Geology of the Copper Mineralization in Proterozoic Ajabgarh Meta-Sediments of, Dokan-Dariba Belt, Sikar District Rajasthan Northwestern India

The Khetri copper belt is a well-known metallotect in northern part of Delhi fold belt in Rajasthan. On the eastern margin of the Khetri sub basin of North Delhi basin separated by a basement high, another sub basin Alwar-Ajabgarh sub basin exposes that a thick sequence of Ajabgarh group of rocks overlies a thick arenaceous sequence of Alwar group of Delhi Super Group of rocks. The Ajabgarh meta sediments here in the Neem Ka thana area are characterized by presence of Bornite dominated copper mineralization with silver association and minor presence of Pb. The mineralization has been described by various workers as strata-bound, hypogene and IOCG. But these inferences are based on part information and the inference drawn is sectorial in nature. The current study includes a holistic study based on exploration over a period of more than two decades and the data generated suggest thereof, that this syngenetic sulphide mineralization associated with the sedimentation of marl and carbonate rocks. Subsequently it has been relocated during 2nd deformation accompanied by epigenetic component of mineralization depicted in terms of vein filled coarse grained aggregates of bornite and chalcopyrite disposed across the general disposition of litho-package. The EPMA and fluid inclusion data generated from the area indicate association of typical hydrothermal environment minerals like, Perkrite, Wittchenite, Aguilarite, Molybdnite etc. The mineralizing fluids have been trapped between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 375°C with average being 250°C to 300°C. The fluid salinity also varies from near pure hot water to moderately saline fluid indicative of multi-episodic mineralization of syngenetic nature coupled with epigenetic component. The ore textures indicate 500°C temperature range;certain intergrowths of minerals like specular hematite and bornite suggest the occurrence of hypogene environment induced due to emplacement of granite/pegmatite on the eastern and southern margins of the belt. The strata bound nature suggests the euxogenic environment facilitated by carbonate facies of rocks. The parallelism of sulphide with the rock fabric was attained during first deformation and the epigenetic component coupled with the hypogene assemblage was deposited during the D2 deformation in the brittle ductile shear zones and limb shears, between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 570°C as deduced from petrochemical data. Hence a comprehensive model is suggested here on evolution of process of mineralization in the Neem Ka Thana belt.

Molar-tooth Carbonate Sequences and Sr Isotopes in the Neoproterozoic for Stratigraphic Correlation: Research in the Jilin-Liaoning-Xuzhou-Huaiyang Area of the Sino-Korean Plate and Its Correlation with the Yangtze Plate

Based on a study of Neoproterozoic carbonates in the Jilin-Liaoning-Xuzhou-Huaiyang area, especially its cyclic sequence stratigraphy and Sr isotopes, two maximum sea flooding events (at 820 Ma and 835 Ma) have been identified. The resulting isochronous stratigraphic correlation proves that these Precambrian strata were connected between the Qingbaikou and the Nanhuan systems with a time range from 750 Ma to 850 Ma. The disappearance of microsparite carbonate and coming of a glacial stage offer important evidence for worldwide stratigraphic correlation and open a window for further correlation of the stratigraphic successions across the Sino-Korean and Yangtze Plates. A new correlation scheme is therefore provided based on our work.

Minerogenic System of Magnesian Nonmetallic Deposits in Early Proterozoic Mg-rich Carbonate Formations in Eastern Liaoning Province

In the early Proterozoic the Li'eryu Formation and Dashiqiao Formation of eastern Liaoning province, China, there are distributed Mg-rich carbonate rock formations, in which large to superlarge deposits of boron, magnesite, talc, Xiuyan jade etc. occur. The formation of these magnesian nonmetallic deposits was related to early Proterozoic evaporates; then these deposits underwent reworking of regional metamorphism and hydrothermal metasomatism during the Lüliang orogeny and tectono-magmatism during the Indosinian-Yanshanian. Among other things, the Mg-rich carbonates formations, minerogenetic structures and ore-forming fluids played a controlling role in the formation of the mineral deposits. Therefore, it can be concluded that the mineral deposits are products of combined processes of the coupling of ore source field, fluid field, thermal field (energy field) and stress field under certain time-space conditions in the early Proterozoic and the late-stage superimposed reworking of tectono-magmatism.

Sequence Stratigraphy of Upper Proterozoic Glacigenous Rocks in Southeastern Margin of Yangtze Platform

The Upper Proterozoic glacigenous rocks in the southeastern margin of the Yangtze platform were accumulated in a glacially influenced marine environment with extension set- ting. Two type I depositional sequences have been identified in the glacioclastic sediments the their boundaries enhanced by both tectonism and the incision of glaciation. The lower sequence (SQ1), comprising Changan and Fulu formations (Guangxi Province), Jiangkou and Xiangmen formations(Hunan Province) and their equivalents, is bounded by erosional unconformities both at the base and on the top. The upper sequence (SQ2), composed mainly of Nantuo Formation and its equivalents, is confined by an erosional unconformity at the base and covered by an exposure surface of karstification on the top. The depositional systems tracts are difficult to be distinguished directly and mainly characterized by the variation in glacioclastic supplies. Two types of episodic parasequeuces can be identified in the glacigenous rocks and are related to the evolution of depositional systems tracts. Both the sequences and parasequences are caused by autocyclic mechanism. The present research shows that the Upper Proterozoic glacigenous deposits are of significance for the analysis of the tectonic evolution of the Late Precambrian basin in South China.

Geochemistry and detrital zircon records of the Ruyang-Luoyu groups,southern North China Craton:Provenance,crustal evolution and Paleo-Mesoproterozoic tectonic implications

Paleo-to Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the southern margin of the North China Craton(NCC)are represented by the Ruyang and Luoyu groups.We studied the sedimentary rocks from the Yunmengshan and Beidajian formations of the Ruyang Group and the Cuizhuang and Sanjiaotang formations of the Luoyu Group.Detrital zircon grains from these formations have U–Pb age populations of 3.64–3.31 Ga,2.96–2.86 Ga,2.72–2.59 Ga,2.56–2.47 Ga,2.45–2.0 Ga,1.99–1.85 Ga and 1.84–1.65 Ga.The geochemical features of the sedimentary rocks suggest that some of the sediments were sourced from intermediate to felsic magmatic rocks.The age groups of the detrital zircon are roughly consistent with the tectono-thermal events in the southern margin of the NCC.The Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircon from the sedimentary rocks in Ruyang and Luoyu groups suggest that significant crustal growth and reworking of the NCC took place during the Neoarchean and early-to mid-Paleoproterozoic,while crustal reworking at the Paleoarchean and late-Paleoproterozoic,and crustal growth at the Mesoarchean.We suggest the depositional times of the Ruyang Group and Luoyu Group are constrained to no older than 1.75–1.7 Ga and 1.7–1.65 Ga,respectively.Formation of late-Paleoproterozoic basins related to the strike slip and extrusion tectonics that cross-cut the NCC during the late Paleoproterozoic(<1.75 Ga),and the late Paleoproterozoic sedimentation once isochronous developed in the southern margin of the NCC through the Taihang region of the interior NCC and linked the Yanshan–Liaoxi regions of the northern NCC.

Strongly seasonal Proterozoic glacial climate in low palaeolatitudes:Radically different climate system on the pre-Ediacaran Earth

Proterozoic （pre-Ediacaran） glaciations occurred under strongly seasonal climates near sea level in low palaeolatitudes. Metre-scale primary sand wedges in Cryogenian periglacial deposits are identical to those actively forming, through the infilling of seasonal （winter） thermal contraction-cracks in perma- frost by windblown sand, in present-day polar regions with a mean monthly air temperature range of 40 ~C and mean annual air temperatures of -20 ~C or lower. Varve-like rhythmites with dropstones in Proterozoic glacial successions are consistent with an active seasonal freeze-thaw cycle. The seasonal （annual） oscillation of sea level recorded by tidal rhythmites in Cryogenian glacial successions indicates a significant seasonal cycle and extensive open seas. Palaeomagnetic data determined directly for Prote- rozoic glacial deposits and closely associated rocks indicate low palaeolatitudes： Cryogenian deposits in South Australia accumulated at 〈10% most other Cryogenian deposits at 〈20~ and Palaeoproterozoic deposits at 〈15~ palaeolatitude. Palaeomagnetic data imply that the Proterozoic geomagnetic field approximated a geocentric axial dipole, hence palaeolatitudes represent geographic latitudes. The Cry- ogenian glacial environment included glacier-flee, continental permafrost regions with ground frozen on a kyr time-scale, aeolian sand-sheets, extensive and long-lived open seas, and an active hydrological cycle. This palaeoenvironment confiicts with the ＇snowball Earth＇ and ＇slushball Earth＇ hypotheses, which cannot accommodate large seasonal changes of temperature near the equator. Consequently, their proponents have attempted to refute the evidence for strong seasonality by introducing Popperian ＇auxiliary assumptions＇. However, non-actualistic arguments that the Cryogenian sand wedges indicate diurnal or weakly seasonal temperature changes are based on misunderstandings of periglacial pro- cesses. Modelling of a strongly seasonal climate for a frozen-over Earth is invalidated by the evidence for persistent open seas and glacier-free continental regions during Cryogenian glaciations, and gives a mean monthly air temperature range of only 〈10 ~C for 〈10~ latitude. By contrast, a strongly seasonal climate in low palaeolatitudes, based on the actualistic interpretation of cryogenic sand wedges and other structures, is consistent with a high obliquity of the ecliptic （〉54°） during Proterozoic low-latitude glaciations, whereby the equator would be cooler than the poles, on average, and global seasonality would be greatly amplified.

Geochemistry and geodynamic significance of the rare-earth mineralized Paleoproterozoic Longwangzhuang granite on the southern margin of the North China Craton

The Longwangzhuang granite pluton occurs on the southern margin of the North China Craton and consists mainly of biotite syenogranite with aegirine granite being locally distributed.The granites are characterized by high silicon and alkaline contents(SiO2=72.17%-76.82%,K2O+Na2O=8.28%-10.22%,K2O/Na2O>>1),AI(agpaitic index) =0.84-0.95,DI=95-97,ASI(aluminum saturation index)=0.96-1.13,and very high Fe* number(FeO*/(FeO*+Mg)=0.90-0.99),thus the granites are assigned to the metaluminous to weakly peraluminous,alkalic to calc-alkalic ferroan A-type granites.The granites are rich in large ion lithophile elements(LILE),especially high in REE concentrations(REE+Y=854×10-6-1572×10-6);whereas the enrichment of high strength field elements(Nb,Ta,Zr,Hf) is obviously less than that of LILEs,exhibiting mild depletions on trace element spider plots;and the rocks are significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,Ti,and Pb.The low εNd(t) values(-4.5--7.2) and high model ages(2.3-2.5 Ga) of the granites as well as the low εHf(t) values(-1.11--5.26) and high Hf model ages(THf1= 2.1-2.3 Ga,THf2=2.4-2.6 Ga) of zircons from the biotite syenogranite suggest that the granites were probably derived from an enriched mantle source.The zircons from the biotite syenogranite are mainly colorless transparent crystals exhibiting well-developed oscillatory zoning on the cathodoluminescence images with a LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb age of 1602.1±6.6 Ma(MSWD=0.48).Petrochemical,trace elements,as well as Nd and Hf isotopic compositions of the rocks demonstrate that the granites were formed in a within-plate extensional tectonic regime possibly related to the breakup of the Columbia supercontinent.The granites were most likely formed through extreme fractional crystallization of alkali basaltic magma resulted from partial melting of the mantle,which was fertilized by recycling crustal rocks triggered by the delamination of lithospheric mantle and lower crust following the ～1.8 Ga collision and amalgamation of the North China Craton which is part of the Columbia supercontinent.However,contamination of neo-Archean to Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks during the ascent and emplacement of the magma could not be excluded.Being the youngest known anorogenic magmatism on the southern margin of the North China Craton related to Columbia breakup,it might represent the break off of the North China Craton from Columbia supercontinent at the end of Paleoproterozoic.

A Study of Mesoproterozoic Iron Cosmic Micro-spherules from 1.8 Ga and 1.6 Ga Old Strata in the Ming Tombs District,Beijing

Numerous iron cosmic micro-spherules have been discovered from Mesoproterozoic strata including the Changzhougou Formation （1.8 Ga） and the Dahongyu Formation （1.6 Ga） of the Ming Tombs district, Beijing. There are 1 to 30 grains of cosmic spherules per 2 kg of a sandstone sample taken from the bottom of a coarse sandstone bed of the Changzhougou Formation and 56 grains per 3.69 kg of a rock sample from silicified carbonate rocks of the Dahongyu Formation. The surface textures of cosmic spherules analyzed by means of the secondary electron imagery are identical with those reported from references either domestic or abroad. So far the geo-ages of 1.8 Ga and 1.6 Ga of cosmic spherules from the Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations might be older than those reported in the world. Table 1 gives the electron probe analysis data of cosmic spherules for 30 spherule grains and 44 testing points as follows （%）： FeO, 80-95; Cr2O3; 0-9.56; NiO, 0-0.78; CoO, 0-0.46; indicating that the Cr2O3 content is higher and FeO content lower in the Changzhougou Formation than in the Dahongyu Formation. The helium isotopic data of cosmic spherules as well as their host rocks vary greatly between the Changzhougou and the Dahongyu formations as shown in Table 2. The data of cosmic spherules of the Changzhougou Formation vs the Dahongyu Formation are 57.5/1.23 in ^3He/^4He （10^-8）; and 55.54/809.60 in ^4He （10^-6cm^3STP/g）; those of coarse sandstone of the Changzhougou Formation vs silicified carbonate of the Dahongyu Formation are 3.39/2.59 in ^3He/^4He （10^-8） and 4.56/2.34 in ^3He （10^-6cm^3STP/g）. The ratio of analytic data of helium isotopes are different for cosmic spherules and their host rocks; for example, the ^3He/^4He （10^-8） values are 16.96 and 0.48, and the ^4He （10^-6 cm^3STP/g） are 12.18 and 345.98 for the Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations respectively. It was reported that the world＇s oldest micrometeorites had been found in the Meso-Proterozoic Satakunta Formation, Finland. However, the cosmic spherules from the Meso-Proterozoic Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations are 200 to 400 Ma older than those from the Satakunta Formation. Besides, one carbonaceous chondrite grain was discovered for the first time as the earliest remain formed in the solar nebula from the Dahongyu Formation.

Formation and distribution characteristics of Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic marine giant oil and gas fields worldwide

There are rich oil and gas resources in marine carbonate strata worldwide.Although most of the oil and gas reserves discovered so far are mainly distributed in Mesozoic,Cenozoic,and upper Paleozoic strata,oil and gas exploration in the Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic（PLP）strata—the oldest marine strata—has been very limited.To more clearly understand the oil and gas formation conditions and distributions in the PLP marine carbonate strata,we analyzed and characterized the petroleum geological conditions,oil and gas reservoir types,and their distributions in thirteen giant oil and gas fields worldwide.This study reveals the main factors controlling their formation and distribution.Our analyses show that the source rocks for these giant oil and gas fields are mainly shale with a great abundance of type I–II organic matter and a high thermal evolution extent.The reservoirs are mainly gas reservoirs,and the reservoir rocks are dominated by dolomite.The reservoir types are mainly karst and reef–shoal bodies with well-developed dissolved pores and cavities,intercrystalline pores,and fractures.These reservoirs arehighly heterogeneous.The burial depth of the reservoirs is highly variable and somewhat negatively correlated to the porosity.The cap rocks are mainly thick evaporites and shales,with the thickness of the cap rocks positively correlated to the oil and gas reserves.The development of high-quality evaporite cap rock is highly favorable for oil and gas preservation.We identified four hydrocarbon generation models,and that the major source rocks have undergone a long period of burial and thermal evolution and are characterized by early and long periods of hydrocarbon generation.These giant oil and gas fields have diverse types of reservoirs and are mainly distributed in paleo-uplifts,slope zones,and platform margin reef-shoal bodies.The main factors that control their formation and distribution were identified,enabling the prediction of new favorable areas for oil and gas exploration.

Low-Pressure Metamorphism of Granulite Facies in an Early Proterozoic Orogenic Event in Central Inner Mongolia

According to the kinds of feldspar and rock associations in the Ai-rich gneisses, the low-pressure metamorphic crust of the Early Proterozoic granulite facies in central Inner Mongolia can be divided into southern and northern belts which are composed of six rock associations. They represent the relevant rock sequences of the layered metamorphic rock series formed under specific metamorphic temperature and pressure conditions as well as tectonic environments. Mineral inclusions and reaction texture have recorded that the medium-temperature high-pressure mineral assemblages are replaced by the high-temperature low-pressure mineral assemblages, thus, giving rise to: garnet+quartz→ hypersthene+plagioclase; kyanite→sillimanite and garnet+kyanite/sillimanite+quartz→cordierite. The deformation fabrics of the rocks, the change of mineral assemblages and the PTt path of metamorphism indicate that the contempranceous high-temperature normal-slip ductile shearing is the main cause of the formation of the low-pressure metamorphic crust of granulite facies. In the orogenic event, the co-action of thrusting and extension resulted in the change of a medium-temperature high-pressure metamorphic environment into the high-temperature low-pressure metamorphic conditions.

Discovery of a new Proterozoic paleo-reservoir and its oil source in the Jianchang Sag,Yanliao Faulted-Depression Zone,North China

The discovery of many Proterozoic primary oil and gas reservoirs around the world testifies that the Meso-Neoproterozoic petroleum is an energy resources realm worthy of attention.This paper firstly reports the occurrence of hydrocarbon accumulations in the Neoproterozoic Luotuoling Formation in the Jianchang Sag,the Yanliao Faulted-Depression Zone.Petrography observation shows that the lower sandstone member of the Luotuoling Formation contains yellow fluorescent liquid hydrocarbons,while the upper sandstone member is rich in solid bitumen.Further analysis of the biomarkers and isotopic compositions reveals that the upper and lower reservoirs have different oil sources.The bitumen in the lower reservoir is rich in C_(19)-C_(20)tricyclic terpanes(TTs),13α(n-alkyl)-tricyclic terpanes and rearranged hopanes,but lacks gammacerane and steranes and depletes ^(13)C isotope(-33.4‰to-30.6‰).This is consistent with the properties of the Hongshuizhuang Formation source rocks.The upper reservoir bitumen has C_(23)TT as the major peak among C_(19)-C_(23)TTs,lacks 13α(n-alkyl)-tricyclic terpanes,has a low abundance of rearranged hopanes,obvious distribution of gammacerane and steranes,and depletion of the^(13)C isotope;essentially the same as the Gaoyuzhuang Formation source rocks.The discovery of oil seepage in the Luotuoling Formation of the Han-1 well is a promising indicator of the Precambrian oil and gas exploration potential of the Jianchang Sag.

A New Progress of the Proterozoic Chronostratigraphical Division

The Precambrian, an informal chronostratigraphical unit, represents the period of Earth history from the start of the Cambrian at ca. 541 Ma back to the formation of the planet at 4567 Ma. It was originally conceptualized as a ＂Cryptozoic Eon＂ that was contrasted with the Phanerozoic Eon from the Cambrian to the Quaternary, which is now known as the Precambrian and can be subdivided into three eons, i.e., the Hadean, the Archean and the Proterozoic. The Precambrian is currently divided chronometrically into convenient boundaries, including for the establishment of the Proterozoic periods that were chosen to reflect large-scale tectonic or sedimentary features （except for the Ediacaran Period）. This chronometric arrangement might represent the second progress on the study of chronostratigraphy of the Precambrian after its separation from the Phanerozoic. Upon further study of the evolutionary history of the Precambrian Earth, applying new geodynamic and geobiological knowledge and information, a revised division of Precambrian time has led to the third conceptual progress on the study of Precambrian chronostratigraphy. In the current scheme, the Proterozoic Eon began at 2500 Ma, which is the approximate time by which most granite-greenstone crust had formed, and can be subdivided into ten periods of typically 200 Ma duration grouped into three eras （except for the Ediacaran Period）. Within this current scheme, the Ediacaran Period was ratified in 2004, the first period-level addition to the geologic time scale in more than a century, an important advancement in stratigraphy. There are two main problems in the current scheme of Proterozoic chrouostratigraphical division： （1） the definition of the Archean-Proterozoic boundary at 2500 Ma, which does not reflect a unique time of synchronous global change in tectonic style and does not correspond with a major change in lithology; （2） the round number subdivision of the Proterozoic into several periods based on broad orogenic characteristics, which has not met with requests on the concept of modern stratigraphy, except for the Ediacaran Period. In the revised chronostratigraphic scheme for the Proterozoic, the Archean-Proterozoic boundary is placed at the major change from a reducing early Earth to a cooler, more modern Earth characterized by the supercontinent cycle, a major change that occurred at ca. 2420 Ma. Thus, a revised Proterozoic Eon （2420-542 Ma） is envisaged to extend from the Archean-Proterozoic boundary at ca. 2420 Ma to the end of the Ediacaran Period, i.e., a period marked by the progressive rise in atmospheric oxygen, supercontinent cyclicity, and the evolution of more complex （eukaryotic） fife. As with the current Proterozoic Eon, a revised Proterozoic Eon based on chronostratigraphy is envisaged to consist of three eras （Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic）, but the boundary ages for these divisions differ from their current ages and their subdivisions into periods would also differ from current practice. A scheme is proposed for the chronostratigraphic division of the Proterozoic, based principally on geodynamic and geobiological events and their expressions in the stratigraphic record. Importantly, this revision of the Proterozoic time scale will be of significant benefit to the community as a whole and will help to drive new research that will unveil new information about the history of our planet, since the Proterozoic is a significant connecting link between the preceding Precambrian and the following Phanerozoic.

Tectonic Development of the Proterozoic Continental Margins in East Qinling and Adjacent Regions

The East Qinling and adjacent cratonic regions belong to two geotectonic units, the Sinokorean Subdomain including the Sinokorean Platform and its southern continental margin the North Qinling Belt, and the Yangtzean Subdomain comprising the Yangtze Platform and its northern continental margin the South Qinling Belt .The Qinling region may thus be subdivided into two continental margin belts separated from each other by the Proterozoic Qinling marine realm , which did not disappear until Late Triassic . The convergent crustal consumption zone ,the megasuture between the two belts ,lies between the Fengxian Shangnan line in the north and the Shanyang Xijia line in the south and was much deformed and displaced through Mesozoic intracratonic collision and compression.In the northern subdomain the Lower Proterozoic is represented by protoaulacogen volcano-sediments , the inner Tiedonggou Group and the outer marginal Qinling Group , which were folded and metamorphosed in the Luliangian orogeny ,a general process of aggregation and stabilization of the Early Proterozoic mobile belts between and around the Archaean nuclei. Genuine aulacogen occurred in the Middle Proterozoic and was represented by the Xionger rift volcanics . The Middle and Upper Proterozoic comprise the inner Guandaokou shelf sediments and the outer extensional' back- arc' Kuanping Group behind the Qinling island chain . Oceanic subduction from the south of the Qinling arc representing the Jinningian orogeny caused the folding of the Mid dle and Upper Proterozoic and emplacement of island arc-continent collision type of granite . After the Jinningian orogeny Late Sinian glacigene deposits formed the platform cover and the Erlangping back arc basin began to develop on the northern slope of the Qinling arc .In South Qinling the Lower Proterozoic Tongbe Group was probably an original marginal part of the Yangtze Platform . The passive margin began rifting in Middle Proterozoic with the formation of the inner Shennongjia aulacogen and the outer marginal Wudang aulacogen. Deformation of the Wudang and Douling groups indicating Jinningian Movement seemed to have been caused by a southward compression of the Tongbe Massif. Resumed rifting in the Sinian evidenced by the sedimentary facies pattern caused the northward separation of the Douling Massif, which formed part of the Fuping-Zhenan island chain , the northern boundary of the South Qinling Belt. In the western part of South Qinling , in the Hanzhong region , the Middle and Upper Proterozoic are represented by the Huodiya shelf sediments and the Xixiang marginal volcano sedimentaries , The Jinningian orogeny is well represented by the deformed Xixiang Group and the subduction pattern of magmatism from north to south in the Beiba area . It seems that the genuine arc-basin system in the continental margin and the aulacogen in the inner part of the platform began in the Middle Proterozoic (1800 Ma), which marks the beginning of a new tectonic megastage in lithosphere evolution.

DISCUSSION ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WESTERN MARGIN OF YANGTZE BLOCK AND SOUTHWESTERN SANJIANG REGION IN PROTEROZOIC

The western margin of Yangtze block and southwestern Sanjiang region absorbed much attention from geologists. It has been proved that there occurred a series of plate subduction, collision, assembly, rifting and breakup processes between them since Palaeozoic and the tectonic evolutionary relationship between them is clear. But in Proterozoic this kind of links between them became unclear. Did they undergo the assembly and breakup processes of the Rodinia super continent? This paper will take a primary discussion on this question on the basis of basement component, structure characteristics and magmatic activities.1\ Basement features\;(1) In western margin of Yangtze block its basement is composed of crystalline basement and folded basement, a so\|called double\|layer structure. The crystalline basement is made up of Kangding group, Pudeng Formation and Dibadu Formation, among them Kangding group is a representative and composed mainly of migmatite, compositing gneiss, hornblende schist and granulitite. The isotopic age of crystalline basement is older than 1900Ma, so its geological time is late Archaean to early Proterozoic. The folded basement is composed of Dahongshan group, Hekou group, Kunyang group, Huili group and Yanbian group. Their rock associations are made up mainly of spilite\|keratophyre formation, carbonate formation, clastic rock and clastic rock formation with some basic volcanic rocks. The folded basement is assigned to be early and middle Proterozoic (1000～1700M a).

Petroleum geological conditions and exploration importance of Proterozoic to Cambrian in China

The discovery of the giant Anyue gas field in Sichuan Basin gives petroleum explorers confidence to find oil and gas in Proterozoic to Cambrian.Based on the reconstruction of tectonic setting and the analysis of major geological events in Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic,the petroleum geological conditions of Proterozoic to Cambrian are discussed in this paper from three aspects,i.e.source rocks,reservoir conditions,and the type and efficiency of play.It is found that lower organisms boomed in the interglacial epoch from Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic to Eopaleozoic when the organic matters concentrated and high quality source rocks formed.Sinian-Cambrian microbial rock and grain-stone banks overlapped with multiple-period constructive digenesis may form large-scale reservoir rocks.However,because of the anoxic event and weak weathering effect in Eopaleozoic-Mesoproterozoic,the reservoirs are generally poor in quality,and only the reservoirs that suffered weathering and leaching may have the opportunity to form dissolution-reconstructed reservoirs.There are large rifts formed during Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic in Huabei Craton,Yangtze Craton,and Tarim Craton in China,and definitely source rocks in the rifts,while whether there are favorite source-reservoir plays depends on circumstance.The existence of Sinian-Cambrian effective play has been proved in Upper Yangtze area.The effectiveness of source-reservoir plays in Huabei area depends on two factors:(1)the effectiveness of secondary play formed by Proterozoic source rock and Paleozoic,Mesozoic,Cenozoic reservoir rocks;(2)the matching between reservoirs formed by reconstruction from Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic to Eopaleozoic and the inner hydrocarbon kitchens with late hydrocarbon generation.As for Tarim Basin,the time of Proterozoic and the original basin should be analyzed before the evaluation of the effective play.To sum up,Proterozoic to Cambrian in the three craton basins in China is a potential exploration formation,which deserves further investigation and research.

Calcite twinning strain variations across the Proterozoic Grenville orogen and Keweenaw-Kapuskasing inverted foreland,USA and Canada

We report the calcite twinning strain results of a traverse across the Grenville orogen from Parry Sound,Ontario(NW)to Ft.Ann,New York(SE),including the younger,adjacent Ordovician Taconic allochthon.Fifty four carbonates(marbles,calcite veins,Ordovician limestone)were collected resulting in 68 strain analyses on mechanically twinned calcite(n=2337 grains)across the Central Gneiss Belt(CGB;3 samples),the Central Metasedimentary Belt(CMB;27 samples),the Central Granulite Terrane(CGT;Adirondack's;13 samples)and the Ottawan Orogenic Lid(OOL;11 samples).Twinning strains in the greenschist-grade OOL marbles preserve N-S shortening and U-Pb titanite ages(~1150 Ma;n=4)document these marbles formed during the Shawinigan(1190-1140 Ma)part of the Grenville orogen.From northwest to southeast,the Ottawan(1095-1020 Ma)twinning strain is dominantly a layerparallel shortening fabric oriented N-S(Parry Sound),then becomes parallel to the Grenville thrust direction(NW-SE)across the CMB to the Adirondack Highlands where the sub-horizontal shortening strain becomes margin-parallel(SW-NE).Within the regional sample suite there are two areas studied in detail,the Bancroft shear zone(n=11)and a roadcut on the southeast side of the Adirondack Mountains(Ft.Ann,NY;n=8).Marbles from the Bancroft shear zone contain calcite grains with 2 sets of twin lamellae(e_1 and e_2).The better-developed e_1 sets(n=406)record a horizontal fabric oriented NW-SE whereas the younger e_2 lamellae(n=146)preserve a margin-parallel(SW-NE)horizontal fabric.Both the e_1 and e_2 strains record an overprint vertical shortening strain(NEV),perhaps related to extensional orogenic collapse.We also report an Ottawan orogen-aged granoblastic mylonite(1093 Ma,U-Pb zircon;1102 Ma Ar-Ar biotite)in the Keweenaw thrust hanging wall 500 km inboard of the Grenville front and interpret the relations of Grenville-Keweenaw far-field dynamics.

Forming Proterozoic basement within eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Evidence from zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes

As part of the mosaic of micro-continents within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB), the Xing’anAirgin Sum Block(XAB) features increasingly-recognized Meso-Neoproterozoic geological records. However, the origin, temporal-spatial distribution of ancient materials, and their roles in crust evolution remain to debate. This paper presents an integrated study of zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes for Mesoproterozoic and Paleozoic granites from the Erenhot region of central Inner Mongolia, along eastern CAOB. The intrusion of 1450 Ma syenogranite denotes that the Precambrian basement of XAB extends from Sonid Zuoqi westward to Erenhot. The 384 and 281 Ma monzogranites containing Mesoproterozoic xenocrystic zircons possess Proterozoic-dominant two-stage Hf model ages, further suggesting the wide existence of Proterozoic crust beneath western XAB. Cyclic Proterozoic crustal growth and reworking seem to show close linkages with the orogenesis during relevant supercontinent cycles. 1450-1360 Ma juvenile crustal growth at Erenhot and synchronous ancient crust reworking at Sonid Zuoqi and Abagaqi were likely resulted from retreating subduction involved in Columbia breakup, while 1.2-1.0 Ga reworking and 0.9-0.7 Ga growth events within the Erenhot basement might respond to assembly and breakup of Rodinia, respectively. Besides, our work confirms that reworking of Neoproterozoic crust played important roles during Paleozoic multi-stage accretion of CAOB.

Behavioral Diversity and Complexity Indicated by Metazoan Traces at a Topological Level since Proterozoic

On the basis of topological criteria, metazoan traces can be classified as four ichnoorders (clusters) and twenty two ichnofamilies (kinds), which consist of nine basic and three combined topological configurations. At a topological level, the behavioral diversity and complexity indicated by metazoan traces have remained quite stable since the Early Cambrian. Dramatic changes of these traits took place in the Neoproterozoic, in which 75% (12/16) of the topoichnotaxa and all nine basic topological configurations of metazoan traces occurred, but the most complex and highest level topological configuration occurred in the Early Cambrian of the coelomate animal explosive evolution, showing that in the Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian gestated not only the Ediacarian fauna and all the basic types of multi cellular animals known today, but also all the basic and the most complex metazoan traces through geological time.

High-Field-Strength Elements in Mafic Volcanics from North China Craton: Implications for Archean-Proterozoic Boundary and Source Composition

Archean to Cenozoic mafic volcanic rocks from the North China craton are studied. They show Archean Proterozoic (Ar Pt) boundary and geochemical anomalies in Cenozoic basalts. Proterozoic mafic volcanics are enriched in most of the high field strength elements (HFSE) compared with Archean ones. Nb, Ta and Th show a distinct sequence of incompatibility in Archean and Proterozoic. The Cenozoic basalts are enriched in HFSE and Ni and their REEs are strongly differentiated with positive Eu anomalies ( δ (Eu)=1.14). The Ar Pt boundary could be related to change in oxygen fugacity and requires an increasing importance of enriched mantle source. The geochemistry of Cenozoic basalts implies a mantle source similar to OIB. Residuum from subducting partial melting of old basaltic oceanic crust and continental crust is likely to contribute to the formation of the enriched mantle.

Tectonic Dynamic Metallization of Silver-GoldHydrothermal Fluids in Proterozoic GneissTerrene Shear Zones, Suichang, Zhejiang, China

The Suichang mine is the largest silicified vein-type silver-gold mineralization system in Southeast China, whose ore bodies are controlled by shear zones developing in Lower Proterozoic gneiss terrene with initial migmatization, which is covered by Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous volcanic rock system and cut by acidic igneous veins of Jurassic and Cretaceous. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The ore-forming fluid is defined as superhigh tectonic-metamorphic fluid on the base of : 1 (D)-(18O) values 2 fluid inclusions;3 trace elements of pyrite from ores. (2) The shear zone silicified orebod-ies occurred in proterozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous, which have been transforms in part by ore-bearing comb quartz vein of volcanism.