Late Mesozoic Exhumation of the Huangling Massif:Constraints on the Evolution of the Middle Yangtze River

Plate subduction leads to complex exhumation processes on continents.The Huangling Massif lies at the northern margin of the South China Block.Whether the Huangling Massif was exhumed as a watershed of the middle reaches of the Paleo-Yangtze River during the Mesozoic remains under debate.We examined the exhumation history of the Huangling Massif based on six granite bedrock samples,using apatite fission track(AFT)and apatite and zircon(U-Th)/He(AHe and ZHe)thermochronology.These samples yielded ages of 157–132 Ma(ZHe),119–106 Ma(AFT),and 114–72 Ma(AHe),respectively.Thermal modeling revealed that three phases of rapid cooling occurred during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous,late Early Cretaceous,and Late Cretaceous.These exhumation processes led to the high topographic relief responsible for the emergence of the Huangling Massif.The integrated of our new data with published sedimentological records suggests that the Huangling Massif might have been the watershed of the middle reaches of the Paleo-Yangtze River since the Cretaceous.At that time,the rivers flowed westward into the Sichuan Basin and eastward into the Jianghan Basin.The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Asian continent in the Mesozoic deeply influenced the geomorphic evolution of the South China Block.

Exploratory and Descriptive Study of the Kimberlite Massif of Boya-02 at Eastern Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Boya-02 kimberlite was identified at depth by geophysical survey work (a single-probe AM survey in 1997 and a gravity survey in 2006) that De Beers DRC Exploration carried out around anomaly 193/172/0019. This anomaly located approximately 50 km southwest of the town of Mbuji-Mayi in the Kasaï-Oriental Province in the DRC should therefore be the subject of detailed exploration with the aim of better identifying and describing this kimberlite. Thus, through exploratory work and cross-checking of geophysical and geological data, the discovery of this Massif was made by drilling on the aeromagnetic anomaly 193/172/X298. Based on drilling, sampling and laboratory petrographic analysis reports, the Boya-02 kimberlite was classified among highly diluted re-sedimented volcaniclastic kimberlites (KVR), rich in olivine and incidentally in quartz and poor in juvenile substances. This kimberlite represents a deposit of very low economic interest following extremely high dilution. The Boya-02 kimberlite was modeled using ground magnetism data. It is a complex anomaly comprising 2 components with variable amplitude appearing on a subtly magnetized linear detail. The modeled dimensions of two components of this anomaly are 0.32 Ha and 0.2 Ha at depths of 32 m & 14 m for the deposits to the West and the East respectively. Garnet data for the Boya-02 occurrence reports a maximum Pmin value of 49.7 kbar (207 garnets). These data demonstrate the high diamond potential which assumes a conductive cratonic geotherm of 40 mWm2.

Rare-Element Pegmatites Rocks Rich and Li of the Aïr Massif of the Tchirozerine: Mineralogy and Chemical Composition Agadez Region-Northem Niger

The lithium potential in the Aïr massif is represented by mineral index of spodumene pegmatites and, lepidolite pegmatites. The mineral deposits of lithium occur in cluster or veins that cut the host rock or are located near the contact between the greenstone belt and granitic massif. The evidence of lithium is in the form of clusters or disseminated and stockwerk. Mineralogical characteristics show similarities between the Air Massif pegmatites and indicate the same homogenous source during the magma-generation process. The pegmatite rocks attracted the attention due to their wide exposure and composition, well appearance, and economically hosting of significant rare earth metals such as Sn and W. The mineralogical and petrographical investigations on the eight pegmatites rocks samples observed have a relative similarity, while a little difference in the shapes attributed to the ratio in the pegmatite rocks of the minerals. The occurrence of the kink band indicates the influence of the tectonic processes which affected the Aïr massif after the emplacement of late magmatic or post-magmatic pegmatites by injection into fractured rocks in the upper part of the crust. The Air Massif pegmatite has higher concentrations Li and of all trace elements except Hf and occasionally Zr, Ti, Sn and Mg of for the economic exploration.

Neoarchean Magmatic Events in the Western Songnen Massif,Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Timing and Tectonic Significance

Whether a Neoarchean basement existing in the Songnen massif is currently debated.Identification of Archean magmatism from the Songnen Massif is helpful to resolve this issue.Here,we report newly discovered Neoarchean Shanquan pluton in the Western Songnen Massif.These Neoarchean Shanquan pluton are mainly composed of granites that are exposed near the town of Shanquan in Heilongjiang Province.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the sample 2015TW1 has an upper intercept age of 2801±69 Ma and a weighted mean age of 2708±18 Ma,while samples LJ27QY1 and LJ27QY2 have upper intercept ages of 2677±57 Ma and 2653±18 Ma,and weighted mean ages of 2649±10 Ma and 2653±15 Ma,respectively.This indicates that these granites were formed at~2.7 Ga.Most of the~2.7 Ga zircons have older TDM2 ages of 2762–3326 Ma with positiveεHf(t)values ranging from 0 to 6.4,while a few of the zircons have negativeεHf(t)values ranging from-8.1 to-11.5 and older TDM2 ages varying from 3158 to 3264 Ma.The zircon Hf isotopes indicate that Paleo-Mesoarchean crusts might once existed in the Songnen Massif,and the studied Neoarchean magmas were principally derived from partial melting of these Paleo-Mesoarchean ancient crust.Based on the geochronological spectrum of magmatic and detrital zircons,the Songnen,Erguna,Jiamusi,Bureya massifs may have a common basement prior to the Neoproterozoic and may even be linked with the Triam Craton.

Petrogenesis of the Mayo-Darley tin formations,anorogenic complex of the Cameroon Line:implication for tin deposit

The Mayo-Darley massif is an anorogenic complex of the Cameroon Line that has a mantle origin.Tin-bearing rocks were analyzed by ICP-AES and INAA analytical methods.The purpose of this work was to provide new geochemical data for the Mayo-Darley tin formation and to understand its petrogenesis and the origin of tin mineralization.The Mayo-Darley tin deposit is made up of tin-granite,and tin-greisen,greisenification was developed on the borders of quartz dykes.These rocks belong to the alkaline series and were classified into acid(SiO2-=61.6%–73.8%;65.4%–98%respectively)and basic(42.9%–47%SiO_(2))rocks.They showed enrichment in HSFE,LILE,Ga/Al and chondrite normalized REE patterns indicating LREE enrichment relative to HREE with a negative Eu anomaly,only sample SB8 of tin-granite showed Eu/Eu*=1.11.Rocks display metaluminous,peralkaline,peraluminous,ferroan,high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic,alkalic to calcic affinity,and crystallized at800°C.The chemistry of this deposit reflects the primary composition of granite,quartz monzonite,gabbro,and foid gabbro.This complex experienced multi-stage sub-solidus hydrothermal fluid reactions and shows variable alteration of feldspars alkali mobility.The rocks are classified as A1-type granite,overlap with the OIB field,and were derived from a within-plate setting,similar to mantle non plumederived magmas.The origin of tin mineralization in MayoDarley has a complex evolution,tin mineralization was derived from hydrothermal and hydrogenous metal-rich deposits and shows Sn–Hf–Zr and Sn–Tl–Nb association.These new data confirm the complexity of the Mayo-Darley tin complex and elucidate the origin of tin mineralization.

Contribution of Geophysical Prospecting (1D) to Characterize a Precambrian Basement Aquifers Agadez Region (North, Niger)

In the A?r massif, and more particularly in the Iférouane area, the basement is flush. Thus, the essential of water resources is contained in the discontinuous aquifers of basement. Indeed, the weathered and cracked basement is an excellent reservoir of groundwater. The objective of this study is to determine the areas favorable to establishment of productive drilling in the village of Ebourkoum. A methodological approach based on the combination of remote sensing and geophysics methods was implemented. The fracturing map developed highlighted three main accidents of directions N0° - N10°, N30° - N50° and N130° - N140° in the said locality. The geophysical investigation mainly electrical prospecting has allowed to locate structures with high hydraulic potential below alluvium and alterites. Subsequently, drilling will be carried out in the areas retained.

Redefining Quality in Higher Education:The Concept of Juakalization

University education is the epitome of education that countries leverage for the delivery of national strategic plans,through the creation of skilled workforce for socio-economic development.Kenyan public universities have experienced massification in the past three decades,a phenomenon resulting from the democratization of education,the advent of knowledge economy,and globalization.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the consequences of massification caused Juakalization in higher education in Kenya.Juakalization is the dilution and conversion of high quality university education to assume an artisan nature of mass production of low quality and unstandardized educational product.The study used a systematic review of literature and public documents to analyze the consequences of massification in Kenya's higher education.Findings indicate that the consequences of massification of overcapacity and insufficient infrastructure led to mass production of a low quality non-standardized university product.The researcher compares the Kenyan Jua Kali artisan production process to that of higher education,where both work under adverse conditions to produce mass low quality products.This analogy acts as a metaphor to describe the dilution and conversion of higher education to that of artisanship and coins the term Juakalization to describe this process in higher education.

Location of Triassic Tectonic Suture Between Collided Sino-Korean and Yangtze Cratons in Dabie-Sulu Region, China

The regional extent and spatial distribution of ultrahigh pressure metamorphic(UHPM) and high pressure metamorphic (HPM) rocks, and the geometrical relationships of various petrotectonic units in the Dabie-Sulu region indicate that the Triassic collisional suture line between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons is situated at the northern margin of the Dabie massif, that is,along the Balifan-Mozitan-Xiaotian fault in the Dabie region, and possibly is linked to the Wulian-Yantai fault in the Sulu region to tbe east. The suture line has been strongly modified duriug and subsequent to UHPM aud HPM events.

2.7 Ga Monzogranite on the Songnen Massif and Its Geological Implications

The formation and evolution of Songnen massif hasalways been a hot topic, and the presence of Precambrianbasement on the Songnen massif is still controversial： （1）Lacking of Pre-Paleozoic dating results, the Precambrianbasement on Songnen massif does not extend largelyaccording to the isotopic dating results of core frombasement, （2） the existence of gneiss from deep drill holesof the Songliao Basin makes some researchers considerthat Precambrian basement should exist on the Songnenmassif and another proof is that the geophysical featuresof gravity.

Middle-Late Triassic sedimentation in the Helanshan tectonic belt: Constrain on the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Ordos Basin, North China

The Helanshan tectonic belt is located to the west of the Ordos Basin, and separates the Alxa(or Yinshan)Massif to the west from the Ordos block to the east. Triassic sedimentation in the Helanshan tectonic belt records important information about tectono-sedimentary process between the Alxa Massif and the Ordos block. Detailed geological mapping and investigation on the lithological package, sedimentary facies and paleocurrent orientation have been conducted on the Middle to Upper Triassic clastic rocks in the Helanshan tectonic belt. The succession is characterized by upward-fining sequence and comprises coarse grained alluvial-fluvial facies in the lower part as well as deltaic-lacustrine facies in the upper part. Based on detailed study and comparisons on the sedimentary sequence along various sections, the Middle to Upper Triassic strata have been revealed that show clear southeastward-deepening sedimentary differentiation and transgression from southwest to northeast, which are consistent with the southeastward flowing paleocurrent. These features indicate a southeastward-dipping paleogeography in the Helanshan tectonic belt, which was original western part of southeastward orientated fluviallacustrine system in the northwestern proto-Ordos Basin. Further to the east, the Triassic succession in the Ordos Basin displays gradually thickening and alluvial-fluvial system flowed from southeast to northwest, showing a huge thick sedimentary wedge in the western basin margin. Together with the Late Permiane Early Triassic closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean to the north, the Late Triassic extensional structures and diabase dykes in the Helanshan tectonic belt, all the above sedimentary features could be mostly interpreted as records of an extensional basin correlated to post-collisional collapse of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

Paleoproterozoic Nb-enriched meta-gabbros in the Quanji Massif,NW China:Implications for assembly of the Columbia supercontinent

Diverse models have been proposed for the role of the Tarim Craton within the Paleoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent assembly. Here we report a suite of-1.71 Ga Nb-enriched meta-gabbro lenses in the eastern Quanji Massif, within the Tarim Craton in NW China. The meta-gabbroic rocks have Nb contents of 11.5-16.4 ppm with Nb/La ratios varying from 0.84 to 1.02((Nb/La)_N = 0.81-0.98) and Nb/U ratios from 38.0 to 47.2. They show low SiO_2(45.1-48.5 wt.%) and MgO(5.96-6.81 wt.%) and Mg#(Mg# = Mg/(Mg + Fe) = 43.5-47.7), high FeO^t(13.0-15.7 wt.%) and moderate Ti02(1.70-2.51 wt.%).with tholeiitic affinities. These rocks possess low fractionated REE patterns without obvious Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~* = 0.87-1.02). Their primitive mantle-normalized elements patterns display significant Zr-Hf troughs, positive Nb anomalies, weak negative Ti and P anomalies, and high contents of Rb and Ba,resembling Nb-enriched basalts generated in arc-related tectonic settings. Their arc-like geochemical signatures together with whole rock εNd(t) values of 0.4-2.1 and corresponding old T_(DM)(2.22-2.37 Ga)as well as(^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd)_t and(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)t(t = 1712 Ma) values of 0.5104-0.5105 and 0.7030-0.7058,respectively, suggest that their precursor magma originated from mantle wedge peridotite metasomatised by subduction-derived melts. The results from our study reveal subduction along the eastern periphery of the Tarim Craton and marginal outgrowth continuing to ~1.7 Ga within the Columbia supercontinent.

Age and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic granitoids in the the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif(SZRM)is located in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt and crops out over an extensive part of NE China.The massif was originally thought to contain numerous Precambrian terranes(e.g.,Xingdong,Dongfengshan,Yimianpo and Zhangguangcailing groups).However,more recent zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the majority of these so-called Precambrian sedimentary and igneous rocks actually formed during either the Paleozoic or Mesozoic and contain only minor Precambrian components(Wang et al.,2014).The presence of Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons with magmatic origins from and Paleozoic units of the SZRM indicating that this area occurs Proterozoic magmatism(Wang et al.,2014),whereas no Proterozoic magmastism has been found.Recently,Pei et al.(2007)reported the ca.1800Ma magmastism,as evidenced by the data of exploration drillholes in the southern Songliao basin.However,an alternative view is that the basement within the SZRM is predominantly Phanerozoic,as evidenced by the presence of Paleozoic fossils and comparatively rare geochronological data(Guo and Liu,1985;Wu et al.,2011),meaning that the ca.1800 Ma rocks in this area may be a tectonically emplaced slice of the North China Craton(Zhang et al.,2005).All of this means that the age and nature of the SZRM basement,and whether this area records Neoproterozoic magmatism,remain unclear.This study presents new geochronological,whole-rock geochemical,and zircon Hf isotopic data for early Proterozoic granitoids within the eastern margin of the SZRM of NE China.These data provide insights into the Neoproterozoic tectonic setting of the SZRM and the links between this magmatism and the evolution of the Rodinia supercontinent.The zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Neoproterozoic magmatism within the SZRM can be subdivided into two stages:(1)a^917–911 Ma suite of syenogranites and monzogranites,and(2)an^841 Ma suite of granodiorites.The 917–911 Ma granitoids contain high concentrations of Si O2(67.89–71.18 wt.%),K2O(4.24–6.91 wt.%),and Al2O3(14.89–16.14 wt.%),and low concentrations of TFe2O3(1.63–3.70 wt.%)and Mg O(0.53–0.88 wt.%).They are enriched in the light rare earth elements(LREE)and the light ion lithophile elements(LILE),are depleted in the heavy REE(HREE)and the heavy field strength elements(HFSE;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti),and have slightly positive Eu anomalies,indicating they are geochemically similar to high-K adakitic rocks.They have zirconεHf(t)values and TDM2 ages from–4.4 to+1.5and from 1915 Ma to 1592 Ma,respectively,suggesting they were derived from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of ancient thickened lower crustal material.In comparison,the 841 Ma granodiorites contain relatively low concentrations of Al2O3(14.50–14.58 wt.%)and K2O(3.27–3.29 wt.%),relatively high concentrations of TFe2O3(3.78–3.81 wt.%)and the HREE,have negative Eu anomalies,and have zirconεHf(t)values and TDM2ages from–4.7 to+1.0 and from 1875 to 1559 Ma,respectively.These granodiorites formed from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of ancient crustal material.The^917–911 Ma magmatism within the SZRM is inferred to have formed in an orogenic setting,whereas the^841 Ma magmatism formed in an anorogenic setting related to either a post-orogenic tectonic event or the onset of Neoproterozoic continental rifting.It is proposed that the microcontinental massifs within the SZRM formed during or following the final stage of assembly of Rodinia before rifting away from the Tarim Craton in response to Rodinia breakup.

POSSIBLE EXTENDING OF BANGONGHU-DINGQING SUTURE AND ITS GEOLOGICAL RELEVATIONS

Basic features Bangonghu—Dingqing Suture is the medial and western segment of the Bangonghu—Nujiang Suture which many researchers called as ,and it is often regarded as the Qiangtang Massif boundary line in the northern side and the Lasa (Gangdisi) Massif in the souther. The era of the ophiolites spreading along the Bangonghu\|Dingqing suture include every period of the whole Jurassic, and the spreading of the ophiolites has distinct segmentation. From west to east there are Ritu segment,Gaize segment,Dongqiao segment and Dingqing segment.Between the Gaize segment and Dongqiao one ,that is ,between the E89°and E86°40′,no ophiolites are discovered in the surface.Aeromagnetic data shows that the magnetic field of this segment is quite gentle,there are no difference from its adjacent northern and southern sides. When its east adjacent segment extends into this segment, the high areomagnetic anomaly belt corresponding to of the Dongqiao ophiolite disappear abruptly. Apparently,it is impossible for the ophiolites to develop in such a deep crust of the same segment.

ANISOTROPIC FEATURE OF QIANGTANG MASSIF TEXTURE

Qiangtang Massif is located in the hinterland of Qinghai—Tibet plateau, which belong to the mid\|east section of Tethys Tectonic Domain.1 Features of the whole texture and structure of Qiangtang massif By synthetic analysis of gravity,magnetic field,MT,seismic surveying,etc. Geophysical data, the massif, lied in the tectonic setting and geodynamic setting mingled by the south,north tectonic belts, have the features of massif,basin and tectonic belt three forming an organic whole,multi\|degree coupling in plane and section with division of region in south\|north trend,division of block\|fault in east\|west trend,division of sphere\|layer in vertical direction. (1) Belting in south\|north trend: Qiangtang massif could be divided into four units from north to south, that is north edge doming zone, west part doming area,Qiangtang Basin and south edge doming zone. Qiangtang Basin also can be divided into four tectonic units—north Qiangtang down\|warping region, middle downing zone, south Qiangtang down\|warping and east part slope region. The near east\|west trend tectonic zones are well developed. There is aero\|magnetic anomaly distributed in belting with east\|west trend but also concentrated in section. Gravity anomaly is high in the south\|west part and low in the northeast part. Inter\|crust low resistance layer alternately distributed with high and low belting of sou th\|north trend in plane.

Multi-Layered Low-Angle Ductile Detachment System in Dabie-Sulu UHPM and HPM Belts, China

The present-day observed crustal-scale tectonic style of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UH-PM) and high-pressure metamorphic (HPM ) belts in the Dabie-Sulu region was dominantly formedby extensional processes, postdating the Triassic collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. The extensional structures overprinting the previous structures related to contraction that produced the thickened continental crust of the UHPM and HPM belts, in particular display the typical features of a Cordilleran-type metamorphic core complex, in which at least four regionalscale, low-angle ductile shear zones that constitute a detachment system, are recognized in the Dabie region. In the Sulu region, the extensionaI structures show in the form of small-scale domes or a regional-scale SE-dipping pseudo-monocline. The geometry and the kinematics of tbe detachment zones are briefly described and their significance for the exhumation of UHPM and HPM rocks is discussed. It is iniliated that the subhorizontal crustal-scale extensional flow in the middle-lower crust, under amphibolite- to greenschist-facies conditions, was an important tectonothermal process at 200- 170 Ma and the exhumation or the UHPM and HPM rocks was achieved at least in part along multi-layered detachment zones. The regional detachment system has been the main factor enabling UHPM and HPM rocks to be brought from middle-lower crustal levels to middle-upper crustal levels.

Sequence of Ductile Shear Zones in UHP Metamorphic Province with in Dabie Massif,China

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＯｖｅｒｔｈｅｌａｓｔｔｗｏｄｅｃａｄｅｓｃｏｎｓｉｄｅｒａｂｌｅａｄｖａｎｃｅｓｈａｖｅｂｅｅｎｍａｄｅｔｏｗａｒｄｓｒｅｃｏｇｎｉｚｉｎｇａｎｄｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇｔｈｅｔｅｃｔｏｎｉｃｓｉｇｎｉｆｉｃａｎｃｅｏｆｄ...

Zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of magmatic and metamorphic rocks from the Hida Belt, southwest Japan

Zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data integrated in this study for magmatic and metamorphic rocks fromthe Hida Belt,southwest Japan,lead to a new understanding of the evolution of the Cordilleran arc system along the ancestral margins of present-day Northeast Asia.Ion microprobe data for magmatic zircon domains from eight mafic tointermediate orthogneisses in the Tateyama and Tsunogawa areas yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages spanning the entire Permian period(302–254 Ma).Under cathodoluminescence,primary magmatic growth zones in the zircon crystals were observed to be partially or completely replaced by inward-penetrating,irregularly curved featureless or weakly zoned secondary domains that mostly yielded U–Pb ages of 250–240 Ma and relatively high Th/U ratios(>0.2).These secondary domains are considered to have been formed by solid-state recrystallization during thermal overprints associated with intrusions of Hida granitoids.Available whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotope data as well as zircon age spectra corroborate that the Hida Belt comprises the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Cordilleran arc system built upon the margin of the North China Craton,together with the YeongnamMassif in southern Korea.The arcmagmatismalong this systemwas commenced in the Carboniferous and culminated in the Permian–Triassic transition period.Highly positiveεHf(t)values(>+12)of late Carboniferous to early Permian detrital zircons in the Hida paragneisses indicate that there was significant input from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and/or its crustal derivatives in the early stage of arc magmatism.On the other hand,near-chondriticεHf(t)values(+5 to−2)of magmatic zircons from late Permian Hida orthogneisses suggest a lithospheric mantle origin.Hf isotopic differences between magmatic zircon cores and the secondary rims observed in some orthogneiss samples clearly indicate that the zircons were chemically open to fluids or melts during thermal overprints.Resumed highly positive zirconεHf(t)values(>+9)shared by Early Jurassic granitoids in the Hida Belt and Yeongnam Massif may reflect reworking of the Paleozoic arc crust.

Control of Interior Sources on Time-Bound Characteristics of Mineralization in Southwest Yangtze Massif

Ｒｅｃｅｎｔｌｙ，ｔｉｍｅ－ｂｏｕｎｄｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓｏｆｍｉｎｅｒａｌｉｚａｔｉｏｎｂｅ－ｃｏｍｅｏｎｅｏｆｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｇｒｏｗｉｎｇｐｏｉｎｔｓｉｎｏｒｅｄｅｐｏｓｉｔｇｅｏｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙａｎｄｃｏｎｃｅｎｔ...

The Puesto Piris Formation: Evidence of basin-development in the North Patagonian Massif during crustal extension associated with Gondwana breakup

The Marifil Volcanic Complex, exposed in the eastern North Patagonian Massif, Argentina, includes up to 550 m of red conglomerates, sandstones, black siltstones, limestones, and reworked tuff of the Puesto Piris Formation. The basal part of this unit, which was deposited in high-gradient topographic relief, is composed of conglomerates and sandstones with thin layers of reworked tuffs. The lithofacies associations of the basal part indicate that the depositional mechanisms were mantled and gravitational flows.The middle part of the unit consists of fine sandstones, limestones, and black siltstones that were deposited in low-energy fluvial and lacustrine environments. The outcrops are located along the NEe SW direction and the major thickest units represented by limestones and siltstones, occur near the southeastern border of this NEeS W depocenter. Since the rhyolitic and trachytic lava flows and tuffs of the Marifil Volcanic Complex are interbedded with the sedimentary sequences of the Puesto Piris Formation,both units are coeval. Zircon Ue Pb age was obtained for a trachytic lava flow(193.4 ±3.1 Ma) suggesting that sedimentation and volcanism are Sinemurian. This extensional episode was recorded in the eastern,western, and southwestern sectors of the North Patagonian Massif, and is possibly associated with the Gondwana supercontinent breakup.

Modeling of deformation processes in rock massif in the vicinity of underground goafs considering the formation of discontinuity zones

The construction of mechanical-mathematical model and numerical method for the deformation processes of rock massifs with goafs and underground structures is very complex and also important task in modern rock mechanics.In this study,the mechanical-mathematical model is developed for rock massif in vicinity of underground goafs considering the internal block-layered structure of the rock massif.A new constitutive model is introduced in this study to describe the negative Poisson’s ratio for the lock-layered structure.Two types of defining equations systems for studying the state of a rock massif taking into account the block-layered structure are described.Finally,several examples are given using the present mechanical-mathematical model.