Implementation of a particle-in-cell method for the energy solver in 3D spherical geodynamic modeling

The thermal evolution of the Earth’s interior and its dynamic effects are the focus of Earth sciences.However,the commonly adopted grid-based temperature solver is usually prone to numerical oscillations,especially in the presence of sharp thermal gradients,such as when modeling subducting slabs and rising plumes.This phenomenon prohibits the correct representation of thermal evolution and may cause incorrect implications of geodynamic processes.After examining several approaches for removing these numerical oscillations,we show that the Lagrangian method provides an ideal way to solve this problem.In this study,we propose a particle-in-cell method as a strategy for improving the solution to the energy equation and demonstrate its effectiveness in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional thermal problems,as well as in a global spherical simulation with data assimilation.We have implemented this method in the open-source finite-element code CitcomS,which features a spherical coordinate system,distributed memory parallel computing,and data assimilation algorithms.

Melting geodynamics reveals a subduction origin for the Purang ophiolite,Tibet,China

The debate regarding whether the Yarlung-Zangbo ophiolite(YZO)on the south of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,formed in a mid-ocean ridge(MOR)or a supra-subduction zone(SSZ)setting has remained unresolved.Here we present petrological,mineralogical,and geochemical data associated with modeling melting geodynamics of the mantle peridotites from the Purang ophiolite in the western segment of the Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone(YZSZ)to explore its tectonic environment.The Purang lherzolites are characterized by the protogranular texture and have abyssal-peridotite-like mineral compositions,including low Cr^(#)(20-30)and TiO_(2) contents(<0.1wt%)in spinel,high Al_(2)O_(3)(2.9wt%-4.4wt%)and CaO(1.9wt%-3.7wt%)contents in orthopyroxene and LREE-depletion in clinopyroxene.Compositions of these lherzolites can be modeled by~11%dynamic melting of the DMM source with a small fraction of melt(~0.5%)entrapped within the source,a similar melting process to typical abyssal peridotites.The Purang harzburgites are characterized by the porphyroclastic texture and exhibit highly refractory mineral compositions such as high spinel Cr^(#)(40-68),low orthopyroxene Al_(2)O_(3)(<2.2wt%)and CaO(<1.1wt%)contents.Clinopyroxenes in these harzburgites are enriched in Sr(up to 6.0 ppm)and LREE[(Ce)N=0.02-0.4],but depleted in Ti(200 ppm,on average)and HREE[(Yb)N<2].Importantly,the more depleted samples tend to have higher clinopyroxene Sr and LREE contents.These observations indicate an open-system hydrous melting with a continuous influx of slab fluid at a subduction zone.The modeled results show that these harzburgites could be formed by 19%-23%hydrous melting with the supply rate of slab fluid at 0.1%-1%.The lower clinopyroxene V/Sc ratios in harzburgites than those in lherzolites suggest a high oxidation stage of the melting system of harzburgites,which is consistent with a hydrous melting environment for these harzburgites.It is therefore concluded that the Purang ophiolite has experienced a transformation of tectonic setting from MOR to SSZ.

Interrelationships between Length of the Day, Moon Distance, Phanerozoic Geodynamic Cycles, Tidal Dissipation and Earth’s Core: Review and Analysis

The rotation of the Earth and the related length of the day (LOD) are predominantly affected by tidal dissipation through the Moon and the growth of the Earth’s core. Due to the increased concentration of mass around the rotation axis of the spinning Earth during the growth of the core the rotation should have been accelerated. Controversially the tidal dissipation by the Moon, which is mainly dependent on the availability of open shallow seas and the kind of Moon escape from a nearby position, acts towards a deceleration of the rotating Earth. Measurements of LOD for Phanerozoic and Precambrian times open ways to solve questions concerning the geodynamical history of the Earth. These measurements encompass investigations of growth patterns in fossils and depositional patterns in sediments (Cyclostratigraphy, Tidalites, Stromatolites, Rhythmites). These patterns contain information on the LOD and on the changing distance between Earth and Moon and can be used as well for a discussion about the growth of the Earth’s core. By updating an older paper with its simple approach as well as incorporating newly published results provided by the geoscientific community, a moderate to fast growth of the core in a hot early Earth will be favored controversially to the assumption of a delayed development of the core in an originally cold Earth. Core development with acceleration of Earth’s rotation and the contemporaneous slowing down due to tidal dissipation during the filling of the ocean may significantly interrelate.

Geochemical characterization of the metasedimentary rocks of the Yaounde Group within the southernmost North Equatorial tectonic belt:insights into geodynamic evolution

The Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Yaounde Group on the northern edge of the Congo Shield in Central Africa were investigated to understand their provenance and depositional environment.Petrography,geochemistry,and field evidence helped to subdivide the metasediments into paragneiss,mica schist,chlorite schist,and quartzite which were derived from greywacke,shale,quartz arenite,litharenite protoliths.They are immature with some mature samples,moderately weathered and reworked Neo-and Post-Archean metasediments.Rare earth element signatures(Chondrite Eu/Eu^(*)≤1),enrichment of light rare earth elements over the heavy ones,and the La/Sc ratio(>0.7)are compatible with those of the intermediate and felsic sources from the upper continental crust.These metasediments were deposited in the continental arc setting and have evolved during Proterozoic times according to the Wilson cycle to form the West Gondwana including NE Brazil.

Geodynamic hazards and risk assessment at the Karachaganak oil,gas,and condensate field

The geodynamic hazards and risk assessment at the Karachaganak oil,gas,and condensate field(KOGCF)were explored on the northern board of the Pre-Caspian Basin to predict the consequences of the longterm exploitation of this field.We integrate multiple measurements,including repeated accurate leveling,Global Positioning System(GPS)measurements,and high precision gravimetric and seismological monitoring at the KOGCF.The results of geodynamic monitoring at the KOGCF for the first time made it possible to prove noticeable seismic deformation processes in the sedimentary cover under the influence of hydrocarbon production.The vertical displacements and horizontal movement along faults,changes in local gravity anomalies,and earthquake sources at depths comparable to hydrocarbon production intervals at the KOGCF have been identified.The maximum amplitudes of modern vertical movement of the earth’s surface and the minimum values of the differently oriented horizontal movement were revealed within the projection on the ground surface of the crest of the carbonate massif(Upper Devonian-Lower Permian age).The results suggest the expansion of uneven compression in the crest of the KOGCF while tension processes occur on its periphery.There is a decrease in gravity variations in relation to the slopes of this massif in areas with active hydrocarbon production.An extended zone of high-gradient steps of AGa anomalies,spatially coinciding with the position of fault zones,is mapped along the periphery of the contour of production wells.In the northeastern part of the KOGCF,seismic events were registered practically in the depth intervals of the productive horizons from which hydrocarbons are produced.A spatial relationship between the seismic events and the anomalous deformation activity in the northeast KOGCF has been revealed.Consequently,the field development has provoked both intense deformation of the earth’s surface and weak local seismicity.

Tectonic paleostress field and its impact on the geodynamic evolution of Central Iran, case study: the Shotori Mountain

The Shotori mountain range is located along the northern terminus of the Nayband fault on the eastern and western domains of the Tabas and Lut blocks,respectively.This range with NNW-SSE trending and approximately 120 km long includes a series of thrust faults approaching the right-lateral strike-slip Nayband fault.Since the Shotori range has experienced various geological events since the Triassic,our investigations suggest that the basement of the Central Iranian subcontinent of the Shotori range contains the early Triassic deep sedimentary with normal faults which confirms Triassic tensional tectonic stress regime in the region.After the middle Triassic,the mountain range has experienced thrust and strike-slip regimes.Therefore,in this study,we reconstruct the stress regimes for different geological periods using fault-slip data.The inversion of faultslip data reveals drastic temporal changes in the maximum stress regime(σ1)over the Triassic,Jurassic,Cretaceous,Paleogene,Neogen,and Quaternary.The reconstruction of the stress field based on the age and direction of fault movement reveals that the direction of the maximum horizontal stress axis(σ1)under a tensional stress regime was approximately N129°in the Early Triassic.This stress regime is the cause of thinning and subsidence of the Shotori sedimentary basin.During the middle Triassic,theσ1 direction was about N81°and the upper Triassic,theσ1 direction was almost N115°.The middle Triassic and upper Triassic stress states exhibited two distinct strike-slip and compressive stress regimes.This stress regime led to the uplift of the Shotori sedimentary basin.During the Jurassic,the direction of the maximum horizontal stress axis(σ1)was~NW-SE under a compressive stress regime.During the Triassic,theσ1 direction was~N-S.This stress regime led to the formation of the high topography of the Shotori Mountain Range.In the Late Cretaceous,the direction of the maximum horizontal stress axis(σ1)under the extensional stress regime was~NE-SW.This stress regime led to the uplift of the Paleogen Dacite in eastern Iran.During the Neogene,theσ1 direction was~N60°.The Quaternary tectonic regime is strike-slip and theσ1 direction is~N50°,consistent with the current convergence direction of the Arabia–Eurasia plates.Our paleostress analysis reveals four recognized stress in this area,which includes compressional,transtensional,transpressional,and strike-slip regimes.Our findings indicated that the crustal diversity of the tectonic regimes was responsible for the formation of various geological structures,such as folds,faults by different mechanisms,and the present-day configuration of the Shotori sedimentary basin.

Geodynamics of the South Balkan and Northern Aegean Regions Driven by the Westward Escape of Anatolia

The Plio-Quaternary deformation pattern of the northern Aegean and south Balkan regions is interpreted as an effect of the interaction between the Anatolian-Aegean-Pelagonian system (Tethyan belt), undergoing westward extrusion and strong deformation, and the surrounding plates (Nubia, Europe and Adriatic). Since the middle-late Miocene, the collision of the Tethyan belt with the continental Adriatic domain has caused strong E-W shortening in the outer Hellenides and Albanides, also involving the southward extrusion of the Peloponnesus wedge, at the expense of the Ionian oceanic domain. The roughly E-W extension recognized in the western South Balkan zones (Macedonia and eastern Albania) is related to the divergence between the Pelagonian belt (Albanides and Hellenides) and the Rhodope-Moesia domain. Stressed by the westward displacement of the central Anatolian plateau and by the southward bowing of the Cycladic Arc, the northern Aegean zone has contemporaneously undergone E-W compression and N-S extension, which has generated a series of dextral shear faults, delimiting a number of slats. The westward displacement and deformation of such slats can explain the morphological features of the northern Aegean zone. During this phase, the push of the central Anatolian plateau also caused the separation of the Rhodope massif from the Moesian European domain, with the consequent formation of the upper Thrace basin. This hypothesis can explain the Plio-Quaternary compressional deformations recognized in a sector of the North Anatolian fault system, the Ganos-Gelibolu zone. The proposed geodynamic/tectonic interpretation may help to explain some features of the time-space distribution of major earthquakes in the study area.

Metallogenesis related to Mesozoic Granitoids in the Nanling Range, South China and Their Geodynamic Settings

Affected by the compressive stress from the South-Central （Indo-China） Peninsula, the Indosinian orogenesis, characterized by collision, thrust and uplifting, took place inside the South China Plate during 250-230 Ma. The ages of the Indosinian granitoids in the Nanling Range and vicinity areas are mostly 240-205 Ma, indicating that they were emplaced in both late collision and post-collision geodynamic environments. No important granite-related metallogenesis occurred in this duration. A post-orogenic setting started at the beginning of the Yanshanian Period, which controlled large-scale granitic magmatism and related metallogenesis. This paper makes the first attempt to divide the Yanshanian Period into three sub-periods, i.e. the early, middle and late Yanshanian Periods, based mainly on the features of magmatism, especially granitoids and related metallogenesis and their geodynamic environments. The magmatic association of the Early Yanshanian （about 185-170 Ma） comprises four categories of magmatism, i.e. basalt, bimodal volcanics, A-type granite and intraplate high-K calc-alkaline （HKCA） magmatism, which indicates an extension-thinning of lithosphere and upwelling of mantle material to a relative small and local extent. Pb-Zn, Cu and Au mineralizations associated with HKCA magmatism represents the first high tide of Mesozoic metallogenesis in the Nanling Range area. During the middle Yanshanian, the lithosphere was subjected to more extensive and intensive extending and thinning, and hence mantle upwelling and basaltic magma underplating caused a great amount of crust remelting granitoids. This period can be further divided into two stages. The first stage （170-150 Ma） is represented by large-scale emplacement of crust remelting granites with local tungsten mineralization at its end. The second stage （150-140 Ma） is the most important time of large-scale mineralizations of non-ferrous and rare metals, e.g. W, Sn, Nb-Ta, Bi, Mo, Be, in the Nanling Range area. The late Yanshanian （140-65 Ma） was generally characterized by full extension and breakup of the lithosphere of South China. However, owing to the influence of the Pacific Plate movement, the eastern part of South China was predominated by subduction-related compression, which resulted in magmatism of calc-alkaline and shoshonite series and related metallogeneses of Au, Ag, Pb-Zn, Cu and （Mo, Sn）, followed by extension in its late stage. In the Nanling Range area, the late Yanshanian magmatism was represented by granitic volcanic-intrusive complexes and mafic dikes, which are genetically related to volcanic-type uranium and porphyry tin deposits, and the mobilization-mineralization of uranium from pre-existing Indosinian granites.

Giant Mineral Deposits and Their Geodynamic Setting in the Lanping Basin, Yunnan, China

There are giant mineral deposits, including the Jinding Zn-Pb and Baiyangping Ag-Co-Cu, and otherimportant mineral deposits (e.g., Baiyangchang Ag-Cu, Jinman Cu deposits, etc.) in the Lanping Mesozoic-Cenozoic Basin, Yunnan Province, China. The tabular ore-bodies and some veins hosted in terrestrial clastic rocks of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic age and no outcropping of igneous rocks in the giant deposits lead to the proposal of syngenetic origin, but the giant mineral deposits are not stratabound (e.g. MVT, sandstone- and Sedex-type). They formed in a continental red basin with intense crust movement. The mineralization is controlled by structures and lithology and occurs in different strata, and no sedimentary nature and no exhalative sediments are identified in the deposits. The deposits show some relations with organic matter (now asphalt and petroleum) and evaporates (gypsum). The middle-low-temperature (mainly 110℃ to 280℃) mineralization took place at a depth of about 0.9 km to 3.1 km during the early Himalayan (58 to 67 Ma). The salinity of ore-forming fluids is surprisingly low (1.6% to 18.0 wt% (NaCl)eq). Affected by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, the mantle is disturbed under the Lanping Basin. The large-scale mineralization is closely linked with the geodynamics of the crust movement, the mantle and mantle-flux upwelling and igneous activity. Giant mineral deposits and their geodynamic setting are unique in the Lanping Basin.

Permian Alkaline Granites in Central Inner Mongolia and Their Geodynamic Significance

Alkaline granites (Rb-Sr ages 276-286 Ma)occurring in the Bayan Ul-East Ujimqin belt at the southern margin of the Siberian plate originated in a tensional tectonic environment about 60 Ma earlier than the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous collision between the Siberian and Sino-Korean plates. They belong to post-orogenic A-type granites and may be used as an indicator of the end of the orogeny. At the northern margin of the Sino-Korean plate, however, only late-orogenic calc-alkaline granites occurred during the late Caboniferous-Permian, and alkaline syenites did not appear until the Late Triassic. The asymmetric magmatism at the margins of the two neighbouring plates might be controlled by the differences in size and mass of the two plates.

Post-Mesozoic Transformation of Tectonic Domain in Southeastern China and Its Geodynamic Mechanism

Since the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, a transformation from a Tethyan Himalayan tectonic domain into a circum Pacific tectonic domain from Indosinian to Yanshanian is indicated in this paper, resulting in conspicuous changes in geophysics, tectono magmatic distribution, lithofacies and paleo geography, tectonic system in southeastern China. Tectonic analysis shows that the tectonic framework resulted from the compounding, transforming and superimposing of the two tectonic domains. The geodynamic mechanism of the transformation is mainly shown as the transverse and longitudinal heterogeneity of lithosphere, and the exchange between the crust and the mantle.

Evolution of Circum－Pacific Basins andVolcanic Belts in East China and Their Geodynamic Background

Based upon the recent research on the Circum- Pacific geology and sedimentary basins a review of the time - space evolution of Mesozoic and Cenozoic basic and their geodynamic background are outlined. The foreland-type basins originated mainly in Late Triassic during the convergence of East Tethys and the continental collision, while the extensional and transform-extensional basins formed mainly in the Eastern China in Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. They are closely related to the subduction Process of Pacific Plate from eat and the collision from southwest. As a sighficat indicator of deep Process of the Earth, the igneous rocks and magmatism offer very important information for the basin dynamic analysis. The evolution of the basins in East China were controlled by the combination and alternation effects from the surrounding Plates of Eurasia and the deep Process.

An Isotopic(Sr,Nd and Pb) Tracer Study on the Xiaoxinancha Gold-rich Copper Deposit in Yanbian,China:Implication for the Geodynamic Model of Diagenesis and Metallogenesis

An isotopic study was systemically carried out on the granitic complex,diorite-porphyrite, ores and ore minerals of the 103 Ma Xiaoxinancha gold-rich copper deposit in Jilin province to determine the geodynamic model of diagenesis and metallogenesis.Results show that the initial Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of the granitic complex are in the range of 0.70425-0.70505 for（87Sr/86Sr）i, 0.51243-0.51264 for INd,and -1.31 to ＋2.64 forεNd（t）;those of the diorite-porphyrite are in the range from 0.70438-0.70448 for（87Sr/86Sr）,,0.51259-0.51261 for INd,and ＋1.56 to ＋2.09 forεNd（t）.For ores and sulfides,the（87Sr/86Sr）i,7Nd,andεNd（t） values are in the range from 0.70440-0.70805,0.51259- 0.51279 and ＋1.72 to ＋5.56,respectively.The Pb isotopic ratios of the granitic complex range from 18.2992-18.6636 for 206Pb/204Pb,from 15.5343-15.5660 for 207Pb/204Pb,and from 38.1640-38.5657 for 208Pb/204Pb For diorite-porphyrite,the isotopic ratios of 206Pb/204Pb,207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb are 18.3919,15.5794 and 38.3566,respectively,whereas those of the ores and ore sulfides vary from 18.2275-18.3770 for 206Pb/204Pb,from 15.5555-15.5934 for 207Pb/204Pb and from 38.1318-38.3131 for 208Pb/204Pb.The results indicate that the mineralization was correlated to the formation and evolution of the granitic complex and the diorite-porphyrite.Combining with the reported data in petrologic characteristics,elemental geochemistry and chronology,conclusions can be drawn that the geodynamic settings of diagenesis and metallogenesis of this deposit were consistent with the subduction of the Izanagi oceanic plate during the Early Cretaceous.The diorite-porphyrite was formed by the emplacement of the adakitic magma triggered by partial melting of the enriched mantle,which originated from the derivative continental lithospheric mantle metasomatized by dehydration fluids from the subducting oceanic crust.The granitic complex was produced by fractional crystallization of the mixture between the adakitic magma and the high-K calc-alkaline acidic magma,which were generated by the remelting of the lower crust in the course of intraplate upwelling of the adakitic magma.The ore-bearing fluid reservoir convened in a late stage of the evolution of the mixed magma chamber.

Geochronology of the Gabbro-mafic Microgranular Enclaves-granite Associations in the Gejiu District, Yunnan Province and Their Geodynamic Significance

Many igneous rocks distribute in Gejiu tin polymetallic ore-field at Yunnan province, rocks including basalt, gabbro, mafic microgranular enclaves, granites （porphyritic granite and equigranular granite） and akaline rocks. The ages of the granites and akaline rocks which are considered to have genetic connecting with the mineralization have been comfirmed, but the gabbro- mafic microgranular enclaves-granite assemblage＇s ages are still unknown. By means of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating, the data of Shenxianshui equigranular granite, the mafic microgranular enclave in Jiasha area, the host rock of the mafic microgranular enclaves and the Jiasha gabbro are around ~80 Ma. Besides the above mentioned data, a group of new ages at ~30 Ma were discovered in this study, which is from gabbro and mafic microgranular enclaves. Based on the previous data and the new data gained this time, we suggest the major geochronology framework of the magmatism and mineralization events in Gejiu area is ~80 Ma, which is consistent with the Late Cretaceous magmatism and mineralization events in the whole southeast Yunnan and west Guangxi area and they were suggested to belong to the same geotectonic setting in late Yenshannian. And the new ages of the ~30 Ma obtained in this study is considered to represent a responding to the complicate tectonic evolution history of the Tibetan orogenic events in Cenozoic.

On the Geodynamic Mechanism of Episodic Uplift of the Tibetan Plateau during the Cenozoic Era

Multi-stage uplift of the Tibetan Plateau during the Cenozoic implies a complex geodynamic process.In this paper,we review main geodynamic models for the uplift of the plateau,and,in particular,analyze the spatio-temporal framework of the Cenozoic deformation structures,which are closely related to the deep geodynamic mechanism for the plateau uplift.From this perspective,significant change of the deformation regime over the Tibetan Plateau occurred by the middle-late Miocene,while thrust and thrust-folding system under NS compression was succeded by extension or stress-relaxation.Meanwhile,a series of large-scale strike-slip faults commenced or was kinemtically reversed.Based on a systematic synthesis of the structure deformation,magmatism,geomorphological process and geophysical exploration,we propose a periodical model of alternating crustal compression and extension for episodic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.

Granitic Magmatism in Eastern Tethys Domain(Western China) and their Geodynamic Implications

Western China locates in the eastern section of the Tethys domain, granitic rocks in this region with variable formation ages and geochemistry record key information about the crust-mantle structure and thermal evolution during the convergent process of Tethys. In this study, we focus on some crucial granitic magmatism in the western Yangtze, Qinling orogen, and western Sanjiang tectonic belt, where magma sequence in the convergent orogenic belt can provide important information about the crust-mantle structure, thermal condition and melting regime that related to the evolution processes from Pre-to Neo-Tethys. At first, we show some features of Pre-Tethyan magmatism, such as Neoproterozoic magmatism(ca. 870–740 Ma) in the western margin of the Yangtze Block were induced by the assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. The complication of voluminous Neoproterozoic igneous rocks indicated that the western Yangtze Block underwent the thermodynamic evolution from hot mantle-cold crust stage(ca. 870–850 Ma) to hot mantle and crust stage(ca. 850–740 Ma). The Neoproterozoic mantle sources beneath the western Yangtze Block were progressively metasomatized by subduction-related compositions from slab fluids(initial at ca. 870 Ma), sediment melts(initial at ca. 850 Ma), to oceanic slab melts(initial at ca. 825–820 Ma) during the persistent subduction process. Secondly, the early Paleozoic magmatism can be well related to three distinctive stages(variable interaction of mantle-crust to crustal melting to variable sources) from an Andeans-type continental margin to collision to extension in response to the evolution of ProtoTethys and final assembly of Gondwana continent. Thirdly, the Paleo-Tethys magmatism, Triassic granites in the Qinling orogenic display identical formation ages and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions with the related mafic enclaves, indicate a coeval melting event of lower continental crust and mantle lithosphere in the Triassic convergent process and a continued hot mantle and crust thermal condition through the interaction of subducted continental crust and upwelling asthenosphere. Finally, the Meso-and Neo-Tethyan magmatism: Early Cretaceous magmatism in the Tengchong Block are well responding to the subduction and closure of Bangong-Nujiang Meso-Tethys, recycled sediments metasomatized mantle by subduction since 130 Ma and subsequently upwelling asthenosphere since ca. 122 Ma that causes melting of heterogeneous continental crust until the final convergence, this process well recorded the changing thermal condition from hot mantlecold crust to hot mantle and crust;The Late Cretaceous to Early Cenozoic magmatism well recorded the processes from Neo-Tethyan ocean slab flat subduction, steep subduction, to initial collision of India-Asia, it resulted in a series of continental arc magmatism with enriched mantle to crustal materials at Late Cretaceous, increasing depleted and/or juvenile materials at the beginning of early Cenozoic, and increasing evolved crustal materials in the final stage, implying a continued hot mantle and crust condition during that time. Then we can better understand the magmatic processes and variable melting from the mantle to crust during the evolution of Tethys, from Pre-, Paleo-, Meso-, to Neo-, both they show notably intensive interaction of crust-mantle and extensive melting of the heterogeneous continent during the final closure of Tethys and convergence of blocks, and thermal perturbation by a dynamic process in the depth could be the first mechanism to control the thermal condition of mantle and crust and associated composition of magmatism.

Besshi-type mineral systems in the Palaeoproterozoic Bryah Rift-Basin, Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia： Implications for tectonic setting and geodynamic evolution

In this contribution we use VMS mineral systems in the Bryah rift-basin to constrain the tectonic setting of the widespread mafic and ultramafic magmatism that characterises the rift-basin in question.Two distinct,but temporally closely associated,lithostratigraphic sequences,Narracoota and Karalundi Formations,are discussed.The Karalundi Formation is the main host of VMS mineral systems in the region.The Karalundi Formation consists of turbiditic and immature clastic sediments,which are locally intercalated with basaltic hyaloclastites,dolerites and banded jaspilites.We propose that the basaltic hyaloclastites,dolerites and elastics and jaspilites rocks,form a distinct unit of the Karalundi Formation,named Noonyereena Member.The VMS mineral systems occur near the north-east trendingJenkin Fault and comprise the giant and world-class DeCrussa and the Red Bore deposits.The nature of these deposits and their intimate association with terrigenous clastic rocks and dominantly marine mafic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks,as well as the common development of peperitic margins,are considered indicative of a Besshi-type environment,similar to that of present-day Gulf of California.Our Re-Os age data from a primary pyrite yielded a mean model age of 2012 ± 48 Ma,which coincides（within error） with recent published Re-Os data（Hawke et al.,2015） and confirms the timing of the proposed geodynamic evolution.We propose a geodynamic model that attempts to explain the presence of the Narracoota and Karalundi Formations as the result of mantle plume activity,which began with early uplift of continental crust with intraplate volcanism,followed by early stages of rifting with the deposition of the Karalundi Formation（and Noonyereena Member）,which led to the formation of Besshi-type VMS deposits.With on-going mantle plume activity and early stages of continental separation,an oceanic plateau was formed and is now represented by mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Narracoota Formation.

Advances, Problems and Prospects of Modern Geodesy Applied in Tibetan Geodynamic Changes

Modern geodetic techniques have developed rapidly in recent years, providing reliable observation data and new effective approaches, and greatly enhancing studies of the Tibetan geodynamics. For instance, the well-known GPS technique has been employed to measure seismic slips for many faults in the Tibetan Plateau. GPS data agree well with the hypothesis of a thickening crust and eastward mass flow. Moreover, absolute gravimetric data have been applied to interpret geophysical phenomena such as crust movement, co-seismic gravity change, GIA, and ground water change. The satellite gravity mission GRACE launched in 2002 provided global gravity models with unprecedentedly high precision and high spatial resolution. It has been used in implementing temporal gravity changes and improving our knowledge of the Earth＇s interior, including lithosphere dynamics, mantle viscosity and rheology, plateau uplift, and subduction processing. It is noteworthy that gravity presents unique advantages for the study of Tibetan geodynamics because of its sensitivity to mass migration and dynamic redistribution. To date, great advances have been made in applying modern geodetic data in studying dynamic changes of Tibetan plateau. For instance, the horizontal displacement field from GPS data revealed dynamical characteristics of the present-day Tibetan plateau. The combination of gravity anomalies and topographic data describe the tectonic characteristics of Tibetan plateau. The combination of gravity data and GPS data show present properties of the Tibetan plateau such as crust thickening, Moho＇s subsidence, and plateau uplift. GRACE data were used to estimate the distribution of ice/snow melting. These results demonstrate that mere application of integrated geodetic data as well as geophysical methods and numerical simulations can enhance our knowledge of Tibetan plateau dynamics. It must be pointed out that GRACE data include various geophysical signals such as crust vertical movement, denudation, ice and snow melting, GIA, ground water change, and permafrost degradation. To separate the tectonic information from other impulses, each physical signal must be evaluated and corrected carefully from the GRACE data. The Tibetan geodynamic problem is a complicated and synthetic issue that must be addressed through collaboration of workers in many fields. Succinctly put, although great achievements have been made in studying Tibetan plateau dynamics from each field, the dynamical process remains unclear. Some fundamental problems remain unresolved. They should be solved with modern geodetic data, such as GRACE, GPS, and absolute gravity data, combined with meteorological and geological data, for quantitative analysis of Tibetan plateau dynamics affected by respective geophysical sources. This review article introduces and discusses the scientific importance, advances, problems, and prospects of modern geodesy applied to the study of geodynamic changes of the Tibetan plateau.

Magnesite and talc origin in the sequence of geodynamic events in Veporicum, Inner Western Carpathians, Slovakia

This paper summarizes recent data about magnesite and talc genesis in Carboniferous host rocks of Western Carpathians (Slovakia) , which occur in two distinct belts in tectonic superunit Veporicum and its contact zone with Gemericum. The northern Sinec magnesite and talc belt (with main deposits Kokava, Sinec, Samo, Hnust'a-Mutnik) contains economic accummulation of magnesite and talc, while in the southern Ochtina belt ( main deposits in Dubrava massif-Dubrava, Mikova, Jedl'ovec; Lubenik, Ochtina, Kosice-Bankov, Banisko, Medvedia) the magnesite is dominating.The magnesite genesis by successive replacement of Carboniferous calcite to dolomite and magnesite during metamorphic process Ml (northern belt 280-400℃; , southern belt 370-420℃: ; Radvanec & Prochaska, 2001; Kodera & Radvanec, 2002) , being supplied by Mg from Permoscythian evaporitic bittern brines, relates to Variscan post-collisional (post-VD) evolution. The extensional tectonics and the high heat flow facilitated the generation of a hydrothermal system.The time-separated later metamorphic and sourcely different fluid flow event (M2; 1. c. ) produced talc. Tectonic, microtectonic, metamorphic and geochronological data relate the talc origin with the Alpine Upper Cretaceous (88-84 Ma; Maluski in Kovacik et al. , 1996) tectonothermal event AD2. This event, being the consequence of Alpine collisional ( AD1 ) crustal thickening and metamorphic core complex origin, meant regional extension and pervasive fluid flow of open system in crustal discontinuities. This process was prominent in the northern belt ( Sinec shear zone) located more closely to Veporic thermal dome, while towards its peripheral parts (southern Ochtina belt) the M2 metamorphic process and steatitization gradually weakened.Studies from Sinec shear zone (being the prominent AD2 -AD3 structure of northern Sinec belt) , where the dolomite/magnesite lenses (replacement in M1) and their accompanying lithology were in AD1 sandwitched between more competent basement blocks, proved in AD2 the pervasite steatitization, the talc and dolomite 2 origin in extensional microstructures ( metamorphic process M2; 490 -540℃, 240-330 MPa, 1. c. ).The economic accummulations of talc in Sinec belt are the products of antithetic shearing during the AD3 phase, being the gradual continuation of AD2 ( change of kinematics from unroofing to regional transpressional shearing). Contrary to the northern Sinec belt having located the AD3 deformation into narrow shear zone with soft lithology surrounded by hard lithology, in southern Ochtina belt the deformation AD3 was accommodated by wide soft rock column with rigid carbonate blocks floating inside. The lower P-T ( M2)conditions and deformational gradient in Ochtina belt during AD2 and AD3 phases caused why no economic talc accummulations developed there.The results of presented study can be used as general criteria for magnesite and talc prospection in Alpine type terranes.

Non-tidal tilt and strain signals recorded at the Geodynamic Observatory Moxa,Thuringia/Germany

Since end of the 90s of the last century the seismological station Moxa was extended and developed into the modern Geodynamic Observatory. It comprises also the new installation of borehole-tilt meters in front of the observatory building and laser-strain meters in the gallery. The question arises how non-tidal signals are displayed in the measured time series. The investigation of such signals which can be caused naturally or man-made, can result in different sensitivities for the various tilt- and strainmeter systems, e.g. regarding barometric pressure impacts and hydrological induced pore pressure effects.