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.

Structural Geology and Tectonics in Marine Science:Perspectives in the Research of Deep Sea and Deep Interior

The fields of structural geology and tectonics have witnessed great progress over the last decade and are poised for further expansion in the future. One of the significant breakthroughs is the establishment of the 'Beyond Plate Tectonics Theory' where a combination of conceptual models and numerical modeling on plume tectonics and plate tectonics has enabled new insights into the structural and tectonic architecture and processes in the deep interior and deep sea. This paper synthesizes developments of structural geology and tectonics from a macroscopic perspective in deep interior and deep sea. Four key techniques are also reviewed: satellite altimetry for surface structures in deep-sea multi-beam sea-floor mapping; tomography for tectonics of the deep interior; diverse modeling approaches and software for unfolding dynamic evolution; and techniques for HT/HP experiments on material rheology and in situ component measurements.

Deep Tectonic Processes and Superaccumulation of Metals Related to Granitoids in the Nanling MetaUogenic Province,China

The Nanling region is an important nonferrous and rare metal metallogenic province in South China, in which most of the deposits are related to granitoids in genesis. It covers southern Hunan, southern Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian provinces, with a total area of about 550,000 km2. This metallogenic province is well known in the world for its rich tungsten and tin resources. In the past 40-odd years, a vast amount of mineral exploration activities and studies of the geology of mineral deposits have been carried out and great achievements obtained in the province. This paper is focused on a discussion about the deep tectonic processes in the orogenic belt during the Mesozoic and their contribution to the superaccumulation of metals. Tectonically, this metallogenic province is composed of three units: (1) the marginal continental orogenic belt in the Southeastern Coast fold system in the Yanshanian; (2) the intercontinental orogenic belt in the collision suture belt between the Yangtze and Cathay-sian plates mainly in the Caledonian; and (3) the intracontinental orogenic belt induced by subduction of the ocean crust and delimination of the mantle lithosphere in the Yanshanian. It is suggested that superaccumulation of metals in this metallogenic province was caused by the existence of mantle rooted tectonics at the depth based on comprehensive studies of geophysical information of seismic, geothermal and magnetotelluric surveys in Nanling and its adjacent areas. The Xihuashan wolframite quartz vein deposit, the Shizhuyuan W, Sn, Mo, Bi greisen-skarn deposit and the Dachang tin-polymetallic deposit are three typical examples of the deep tectonic processes. However, this kind of deep tectonic processes only act as the 'engine' of the superaccumulation of metals, which means that they should have to correspond with the super-crust ore-controlling pattern of 'lines-rows-clusters' (L-R-C). This recog-nization is expected to play an important role in assessment of mineral resources in this province.

Deep- Seated Tectonic Activation of Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Zone and Its Control over Jiaodong Gold Concentrated Region, China

A comprehensive discussion on the deep seated genesis of gold metallogenic materials and the tectono magmatic controls over gold deposits is given in this paper, which is based on the crustal and upper mantle structural characteristics of the Jiaodong massif, the property, activation history and styles of the Tancheng Lujiang fault zone, as well as a series of accompanying tectono magmatic events. Prediction for further prospecting gold deposits in the area is also made.

Research on the Characteristics of Deep and Shallow Structures in Shenyang City and Their Relationship with Seismic Activities

Deep and shallow tectonic data in Shenyang and its relationship with seismic activity shows that the NE trending faults developed on the surface control the formation and development of the fault-uplift and fault-depression. The uplift and depression of the bedrock at a depth of 7km underground are＇consistent with the surface structure. 12 planar listric normal faults have developed above a depth of 18km -20km and two deep faults have developed in the lower crust. Because of the deep incision and new activities, the surface Wanggangpu-Xinehengzi fault and Yongle-Qingshuitai fault, which correspond to the deep F3 fault and F6 fault, might be related to seismic activity in Shenyang.

Anomalously deep earthquakes related to the Ojo de Agua Lineament and its tectonic significance,Sierras Pampeanas of Córdoba,Central Argentina

The Sierras de Cordoba are the easternmost uplifted ranges of the Sierras Pampeanas geological province of Argentina. They are composed of a Neoproterozoic-Paleozoic basement arranged in north-south aligned mountain ranges, limited by west-vergent reverse faults, reactivated or formed by compressive tectonics during the Andean orogeny. The ranges are also affected by oblique subvertical lineaments,probably related to pan-Gondwanan structures. The recorded seismicity shows anomalously deep earthquakes（up to 80 km depth） concentrated in the northwestern area. We attribute this seismicity to the current tectonic activity of the Ojo de Agua Lineament. This lineament is a N13°-135° strike, 70°-80° NE dip,macrostructure with more than 80 km depth and 160 km length. A sinistral transcompressional kinematics（convergent oblique shear） is deduced by the focal mechanism of a deep earthquake, together with hydrological and geomorphological features strongly modified. The continental lithosphere under the Sierras de Cordoba would be colder and more rigid than in a normal subduction area, due to the retraction of the asthenospheric wedge to the foreland, causing seismicity to depths greater than 40 km, below the Mohorovicic discontinuity. Neogene volcanism would be closely related to this lineament, allowing the rapid ascent of melts from the mantle.

Study on the crust-mantle structure in the central and southern parts of Shanxi

Another comparative interpretation was conducted with respect to the data from 5 DSS profiles in the central and southern parts of Shanxi, leading to the conclusion that in Linxian, Linfen and Xingtai earthquake regions, through which the five profiles pass, there exist anomalous crust mantle structure and abyssal crustal faults extending to Moho, all being regarded as the deep indications for earthquake occurrence.

Generation and Disruption of Subducted Lithosphere in the Central-Western Mediterranean Region and Time-Space Distribution of Magmatic Activity Since the Late Miocene

The long migration of the Balearic Arc (Alpine-Apennine and Alpine-Maghrebian belts) in the Early-Middle Miocene caused the formation of a subducted lithospheric edifice in the western and central Mediterranean regions. Then, since the Late Miocene, this slab was almost completely disrupted, only maintaining a narrow and deformed remnant beneath the southernmost Tyrrhenian basin. This work describes a tentative reconstruction of the tectonic processes that caused the formation of major tears and breakoffs in the original slabs and the consequent disruption of the subducted lithosphere. In particular, it is suggested that this relatively fast process was produced by the collision between the Anatolian-Aegean system and the continental Adriatic domain, which triggered a number of extrusion processes. Possible connections between the proposed tectonic evolution and the spatio-temporal distribution and geochemical signatures of magmatic activity are then discussed. It is supposed that such activity has been mainly conditioned by the occurrence of transtensional tectonics in the wake of escaping orogenic wedges.

Upper crustal velocity and seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region in Sichuan, China

On August 8,2017,a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou County,Sichuan Province,China.The deep seismogenic environment and potential seismic risk in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau have once again attracted the close attention of seismologists and scholars at home and abroad.The post-earthquake scientific investigation could not identify noticeable surface rupture zones in the affected area;the complex tectonic background and the reason(s)for the frequent seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region are unclear.In order to reveal the characteristics of the deep medium and the seismogenic environment of the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,and to interpret the tectonic background and genesis of the seismicity comprehensively,in this paper,we have reviewed all available observation data recorded by the regional digital seismic networks and large-scale,dense mobile seismic array(China Array)for the northern section of the North-South Seismic Belt around Jiuzhaigou earthquake region.Using double-difference seismic tomography method to invert the three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure characteristics of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,we have analyzed and discussed such scientific questions as the relationship between the velocity structure characteristics and seismicity in the Jiuzhaigou earthquake region,its deep tectonic environment,and the ongoing seismic risk in this region.We report that:the P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust around the Jiuzhaigoug earthquake region exhibits obvious lateral inhomogeneity;the distribution characteristics of the shallow P-wave velocity structure are closely related to surface geological structure and formation lithology;the M7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake sequence is closely related to the velocity structure of the upper crust;the mainshock of the M7.0 earthquake occurred in the upper crust;the inhomogeneous variation of the velocity structure of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake area and its surrounding medium appears to be the deep structural factor controlling the spatial distribution of the mainshock and its sequence.The 3D P-wave velocity structure also suggests that the crustal low-velocity layer of northeastern SGB(Songpan-GarzêBlock)stretches into MSM(Minshan Mountain),and migrates to the northeast,but the tendency to emerge as a shallow layer is impeded by the high-velocity zone of Nanping Nappe tectonics and the Bikou Block.Our results reveal an uneven distribution of high-and low-velocity structures around the Tazang segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.Given that the rupture caused by the Jiuzhaigou earthquake has enhanced the stress fields at both ends of the seismogenic fault,it is very important to stay vigilant to possible seismic hazards in the large seismic gap at the Maqu-Maqên segment of the East Kunlun fault zone.