壳的垂向增生为特征,最后以岩石圈拆沉作用结束或形成重力不稳定岩石圈。因此,板内造山作用一般沿着古造山带发育。古造山带岩石圈结构低成熟度的特点不仅是岩石圈不稳定性的主要原因之一,而且由于挥发分和含矿元素的富集在活化过程中具有很强的成矿潜力。板内造山带的成矿作用依赖于深埋在岩石圈-软流圈系统不同深度水平上含矿流体的突然释放,主要发生在造山作用初始阶段和造山后伸展阶段。     

A rapid method to map the crustal and lithospheric thickness using elevation, geoid anomaly and thermal analysis. Application to the Gibraltar Arc System, Atlas Mountains and adjacent zones

We present a method based on the combination of elevation and geoid anomaly data together with thermal field to map crustal and lithospheric thickness. The main assumptions are local isostasy and a four-layered model composed of crust, lithospheric mantle, sea water and the asthenosphere. We consider a linear density gradient for the crust and a temperature dependent density for the lithospheric mantle. We perform sensitivity tests to evaluate the effect of the variation of the model parameters and the influence of RMS error of elevation and geoid anomaly databases. The application of this method to the Gibraltar Arc System, Atlas Mountains and adjacent zones reveals the presence of a lithospheric thinning zone, SW–NE oriented. This zone affects the High and Middle Atlas and extends from the Canary Islands to the eastern Alboran Basin and is probably linked with a similarly trending zone of thick lithosphere constituting the western Betics, eastern Rif, Rharb Basin, and Gulf of Cadiz. A number of different, even mutually opposite, geodynamic models have been proposed to explain the origin and evolution of the study area. Our results suggest that a plausible slab-retreating model should incorporate tear and asymmetric roll-back of the subducting slab to fit the present-day observed lithosphere geometry. In this context, the lithospheric thinning would be caused by lateral asthenospheric flow. An alternative mechanism responsible for lithospheric thinning is the presence of a hot magmatic reservoir derived from a deep ancient plume centred in the Canary Island, and extending as far as Central Europe.     

北秦岭两河口岩体的地球化学特征及其成因

北秦岭西段新元古代两河口岩体,岩性为眼球状片麻状二长花岗岩,含少量黑云母、角闪石及榍石,属钾质钙碱性花岗岩类;主量元素SiO_2=68.48%～72.45%,K_2O/Na_2O=1.35～2.07,为钾质;在K_2O-SiO_2关系图上投入高钾钙碱性区;A/CNK介于1.03～1.31,总体为钾质钙碱性弱过铝质花岗岩。岩石富集LILE元素(K、Th、Rb、Ba等),亏损HFSE元素(Ta、Nb、Y、Yb等);稀土元素总量较高(∑REE=126.82×10~(-6)～267.359×10~(-6)),轻重稀土强烈分馏(∑LREE/∑HREE= 5.447～8.894),稀土元素分配模式为轻稀土富集型,具中等程度Eu负异常(δEu=0.417～0.621)。微量、稀土元素分配模式与北秦岭东部的碰撞型德河岩体、寨根岩体及牛角山岩体一致。Pb-Sr-Nd同位素组成具低的ε_(Nd)=-3.9180～-6.0064、较高的~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr(t)=0.70760～0.71675、富放射性成因Pb同位素组成,模式年龄t_(DM)=1849.73～2022.79Ma,指示两河口岩体源岩特征与秦岭岩群、马衔山群相近,岩浆源区为下地壳成因。结合区域资料,认为两河口岩体形成于同碰撞末期—后碰撞初期的构造转换时期;这一认识细化了北秦岭新元古代碰撞造山过程;其所确立的汇聚碰撞时间与我国晋宁运动时限一致;为研究中国古陆块在新元古代时期汇聚时限、过程、方式及Rodinia超大陆事件在秦岭地区的响应提供了重要证据。     

河西走廊祁连山山前第四系潜水浅埋带分布规律

本文根据近5年来地下水勘查成果,对祁连山山前缺水地区水文地质特征、相对浅埋区的形成分布进行了综合分析,提出了基底隆升、“叠瓦状”台阶式断裂、逆冲压扭性断裂、地堑型四种控制地下水埋深的构造类型;提出在不同类型控水条件下寻找地下水相对浅埋的方向,指导寻找可利用的地下水源,解决该区人畜饮水困难。以肃南严重缺水区大黄沟滩勘查示范为例,在地堑型控水区找到埋深160m、矿化度小于0.6g/L、单井涌水量大于1 500m3/d的优质饮用水源。     

Isotopic connections between basement rocks exposed in the St. Francois Mountains and the Arbuckle Mountains,southern mid-continent,North America

Two distinct crustal provinces have been identified in the southern mid-continent based on U–Pb crystallization ages. Both contain large volumes of undeformed granite and rhyolite, with minor amounts of metamorphic rock and mafic intrusions. The Eastern Granite-Rhyolite province is characterized by felsic rocks with crystallization ages of 1,470 ± 30 Ma and exposures are restricted to the St. Francois Mountains in southeastern Missouri. Similarly, the Southern Granite-Rhyolite (SGR) province is characterized by felsic units with ages of 1,370 ± 30 Ma with primary exposures in the eastern Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma. Within the SGR province three magmatic pulses can be identified starting at 1,400, 1,370, and 1,340 Ma. Although the crystallization ages are different, the Sm–Nd isotopic signatures are similar for the units exposed in these areas as well as the buried basement in between. Depleted mantle model ages for rocks within the Arbuckle Mountains range from 1,530 to 1,430 Ma with ɛ_Nd(t) values of +3.2 to +4.1 while units of the St. Francois Mountains range from 1,550 to 1,430 Ma and +4.5 to +4.7. Comparison of Sm–Nd isotopic data also indicate similarities between the ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios for the rock units in these areas suggesting a common source.     

Mountain hazards and the resilience of social–ecological systems: lessons learned in India and Canada

Mountain regions are subject to a variety of hazardous processes. Earthquakes, landslides, snow avalanches, floods, debris flows, epidemics and fires, among other processes, have caused injury, death, damage and destruction. They also face challenges from increased populations, and expansion and intensification of␣activities, land uses and infrastructure. The combination of a dynamic bio- geophysical environment and intensified human use has increased the vulnerability of mountain social–ecological systems to risk from hazards. The ability of social–ecological systems to build resilience in the context of hazards is an important factor in their long-term sustainability. The role of resilience building in understanding the impact of hazards in mountain areas is examined and illustrated, in part, through examples from Canada and India. Resilient social–ecological systems have the ability to learn and adjust, use all forms of knowledge, to self-organize and to develop positive institutional linkages with other social–ecological systems in the face of hazards. The analysis suggests that traditional social–ecological systems built resilience through avoidance, which was effective for localized hazards. The more recent development and implementation of cross-scale institutional linkages is shown to be a particularly effective means of resilience building in mountain social–ecological systems in the face of all hazards.