Mineralization and Ore-controlling Implications of Low-angle Faults

Abstract Low-angle faults include those occurring in thrust-nappe structures in a compressive setting and the detachment of metamorphic core complexes in an extensional setting. All low-angle faults have their own particularities. The low-angle fault plays an important role in controlling over some endogenetic metallic ore deposits. Based on studies of the Xiaoban gold deposit, Xinzhou gold deposit, and Longfengchang polymetallic ore deposit, and comparisons with other mines, the authors conclude the ore-controlling implications of low-angle faults as follows. (1) Because of high temperature and high pressure, as well as strong ductile deformation, the internal energy of the elements rises in the large-scale deep ductile low-angle faults, which causes the elements to activate and differentiate from the source rocks, forming ore-bearing hydrothermal solution, and bring mineralization to happen. (2) When rising from depths and flowing along the low-angle faults, the ore-bearing hydrothermal solution will alter and replace the tectonites in the fault zone. The rocks of the hanging side and the heading side differ in lithology, texture and structure, which results in changes or dissimilarities of the physical-chemical conditions. This destroys the balance of the hydrothermal solution system and causes the dissolved ore-forming elements to precipitate; as a result, a deposit is formed. Therefore, the meso-shallow ductile-brittle low-angle faults play the role of a geochemical interface in the process of mineralization. (3) Low-angle faults are often one of the important host structures.

Geophysical Features of the Ore-Controlling Fault in the Chang'an Gold Deposit, Southern Yunnan Province

The Ailao Mountain is one of the most important metallogenic belts ofpolymetallic deposits in the Sanjiang region, southwestern China. Located in the southern segment of this metallogenic belt, the newly-discovered Chang＇an gold deposit is large in scale （Fig. 1A）, and has attracted much attention among geologists. The ore-hosted rocks in the district include the Late Ordovician Xiangyang Fm. sandstone and clastic rocks and the Early Silurian Kanglang Fm. dolomite. Affected by the multistage tectonic activities, stocks and dykes of lamprophyre, dolerite, syenite porphyry and orthoclasite are widely exposed, and the orebodies are in symbiosis with or crosscut the dyke rocks.

Ore-controlling Characteristics of Synchronous Faults of Dongshengmiao Polymetallic Sulfide Deposits in Inner Mongolia

1 Introduction The Dongshengmiao deposit is a super-large Zn-Pb polymetallic sulfide deposit which occurring in the Langshan-Zhaertaaishan metallogenic belt,and located in the western margin of the North China Platform.The ore-bodies of Dongshengmiao deposits are mainly hosted in the second Formation of Langshan Group.There are some studies on the geological characteristics(Peng et al.,2004),geological and

GEOCHEMICAL REASERCH ON ORE-CONTROLLING STRUCTURE IN LIAODONG LUOQUANBEI-BAIYUN GOLD MINERAL BELT

In recent2 0 years,because of the finding ofmany large- superlargegold deposits,we re- new the theories for prospecting and gain many things and conceptions.The current geo- chemical and gold- forming theories underline the importance of the early submarine volcano- sedimentation,metamorphic differention,sedimentation of terrigenous clastics,thermal spring and it’s sedimentation,syngenesis process and other hypergene supplying the source for metallogenic materials.According to the study for source bed(rock) and depsitional for- mation of gold,we find that gold will be gradually enriched and mineralized in source bed (rock) ,because of variousgeologicprocesses,such as regional metamorphism ormigmatiza- tion,geothermal bittern,volcanism. The ore- control of deep and giant fault and ductile shear beltand tectono- flash space is emphasized,especially,we should notice the long- term, succession and multistage of the

Characterising the nature, evolution and origin of detachment fault in central depression belt, Qiongdongnan Basin of South China Sea: evidence from seismic reflection data

Using regional geological, newly acquired 2D and 3D seismic, drilling and well log data, especially 2D long cable seismic profiles, the structure and stratigraphy in the deep-water area of Qiongdongnan Basin are interpreted. The geometry of No.2 fault system is also re-defined, which is an important fault in the central depression belt of the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin by employing the quantitative analysis techniques of fault activity and backstripping. Furthermore, the dynamical evolution of the No.2 fault sys-tem and its controls on the central depression belt are analyzed. This study indicates that the Qiongdongnan Basin was strongly influenced by the NW-trending tensile stress field during the Late Eocene. At this time, No.2 fault system initiated and was characterized by several discontinuous fault segments, which controlled a series small NE-trending fault basins. During the Oligocene, the regional extensional stress field changed from NW-SE to SN with the oceanic spreading of South China Sea, the early small faults started to grow along their strikes, eventually connected and merged as the listric shape of the No.2 fault system as ob-served today. No.2 fault detaches along the crustal Moho surface in the deep domain of the seismic profiles as a large-scale detachment fault. A large-scale rollover anticline formed in hanging wall of the detachment fault. There are a series of small fault basins in both limbs of the rollover anticline, showing that the early small basins were involved into fold deformation of the rollover anticline. Structurally, from west to east, the central depression belt is characterized by alternatively arranged graben and half-graben. The central depression belt of the Qiongdongnan Basin lies at the extension zone of the tip of the V-shaped northwest-ern ocean sub-basin of the South China Sea, its activity period is the same as the development period of the northwestern ocean sub-basin, furthermore the emplacement and eruption of magma that originated from the mantle below the Moho surface occurred at the region between Songnan-Baodao and Changchang sags, from east to west with the early-stage spreading of the South China Sea. Therefore, this study not only helps in depicting the structural features and evolution of the deep-water basin in the Qiongdongnan Basin, but also provides the geological and structural evidence for establishing a unified model of continental margin extension and oceanic spreading.

Late Cretaceous Transpressional Fault System: A Case Study of the Yishu Fault Belt, Shandong Province, Eastern China

On the basis of field observations of the structures of three profiles from the Linshu region, deformation characteristics and the tectonic background of the Yishu fault belt in the Late Cretaceous–Early Cenozoic have been discussed in detail.Three structural profiles, whose deformations consist mainly of earlier transpressional faults and later normal faults, were developed for the Mengtuan Formation of the Lower Cretaceous Dasheng Group.Typical positive flower structures, duplex structures, and break-through faults were found in these profiles.On the basis of analyses of the structural deformation and previous geochronological studies, it was concluded that the earlier transpressional faults of the profiles were triggered by the sinistral transpression of the Yishu fault belt in the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene, and that the later normal faults, formed during the Late Paleogene–Neogene extension, truncated the earlier transpressional faults.With consideration of the tectonic evolution of the Tan-Lu fault belt and the different drift directions of the Pacific plate since the Cretaceous, we suggest that the major tectonic events of the Late Cretaceous–Neogene in eastern China were mainly controlled by the subduction of the Pacific plate.

Multistage Deformation in the Northeastern Segment of the Jiangshao Fault (Suture) Belt: Constraints for the Relationship between the Yangtze Plate and the Cathaysia Old Land

Multistage deformation events have occurred in the northeastern Jiangshao Fault （Suture） Belt. The earliest two are ductile deformation events. The first is the ca. 820 Ma top-to-the-northwest ductile thrusting, which directly resulted from the collision between the Cathaysia Old Land and the Chencai Arc （？） during the Late Neoproterozoic, and the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt that formed as the ocean closed between the Yangtze Plate and the jointed Cathaysia Old Land and the Chencai Arc due to continuous compression. The second is the ductile left-lateral strike-slipping that occurred in the latest Early Paleozoic. Since the Jinning period, all deformation events represent the reactivation or inversion of intraplate structures due to the collisions between the North China and Yangtze plates during the Triassic and between the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plates during the Cenozoic. In the Triassic, brittle right-lateral strike-slipping and subsequent top-to-the south thrusting occurred along the whole northeastern Jiangshao Fault Zone because of the collision between the North China and Yangtze plates. In the Late Mesozoic, regional extension took place across southeastern China. In the Cenozoic, the collision between the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plates resulted in brittle thrusts along the whole Jiangnan Old land in the Miocene. The Jiangshao Fault Belt is a weak zone in the crust with long history, and its reactivation is one of important characteristics of the deformation in South China; however, late-stage deformation events did not occur beyond the Jiangnan Old Land and most of them are parallel to the strike of the Old Land, which is similar to the Cenozoic deformation in Central Asia. In addition, the Jiangnan old Land is not a collisional boundary between the Yangtze Plate and Cathaysia Old Land in the Triassic.

A DEEP SEISMIC REFLECTION PROFILE ACROSS ALTUN FAULT BELT

Altun fault is regarded as a large\|scale sinistral strike\|slip fault, it is composed of several faults with the different character, and there is a special geological structure in the fault belt, and they constitute the northwestern margin fault belt of the Qinghai\|Tibetan plateau. In order to investigate the deep crust structure in the Altun region, layers which Tarim lithosphere subducted beneath the Qinghai\|Tibetan plateau, the forward structure of the subduction plate and the scale of the plate subduction, a deep seismic reflection profile was designed. Data collection work of the deep seismic reflection profile across Altun fault was completed during 24/8/1999 to 25/9/1999. The profile locates in Qiemo county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the southern end of the profile stretches into Altun Mountains, the northern end locates in the Tarim desert margin. The profile is nearly SN trending and crosses the main Altun fault. The profile totally is 145km long, time record is 30 seconds, the smallest explosive amount is 72～100kg, the biggest explosive amount reaches 200～300kg, the explosive distance is 800m, and detectors are laid at a 50m distance.

Late Paleozoic Element Migration and Accumulation under Intracontinental Sinistral Strike-slip Faulting in the West Junggar Orogenic Belt, NW China

The migration,accumulation and dispersion of elements caused by tectonic dynamics have always been a focus of attention,and become the basis of tectono-geochemistry.However,the effects of faulting,especially strike-slip faulting,on the adjustment of geochemical element distribution,are still not clear.In this paper,we select the West Junggar Orogenic Belt(WJOB),NW China,as a case study to test the migration behavior of elements under tectonic dynamics.The WJOB is dominated by NE-trending large-scale sinistral strike-slip faults such as the Darabut Fault,the Mayile Fault,and the Baerluke Fault,which formed during the intracontinental adjustment under N-S compression during ocean-continental conversion in the Late Paleozoic.Geochemical maps of 13 elements,Al,W,Sn,Mo,Cu,Pb,Zn,As,Sb,Hg,Fe,Ni,and Au,are analyzed for the effects of faulting and folding on element distribution at the regional scale.The results show that the element distribution in the WJOB is controlled mainly by two mechanisms during tectonic deformation:first is the material transporting mechanism,where the movement of geological units is consistent with the direction of tectonic movement;second is the diffusion mechanism,especially by tectonic pressure dissolution driven by tectonic dynamics,where the migration of elements is approximately perpendicular or opposite to the direction of tectonic movement.We conclude that the adjustment of element distributions has been determined by the combined actions of transporting and diffusion mechanisms,and that the diffusion mechanism plays an important role in the formation of geochemical Au blocks in the WJOB.

Rock Deformation,Component Migration and 18O/16O Variations during Mylonitization in the Southern Tan-Lu Fault Belt

This paper discusses the relationship between the volume loss, fluid flow and component variations in the ductile shear zone of the southern Tan-Lu fault belt. The results show that there is a large amount of fluids flowing through the shear zone during mylonitization, accompanied with the loss of volume of rocks and variations of elements and oxygen isotopes. The calculated temperature for mylonitization in different mylonites ranges from 446 to 484℃, corresponding to that of 475 to 500℃ for the wall rocks. The condition of differential stress during mylonization has been obtained between 99 and 210 MPa, whereas the differential stress in the wall rock gneiss is 70-78 MPa. The mylonites are enriched by factors of 1.32-1.87 in elements such as TiO2, P2O5, MnO, Y, Zr and V and depleted in SiO2, Na2O, K2O, Al203, Sr, Rb and light REEs compared to their protolith gneiss. The immobile element enrichments are attributed to enrichments in residual phases such as ilmentite, zircon, apatite and epidote in mylonites and are interpreted as due to volume losses from 15% to 60% in the ductile shear zone. The largest amount of SiO2 loss is 35.76 g/100 g in the ductile shear zone, which shows the fluid infiltration. Modeling calculated results of the fluid/rock ratio for the ductile shear zone range from 196 to 1192 by assuming different degrees of fluid saturation. Oxygen isotope changes of quartz and feldspar and the calculated fluid are corresponding to the variations of differential flow stress in the ductile shear zone. With increasing differential flow stress, the mylonites show a slight decrease of δ^18O in quartz, K-feldspar and fluid.

Characteristics of Compositional Migration in Mylonites from the Ductile Shear Zones of the Southern Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Belt, Eastern Anhui Province

On the basis of field geology, three typical ductile shear zones in the southern part of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault belt have been chosen for a detailed study. Altogether ten samples of the tectonites have been collected for this study. The paper is focused on a comprehensive study of the tectonites in the medium-lower horizons of the ductile shear zones. The mineral compositions of the rocks are analyzed with EPMA and some typical whole-rock samples analyzed by chemical and ICP methods. Based on the comprehensive study of the characteristics of the deformation, the mineral assemblages and the changes of chemical composition of the bulk rocks, this paper presents a discussion on the relationship between the volume loss, the fluid flow and compositional changes during mylonitization of the ductile shear zones in this region. Our study shows that there are a large amount of fluids flowing through the shear zones during the process of mylonization, accompanied by the loss of rock volume and migration of elements and components. Modelling calculation results under different saturation conditions of fluids show that the maximum volume loss of the tectonites is about 60% relative to their protolith, while the fluid/rock ratio ranges from 10 to 103 in different ductile shear zones.

Geochemical characteristics of the fluid inclusions in the Gangxi Fault Belt, Huanghua Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

We studied the geochemical characteristics of the fluid inclusions in the Ordovician carbonates and the Oligocene Shahejie Formation sandstones from 15 wells in the Gangxi Fault Belt, Huanghua Depression. The fluid inclusions are all sec- ondary with gas/liquid ratio of 5%~10%. Base on Raman they are mainly composed of H2O, CO2 and CH4. The homogenization temperatures, combined with burial and geothermal history of the host rock, indicate that the fluid flows in the Shahejie Formation and the Ordovician carbonates were trapped in Neocene. Using a VG5400 mass spectrometer, the helium isotopic compositions were analyzed. Interpretation of results suggested a significant amount of mantle-derived helium mainly accumulating in the intersections of the NWW trending Xuzhuangzi and NE trending Gangxi faults. The maturity of hydrocarbon decreases from the intersection to the outside pointing out that the fluid related to the NWW trending Xuzhuangzi and NE trending Gangxi faults. These factors implied the fluid inclusions have a close relationship to the local tectonic setting. Gangxi Fault Belt experienced intensive Neo-tectonic activities in Cenozoic. Widespread faulted-depressions and strong volcanic eruptions manifested its tec- tonic status of extensional stress field. Mantle uplift caused the movement of magma that carried mantle-derived gases and deep heat flows, the deep-rooted tension faults provided the passages for the gases and heat flows to shallow crust levels.

Tectonic implication of geomorphometric analyses along the Saravan Fault: evidence of a difference in tectonic movements between the Sistan Suture Zone and Makran Mountain Belt

In this paper, remote sensing techniques,as well as field studies, have been used to investigate the geomorphological processes and landscape evolution along the Saravan Fault, SE Iran to highlight how topographic features were influenced by active tectonics. Quantitative geomorphic analysis was carried out using mountain-front sinuosity(Smf),valley floor width-valley height ratio(Vf), drainage basin asymmetry factor(Af), Hypsometric integral(Hi), drainage basin shape index(Bs), mean axial slope of channel(MASC), standard deviation of topography(STD) and index of active tectonic(Iat).Remote sensing techniques, as well as field studies revealed that the Saravan Fault have three parts trending N-S, NW-SE, and E-W. Obtained results show that basins with high Iat index are located at where the strike of the Saravan Faults changes and where several strike-slip faults are crossed the Saravan fault.

Earthquake triggering and delaying caused by fault interaction on Xianshuihe fault belt, southwestern China

The coseismic Coulomb stress change caused by fault interaction and its influences on the triggering and delaying of earthquake are briefly discussed. The Xianshuihe fault belt consists of Luhuo, Daofu, Kangding, Qianning and Ganzi fault. Luohuo (MS=7.6, 1973)-Kangding (MS=6.2, 1975)-Daofu (MS=6.9, 1981)-Ganzi (MS=6.0, 1982) earthquake is a seismic sequence continuous on the time axis with magnitude greater than 6.0. They occurred on the Luhuo, Kangding, Daofu and Ganzi fault, respectively. The coseismic Coulomb stress changes caused by each earthquake on its surrounding major faults and microcracks are calculated, and their effects on the triggering and delaying of the next earthquake and aftershocks are analyzed. It is shown that each earthquake of the sequence occurred on the fault segment with coseismic Coulomb stress increases caused by its predecessors, and most after-shocks are distributed along the microcracks with relatively larger coseismic Coulomb stress increases resulted from the main shock. With the fault interaction considered, the seismic potential of each segment along Xianshuihe fault belt is reassessed, and contrasted with those predicted results ignoring coseismic Coulomb stress change, the significance of fault interaction and its effect on triggering and delaying of earthquake are emphasized. It is con-cluded that fault interaction plays a very important role on seismic potential of Xianshuihe fault belt, and the maximal change of future earthquake probability on fault segment is up to 30.5%.

Calculation of the CO2 Degassing during Contact Metamorphism and Its Geological Significance:The Model and Example from the Shuanshan Area of the South Tan-Lu Fault Belt

The paper studies CO2 degassing and controlling factors under the condition of contact metamorphism in the Shuangshan area, southern Tan-Lu fault belt and the method of calculating the amount of CO2 degassing. The results show that the amount of CO2 degassing is controlled by the characteristics of the country rocks, including the thermal conductivity, penetrability, porosity and connectivity. Compositions, size and depth of intrusive rock also have an important influence on CO2 degassing, i.e., they generated numerous cracks in the country rocks, and thus allowed the easy flow and accumulation of fluids. The amount of CO2 flux in contact metamorphism is calculated quantitatively based on the metamorphic reaction and time-integrated fluid flux. The value （0.729- 2.446×10^4 mol/cm^2） of CO2 flux suggests that CO2 was provided mainly by the contact metamorphic reaction. The generation and releasing of CO2 are positively correlated with the degree of metamorphism, and XCO2 in fluids gradually increases from dolomite zone to calcite zone, but in the zone of grossular, fluid flux is the largest and XCO2 sharply decreases due to involvement of magmatic water. This study presents evidence that a large amount of industrial-scale CO2 can be produced during contact metamorphism. On the basis of theoretical and practical studies, a cone model has been proposed to response CO2 degassing for the contact metamorphism, and it can be used to explore CO2 accumulations beyond the oil-gas basins. This model can also be applied to the study of inorganic genesis of CO2 accumulations.

A study on neogene volcanic landforms of the middle Tanlu fault belt

The west block of the middle belt of TanLu fault belt is one of the areas where volcanic landforms are mainly distributed. This paper divides the volcanic landforms into four grades according to formation, morphology, and ingredient of matter. Lava cones are divided into two types based on the force of top-support and the fluid form of magma: the arc-projecting type and spring-spilling type. Furthermore, the courses of development of volcanic landforms are divided into three stages according to the form and strength of volcanic activities.

Fault zone trapped waves at Longmenshan fault belt

Trapped waves in different sections of Longmenshan fault belt were observed, and the results show the difference between the northern and southern portions of this fault belt. Guanzhuang and Leigu surveying lines are located at the northern portion of the fault belt, and the result indicates that the width of the rupture zone underground in this area is about 160 - 180 m. The center position of rupture zone underground corresponds to the surface breaking trace, and is equally distributed at the edges of the two fault walls. However, Hongkou surveying line is located at the southern portion of the fault belt, and the result indicates that the width of the rupture zone underground in this area is about 180 -200 m. The rupture zone underground is mainly distributed below fault scarp. The Wenchuan MsS. 0 earthquake and Lushan Ms7.0 earthquake both occurred at the Longmenshan fault belt. The results will provide information for the structure background of the two violent earthquakes.

Geodetic constraints on contemporary three-dimensional crustal deformation in the Laji Shan—Jishi Shan tectonic belt

The Laji Shan—Jishi Shan tectonic belt(LJTB),located in the southern part of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(NETP),is a tectonic window to reveal regional tectonic deformation in the NETP.However,its kinematics in the Holocene remains controversial.We obtain the latest and dense horizontal velocity field based on data collected from our newly constructed and existing GNSS stations.Combined with fault kinematics from geologic observations,we analyze the crustal deformation characteristics along the LJTB.The results show that:(1)The Laji Shan fault(LJF)is inactive,and the northwest-oriented Jishi Shan fault(JSF)exhibits a significant dextral and thrust slip.(2)The transpression along the arc-shaped LJTB accommodates deformation transformation between the dextral Riyue Shan fault and the sinistral west Qinling fault.(3)With the continuous pushing of the Indian plate,internal strains in the Tibetan Plateau are continuously transferred in the northeast via the LJTB as they are gradually dissipated near the LJTB and translated into significant crustal uplift in these regions.

DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS AND ESR DATING OF ANHUA-XUPU FAULT BELT IN THE XUEFENG MOUNATAINS, HUNAN

Anhua-Xupu fault belt plays a very important role in the formation of Xuefeng Mountains. The fault belt shows an arc-structure extruding towards NW. Fault rocks, microstructures and homogeneous temperature (concentrated around 160°C) of fluid inclusions in the quartz veins shows that the fault belt mainly underwent shallow brittle deformation and the highest-grade dynamic metamorphic rock is mylonitized sericite phyllite. The ESR (Electron Spin Resonance) dating from the quartz veins in the fault rocks shows that the fault belt underwent two intense fluid movement stages at Yanshanian (156.9～136.2Ma, 119.8～90.6Ma); moreover not only the occurrence and microstructures but also the homogeneous temperature of the quartz veins developed in that two stages show obvious diversity,which can prove that there exists the reversion period of Mesozoic extension and compression movement of Xuefeng mountains between these two stages.

Cenozoic Denudation and Vertical Faulting History of the Central Segment of the Longmenshan Thrust Belt

Objective The uplift process and uplift mechanism of the Tibetan Plateau has been a research focus among geologists in recent years. This work put emphasis on the Cenozoic exhumation histories of the blocks bounded by the major faults at the central segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt, and the vertical faulting history, including the starting time and the total vertical displacement, of the major faults. Then we quantitatively established a complete active process for the central segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt, combining with the previous geophysical data in the deep and geologcial data. This study is critical for deeply and completely understanding the Cenozoic uplift history of the Longmenshan, and also provides thermochronology constraints to the different models for the uplift of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.