Petrology, Metamorphic Process and Genesis of The Dabie--Sulu Eclogite Belt, Eastern--Central China

The Qinling-Dabie-Sulu high-pressure and ultra-high pressure metamorphic belt wasformed by subduction and collision between the North China and Yangtze plates. The study ofthe eclogite belt is very important in understanding the evolution of the Qinling Dabie orogen. Inthe present paper the geology, petrology, minerology and chronology of the eclogites in the Dabieand Sulu areas are described. The principal conclusions of this work are as follows: (1) Based up-on the field occurrence and the P-T conditions of the eclogites, two types of eclogite can be dis-tinguished: Type 1—the low-temperature and high-pressure eclogite in the mid-late Proterozoicmetamorphic series, and Type 2—the ultra-high pressure eclogite in the late Archaean to earlyProterozoic metamorphic complex. In the Dabie area, the ultra-high-pressure eclogite,high-pressure eclogite and epidote-blueschist units are nearly parallel to each other and stretchintermittently from north to south. (2) The P-T conditions of the high-pressure eclogites and ul-tra-high pressure eclogites have been estimated. The former are formed at 450-550℃ and1.4-1.6 GPa; while the latter at 650-870℃ and >2.7-2.9 GPa in the Dabie area and at820-1000℃ and >2.8-3.1 GPa in the Sulu area. The metamorphic temperatures of the eclogitesincrease progressively from west to east. (3) The ultra-high pressure eclogites were subjected to 5stages of metamorphism: pre-eclogite epidote amphibolite facies, peak coesite eclogite facies,post-eclogite amphibolite facies, epidote-blueschist facies or epidote amphibolite facies andgreenschist facies. The general features of the PTt path of the ultra-high pressure eclogite are:clockwise pattern, progressive metamorphism being a process of slow increasing temperature andrapid increasing pressure, and the retrogressive section with nearly isothermal decompression atthe early stage, isobaric cooling at the middle stage and nearly isothermal decompression at thelate stage. (4) At least two stages of high-pressure metamorphism occurred in the orogenic belt:the high-pressure eclogite and ultra-high pressure eclogite were formed by the subduction of theoceanic crust northward beneath the North China plate or the Dabie block during theCaledonian; while the epidote-blueschist belt came into being by subdution and collision be-tween the two continental plates during the Indosinian. (5) Due to the continuous sequentialsubduction of the cold plate, the ultra high-presssure metamorphic rocks were uplifted to thecrust by the underplating processes. They can be preserved just because of the 'frozen effect' re-sulting from the continuous subduction of the cold plate. (6) The carbonates, such as magnesite,breunnerite, aragonite and dolomite, and the H_2O-bearing minerals, such as phengite, epidoteand zoisite, were stable during the high-pressure and/or ultra-high pressure metamorphism.

SHRIMP Dating and Recrystallization of Metamorphic Zircons from a Granitic Gneiss in the Sulu UHP Terrane

An unusual zircon SHRIMP dating result of a granitic gneiss from the Qinglongshan eclogite-gneiss roadcut section is presented in this paper. The very peculiar and complicated internal structures, as well as the very low Th/U ratios (0.01-0.08) of the zircons indicate that they were formed by metamorphic recrystallization. Strongly in contrast with previously published zircon U-Pb ages of the Dabie-Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks where protolith ages of 600-800 Ma are commonly recorded, only metamorphic age of 218±5 Ma, defined by 18 analytical spots either in rim or in core of zircons, are recorded in this granitic gneiss. This age represents the time of the complete metamorphic recrystallization overprint on primary magmatic zircons. The recrystallization was derived by the UHP metamorphism, and was strengthened by the early stage of retrograde metamorphic fluid activity.

Relic UHP Structures in Dabie-Sulu Region, China: Structural Expression and Geodynamic Significance

The present day observed tectonic framework of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt in the Dabie Sulu region was dominantly formed by an extensional process at 200-170 Ma, under amphibolite facies conditions, following the Triassic collision between the Sino Korean and Yangtze cratons. UHP relic structures, including massive eclogites with a weak foliation, UHP shear zones and A type folds, that are preserved in less retrograde metamorphism and deformation overprinted eclogite lenses can be recognized using the tectonic analysis. Examples are drawn from the Chengmagang area and Hejiawan area, Hubei; Bixiling area, Anhui, and Donghai area, northern Jiangsu. A speculative kinematic model is proposed for the collision between the cratons based on the UHP relic structures studied, in combination with the data of petrography, geochronology and P T path of UHP metamorphic rocks in the studied region which were reported in literature. It is stressed that only the early UHP relic structures, particularly, regionally consistent foliation and stretching lineations, record and reflect the formation of the UHP metamorphic rocks, and the relative dynamic and kinematic process related to the Triassic NNE directed oblique collision between the Sino Korean and Yangtze cratons.

The Discovery of Diamond from the Zhimafang Pyrope Peridotite of the Sulu UHP Metamorphic Zone, East China, and Its Geological Implications

From Donghai County of Jiangsu Province to Rongcheng County of Shandong Province on the southern border of the Sulu orogen, there exposes an ultramafic belt, accompanied with an ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic zone. It can be further divided into the Xugou belt (the northern belt), and the Maobei-Gangshang belt (the southern belt). One grain of diamond has been discovered from the Zhimafang pyrope peridotite in the southern belt using the heavy mineral method. The diamond grain is 2.13 mm × 1.42 mm × 0.83 mm in size and weighs 9.4 mg. The occurrence of the diamond suggests that the Zhimafang pyrope peridotite xenolith is derived from the lithospheric upper mantle. The tectonic emplacement mechanism of the pyrope peridotite xenoliths in granite-gneisses is obviously different from those in kimberlite. The Sulu orogen was located on the active continental margin of the Sino-Korean craton in the Neoproterozoic. The relatively cold and water-bearing oceanic crustal tholeiite slab subducted beneath the lithospheric mantle of the Sino-Korean craton, and partly melted to produce granitic magma and water-bearing fluids. The magma and fluids pierced through and fractured the overlying lithospheric mantle, and ascended to the crustal level together with the ultramafic mantle fragments as xenoliths.

Post-Collisional Ductile Extensional Tectonic Framework in the UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts in the Dabie-Sulu Region, China

The present-day observable tectonic framework of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and high-pressure (HP) metamorphic belts in the Dabie-Sulu region was dominantly formed by an extensional process, mostly between 200 and 170 Ma, following the Triassic collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. The framework that controls the present spatial distribution of UHP and HP metamorphic rocks in particular displays the typical features of a Cordilleran-type metamorphic core complex, in which at least four regional-scale, shallow-dipping detachment zones are recognized. Each of these detachment zones corresponds to a pressure gap of 0.5 to 2.0 GPa. The detachment zones separate the rocks exposed in the region into several petrotectonic units with different P-T conditions. The geometry and kinematics of both the detachment zones and the petrotectonic units show that the exhumation of UHP and HP metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu region was achieved, at least in part, by non-coaxial ductile flow in the multi-layered detachment zones, and by coaxial vertical shortening and horizontal stretching in the metamorphic units, under amphibolite- to greenschist-facies conditions, and in an extensional regime. All ductile extensional deformations occurred at depths below 10 to 15 km, i.e. below the brittle/ductile deformation transition.

Helium Isotope Geochemistry of Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Eclogites From the Dabie-Sulu Terrane in East China

: The 3He/4He ratios of most eclogites from the Dabie-Sulu terrane range from 0.056 to 0.67 Ra; the data points fall into the mixing part of the crust and the mantle in the 3He-4He diagram. The 3He/4He ratios of eclogites are obviously correlated with the types of their surrounding rocks. The helium isotope composition of the eclogites from the Bixiling complex possesses characters of mantle-derived rocks with the 3He/4He ratio being 5.6 Ra. The 4He concentration of the eclogites exhibits visible inverse correlation with the δ18O value of the quartz in the eclogites from the Sulu area. The δ18O values of the eclogites change synchronously with those of the country rocks. Those results suggest that protoliths of the eclogites were basic-ultrabasic rock bodies or veins intruding into the continental crust in the early stage; strong exchange and hybridization between the basic-ultrabasic rocks and continental rocks and the atmospheric water during the intrusion led to abrupt increase of the 3He/4He ratios, δ18O values and Nd(0) values of the intrusive bodies or veins, which show characters of continental rocks. This indicates that the eclogites are autochthonous.

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.

Zoned Zircon from Eclogite Lenses in Marbles from the Dabie-Sulu UHP Terrane,China: A Clear Record of Ultra-deep Subduction and Fast Exhumation

Eclogite lenses in marbles from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） terrane are deeply subducted meta-sedimentary rocks. Zircons in these rocks have been used to constrain the ages of prograde and UHP metamorphism during subduction, and later retrograde metamorphism during exhumation. Inherited （detrital） and metamorphic zircons were distinguished on the basis of transmitted light microscopy, cathodoluminescence （CL） imaging, trace element contents and mineral inclusions. The distribution of mineral inclusions combined with CL imaging of the metamorphic zircon make it possible to relate zircon zones （domains） to different metamorphic stages. Domain 1 consists of rounded, oblong and spindly cores with dark-luminescent images, and contains quartz eclogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under high-pressure （HP） metamorphic conditions of T = 571-668℃ and P =1.7-2.02 GPa. Domain 2 always surrounds domain 1 or occurs as rounded and spindly cores with white-luminescent images. It contains coesite eclogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under UHP metamorphic conditions of T = 782-849℃ and P 〉 5.5 GPa. Domain 3, with gray-luminescent images, always surrounds domain 2 and occurs as the outermost zircon rim. It is characterized by low-pressure mineral inclusion assemblages, which are related to regional amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism of T = 600- 710℃ and P = 0.7-1.2 GPa. The three metamorphic zircon domains have distinct ages; sample H1 from the Dabie terrane yielded SHRIMP ages of 245 ± 4 Ma for domain 1, 235 ± 3 Ma for domain 2 and 215± 6 Ma for domain 3, whereas sample H2 from the Sulu terrane yielded similar ages of 244 ± 4 Ma, 233 ± 4 Ma and 214 ± 5 Ma for Domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ages of these zones suggest that subduction to UHP depths took place over 10-11 Ma and exhumation of the rocks occurred over a period of 19-20 Ma. Thus, subduction from - 55 km to 〉 160 km deep mantle depth took place at rates of approximately 9.5-10.5 km/Ma and exhumation from depths 〉160 km to the base of the crust at -30 km occurred at approximately 6.5 km/Ma. We propose a model for these rocks involving deep subduction of continental margin lithosphere followed by ultrafast exhumation driven by buoyancy forces after break-off of the UHP slab deep within the mantle.

Petrology of the Non-mafic UHP Metamorphic Rocks from a Drillhole in the Southern Sulu Orogenic Belt,Eastern-Central China

The Drillhole ZK703 with a depth of 558 m is located in the Donghai area of the southern Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, eastern China, and penetrates typical UHP eclogites and various non-mafic rocks, including peridotite, gneiss, schist and quartzite. Their protoliths include ultramafic, mafic, intermediate, intermediate-acidic, acidic igneous rocks and sediments. These rocks are intimately interlayered, which are meters to millimeters thick with sharp and nontectonic contacts, suggesting in-situ metamorphism under UHP eclogite facies conditions. The following petrologic features indicate that the non-mafic rocks have experienced early-stage UHP metamorphism together with the eclogites: (1) phengite relics in gneisses and schists contain a high content of Si, up to 3.52 p.f.u. (per formula unit), while amphibolite-facies phengites have considerably low Si content (<3.26 p.f.u.); (2) jadeite relics are found in quartzite and jadeitite; (3) various types of symplectitic coronas and pseud

Early Cooling History of Eclogites from the Dabie-Sulu Orogen: Constraints from Diffusion Kinetics of Garnet

For the first time, we apply different geospeedometric models to garnet zoning patterns that were obtained in this study from detailed EMP analyses for garnets from eclogites and granulite in the Dabie-Sulu orogen. Various zonings of cation diffusion were preserved in the garnets, enabling the acquirement of average cooling rates for the high-to ultrahigh-pressure rocks without using geochronological approaches. The coesite-bearing hot eclogites yield fast cooling rates of about 20 to 30℃/Ma subsequent to peak metamorphic temperatures, whereas the cold eclogite gives a relatively slow cooling rate of 8℃/Ma at its initial exhumation. A very slow cooling rate of <0.3℃/Ma is obtained for the granulite at Huangtuling, suggesting that the granulite may not be involved in the continental deep subduction.

Structural Evidence for the in-situ Origin of the HP and UHP Eclogites in the Dabie-Sulu Orogenic Belt

Whether the HP and UHP metamorphic rocks of the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt are of an "in-situ" or "foreign" origin is a long-standing dispute among geologists. Eclogites preserved today in the HP and UHP units constitute merely 5-10%, which are not isolated exotic bodies tectonically intruding into amphibolite facies gneiss, but remnants of once pervasive or widespread eclogite-facies terranes or slabs. The present spatial distribution and forms of the eclogites have resulted from polyphase and progressive deformation and strain partitioning of the HP and UHP slabs. From their formation in deep mantle to their exhumation to the surface, the eclogites have experienced long-term deformation with different strain regimes. The dominant regime responsible for the present spatial distribution and forms of the eclogites is the shear process. The deformation patterns of the eclogites and gneiss matrix also clearly show that the eclogites were metamorphosed in situ. The original distribution area of the eclogites

Model study of the upper circulation in the Sulu Sea and its relation to the South China Sea circulation

According to the satellite remote sensing monthly mean sea surface temperature data from 1998 to 2002, it is shown that, the Sulu Sea is dominated by a cold eddy both in summer and winter. A coupled single-layer/two-layer model is employed here to study the summery and wintry characteristics and dynamic mechanism of the upper circulation in the Sulu Sea. According to the numerical experiments, it is found that, due to the local monsoon stress curl, the upper circulation in the Sulu Sea is dominated by a weak anticyclonic eddy in summer and a strong cyclonic eddy in winter. Once there is a large outflow via the Sibutu Passage flowing out of the Sulu Sea in summer, the upper circulation in the Sulu Sea may be dominated by a cyclonic eddy instead of the normal anticyclonic one. Moreover, in summer, the water exchange between the Sulu Sea and South China Sea via the Mindoro and Balabac Straits might have some effect on the separation position and strength of the northward western boundary current next to the Indo-China Peninsula in the southern South China Sea.

Characteristics and generations of internal wave in the Sulu Sea inferred from optical satellite images

Characteristics and generation of internal waves(IWs)in the Sulu Sea are studied using Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite(VIIRS)images taken from October 2016 to September 2019.Satellite observations show that IWs in the Sulu Sea mainly located in the shallower western areas with occasional observations in the deeper eastern regions.The dominant length of wave crest(LWC)of IWs is between 50 and 150 km with the largest LWC reaching over 300 km.The analysis of temporal distributions of IWs shows that March has the most IWs and July has the least.Further analysis shows that the seasonal variation is mainly due to the cloud contamination of optical satellite images.New generation sites of IWs are analyzed using satellite images.Six possible generation sites for IWs in the western Sulu Sea and one generation site for IWs in the eastern Sulu Sea are found using the ray-tracing method.Multi IW sources in the same strait are found,which may be due to the seawater fl ow over the strait in diff erent directions.The analysis shows that IWs with long wave crest in the Sulu Sea is a combined eff ort of all straits between small islands in the Sulu Archipelago.Remote generated IWs with long wave crest in the eastern Sulu Sea are studied,which are generated at the straits around(121.5°E,6°N)by the nonlinear evolution of internal tide originated from the Sulu Archipelago.

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.

Geochemical constraints on the origin of Early Cretaceous alkaline intrusions and its tectonic implication,Sulu Orogenic Belt,Eastern North China Craton

Post-orogenic alkaline intrusions from the Sulu Orogenic Belt of eastern North China Craton consist of A-type granites.In this study,we report U-Pb zircon ages,geochemical data,Sr-Nd-Pb,and zircon Hf isotopic data for these rocks.The LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon analyses yield consistent ages ranging from 127.1±2.4 to 119.5±4.8 Ma for four samples.The alkaline rocks are characterized by high total alkalis(K2 O+Na2 O=8.32-10.11 wt%),light rare-earth element enrichment,and heavy rare-earth element depletion,with a wide range(La/Yb)N values(20-48),moderate negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.50-0.74),enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs,i.e.,Rb,Th,U and Pb),and depletion in Ba,Sr and high field strength elements(HFSEs,i.e.,Nb,Ta,and Ti),high(87Sr/86Sr)i ranging from 0.708 to 0.7089,low sNd(t)values from-19.4 to-16.8,(206Pb/204Pb)i=16.751-16.935,(207Pb/204Pb)i=15.381-15.535,(208-Pb/204Pb)i=37.472-37.838,negativeεHf(t)values between-21.3 and-25.7 for the magmatic zircons,and larger TDM2 model ages from 2.5 to 2.8 Ga.These results suggest that the rocks were derived from a common enriched lithospheric mantle source that was metasomatized by foundered lower crustal eclogitic materials before magma generation.Furthermore,the geochemical and isotopic feature implies that the primary magma of these rocks originated through partial melting of ancient lithospheric mantle that was variably hybridized by melts derived from lower crust eclogite.These rocks in this study may have been generated by subsequent fractionation of potassium feldspar,plagioclase,ilmenite,and/or rutile.However,negligible crustal contamination occurred during the diagenesis process.

Trace Elements of Multi-stage Minerals and Titanite U-Pb Dating for the Gneisses from Liansan Island,Sulu UHPM Belt

Gneisses with anatectic characteristics from the Liansan island in the Sulu UHPM(ultra-high pressure metamorphic)belt were studied for petrography,titanite U-Pb dating and mineral geochemistry.Three origins of garnets are distinguished:metamorphic garnet,peritectic garnet and anatectic garnet,which are formed in the stages of peak metamorphism,retrograde anatexis and melt crystallization,respectively.The euhedral titanite has a high content of REE and high Th/U ratios,which is interpreted as indicating that it was newly-formed from an anatectic melt.The LA-ICP-MS titanite U-Pb dating yields 214-217 Ma ages for the titanite(melt)crystallization.The distribution of trace elements varies in response to the different host minerals at different stages.At the peak metamorphic stage,Y and HREE are mainly hosted by garnet,Ba and Rb by phengite,Sr,Nb,Ta,Pb,Th,U and LREE by allanite and Y,U and HREE by zircon.During partial melting,Y,Pb,Th,U and REE are released into the melt,which causes a dramatic decline of these element contents in the retrograde minerals.Finally,titanite absorbs most of the Nb,U,LREE and HREE from the melt.Therefore,the different stages of metamorphism have different mineral assemblages,which host different trace elements.

Elastic and Seismic Properties of Dabie-Sulu Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphic Rocks

Lame modulus （λ） and shear modulus （μ） are among the most important, intrinsic, elastic constants of rocks. Using 7. and μ could be much more advantageous than using P- and S-wave velocities （Vp and Vs）. Here we quantified these equivalent isotropic elastic moduli for 115 representative rocks from the ultrahigh pressure （UHP） metamorphic terrane of the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt （China） and their variations with pressure （P）, temperature （T）, density （p）, Vp, Vs and mineralogical composition. Both moduli increase nonlinearly and linearly with increasing pressure at low （〈200-300 MPa） and high （〉200-300 MPa） pressures, respectively. In the regime of high pressures, 7. and IX decrease quasi-linearly with increasing temperature with temperature derivatives dλ/dT and dμ/dT generally in the range of -10×10-3 to -1×10-3 GPa/℃. Dehydration of water-bearing minerals such as serpentine in peridotites and chlorite in retrograde eciogites results in an abrupt drop in 7. while μ remains almost unchanged. In Z-p, μ-p and 7.-IX plots, the main categories of UHP rocks can be characterized. Serpentinization leads to significant decreases in μ and 7. as serpentine has extremely low values of Z, μ and p. Eclogites, common mafic rocks （mafic gneiss, metagabbro and amphibolite）, and felsic rocks （orthogneiss and paragneiss） have high, moderate and low μ and λ values, respectively. For pyroxenes and olivines, λ increases but μ decreases with increasing Fe/Mg ratios. For plagioclase feldspars, both Z and μ exhibit a significant positive correlation with anorthite content. SiO2-rich felsic rocks and quartzites are deviated remarkably from the general trend lines of the acid-intermediate-mafic rocks in Vs-p, μ-p, λ-Vp,λ-Vs and μ-λ diagrams because quartz has extremely low λ （-8.1 GPa） and p （2.65 g/cm3） but moderate μ （44.4 GPa） values. Increasing the contents of garnet, rutile, ilmenite and magnetite results in a significant increase in the λ and μ values of the UHP metamorphic rocks. However, either λ or μ is insensitive to the compositional variations for pyralspite （pyrope-almandine-spessartine） solution series. The results provide potentially improved constraints on characterization of crustal composition based on the elastic properties of rocks and in situ seismic data from deep continental roots.

Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Anomalies of the Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure(UHP) Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Sulu ultra-high pressure(UHP)metamorphic belt in Eastern China is well known as the eastern extension of the Qingling-Dabie orogenic belt formed by subduction and collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons.The main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling(CCSD)project is located at the southern segment of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt(34°25′N/118°40′E),about 17 km southwest of Donghai County.Integrated geophysical investigations using gravity,magnetic,deep

Ventilation of the Sulu Sea retrieved from historical data

Based on historical observations, ventilation of the Sulu Sea （SS） is investigated and, its interbasin exchange is also partly discussed. The results suggest that near the surface the water renewal process not only occurs through the Mindoro Strait （MS） and the Sibutu Passage, but also depends on the inflows through the Surigao Strait and the Bohol Sea from the Pacific and through the Balabac Strait from the South China Sea （SCS）. Both inflows are likely persistent year round and their transports might not be negligible. Below the surface, the core layer of the Subtropical LowerWater （SLW） lies at about 200 m, which enters the SS through the Mindoro Strait not hampered by topography. Moreover, there is no indication of SLW inflow through the Sibutu Passage even though the channel is deep enough to allow its passage. The most significant ventilation process of the SS takes place in depths from 20a m to about 1200 m where intermediate convection driven by quasi-steady inflows through the Mindoro and Panay straits （MS-PS） dominates. Since the invaded water is drawn from the upper part of the North Pacific Intermediate Water （NPIW） of the SCS, it is normally not dense enough to sink to the bottom. Hence, the convective process generally can only reach some intermediate depths resulting in a layer of weak salinity minimum （about 34.45）. Below that layer, there is the Sulu Sea Deep Water （SSDW） homogeneously distributed from 1200 m down to the sea floor, of which the salinity is only a bit higher （about 34.46） above the minimum. Observational evidence shows that hydrographic conditions near the entrance of the MS in the SCS vary significantly from season to season, which make it possi- ble to provide the MS-PS overflowwith denser water of higher salinity sporadically. It is hence proposed that the SSDW is derived from intermittent deed convection resulted from DroDertv changes of the MS-PS inflow.

Investigation of Curie Point Depth in Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Curie point depth of continental crust can reflect the regional tectonic pattern and geothermal structures. Analysis of magnetism is an efficient way to obtain the Curie point depth on a regional scale. This study systematically investigated the Curie point depth of Sulu （苏鲁） ultrahigh pressure （UHP） metamorphic belt （33°40＇N to 36°20＇N and 118°E to 120°E, ca. 60 000 km^2）, eastern China using aeromagnetic data. The results show that the Curie point depth of the Sulu region varies from 18.5 to 27 km. The shallowest Curie point depth （ca. 18.5 km） is located in Subei （苏北） subsidence, where the estimated temperature gradient value is about 31.35℃/km, which is comparable with the measured value of 30 ℃/km. In addition, a two-dimensional numerical solution of the heat conduction was used to calculate the temperature field to a depth of 30 km along the profile from Tancheng （郯城） to Lianshui （涟水） with a length of 139 km. The steady state model solved using the finite element method shows that the temperature around the Curie point depth is about 585.36 ℃, which is close to the Curie temperature （580℃） of magnetite at atmospheric pressure. These results provide new insights into the tectonic and continuous thermal structures of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt.