The morphotectonics and its evolutionary dynamics of the central Southwest Indian Ridge (49° to 51°E)

The morphotectonic features and their evolution of the central Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR） are dis- cussed on the base of the high-resolution flfll-coverage bathyraetric data on the ridge between 49°-51°E. A comparative analysis of the topographic features of the axial and flank area indicates that the axial topogra- phy is alternated by the ridge and trough with en echelon pattern and evolved under a spatial-temporal mi- gration especially in 49°-50.17°E. It is probably due to the undulation at the top of the mantle asthenosphere, which is propagating with the mantle flow. From 50.17° to 50.7°E, is a topographical high terrain with a crust much thicker than the global average of the oceanic crust thickness. Its origin should be independent of the spreading mechanism of ultra-slow spreading ridges. The large numbers of volcanoes in this area indicate robust magmatic activity and may be related to the Crozet hot spot according to RMBA （residual mantle Bouguer anomaly）. The different geomorphological feature between the north and south flanks of the ridge indicates an asymmetric spreading, and leading to the development of the OCC （oceanic core complex）. The tectonic activity of the south frank is stronger than the north and is favorable to develop the OCC. The first found active hydrothermal vent in the SWIR at 37°47＇S, 49°39＇E is thought to be associated with the detach- ment fault related to the OCC.

Geochemical Constrains on MORB Composition and Magma Sources at East Pacific Rise Between 1°S and 2°S

The East Pacific Rise(EPR)is a typical fast spreading ridge.To gain a better understanding of the magmatism under ridges,Mid Ocean Ridge Basalts(MORBs)with remarkably heterogeneous compositions are obtained from(EPR)1?–2?S and multielement geochemical and radioisotope analyses are conducted.Results show that these MORBs have wide variation ranges in trace element concentrations and isotopic ratios.Sample 07 has low concentrations of incompatible elements,and very low ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr,and high ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd from 0.70213 to 0.702289 and 0.513234 to 0.513289,respectively.However,other samples show enrichment in incompatible elements to varying degrees,and medium values of ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr and ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd from 0.702440 to 0.702680 and 0.513086to 0.513200,respectively.This study proposes that one depleted source and two enriched sources contribute to the formation of MORBs from EPR 1?–2?S.Samples 02 and 10 are formed by mixing between one enriched source and one depleted source,while sample 07 is crystallized from the depleted source with no mixing process involved.However,the formation of samples 06 and 11are different,and thus further research is required to determine genesis.

Exploration of deep seabed polymetallic sulphides: Scientific rationale and regulations of the International Seabed Authority

Polymetallic sulphides have been consistent source of metals like iron, copper, zinc and lead. Apart from these they are also seen as economically viable resources of silver and gold. As the demand of these metals is showing an astoundingly increasing trend, the search for their resources has also increased in similar folds. This has resulted in many nations' focus on deep seabed resources of the polymetallic sulphides. Consequently, International Seabed Authority (ISBA) has provided 'Regulations' to obtain plan of work for exploration of polymetallic sulphide deposits in deep seabed 'Area'. Following the release of these Regulations, several countries are in the process of obtaining the licence for exploration of these metals from the deep seabed regions. Detailed information about the science and ISBA Regulations for exploration of polymetallic sulphide deposits is prerequisite to submit an application to ISBA for their exploration. The current contribution provides a comprehensive review of the science behind locating polymetallic sulphide deposits in geological setting of deep seabed as well as about the ISBA Regulations for their exploration.

Geochronology, geochemistry and geological significance of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from Niangniangshan Formation,Ningwu Basin, middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River

Ningwu Basin is one of the Mesozoic continental volcanic basins in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.The volcanic rocks of the Longwangshan,dawangshan,Gushan and Niangniangshan formations,as well as the homologous subvolcanic rocks or small intrusions,are developed from old to new in the Ningwu Basin.Zircon U-Pb dating results show the latialite phonolite of Niangniangshan Formation was erupted at 128±1 Ma(i.e.,Early Cretaceous).The latialite phonolite contains moderate SiO2 contents(57.28%-60.96%)with high Na 2O+K 2O contents,belonging to shoshonite series.The samples have high REE contents,and display right-inclined REE distribution pattern.They are characterized by enrichment in some large ion lithophile elements(e.g.,LILEs,Rb,K),and depletion in some high field strength elements(e.g.,HFSEs,Nb,Ta,Ti).All volcanic samples have relatively depleted Nd isotopic compositions(ISr=0.707197--0.707878;εNd(t)=-0.5--0.9),indicating no genetic relationship with the lower crust of Yangtze plate,but a drift trend towards the EMII.The geochemical data suggest that the Early Cretaceous latialite phonolite was derived from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subduction-related fluids in an arc-related setting.Based on the temporal and spatial distribution and geochemical variation characteristics of the regional volcanic rocks,it is suggested that the tectonic system within the study area changed from a subduction-related compression to an extensional environment in the early Early Cretaceous,which was caused by the ridge subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean.

Ridge subduction, magmatism, and metallogenesis

Modern oceans contain large bathymetric highs(spreading oceanic ridges,aseismic ridges or oceanic plateaus and inactive arc ridges)that,in total,constitute more than 20–30%of the total area of the world’s ocean floor.These bathymetric highs may be subducted,and such processes are commonly referred to as ridge subduction.Such ridge subduction events are not only very common and important geodynamic processes in modern oceanic plate tectonics,they also play an important role in the generation of arc magmatism,material recycling,the growth and evolution of continental crust,the deformation and modification of the overlying plates,and metallogenesis at convergent plate boundaries.Therefore,these events have attracted widespread attention.The perpendicular or high-angle subduction of mid-ocean spreading ridges is commonly characterized by the occurrence of a slab window,and the formation of a distinctive adakite–high-Mg andesite–Nb-enriched basalt-oceanic island basalt(OIB)or a mid-oceanic ridge basalt(MORB)-type rock suite,and is closely associated with Au mineralization.Aseismic ridges or oceanic plateaus are traditionally considered to be difficult to subduct,to typically collide with arcs or continents or to induce flat subduction(low angle of less than 10°)due to the thickness of their underlying normal oceanic crust(>6–7 km)and high topography.However,the subduction of aseismic ridges and oceanic plateaus occurred on both the western and eastern sides of the Pacific Ocean during the Cenozoic.On the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean,aseismic ridges or oceanic plateaus are being subducted flatly or at low angles beneath South and Central American continents,which may cause a magmatic gap.But slab melting can occur and adakites,or an adakite–high-Mg andesite–adakitic andesite–Nb-enriched basalt suite may be formed during the slab rollback or tearing.Cu-Au mineralization is commonly associated with such flat subduction events.On the western side of the Pacific Ocean,however,aseismic ridges and oceanic plateaus are subducted at relatively high angles(>30°).These subduction processes can generate large scale eruptions of basalts,basaltic andesites and andesites,which may be derived from fractional crystallization of magmas originating from the subduction zone fluid-metasomatized mantle wedge.In addition,some inactive arc ridges are subducted beneath Southwest Japan,and these subduction processes are commonly associated with the production of basalts,high-Mg andesites and adakites and Au mineralization.Besides magmatism and Cu-Au mineralization,ridge subduction may also trigger subduction erosion in subduction zones.Future frontiers of research will include characterizing the spatial and temporal patterns of ridge subduction events,clarifying the associated geodynamic mechanisms,quantifying subduction zone material recycling,establishing the associated deep crustal and mantle events that generate or influence magmatism and Cu-Au mineralization,establishing criteria to recognize pre-Cenozoic ridge subduction,the onset of modernstyle plate tectonics and the growth mechanisms for Archean continental crust.

Ophiolites:Identification and tectonic significance in space and time

Ophiolites are fragments of oceanic lithosphere that are produced at spreading centers at ocean ridges,back arc basins,or forearcs during subduction initiation,and are key indicators of plate tectonics.Although it is widely agreed that ophiolites are remnants of oceanic crust and associated depleted mantle preserved in orogens,the recognition of ophiolites and their tectonic significance is still a topic of discussion and disagreement.We propose that ophiolites can be recognized in the geologic record by some combination of genetically related pillow basalt,layered gabbro,sheeted dykes,podiform chromite,harzburgite or/and dunite.Mafic igneous rocks have either ocean-ridge basalt or immature oceanic arc basalt chemical compositions.Using a scoring system of 1–11 for ophiolite confidence level,scores of8 are considered confident,6–8 probable,and<6 questionable or unlikely ophiolites.Most ophiolites with scores6 are<900 Ma.The oldest confident ophiolite(score of 8)is the Zunhua ophiolite in eastern China at 2550 Ma,and the oldest well documented sheeted dykes occur in the Jormua and Purtuniq ophiolites at 2000–1950 Ma.Ophiolites do not become geographically widespread until after 900 Ma,and most ophiolites of all ages formed in a forearc(subduction initiation)tectonic setting.If ophiolite production requires plate tectonics,subduction must have begun at least locally by 2700 Ma but did not become widespread until after 2000 Ma.The abundance of ophiolites after 900 Ma may reflect better preservation of subduction-related ophiolites,or to an increasing global network of interconnected plates.Ophiolite frequency peaks in the geologic record partially reflect geographic regions where ophiolites have been extensively studied rather than monitoring the production rate of ophiolites,but the scarcity of>900 Ma ophiolites is probably real.

Seamount chains and hotspot tracks:Superficially similar,deeply different

Nearly 80%of the seafloor extension has not been covered by high-resolution bathymetry,impeding direct observation of seamounts.Nevertheless,lists of seamount location and height at a global scale have been produced using different techniques.In this work four of such databases(publicly available)are compared with each other to assess their differences.Results identify large differences among databases that could have exerted strong influences on models of seamount production and associated geodynamic processes.Despite those differences,it is shown that all databases allow the identification of seamount lines both along the present-day Mid Ocean Ridge(MOR)system and on intraplate settings.Notably,those seamount lines do not coincide with the so-called hotspot tracks that commonly were defined by selectively focusing attention on the larger seamounts.Examination of all the databases also shows that distinction based only on seamount size between seamounts produced at Mid-Ocean Ridge(MOR)environments from those associated with mantle-plum fed-hotspot activity has been overestimated.This,combined with the fact that most seamount lines defined by the available databases can be traced back to past locations of MOR indicates that most of the present-day intraplate linear arrays of seamounts,which include some large seamounts,were not produced by the action of underlying mantle anomalies envisaged in the form of mantle plumes.The evidence presented here calls for a reassessment of the form in which volcanic and tectonic activities are conceptually related to each other.