U–Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronology and T–t–d history of the Kampa Dome, southern Tibet

Structural, petrographic and geochronologic studies of the Kampa Dome provide insights into the tectonothermal evolution of orogenic crust exposed in the North Himalayan gneiss domes of southern Tibet. U–Pb ion microprobe dating of zircons from granite gneiss exposed at the deepest levels within the dome yields concordia ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age populations of 506 ± 3 Ma and 527 ± 6 Ma, with no evidence of new zircon growth during Himalayan orogenesis. However, the granite contains penetrative deformation fabrics that are also preserved in the overlying Paleozoic strata, implying that the Kampa granite is a Cambrian pluton that was strongly deformed and metamorphosed during Himalayan orogenesis. Zircons from deformed leucogranite sills that cross-cut Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks yield concordant Cambrian ages from oscillatory zoned cores and discordant ages ranging from ca. 491–32 Ma in metamict grains. Since these leucogranites clearly post-date the metasedimentary rocks they intrude, the zircons are interpreted as xenocrysts that are probably derived from the Kampa granite. The Kampa Dome formed via a series of progressive orogenic events including regional ~ N–S contraction and related crustal thickening (D₁), predominately top-to-N ductile shearing and crustal extension (D₂), top-to-N brittle–ductile faulting and related folding on the north limb of the dome, localized top-to-S faulting on the southern limb of the dome, and crustal doming (D₃), and continued N–S contraction, E–W extension and doming (D₄). Structural and geochronologic variability amongst adjacent North Himalayan gneiss domes may reflect changes in the magnitude of crustal exhumation along the North Himalayan antiform, possibly relating to differences in the mid-crustal geometry of the exhuming fault systems.     

Verification of the motion fields over Southeast Asia by the Florida State University (FSU) superensemble forecast

The Florida State University (FSU) multimodel superensemble forecast is evaluated against several other operational weather models for the Southeast Asia region. The superensemble technique has demonstrated its exceptional skills in forecasting precipitation, motion and mass fields compared to either individual global operational or ensemble mean forecasts. The motion field investigation for the season of 2001 reveals that the superensemble forecasts are closer to the observed data compared to the other global member operational models through its low systematic errors at the 850 hPa level. The FSU multimodel superensemble forecasts exhibit the lowest root mean square errors (RSMEs), the highest correlation against the best observed data and the lowest systematic errors compared to the other operational model members. These forecasts have the potential to provide better daily weather predictions over the Southeast Asia region, particularly during the early northeast monsoon that often causes heavy rainfall in the equatorial part of the Southeast Asia region.     

中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔（734～933m）榴辉岩和片麻岩元素及Sr-Nd同位素地球化学研究

对中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔两段榴辉岩与片麻岩互层的岩芯样品(Ⅰ:734.21-737.16m和Ⅱ:929.67-932.86m)分别进行了主要元素和微量元素以及Sr-Nd同位素分析。结果表明:(1)榴辉岩具有较大的成分变化范围(SiO2含量为46.8%-59.8%),表现出平坦或轻稀土(LREE)富集的分布模式和大离子亲石元素(LILE)富集或亏损以及Nb、Ta负异常特征。部分榴辉岩样品具有明显低的活动性元素(Rb、Ba和K)含量,指示了板块俯冲过程中的脱水变质效应;(2)两段岩芯中的片麻岩具有明显不同的主量和微量元素组成,其中第Ⅰ段具有相对较低的SiO2含量(61.3%～66.2%)和高的重稀土(HREE)含量,而第Ⅱ段具有明显偏高的SiO2含量(73.8%～74.1%)和低的HREE含量。但两段均表现出LREE富集和Eu负异常以及LILE富集和高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)负异常特征;(3)榴辉岩和第Ⅰ段岩芯中的片麻岩具有相近的且偏高的εNd(750Ma)值(-3.6- 0.5),而第Ⅱ段岩芯中的片麻岩具有明显偏低的εNd(750Ma)值(-8.7)。部分片麻岩样品表现出较高的87Sr/86Sr比值(0.7070)和非常低的Rb/Sr比值(0.008),指示岩石Rb-Sr同位素体系受到了变质扰动。非活动性元素如Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta、Ti、Y、REE和Ti在脱水变质过程中没有受到明显扰动,因此可用于恢复榴辉岩和片麻岩的原岩性质及其形成的大地构造背景。根据分析样品的元素和Nd同位素特点,推测榴辉岩原岩具有板内玄武岩性质,第Ⅰ段岩芯中的片麻岩原岩为玄武质岩浆上升过程中同化地壳物质形成的中性岩,而第Ⅱ段岩芯中的片麻岩原岩为地壳物质重熔形成的酸性岩。因此,深钻榴辉岩和片麻岩原岩为新元古代华南陆块北缘裂谷构造带双峰式岩浆活动的产物,在岩浆侵位过程中经历了高温大气降水热液蚀变。     

北大别燕子河片麻岩的锆石U-Pb年龄：印支期变质事件的确定

本文对北大别燕子河地区英云闪长质片麻岩中的锆石进行了单颗粒U-Pb年龄测定。该片麻岩中存在两种类型的锆石,一种是片麻岩原岩中的岩浆锆石,在后期的变质事件中经历了不同程度的Pb丢失;另一种是变质作用过程中的新生锆石。5个分析点拟合出一条很好的不一致线,得到上下交点的年龄分别为880±110Na和228±13Ma(MSWD=1.1),其中上交点的年龄代表了片麻岩原岩的形成时代,下交点的年龄代表了变质作用发生的时间。变质锆石给出了238Ma的一致年龄,与不一致线给出的下交点年龄在误差范围内相同。这一结果表明北大别片麻岩也经历了印支期变质作用。北大别地体为扬子板块的北缘,华北与扬子板块的缝合线应位于北大别以北。     

Structural studies and their bearing on the Early Precambrian history of the Dharwar tectonic province,southern India

In the Dharwar tectonic province, the Peninsular Gneiss was considered to mark an event separating the deposition of the older supracrustal Sargur Group and the younger supracrustal Dharwar Supergroup. Compelling evidence for the evolution of the Peninsular Gneiss, a polyphase migmatite, spanning over almost a billion years from 3500 Ma to 2500 Ma negates a stratigraphic status for this complex, so that the decisive argument for separating the older and younger supracrustal groups loses its basis. Correlatable sequence of superposed folding in all the supracrustal rocks, the Peninsular Gneiss and the banded granulites, indicate that the gneiss ‘basement’ deformed in a ductile manner along with the cover rocks. An angular unconformity between the Sargur Group and the Dharwar Super-group, suggested from some areas in recent years, has been shown to be untenable on the basis of detailed studies, A number of small enclaves distributed throughout the gneissic terrane, with an earlier deformational, metamorphic and migmatitic history, provide the only clue to the oldest component which has now been extensively reworked.     

Classification and interpretation of piezometer well hydrographs in parts of southeastern peninsular India

Well hydrographs from 275 piezometers between 1998 and 2001 in the southeastern parts of peninsular India were used in this study. The area has a monsoon-type climate. Hard rocks cover 85% of the area. The form (shape) of the hydrograph depends upon (1) climatic and hydrogeologic parameters and (2) the scale of the graph. Therefore, hydrographs are drawn to a defined and standardised scale, which allows comparison of hydrographs and helps in bringing out reasons for different forms of the hydrographs. Hydrographs can be divided into seasonal segments and the slope of each segment then used as the basic element of a classification scheme. Slopes are classed as flat (inclination <20°), obtuse (between 20 and 45°), acute (45 and 80°), right angled (80 and 90°) and homoclinal (segments of hydrographs are either rising or falling during one complete water year). Hydrographs are assigned names that are a combination of these classes and begin with the rising segment, such as acute-obtuse. Seventy-six percent of segments were homoclinal-falling in 1999, which had a poor monsoon. Flat segments constitute 27% of all segments in confined Mesozoic aquifer systems. Water table fluctuations suggest an approximate recharge of 120 to 180 mm per annum constituting 18% of the annual precipitation. Cumulative rainfall required to affect a rise in water table is between 45 to 200 mm and lag time varies from 30 minutes to 200 rainy days, which suggests that moisture in the vadose zone holds a part of the annual replenishment for these aquifers.     

Spatial analysis of water quality and its suitability in farming giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in Negeri Sembilan region,Peninsular Malaysia

Finding potential sites for resilient prawn production in the tropical environment that also prevents wastage of natural resources is not an easy task. The purpose of this study is to evaluate water quality suitability for prawn farming in Negeri Sembilan of Peninsular Malaysia based on Geographic Information System (GIS). To achieve this goal, numerous criteria including sources of water, water temperature, water pH, sources of pollution, salinity, soil texture and availability of phytoplankton criteria were considered for the modelling process. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was performed to standardize the criteria and the weighting process. The weighted overlay of indicators and results were accomplished by applying the Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method in GIS. It was indicated that the Negeri Sembilan area has potential for prawn farming. The results showed that about 25 per cent (163 056.93 ha) of the area was most suitable for prawn farming, about 58 per cent (384 656.88 ha) was considered moderately suitable, while 18 per cent (117 633.49 ha) was regarded as least suitable. The study concluded that the multi‐criteria decision analysis of water quality for prawn farming is vital for regional economic planning in the Negeri Sembilan area and also significant when establishing a model for aquaculture development.     

The strain‐dependent spatial evolution of garnet in a high‐P ductile shear zone from the Western Gneiss Region (Norway): a synchrotron X‐ray microtomography study

Reaction and deformation microfabrics provide key information to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic controls of tectono‐metamorphic processes, however, they are usually analysed in two dimensions, omitting important information regarding the third spatial dimension. We applied synchrotron‐based X‐ray microtomography to document the evolution of a pristine olivine gabbro into a deformed omphacite–garnet eclogite in four dimensions, where the 4^th dimension is represented by the degree of strain. In the investigated samples, which cover a strain gradient into a shear zone from the Western Gneiss Region (Norway), we focused on the spatial transformation of garnet coronas into elongated garnet clusters with increasing strain. The microtomographic data allowed quantification of garnet volume, shape and spatial arrangement evolution with increasing strain. The microtomographic observations were combined with light microscope and backscatter electron images as well as electron microprobe (EMPA) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis to correlate mineral composition and orientation data with the X‐ray absorption signal of the same mineral grains. With increasing deformation, the garnet volume almost triples. In the low‐strain domain, garnet grains form a well interconnected large garnet aggregate that develops throughout the entire sample. We also observed that garnet coronas in the gabbros never completely encapsulate olivine grains. In the most highly deformed eclogites, the oblate shapes of garnet clusters reflect a deformational origin of the microfabrics. We interpret the aligned garnet aggregates to direct synkinematic fluid flow, and consequently influence the transport of dissolved chemical components. EBSD analyses reveal that garnet shows a near‐random crystal preferred orientation that testifies no evidence for crystal plasticity. There is, however evidence for minor fracturing, neo‐nucleation and overgrowth. Microprobe chemical analysis revealed that garnet compositions progressively equilibrate to eclogite facies, becoming more almandine‐rich. We interpret these observations as pointing to a mechanical disintegration of the garnet coronas during strain localization, and their rearrangement into individual garnet clusters through a combination of garnet coalescence and overgrowth while the rock was deforming.     

Granite gneiss basement on Flinders Island,South Australia

A U–Pb zircon age of 1762 ± 11 Ma is reported for granite gneiss located on Flinders Island, South Australia. This age is identical, within analytical uncertainty, to a previously reported age for schists of the Price Metasediments located 100 km to the southeast on the southwestern coast of the Eyre Peninsula. The outcrop represents the only known country rock to the Early Mesoproterozoic Calca Granite (Hiltaba Suite) of Flinders Island, the largest island of the Investigator Group of islands, in the southwestern Gawler Craton. The stratigraphic name Investigator Granite Gneiss is proposed for this rock unit. The discovery of the Investigator Granite Gneiss now considerably increases the extent of known Late Palaeoproterozoic rocks on the eastern side of the peninsula. The outcrop was previously included with the considerably younger St Peter Suite granite‐monzogranite, and grouped together with other islands in the Investigator Group. This new dating suggests that the geology on the other islands may require revision. For the first time, detailed major and trace‐element geochemistry is supplied for the granite gneiss on Flinders Island.     

Tectonics of the Scandian orogeny and the Western Gneiss Region in southern Norway

Two crust-forming events dominate the Precambrian history of the Western Gneiss Region (WGR) at about 1800–1600 Ma and 1550–1400 Ma. The influence of the Sveconorwegian orogeny (1200–900 Ma) is restricted to the region south of Moldefjord-Romsdalen. A series of anorthosites and related intrusives are present, possibly derived from the now-lost western margin of the Baltic craton that may have been emplaced in the WGR as an allochthonous unit before the Ordovician.The Caledonian development is split into two orogenic phases, the Finnmarkian (Cambrian — Early Ordovician) and the Scandian (Late Ordovician/Early Silurian — Devonian). The lower tectonic units west of the Trondheim Trough may be Finnmarkian nappes ; they were part of the lower plate during the Scandian continental collision. The Blåhö nappe is correlated with dismembered eclogite bodies along the coast. A regional change of nappe transport direction from 090 to 135 marks the initiation of an orogen-parallel sinistral shear component around 425 Ma. The change caused the development of a complex sinistral strike-slip system in the Trondheim region consisting of the Möre-Tröndelag Fault Zone and the Gränse contact. The latter cut the crust underneath the already emplaced Trondheim Nappe Complex, thus triggering the intrusion of the Fongen-Hyllingen igneous complex, and initiating subsidence of the Trondheim Trough, and was subsequently turned from a strike-slip zone into an extensional fault. Minor southward transport of the Trondheim Nappe Complex rejuvenated some thrusts between the Lower and the Middle Allochthon. A seismic reflector underneath the WGR is interpreted to be a blind thrust which subcrops into the Faltungsgraben. During Middle Devonian orogenic collapse, detachment faulting brought higher units, now eroded elsewhere, down to the present outcrop level, such as the Bergen and Dalsfjord nappe and the Old Red basins.