Chronology and Sources of Mesozoic Intrusive Complexes in the Xuzhou-Huainan Region, Central China: Constraints from SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating in the Liguo and Jiagou intrusives indicates that they were formed at -130 Ma in the Early Cretaceous. Most inherited zircons in the Liguo intrusive were formed at 2509±43 Ma. Most inherited and detrital zircons in the Jiagou intrusive were formed at -2500 Ma, -2000 Ma and -1800 Ma. The SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating in two gneiss xenoliths from the Jiagou intrusive yields the ages of 2461±22 Ma and 2508±15 Ma, respectively. The dating results from inherited and detrital zircons in the intrusives and the gneiss xenoliths imply that the magmas could be derived from the partial melting of the basement of the North China Block (NCB). The magmatism is strong and extensive in the periods from 115 to 132 Ma, which is of typical bimodal characteristics. It is suggested that the lithospheric thinning in the eastern North China Block reached its peak in 115-132 Ma.

Permo-Carboniferous Radiolarians from the Wupata'erkan Group,Western South Tianshan, Xinjiang, China

The Wupata'erkan Group, also called Wupata'erkan Formation, distributed in the South Tianshan, Xinjiang, China, mainly consists of gray and dark gray fine-grained clastic rocks, interlayered with volcanic rocks, carbonates and cherts. Some ultra-basic rocks (blocks) punctuate the formation. The formation was variously assigned to Silurian-Middle Devonian, Silurian-Lower Devonian, and pre-Devonian, mainly based on Atrypa bodini Mansuy, Hypothyridina parallelepipedia (Brour.) and Prismatophyllum hexagonum Yoh collected from the limestone interlayers, respectively. However, radiolarian fossils obtained from 24 chert specimens of the Wupata'erkan Group, mainly include Albaillella sp. cf. A. undulata Deflandre, Albaillella sp. cf. A. paradoxa Deflandre, Albaillella cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon, Albaillella sp. cf. A. indensis Won, Albaillella sp. cf. A. excelsa Ishiga, Kito and Imoto, Albaillella sp. and Latentifistulidae gen. et. sp. indet., are earliest Carboniferous and Late Permian. The earliest Carboniferous assemblage is characterized by Albaillella sp. cf. A. undulata Deflandre, Albaillella sp. cf. A. paradoxa Deflandre, Albaillella cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon and Albaillella sp. cf. A. indensis Won, and the Late Permian assemblage by Albaillella sp. cf. A. excelsa Ishiga, Kito and Imoto. This new stratigraphic evidence indicates that the Wupata'erkan Group is possibly composed of rocks with different ages from Silurian to Permian, and therefore, it is probably an ophiolite melange. The discovery of Late Permian Albaillella sp. cf. A. excelsa provides more reliable evidence supporting the existence of a Permian relic ancient oceanic basin in the western part of Xinjiang South Tianshan.

Ca-, Al-rich Inclusions in Three New Carbonaceous Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica: New Evidence for a Similar Origin of the Objects in Various Groups of Chondrites

Three new carbonaceous chondrites (GRV 020025,021579 and 022459) collected from the Grove Mountains (GRV), Antarctica, have been classified as the CM2, CO3 and CV3 chondrites, respectively. A total of 27 Ca- and Al-rich inclusions have been found in the three meteorites, which are the earliest assemblages formed in the solar nebula. Most of the inclusions are intensively altered, with abundant phyllosilicates in the inclusions from GRV 020025 and FeO enrichment of spinel in those from GRV 022459. Except for one spinel-spherule in each of GRV 020025 and 021579, all the inclusions can be classified as Type A-like or spinel-pyroxene-rich inclusions, and they probably represent the continuum of solar nebular condensation. In addition, most of the inclusions in these meteorites share much similarity in both petrography and mineral chemistry, suggesting a similar origin of Ca-Al-rich inclusions in various chondrites.

A Metallogenic Model of Gold Deposits of the Jiaodong Granite-Greenstone Belt

An analysis of trace elements and isotopic geochemistry suggest that the ore-forming materials of gold deposits in the Jiaodong granite-greenstone belt have multiple sources, especially the mantle source. Seismic wave, magnetic and gravity fields show that the crust-mantle structure and its coupling mechanism are the fundamental dynamic causes for the exchange and accumulation of materials and energy in the metallogenic system. Considering the evolution history of the structural setting, the tectono-metallogenic dynamics model of the area can be summarized as follows: (1) occurrence of the greenstone belt during the Archean-Proterozoic-the embryonic form of Au-source system; (2) stable tectonic setting in the Paleozoic-an intermittence in gold mineralization; (3) intensive activation and reformation of the greenstone belt in the Mesozoic-tectono-mineralization and tectono-diagensis; (4) posthumous structural activity in the Cenozoic-destruction of orebodies in the later stage. In the middle and late Indosinian, the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone cut deeply into the upper mantle so that the ore-bearing fluids migrated to higher layers through the crust-mantle interaction, resulting in alteration and mineralization.

SHRIMP Age and Geochemistry of the Bikou Volcanic Terrane:Implications for Neoproterozoic Tectonics on the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Craton

The Bikou volcanic terrane is predominated by subalkaline tholeiitic lavas. Rock samples display lower initial ratios of Sr and Nd, 0.701248-0.704413 and 0.511080-0.512341 respectively. 207Pb and 208Pb are significantly enriched in the lavas. Most samples have positive εNd, which indicates that the magma was derived from EM-type mantle source, while a few samples with negative εNd indicate that there was contamination in the magma evolution. Magma differentiation is demonstrated by variations of LREE and LILE from depletion to enrichment. Additionally, normalized REE patterns and trace elements showed that lavas from the Bikou volcanic terrane have similar characteristics to those of basalts in arc settings caused by subduction and collision. Analyses showed that the Bikou volcanic terrane is a volcanic arc. New evidence proved that the Hengdan Group, north of the Bikou arc, is a turbidite terrane filling a forearc basin. Consequently, the Bikou volcanic terrane and the Hengdan turbidite terrane construct an arc-basin system. New SHRIMP ages showed that this arc-basin system developed on the northern margin of the Yangtze craton in the Neoproterozoic (846-776 Ma), and this arc-basin system is in agreement with the tectonic processes of Rodinia in the Neoproterzoic.

A Tiny Piece of Basalt Probably from Asteroid 4 Vesta

Grove Mountains (GRV) 99018 is a new eucrite (0.23 g), consisting mainly of pyroxene (50.5 vol%) and plagioclase (37.2 vol%) with minor silica minerals (7.0 Vol%) and opaque minerals (5.2 vol%). It was intensely shocked, leading to partial melting, formation of abundant tiny inclusions in pyroxenes and plagioclase, and heavy brecciation. Exsolution of most pyroxenes (1-3μm in width of the lamellae), recrystallization of the shpck-induced melt pockets and veins (5-20μm in size), and homogeneous compositions of pyroxenes of various occurrences suggest the intense thermal metamorphism of GRV 99018 in the asteroidal body Vesta. This new eucrite will bring additional constraints on the chemical composition and multi-stage thermal and shock history of Vesta.

40Ar-39Ar Age and Geological Significance of the Sawur Gold Belt in Northern Xinjiang, China

The 40Ar-39Ar age method is employed in this work to analyze fluid inclusions of quartz in the ore bodies from the Kuo'erzhenkuola and Bu'erkesidai gold deposits in the Sawur gold belt, northern Xinjiang. The results show that the main mineralization occurred in 332.05±2.02-332.59±0.51 Ma and 335.53±0.32 Ma-336.78±0.50 Ma for the Kuo'erzhenkuola and Bu'erkesidai gold deposits respectively, indicating that the two deposits are formed almost at the same time, and the metallogenic time of the two deposits are close to those of the hosting rocks formed by volcanic activity of the Sawur gold belt. This geochronological study supplies new evidence for determining the timing of gold mineralization, the geneses of gold deposits, and identifies that in the Hercynian period, the Altay area developed a tectonic-magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization of the Early Carboniferous period, except the two known mineralization periods including the tectonic-magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization of the Devonian period and Late Carboniferous- Permian period.

A New Martian Meteorite from Antarctica:Grove Mountains (GRV) 020090

Reported in this paper are the petrology and mineral chemistry of GRV 020090, the second Martian meteorite collected from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica. This meteorite, with a mass of 7.54 g, is completely covered by a black and glazy fusion crust. It has two distinct textural regions. The interstitial region is composed of euhedral grains of olivine, pigeonite, and anhedral interstitial maskelynite, with minor chromite, augite, phosphates and troilite. The poikilitic region consists of three clasts of pyroxenes, each of which has a pigeonite core and an augite rim. A few grains of subhedral to rounded olivine and euhedral chromite are enclosed in the pyroxene oikocrysts. GRV 020090 is classified as a new member of lherzolitic shergottites based on the modal composition and mineral chemistry. This work will shed light on the composition of Martian crust and magmatism on the Mars.

Deformation Characteristics of Loess Landslide along the Contact between Loess and Neocene Red Mudstone

The loess landslide along the contact between loess and Neogene red mudstone (NRM) is one of those that have occurred extensively and frequently in loess areas of China. To better understand the mechanism of this type of landslides, a distressed loess slope being subjected to deformation along the loess-NRM contact was comprehensively investigated through approaches of field monitoring and laboratory physical modeling. Field observation and physical modeling shows that the slope deformation will experience two distinct processes: 1) laterally retrogressive and vertically progressive propagation, which was initiated by falling of the slope head; and 2) retrogressively separate mass sliding along the weak basal zone of the loess-NRM contact with minor sliding along the paleosols within the loess. Shear failure of the loess-NRM contact may initiate in the middle section, followed by a progressive propagation towards the slope toe and inner slope. Analysis reveals that the deformation characteristics of the distressed slope are largely constrained by slope topography, the unique structure, physical and mechanical properties of loess and paleosols, and occurrence and nature of the loess-NRM contact. Rainfall has significantly influence on the deformation characteristics of the slope through its interaction with the loess and soil of the loess-NRM contact. Additionally, improper style and intensity of cutting on the slope greatly enhance and accelerate the deformation course of the slope.

Control of Deep Tectonics on the Superlarge Deposits in China

Seventy-three large-superlarge deposits in China were formed in 4 metallogenic epochs, and located in 6 metallogenic domains. By combing their time-space distribution and the relevant data of crustal thickness, we discuss the control conditions of deep tectonics on superlarge deposits. The various spatial variation of the crustal thickness where deposits locate is closely related to their different tectonic setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Precatnbrian metallogenic epoch is 37.1 km and shows double-peak distribution, which is related to the different tectonic-mineralization processes in the Tarim-North China and Yangtze metallogenic domains. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Paleoproterozoic metallogenic epoch is 43.4 km and shows normal distribution, which is the result of 'pure' mineralization setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Late Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic metallogenic epoch is about 41.2 km and shows multi-peak distribution, which can be related with dispersing distribution in the metallogenic domain of these superlarge deposits. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the post-Indosinian metallogenic epoch is 37.3 km, and shows skew distribution, which resulted from different tectonic settings in eastern and western China.

Characteristics and Tectonic Significance of the Gravity Field in South China

Based on gravity data processed with the matched filter, depth continuation and horizontal gradient we obtained the spatial distribution of the gravity field and made analyses of the tectonic framework of South China. Then, inversion was conducted for the depth to study the depth variation of the boundary between the crust and upper mantle, namely the Mohorovicic discontinuity (Moho). The results demonstrate that the Moho depth in South China ranges from 30 to 40 km, and the crust thins from west to east, 27-29 km under the continent margin and shallow sea. We think it possible that the Tanlu fault crosses the Yangtze River and extends southwards along the Ganjiang and Wuchuan-Sihui faults to the South China Sea, and that there is an E-W hidden structural belt along 24.5°-26°.

Evolution of an Ancient Large Lake in the Southeast of the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Nam Co is the largest (1920 km2 in area) and highest (4718 m above sea level) lake in Tibet. According to the discovery of lake terraces and highstand lacustrine deposits at several places in Nam Co and its adjacent areas, the authors confirm the existence of an ancient large lake in the southeastern part of the northern Tibetan Plateau. On the basis of the U-series, 14C and ESR dating, coupled with the levelling survey of lake deposits and geomorphology, the evolutionary process of the ancient large lake in the southeastern part of the northern Tibetan Plateau may fall into three stages: (1) the ancient large lake stage at 115-40 ka BP, when the ancient lake level was 140-26 m above the level of present Nam Co; (2) the outflow lake stage at 40-30 ka BP, when the ancient level was 26-19 m above the present lake level; and (3) the Nam Co stage since 30 ka BP, when the ancient lake level was < 19 m above the present lake level. During the ancient large lake stage, a large number of modern large, medium-sized and small lakes, including Nam Co, Siling Co and Zhari Namco, in the southeastern part of the northern Tibetan Plateau, were connected into a single large ancient lake, rather than several separate lakes connected by river channels. Its areal extent may have gone beyond the watersheds of the modern endorheic and exorheic drainage systems; so it may be called the 'ancient east lake', 'ancient south lake' and 'ancient west lake'. It might also be connected with other ancient lakes in the southern and western parts of the northern Tibetan Plateau to form a unified 'ancient large lake' on the northern Tibetan Plateau.

Crust-Mantle Structure and Coupling Effects on Mineralization : An Example from Jiaodong Gold Ore Deposits Concentrating Area, China

Based on the results of two dimension velo city structure, 1∶100 000 aeromagnetic anomaly, 1∶200 000 bouguer gravity anom aly and seismic anisotropy of Jiaodong and neighboring region in Shandong, China , the information of geophysical field was divided into two parts: deep and sh allow focus fields. And then, the information of two different fields was c ombined with that of deep seated geology and ore deposit features. The syntheti c result was adopted to analyze three dimension structure, to probe into crust mantle coupling effects of mineralization and dynamics of ore formation system .

Dating of the Dachang Superlarge Tin-polymetallic Deposit in Guangxi and Its Implication for the Genesis of the No. 100 Orebody

The Dachang superlarge Sn-polymetal deposit in Guangxi, China, is one of the largest tin deposit all over the world. However, this deposit has long been in debate as to its origin. One of the opinions is that the Dachang deposit was formed by replacement of hydrothermal solution originating from Yanshanian granites, and the other is that this deposit was formed by submarine exhalation in the Devonian. This paper presents some new isotopic geochronology data obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz and sanidine from massive ore in the No. 91 and No. 100 orebodies. Analytic results show that the No. 91 orebody was formed at 94.52±0.33 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz) or 91.4±2.9 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for feldspar), while the No. 100 orebody was formed at 94.56±0.45 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz), suggesting that both the No. 91 and the No. 100 orebodies were formed at the Late Yanshanian instead of the Devonian. The No. 100 orebody might be formed by filling of ore materials into caves in Devonian reef limestone. Because the ore-bearing solution released its pressure and lowered its temperature suddenly in a cave environment, ore minerals were formed concentratedly while water and other materials such as CO2 evaporated quickly, resulting less alteration of host rocks.

Classification of 24 New Ordinary Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of 24 ordinary chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica, have been studied in order to identify their chemical-petrographic types. These samples were selected from a total of 4448 Grove Mountains (GRV) meteorites collected during the 19th Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition so as to make an estimation of the large GRV meteorite collection. The chemical-petrographic types of these meteorites are presented below: 1 H3,2 H4, 4 H5, 2 H6, 1 L4, 7 L5, 5 L6, 1 LL4 and 1 LL6. The new data weaken the previous report that unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are unusually abundant in the Grove Mountains region. However, this work confirms significant differences in distribution patterns of chemical-petrographic types between the Grove Mountains and other regions in Antarctica. Many of these meteorites show significant terrestrial weathering, probably due to a high abundance ratio of meteorites found in moraines to those on blue ice. Nine meteorites experienced severe shock metamorphism, as evidenced by undulose extinction and intense fracturing of silicates and presence of shock-induced melt veins and pockets. These heavily shocked meteorites provided us with natural samples for the study of high-pressure polymorphs of minerals.

Quaternary Geology and Faulting in the Damxung-Yangbajain Basin

The detailed geological mapping, conducted in the Damxung-Yangbajain basin, shows that there are many types of deposits formed since the Pliocene. The oldest sediments are formed during the Pliocene. The most prominent sediments are three sets of moraines and fluvioglacial deposits. The ESR, U-series and OSL dates indicate they are formed about 700-500 ka B.P., 250-125 ka B.P. and 75-12 ka B.P. respectively and indicate that there are three glacial periods since the mid-Pleistocene in the Nyainqentanglha Range. Along the southeast side of the Nyainqentanglha Range, the main southeast dipping fault zone which bounds the Damxung-Yangbajain Graben on its western edge was mapped. The fault zone consists of three secondary fault zones and their initiation ages that the fault zones became active gradually decrease southeastward. Prominent faulting occurred in about 700-500 ka B.P., 350-220 ka B.P., -140 ka B.P. and 70-50 ka B.P. since the mid-Pleistocene. The height of fault scarps which offset the sediments formed since the mid-Pleistocene suggest that the vertical slip rates change between 0.4 -2 mm/a and the cumulative average vertical movement at rates of 1.1±0.3 mm/a during the Quaternary period and the Holocene vertical throw rate is 1.4±0.6 mm/a along the fault zones on the western side of the Damxung-Yangbajain Graben.

Fluid Geochemistry and Metallogenesis of the Hatu Gold Deposit in the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang

The Hatu large gold deposit is located on the western margin of the Junggar basin, Xinjiang. Its mineralization is characterized by auriferous quartz veins and Au-bearing altered fracturing zones. Studies on mineralogy, inclusions and decrepitation temperature indicate that the gold deposit was formed by overlapping of two kinds of fluid of different origins, instead of gradual evolution of a single fluid. The auriferous quartz veins are related to magmatism-originated fluid, but the Au-bearing altered fracturing zones to deep-derived fluid. Bonanzas in quartz veins were formed and localized at overlapping positions of two types of fluid under intensive compression.

REE Characteristics of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Deposit, Xinjiang, China

On the basis of the study on the REE geochemistry of the ore minerals and host rocks of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni deposit, Xinjiang, it is indicated that the major ore minerals, sulfides, were sourced from the host mafic-ultramafic magma. Characterized by low REE content of sulfide, such a Cu-Ni sulfide deposit occurring in the orogen is obviously different from that on the margin of the craton. Because the mafic-ultramafic rocks from the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit occurring in the orogen is water-rich and the REEs of some sulfides show a particular 'multiple-bending' pattern, which suggests coexistence of multiple liquid phases (fluid and melt), the sulfide melt possibly contains a great deal of hydrothermal fluids and increasingly developed gases and liquid-rich ore-forming fluids after the main metallogenic epoch (magmatic segregation stage).

Geological Conditions and Petroleum Exploration Potential of the Albertine Graben of Uganda

The Albertine Graben in western Uganda is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic rift basin with petroleum exploration potential. A fundamental evaluation of petroleum potential of the graben is given based on field research, data processing of gravity and magnetism, analysis of graben structure, geochemistry, reservoir and composition research. The basin has a double-layered framework and a large thickness of sediments. Gravity highs shown in a residual anomaly map might indicate central uplift zones. There exist at least two sets of mature or low-maturity source rocks corresponding to a certain source rock in the Cretaceous or Paleogene and Neogene strata. The graben has basement rock with potential reservoirs and Tertiary sandstone reservoirs and thus has petroleum exploration potential.

Identification of Five Stages of Dike Swarms in the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mongolia Border Area and Its Tectonic Implications

Dike swarms are generally ascribed to intrusion of mantle-source magma result from extension. Basic dike swarms around the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mogolia borders in the northern peripheral area of the North China Craton can be divided into five age groups according to isotopic dating: 1800-1700 Ma, 800-700 Ma, 230 Ma, 140-120 Ma, and 50-40 Ma. Geological, petrological and isotope geochemical features of the five groups is investigated in order to explore the variation of the mantle material composition in the concerned area with time. And the various extensional activities reflected by the five groups of dike swarms are compared with some important tectonic events within the North China Craton as well as around the world during the same period.