Episodic Carbonate Deposits on the Triassic Continental Slope in Southern China

Abstract Episodic carbonate deposits on the Triassic continental slope in southern China are mainly composed of gravity-flow limestones and contourite limestones. Gravity-flow limestones were well developed in the lower and middle Yangtze area in the Early Triassic and in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi area in the Early and Middle Triassic. Five fundamental types of gravity-flow limestones are recognized: slide limestone, debris-flow limestone, grain-flow limestone, turbidite limestone and rockfall limestone. They form six types of assemblage beds: slide-debris-flow limestones, slide-debris-flow-turbidite limestone, slide-debris-flow-grain-flow-turbidite limestone, rockfall-debris-flow limestone, debris-flow-turbidite limestone, and debris-flow-grain-flow-turbidite limestone. The first two were formed mainly in the Early Triassic slopes. The Middle Triassic slopes were characterized by widespread rockfall limestone. Growth faults, storms, earthquakes and oversteepened slopes are considered to be the probable triggers of the gravity flows.

Massive Sulphide Deposits Related to the Volcano-Passive Continental Margin in the Altay Region

The Devonian volcano-passive continental margin in southern Altay is a significant volcanogenic massive sulphide metallogenic belt. Acidic volcanism has been dominant on the inner side of the volcano-passive continental margin, i.e., near the old land, resulting in a Pb-Zn metallogenic sub-belt, in which the ore deposits are hosted by sedimentary rocks in volcanic series, as represented by the large Koktal Pb-Zn deposits. In the central part of the margin far away from the old land, bimodal volcanic formations are well developed, forming volcanics-hosted Cu-Zn metallogenic sub-belts, e.g., the large-scale Ashele Cu-Zn deposit. The Qiaoxiahala sub-belt on the outer side of the margin near the ocean ridge is located at the spreading central trough, where ophiolite suites are developed. This type of deposits is rich in gold and copper, similar to the Cyprus-type Fe-Cu-Au metallogenic sub-belt in metallogenic environment (represented by the Qiaoxiahala medium-scale Fe-Cu-Au deposit). From the old land to the ocean, the mineralizing age becomes younger, i.e., from Early Devonian→Early and Middle Devonian→Middle Devonian, forming a complete metallogenic zoning series on the volcano-passive continental margin. Comparative studies show that the massive sulphide deposits distributed on the volcano-passive continental margin are different from those formed under a plate subduction regime and oceanic ridge environment; the former have their unique features and wide distributions, representing a new type of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits—the Altay type.

Distribution characteristics and paleo-climatic significance of continental climate-sensitive sediments in the Late Cretaceous in China

The Cretaceous is a typical period for studying the greenhouse climate and the earth system interactions, and the world’s most extensive terrestrial strata are mainly in East Asia, especially in China. Continental sediments can effectively reflect the paleo-climate change, but the previous studies of the Late Cretaceous paleo-climate, based on the combined characteristics of continental climate-sensitive sediments, were barely found in China. To obtain the Late Cretaceous paleo-climate characteristics of China, the distribution characteristics of different continental climate-sensitive sediment types in the early, middle and Late Cretaceous in China were studied in detail. According to the distribution and combination characteristics and types of continental climate-sensitive sediments, seven climate types can be divided: 1) warm-humid and warm-dry climate;2) hot and dry climate;3) hot-dry and arid climate;4) hot-dry and semiarid climate;5) hot-dry and hot-wet climate;6) hot-dry and warm-humid climate;7) hot-dry and warm-dry climate. The results show that in the early Late Cretaceous, the hot and dry climate was the most widespread, followed by warm-humid and warm-dry climate, but the climate was drier than the paleo-climate of the previous study of Early Cretaceous. Hot and dry climate zone became wider in the Coniacian and Maastrichtian;furthermore, it covered Xinjiang to the east of China from east to west after the Santonian Period. The hot-dry and semiarid climate zone was nearly latitudinally distributed from the northwest to the southeast and it shows a further increase in aridification. Global geological events, paleogeographic features and regional tectonic evolution had significant impacts on the paleoclimate of China in the Late Cretaceous, such as global eruptive events of volcanoes led to the temperature increase in China in the early Late Cretaceous;coastal mountain ranges in southeastern China led to the drying of the Late Cretaceous climate in southern China;Xuefeng Mountains, Wuling Mountains, Nanling Mountains and Tai-hang Mountains were the dividing line between the hot and dry climate zone and hot-dry and arid climate zone in the early Late Cretaceous, and Altun Mountains were the dividing line between the southeastern section of the hot and dry climate zone in western China in the middle Late Cretaceous.

Assessment of Prospecting Potentiality for Superlarge Continental Volcanic Rock-Type Uranium Deposits in China

The superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits, which were discovered abroad long ago, have not yet been reported up to now in China. This is an important problem that needs to be urgently solved by uranium geologists at present. In this paper, on the basis of analyzing the metallogenic settings and geological conditions of the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits discovered in the world along with the metallogenic characteristics of those of the same type in China, the space\|time distribution patterns of continental volcanics and the metallogenic potential of main tectono\|volcanic belts in China are discussed, and a synthetic conclusion has been drawn that there is a possibility to discover the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits in China. Moreover, it is evidenced that the Ganhang, Nanling, Yanliao, Da Hinggan Ling and other tectono\|volcanic belts possess favorable geological conditions for the formation of ssuperlarge ore deposits of the continental volcanic rock type. The intersecting and overlapping locations of the aforementioned main belts with other tectono\|volcanic (\|intrusive) belts are the most potential areas where the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits would be found.

Classification and Denominationof Flow Units for Clastic Reservoirsof Continental Deposit

On the basis of other researchers' achievements and the authors' understanding of flow units, a proposal on classification and denomination of flow units for clastic reservoirs of continental deposit is put forward according to the practical need of oilfield development and relevant theories. The specific implications of development and geology are given to each type of flow units, which has provided a scientific basis for oil development.

On Geophysical Background of Superlarge Deposits in the Chinese Continent

Based on the study of tens of geophysical profiles (seismic, geothermal flow and magnetotelluric sounding profiles) and 3-D shear wave velocity structures of the Chinese continent and its neighbouring regions, this paper describes the 3-D crustal and upper mantle structures and discusses briefly the deep geophysical background of superlarge ore deposits in the Chinese continent. Superlarge deposits are usually very few in number, but they are distributed still in certain forms such as “point”, “zone” and “area”. Most of the large-, medium- and small-sized deposits occur near the margins of different tectonic units; while the superlarge endogenic polymetallic deposits occur mostly in thinned mantle lithosphere, uplifts of the asthenosphere (vertical low-velocity zones) and the transformation zones of lateral inhomogeneity (weak zones) in the upper mantle. The superlarge endogenic polymetallic deposits are almost unevenly distributed in three major ore zones in China, corresponding to the boundaries of inhomogeneous regions in the asthenosphere.

Sedimentary architecture models of deepwater turbidite channel systems in the Niger Delta continental slope,West Africa

This paper studied an architecture model of turbidite channel systems based on the shallow- layer high resolution 3D seismic information in the deepwater area in the Niger Delta continental slope, West Africa as a prototype model. Different types of channel systems were identified and the corresponding architecture models were established. The controlling factors, evaluation criteria and spatial distribution of different channel systems were analyzed. This study shows that turbidite channel systems of West Africa could be classified into three types; confined, semi-confined and unconfined, according to the condition of canyon and the levees on both sides. Oil one hand, along the transport direction, channel system evolves from confined to unconfined. Within channel systems, channel complexes, including two types of incised and enveloped, are the most important reservoir bodies. On the other hand, there is a channel complex evolution from incised to enveloped vertically. The geological factors exert impacts of different levels on the architecture of the turbidite channels in different sedimentary systems or even within the same system.

Effects of Near-Surface Absorption on Reflection Characteristics of Continental Interbedded Strata:the Dagang Oilfield as an Example

Due to the effects of seismic wave field interference, the reflection events generated from interbedded and superposed sand and shale strata no longer have an explicit corresponding relationship with the geological interface. The absorption of the near-surface layer decreases the resolution of the seismic wavelet, intensifies the interference of seismic reflections from different sand bodies, and makes seismic data interpretation of thin interbedded strata more complex and difficult. In order to concretely investigate and analyze the effects of the near-surface absorption on seismic reflection characteristics of interbedded strata, and to make clear the ability of current technologies to compensate the near-surface absorption, a geological model of continental interbedded strata with near-surface absorption was designed, and the prestack seismic wave field was numerically simulated with wave equations. Then, the simulated wave field was processed by the prestack time migration, the effects of near-surface absorption on prestack and poststack reflection characteristics were analyzed, and the near-surface absorption was compensated for by inverse Q-filtering. The model test shows that： （1） the reliability of prediction and delineation of a continental reservoir with AVO inversion is degraded due to the lateral variation of the near-surface structure; （2） the corresponding relationships between seismic reflection events and geological interfaces are further weakened as a result of near-surface absorption; and （3） the current technology of absorption compensation probably results in false geological structure and anomaly. Based on the model experiment, the real seismic data of the Dagang Oil Field were analyzed and processed. The seismic reflection characteristics of continental interbedded strata were improved, and the reliability of geological interpretation from seismic data was enhanced.

Hydrothermal Mineralization on the Mesoproterozoic Passive Continental Margins of China: A Case Study of the Langshan-Zha'ertaishan Belt,Inner Mongolia, China

Most ore-forming characteristics of the Langshan-Zha'ertaishan hydrothermal exhalation belt, which consists of the Dongshengmiao, Huogeqi, Tanyaokou and Jiashengpan large-superlarge Zn-Pb-Cu-Fe sulfide deposits, are most similar to those of Mesoproterozoic SEDEX-type provinces of the world. The characteristics include: (1) All deposits of this type in the belt occur in third-order fault-basins in the Langshan-Zha'ertaishan aulacogen along the northern margin of the North China Platform; (2) these deposits with all their orebodies hosted in the Mesoproterozoic impure dolomite-marble and carbonaceous phyllite (or schists) have an apparent stratabound nature; ores display laminated and banded structures, showing clear depositional features; (3) there is some evidence of syn-sedimentary faulting, which to a certain extent accounts for the temporal and spatial distribution and the size of the orebodies in all deposits and the formation of intrabed conglomerates and breccias; (4) they show lateral and vertical zonation of sulfides; (5) The Cu/(Pb+Zn+Cu) ratio of the large and thick Pb+Zn+Cu orebodies gradually decreases from bottom to top; and (6) barite is interbedded with pyrites and sometimes with sphalerite. However, some characteristics such as the Co/Ni radio of the pyrites, the volcanism, for example, of the Langshan-Zha'ertaishan metallogenic belt, are different from those of the typical SEDEX deposits of the world. The meta-basic volcanic rock in Huogeqi, the sodic bimodal volcanic rocks in the Dongshengmiao and potassic bimodal-volcanic rocks with blastoporphyritic and blasto-glomeroporphyritic texture as well as blasto-amygdaloidal structure in the Tanyaokou deposits have been discovered in the only ore-bearing second formation of the Langshan Group in the past 10 years. The metallogeny of some deposits hosted in the Langshan Group is closely related to syn-sedimentary volcanism based on the following facts: most of the lead isotopes in sphalerite, galena, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite plot on both sides of the line for the mantle or between the lines for the mantle and lower crust in the lead isotope composition diagram; cobalt content of some pyrites samples is much higher than the nickel content (Co/Ni=11.91-12.19). Some volcanic blocks and debris have been picked out from some pyritic and pyrrhotitic ores. All Zn-Pb-Cu-Fe sulfide orebodies in these deposits occur in the strata overlying metamorphic volcanic rocks in the only ore-bearing second formation. In the Jiashengpan deposit that lacks syn-sedimentary volcanic rocks in the host succession only Pb and Zn ores occur without Cu ore, but in the Dongshengmiao, Tanyaokou and Huogeqi deposits with syn-sedimentary volcanic rocks in the host succession Cu ores occur. This indicates a relatively higher ore-forming temperature. The process of syn-sedimentary volcanic eruption directly supplied some ore-forming elements, and resulted in secular geothermal anomaly favorable for the circulation of a submarine convective hydrothermal system, which accounts for the precipitation of deep mineralizing fluids exhaling into anoxidic basins along the syn-sedimentary fault system in the Langshan-Zha'ertai rift. The Dongshengmiao, Tanyaokou, and Huogeqi deposits hosted in the Langshan Group appear to be a transitional type of mineral deposit between SEDEX and VMS-types but with a bias towards SEDEX, while the Jiashengpan deposit hosted in the Zha'ertai Group is of a characteristic SEDEX type. This evidence, together with other new discoveries of Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks and the features of lithogeny and metallogeny of the Bayun Obo deposit in the neighborhood emphasize the diversity, complexity and uniqueness of the Mesoproterozoic Langshan-Zha'ertai-Bayun Obo ore belt.

Characteristics of the subglacially-formed debris-rich chemical deposits and related subglacial processes of Qiangyong Glacier,Tibet

Subglacially-formed debris-rich chemical deposits were found both on bedrock surface and in bedrock crevice on the edge of Qiangyong Glacier, one of the continental glaciers in Tibet. Grain size distribution, internal structures and chemical components of the chemical deposits were analyzed. It can be inferred that the temperature of some part of the ice-bedrock interface is close to the melting point and there exists pressure melting water under Qiangyong Glacier. Debris, especially those from continental aerosols, can release Ca++ in the water. At the lee-side of obstacles on glacier bed the CO2 in the melting water might escape from the water and the melting water might refreeze due to the dramatically reduced pressure, making the enrichment and precipitation of CaCO3. The existence of subglacial melting water and the process of regelation under Qiangyong Glacier indicate that sliding could contribute some proportion to the entire movement of Qiangyong Glacier and it belongs to multiplex cold-temperate glaciers.

Stratigraphic Sequence and Sedimentary Systems in the Middle-Southern Continental Slope of the East China Sea from Seismic Reflection Data: Exploration Prospects of Gas Hydrate

Many evidences for gas hydrate bearing sediments had been found in the continental slope of the East China Sea,such as bottom simulating reflections(BSRs),undersea gas springs,pyrite associated with methane leakage,mud diapirs/mud volcanos,bottom-water methane anomalies and so on.In this study,six key stratigraphic interfaces including T_0(seafloor),T_1(LGM,23 kyr B.P.),T_2(2.58 Myr),T_3(5.33 Myr),T_4(11.02 Myr)and T_5(16.12 Myr)were identified,and then five third-order sequences of SQIII1 to SQIII5 were divided.However,T5 in southern continental slope is not found,which shows that the middle-northern Okinawa Trough had begun to rift in the early Miocene,earlier than the southern segment.Four system tracts including lowstand systems tract(LST),transgressive systems tract(TST),highstand systems tract(HST)and falling stage systems tract(FSST)are further divided.The marine erosion interface of 11.02 Myr and regressive unconformity interface of 23 kyr B.P.indicate two large-scale sea level drop events in the research area.Seven typical seismic facies identified in the continental slope are continental shelf-edge deltas,littoral fluvial-delta plains,incised channels or submarine canyons,slope fans,submarine fans or coastal sandbars,littoral-neritic finegrained sediments,mud volcanos and some other geological bodies respectively.The minimum water depth for hydrate occurrence in the Okinawa Trough is 630 m,and the thickness of gas hydrate stability zone in continental slope is between 0 and 590 m.The calculated bottom boundary of hydrate stability zone is slightly deeper than BSRs on the seismic sections.The re-depositional turbidite sand bodies,such as canyon channels,slope fans and submarine fans developed in Quaternary strata,are the predominant hydrate reservoirs.According to developing process,the dynamic accumulation of hydrate systems can be divided into three evolutionary stages including canyon erosion and hydrate stability zone migration stage,sediments destabilizing and methane leakage stage,and channel filling and hydrate re-occurrence stage.

Predicting sediment flux from continental shelf islands,southeastern China

Continental shelf islands are contributors of terrestrial sediment supply to shelf regions,and the sediment flux from these islands shall be quantified.We calculated the sediment flux of continental shelf islands in the southeastern China using two empirical equations under two preconditions.The first,the sediment load/yield of the islands has the same pattern as the adjacent small,mountainous rivers along the coastline;and the second,each of the islands was treated as a single catchment.The results show that the sediment supply from these islands reached an order of magnitude of 1 Mt/a,which is comparable to the supply from the local smaller rivers.A sensitivity analysis indicates that this value represents the lower limit of estimate;if the accurate amount of sub-catchments of any island is considered,then this value will be enhanced slightly.This study demonstrates that the sediment supply from continental shelf islands to oceans is an important factor affecting the regional sedimentation and,therefore,should be paid with attention.

METALLOGENIC REGULARITIES OF LARGE CONCEALED AND BLIND URANIUM DEPOSITS AND METALLOGENIC PROGNOSIS BY SYNTHETIC INFORMATION IN GRANITIC EXOCONTACT ZONES──Taking Eastern Hunan and Adjacent Areas as Examples

Under the guide of advanced theories of geosciences, new technology and methods of prospecting, integrating sedimentation, magmatic emplacement, metamorphism and deformation with mineralization by means of intersectional subjects, the author has revealed that the geodynamic setting of formation of uranium deposits of granitic exocontact zone type in eastern Hunan and neighbouring areas has a specia1 stretching strike-slip structure, a special thermal rock series,a special texture and composition of the crust and mantle, elaborated the macroscopic and microscopic features of stretching decollement faults in the Mingyuefeng area, and summed up the metallogenic regularities of typical uranium deposits, factors for a genetic mode1 and the criteria for prospecting by synthetic information, on the basis of which he has made prognosis of concealed and blind uranium deposits.

Geology and mineralization of the Hongqiling large magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt deposit(22×10^(4)t)in Jilin Province,China:A review

The Hongqiling large nickel-copper-cobalt deposit(hereafter referred to as the Hongqiling deposit),a typical mafic-ultramafic copper-nickel deposit in China,boasts proven Ni(Ni)resources of approximately 22×10^(4)t,associated copper resources of 2×10^(4)t,and associated cobalt(Co)resources of 0.5×10^(4)t,with Ni reserves ranking 10th among China's magmatic nickel deposits.Geotectonically,the Hongqiling deposit is situated in the superimposed zone between the Xing'an-Mongolian orogenic belt and the circum-Western Pacific's active continental margin belt.Its ore-bearing plutons occur within the metamorphic rocks of the Ordovician Hulan Group,with the emplacement of plutons and the locations of orebodies governed by the deep-seated Huifahe fault and its secondary NW-trending Fujia-Hejiagou-Beixinglong-Changsheng fault zone.In the deposit,the rock assemblages of ore-bearing plutons predominantly encompass gabbro-pyroxenite-olivine pyroxenite-pyroxene peridotite(pluton No.1)and norite-orthopyroxenite-harzburgite(pluton No.7),with ore-bearing lithofacies consisting primarily of olivine pyroxenite and pyroxenite facies.The Hongqiling deposit hosts stratoid,overhanging lentoid,veined,and pure-sulfide veined orebodies.Its ores principally contain metallic minerals including pyrrhotite,pentlandite,chalcopyrite,violarite,and pyrite.Despite unidentified magma sources of ore-bearing mafic-ultramafic rocks,it is roughly accepted that the magmatic evolution in the Hongqiling deposit primarily involved fractional crystallization and crustal contamination.The ore-forming materials were primarily derived from the upper mantle,mixed with minor crustal materials.The ore-bearing mafic-ultramafic rocks in the deposit,primarily emplaced during the Indosinian(208-239 Ma),were formed in an intense extension setting followed by the collisional orogeny between the North China Plate and the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Block during the Middle-Late Triassic.From the perspective of the metallogenic geological setting,surrounding rocks,ore-controlling structures,and rock assemblages,this study identified one favorable condition and seven significant indicators for prospecting for Hongqiling-type nickel deposits and developed a prospecting model of the Hongqiling deposit.These serve as valuable references for exploring similar nickel deposits in the region,as well as the deep parts and margins of the Hongqiling deposit.

Regional Metallogenesis of the Chang'an Gold Ore Deposit in Western Yunnan:Evidences from Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopes

The Chang＇an gold ore deposit in western Yunnan is located at the southern segment of the Ailaoshan metallogenic belt.The ore bodies are preserved in fractured Ordovician sedimentary clastic rocks.The gold-bearing minerals occur dominantly in sulfide-quartz veins.Fluid inclusion analysis shows that the Chang＇an gold ore deposit is characterized by epithermal gold mineralization at temperatures between 200℃and 280℃at a shallow crustal level.The mineralizing fluids have intermediate to low salinity（6%-18%） and low densities（0.72-1.27 g/cm^3）.The ore minerals haveδ^（34）S in a range from -13‰to 3.57‰,concentrated from -2.06‰to 3.57‰with an average of 1.55‰.The ^（206）Pb/^（204）Pb,^（207）Pb/^（204）Pb and ^（208）Pb/^（204）Pb values are 18.9977-19.5748,15.7093-15.784,39.3814-40.2004 respectively.These isotope data suggest that the ore-forming elements were mainly derived from mixed crustal and mantle sources.The Chang＇an gold ore deposit and Tongchang Cu-Mo deposit are closely related to each other in their spatial distribution and age of formation.They have similar sources of mineralizing elements and identical ore-forming metal elements,and show a close relationship in physical and chemical conditions of mineralization.The two deposits constitute an epithermal-porphyry -skarn type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization system in the Tongchang-Chang＇an area,which is related to the Cenozoic high-K alkaline magmatism.

High-resolution sequence architecture and depositional evolution of the Quaternary in the northeastern shelf margin of the South China Sea

The northeastern shelf margin of the South China Sea(SCS) is characterized by the development of large scale foresets complexes since Quaternary. Based on integral analysis of the seismic, well logging and paleontological data, successions since ～3.0 Ma can be defined as one composite sequence, consist of a set of regional transgressive to regressive sequences. They can be further divided into six 3 rd order sequences(SQ0–SQ5) based on the Exxon sequence stratigraphic model. Since ～1.6 Ma, five sets of deltaic systems characterized by development of wedge-shaped foresets complexes or clinoforms had been identified. High-resolution seismic data and the thick foresets allowed further divided of sub-depositional sequences(4 th order) of regression to transgression, which is basically consistent with published stacked benthic foram O-isotope records. Depositional systems identified in the study area include deltaic deposits(inner-shelf deltas and shelf-edge deltas), incised valleys, and slope slumping massive deposits. Since ～1.6 Ma, clinoforms prograded from the southern Panyu Lower Uplift toward the northern Baiyun Depression, shelf slope break migrated seaward, whereas the shelf edge of SQ0 migrated landward. The development of incised valleys in the continental shelf increased upward,especially intensive on the SB3 and SB2. The slumping massive deposits increased abruptly since SB2, which corresponds to the development of incised valleys. The evolution of depositional systems of continental slope mainly controlled by the combined influence of sea level changes, tectonic movements, sediment supply and climate changes. Since ～3.0 Ma, relative sea level of the northern SCS had been experienced transgression(～3.0 Ma BP) to regression(～1.6 Ma BP). The regional regression and maximum transgressions of the composite sequences were apparently enhanced by uplift or subsidence related to tectono-thermal events. In addition,climatic variations including monsoon intensification and the mid-Pleistocene transition may have enhanced sediment supply by increasing erosion rate and have an indispensable influence on the development of the incised valleys and 5 sets of deltaic systems since ～1.6 Ma.

Geochronology and Petrogeochemistry of Metallogenic Intrusions in the Shanmen Large-scale Silver Deposit in the Siping Area of Jilin Province, NE China

The Shanmen deposit, located in the Siping area of Jilin Province, is one of large-scale silver deposits in Northeast(NE) China. Due to its high Ag grade, associated gold resources and special tectonic location, this deposit has important theoretical and ore-prospecting significance. To present new data on the ore genesis, mineralization time and tectonic settings, the relationship between silver mineralization and intrusions in this deposit has been studied and some analyses have been carried out, including LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock major and trace element analysis and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope analysis of the granitoids associated with silver mineralization. Studies on deposit geology indicate that the ore-hosting granodiorite and monzogranite have intimate genetic relationships with silver mineralization. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results of the both intrusions are 167.6 ± 1.9 Ma and 167.0 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively, implying that the two intrusions and associated silver mineralization in the Shanmen deposit formed during the Middle Jurassic. Major element analytical data suggest that the two intrusions are high-K calc–alkaline series I-type granites and belong to metaluminous and peraluminous rocks. Both intrusions have similar REE characteristics with regard to the relative enrichment of LREEs, depletion of HREEs, obvious fractionation of LREEs and HREEs(ΣLREE/ΣHREE = 8.68–14.09,(La/Yb)_N = 12.51–21.96), moderately negative Eu anomalies as well as weakly negative Ce anomalies(δEu = 0.56–0.71, δCe = 0.93–1.09). Moreover, the samples are generally enriched in LILEs and depleted in HFSEs. The rock assemblages and geochemical characteristics of granitoids in the Shanmen deposit suggest that they formed in an active continental margin associated with the Paleo-Pacific plate subduction. The Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions show that both the granodiorite and monzogranite have low Sr initial ratios and high Sm/Nd initial ratios. The ε_(Nd)(t) values and young Nd-model ages are-3.2 to-1.7 and 990 Ma to 1110 Ma, respectively. Considering the Sr-Nd isotope compositions, in conjunction with the relatively high ~(206)Pb, ~(207)Pb and ~(208)Pb, alongside the relatively low ~(204)Pb, it can be concluded that the Middle Jurassic intermediate-acidic magma represented by the studied monzogranite and granodiorite in the Shanmen deposit, was derived from the partial melting of juvenile lower crust enriched in mantle-derived materials and affected by the mixing of ancient crustal materials during the ascension and intrusion processes.

Gravity and magnetic field characteristics and regional ore prospecting of the Yili ancient continent, West Tianshan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Gold,iron,copper,lead-zinc and other mineral exploration in West Tianshan,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,has made remarkable progress in recent years.However,due to the dispute on the tectonic division of West Tianshan,the ore-controlling factors and the regional metallogenic laws are controversial.The authors analyze regional gravity data and notice that the high-value region corresponds to the Yili ancient continent,thus the southeastern boundary of the Yili ancient continent is delineated.Comparative analysis of gravity,aeromagnetic and geologic data reveals that the Tulasu basin,where some medium to large epithermal gold deposits locate,lies above the Yili ancient continent;the Yili Carboniferous-Permian rift extends in E-W direction,numbers of copper deposits have been found in the mid-west section of the rift which lies above the Yili ancient continent,whereas few copper deposits have been discovered in the east section which is outside the Yili ancient continent.Accordingly,the Yili ancient continent may be rich in gold,copper and other metal elements;the metal-bearing hydrothermal solution moves up with the activity of magmatism,and deposits in the favorable places(the Tulasu basin and the Yili Carboniferous-Permian rift),forming numerous small and medium gold,copper deposits,as well as some large and super-large gold deposits.Therefore,the tectonic-magmatic hydrothermal zone above the Yili ancient continent should be the prospective area for epithermal gold and copper polymetallic deposits.

Petrology and geochemistry of the Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit in Hainan Province of South China: Implications for the origin of Neoproterozoic BIFs

The Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit,a famous hematite-rich Fe-ore deposit,is situated at the western Hainan Province of south China.The deposit characterizes the upper Fe ores and the lower Co-Cu ores,which are mainly hosted within a low-grade to medium-grade,dominantly submarine metamorphosed siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary succession of the Neoproterozoic Shilu Group.Three facies types of metamorphosed BIFs,i.e.the oxide facies,the silicate-oxide facies and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIFs,are identified within the sixth sequence of the Shilu Group.The oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-rich itabirites or ores)consists of alternating hematite-rich microbands with quartz-rich microbands;the silicate-oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-poor itabirites or ores)comprises alternating millimeter-to a few tens meter-scale,magnetite-hematite-rich bands with calcsilicate-rich(garnet+actinolite+diopside+epidote+quartz)meso-to microbands;and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF(i.e.the Co-Cu ores)contains alternating macro-to mesobands of Co-bearing pyrite and pyrrhotite,and chalcopyrite with mesobands of dolomite+calcite+diopside+quartz and/or chlorite+sericite+quartz.The blastooolitic,blastopelletoid blastocolloidal and blastopsammitic textures,and blasobedding structures which most likely represent primary sedimentation are often observed in these BIF facies.The interbedded host rocks with the BIFs mainly are the pyroxene-amphibole rocks and the banded or impure dolostones,and also contain banded or laminated structures,and lepido-gra-noblastic,nematoblastic and/or blastoclastic textures.Compositionally,the main host rocks,the pyroxene-amphibole rocks contain basic-intermediate SiO_2(~54.00 wt.%),CaO(~14.19 wt.%),MgO(~9.68 wt.%)and Al_2O_3(~8.49 wt.%)with a positive correlation between Al_2O_3 and TiO_2.The UCC-like Zr and Hf abundances,high Ba content andεNd(t)value(^-5.99)as well as the ratios of La/YbPAAS(0.17~1.00),δEuPAAS(0.88~1.12)andδCePAAS(0.93~1.13)commonly reveal that the protoliths to this type rocks are hydrogenic with a large contribution of terrigenous sediments and minor hydrothermal input.The high CaO+MgO+LOI contents and the extremely low trace element and REEconcentrations as well as the ratios of Y/Ho(44~45),δEuPAAS(1.13~1.57)andδCePAAS(0.69~0.98)reflect a marine origin with minor terrigenous materials for the banded or impure dolostones.Moreover,this type rocks also account for a negativeεNd(t)value(^-7.49).The oxide facies BIF is dominated by Fe_2O_3+FeO(~75.59wt.%)and SiO_2(~20.47 wt.%)with aεNd(t)value of^-6.10.The variable contents in Al_2O_3,TiO 2,K2O,Na2O,Zr,Hf and∑REE,and variable ratios of Y/Ho(24~39)andδEuPAAS(0.86~11.07)suggest the precursor sediments to this facies BIF are admixtures of sea-floor hydrothermal fluids and seawaters with minor involvement of detrital components.Compared to the oxide facies BIF,the silicate-oxide facies BIF is lower in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(~39.81wt.%)and Ba but higher in SiO_2(~42.54 wt.%),Al2O3(~3.60 wt.%),TiO_2(~0.19 wt.%),MgO(~1.12 wt.%),CaO(~9.06 wt.%),K_2O(~0.98 wt.%),Mn and Zr.The ratios of Y/Ho(25~34),La/YbPAAS(0.14-0.74)andδEuPAAS(0.91~1.12)most likely are linked to higher degree of detrital contamintants.While the sulfide-caronate facies BIF is main but variable in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(15.79~57.91 wt.%),SiO 2(0.54~61.52 wt.%),MgO(0.12~16.09wt.%),CaO(0.17~23.41 wt.%)and LOI(8.28-30.06 wt.%).The generally low contents in trace elements(including REE)except for an obvious enrichment in Pb,and the positive Ce anomalies(δCePAAS=1.04~1.95)and negative Pr anomalies(δPrPAAS=0.67~0.93),as well as the variable ratios ofδEuPAAS(0.72~1.71),La/YbPAAS(0.26~1.60)and Y/Ho(26~57)suggest that the precursors to the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF mainly are metalliferious sediments from deep-marine hydrotheral source with minor detrital components.The T2DM ages(ca.2.0 Ga)imply that the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks contain a component with Paleoproterozoic crustal residence age due to a significant crustal accretion event at ca.2.0 Ga in Hainan Island.In connection with the petrographical and mineralogical relationship,we conclude that the precursor precipitates to the Shilu BIFs are variable degree of admixtures of the Fe-Co-Cu-(Si)-rich hydrothermal fluids and detrital components from seawater and fresh water carring continental landmass;whereas the protolith to the main interbedded host rocks,i.e.the pyroxene-amphibole rocks,most likely was terrigenous,fine-grained clastic-sediments but with significant input of hydrothermal fluids in a seawater environment.As a result,a continent marginal marine basin is proposed for deposition of the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks.Sea-level fluctuations caused by marine transgression–regressions possibly contributed to changes in the composition and varied input of the terrigenous sediments.