Influence of astronomical factors on the dynamics of lithospheric plates

We suggest the concept of the Earth’s lithosphere as a geocosmic system of mobile lithospheric plates affected by both external astronomical influences (solar radiation, tides) and planetary factors—the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and mantle convection. The annual period in seismicity is shown to have a clear cosmic origin related to the seasonal periodicity of solar radiation in the northern and southern hemispheres. The atmosphere can act as a transmitter of the annual periodicity to the lithospheric plates. The formulated concept of the lithosphere has led us to put forward testable hypotheses about the dynamical atmospherelithosphere relationship. These hypotheses form the basis for the next program of research on the Earth’s lithosphere as a geocosmic system.     

The annual period of the Earth’s seismic activity for 1964–2007

The catalog of the United States National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC, 2007) was used for a Fourier analysis of planetary seismic activity from 1964 to 2007 (401219 earthquakes with M ≥ 3 and hypocenter depths H ≥ 1 km) for the Northern Hemisphere (248291 events) and for the Southern Hemisphere (152928 events). The annual periodicity of weak earthquakes (M < 5.0) was verified with a high degree of reliability. All regularities (depending on the geographic latitude, hypocenter depths, and north-south asymmetry) revealed earlier (in 1964–1990) for this period are shown to exist for the period of 1964–2007.     

Geochemistry of Calcareous–Silicate Rocks of the Kharagol Formation,Southern Baikal Region

Complete geochemical characteristics have been found for calcareous–silicate rocks of the Kharagol Formation that serves as a reference unit within the Khamardaban polymetamorphic composite terrain (southern folded framing of the Siberian Platform, Baikal–Khubsugul region). We studied the high-grade (granulite) domain known as Slyudyanka crystalline complex of the southern Baikal region. The Kharagol Formation is composed of different diopside, scapolite–diopside, and wollastonite–scapolite–diopside gneisses and crystalline schists with a variable calcite content. Petrogeochemical data suggest that their protoliths were tuffoids with different amounts of calcareous material. The volcanoclastic component of tuffoids is closest to the Andean-type calc-alkaline andesites. The Kharagol paleobasin was probably located at the active continental margin. Within the studied metamorphic sequence, the Kharagol Formation marks a sharp change in sedimentation conditions and may be considered a boundary of subterrains with protoliths formed in different paleogeodynamic settings. Geochemical indicators of calcareous–silicate rocks of the Kharagol Formation in different metamorphic zones may be high Cr, Ni, and Ba contents.     

Orthorhombic lazurite from the Tultui deposit in the Baikal region

A lazurite sample taken from the Tultui deposits in the Baikal region has been studied using petrographic examination, X-ray diffraction, and local X-ray spectroscopy (electron microprobe). It is established that the line of the basic cell in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the orthorhombic lazurite is widened, so the unit-cell parameters should be recalculated from the interlayer distances of the superstructural reflections. The chemical compositions and unit-cell parameters of the lazurites from the Baikal region and the Pamirs are different. Two schemes of the chemical substitutions of atoms in the mineral are assumed: (1) the hauyne cluster [Na₃CaSO₄]³⁺ is replaced with a sodalite cluster [Na₄Cl]³⁺, and (2) two hauyne clusters 2[Na₃CaSO₄]³⁺ are substituted by nosean clusters [Na₄SO₄]⁺ and [Na₄H₂O]⁴⁺ with retention of the total charge. The increase in the Na and Cl contents in the orthorhombic lazurite is accompanied by a decrease in the unit-cell dimensions. Orthorhombic lazurites from the southern Baikal region and the southwestern Pamirs were formed in apocarbonate (apocalciphyre) metasomatic rocks at a lower temperature than pyroxene, afghanite, and cubic lazurite.     

Vladimirivanovite, Na6Ca2[Al6Si6O24](SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2O, a new mineral of sodalite group

The results of an examination of vladimirivanovite, a new mineral of the sodalite group, found at the Tultui deposit in the Baikal region are discussed. The mineral occurs in the form of outer rims (0.01–3 mm thick) of lazurite, elongated segregations without faced crystals (0.2 to 3–4 mm in size; less frequently, 4 × 12–15 × 20 mm), and rare veinlets (up to 5 mm) hosted in calciphyre and marble. Vladimirivanovite is irregular and patchy dark blue. The mineral is brittle; on average, the microhardness VHN is 522–604, 575 kg/mm²; and the Mohs hardness is 5.0–5.5. The measured and calculated densities are 2.48(3) and 2.436 g/cm³, respectively. Vladimirivanovite is optically biaxial; 2V _meas = 63(±1)°, 2V _calc = 66.2°; the refractive indices are α = 1.502–1.507 (±0.002), N _m = 1.509–1.514 (±0.002), and N _g = 1.512–1.517 (±0.002). The chemical composition is as follows, wt %: 32.59 SiO₂, 27.39 Al₂O₃, 7.66 CaO, 17.74 Na₂O, 11.37 SO₃, 1.94 S, 0.12 Cl, and 1.0 H₂O; total is 99.62. The empirical formula calculated based on (Si + Al) = 12 with sulfide sulfur determined from the charge balance is Na_6.36Ca_1.52(Si_6.03Al_5.97)_Σ12O_23.99(SO₄)_1.58(S₃)_0.17(S₂)_0.08 · Cl_0.04 · 0.62H₂O; the idealized formula is Na₆Ca₂[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](SO₄,S₃,S₂,Cl)₂ · H₂O. The new mineral is orthorhombic, space group Pnaa; the unit-cell dimensions are a = 9.066, b = 12.851, c = 38.558 Å, V = 4492 ų, and Z = 6. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern (dÅ—I[hkl]) are: 6.61–5[015], 6.43–11[020, 006], 3.71–100[119, 133], 2.623–30[20.12, 240], 2.273–6[04.12], 2.141–14[159, 13.15], 1.783–9[06.12, 04.18], and 1.606–6[080, 00.24]. The crystal structure has been solved with a single crystal. The mineral was named in memoriam of Vladimir Georgievich Ivanov (1947–2002), Russian mineralogist and geochemist. The type material of the mineral is deposited at the Mineralogical Museum of St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.     

Ore Potential of Granitic Rocks of the Gargan Block,East Sayan

Geology of Ore Deposits - An algorithm for identifying derivatives of potentially ore-bearing magmas among Precambrian rocks of tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite associations (TTGAs)...