Testing final closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker suture by a transition of compressional and extensional setting

The giant Central Asian Orogenic Belt is an extensive accretionary orogen,of which the Solonker suture,as a major regional suture,coincides closely with an early Permian paleobiogeographical boundary.This suture is considered to mark the location of the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean between the North China Craton and the Mongolian Terrane.Although the closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker suture has generally been regarded as Late Permian-Early Triassic,uncertainty remains because of a lack of typical collisionrelated features(e.g.,high-grade regional metamorphism and well-developed fold-thrust structures)and a scarcity of outcrops.The present study reports Early Permian foliated gabbros and dikes(288-275 Ma)and Middle-Late Permian undeformed layered gabbros,strongly peraluminous granites,and I-type granites(265-254 Ma)in the Xinhure area along the northern margin of the North China Craton.The Early Permian foliated intrusions have a subduction-related geochemical signature and were derived from partial melting of lithospheric mantle modified by subduction-related melts or fluids at the active margin of the North China Craton.In contrast,the Late Permian undeformed layered gabbros and strongly peraluminous granites were derived from partial melting of lithospheric mantle and middle-upper crust,respectively,triggered by asthenospheric upwelling.Therefore,a transition from an end-compressional to an extensional environment according to a transition from collision termination to postcollision of the North China Craton and Mongolian Terrane may have occurred between 275 Ma and 262 Ma.This time span can be considered as the final closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker suture.

Meso-Cenozoic Tectonothermal History of Permian Strata, Southwestern Weibei Uplift: Insights from Thermochronology and Geothermometry

This study provides an integrated interpretation for the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonothermal evolutionary history of the Permian strata in the Qishan area of the southwestern Weibei Uplift,Ordos Basin.Apatite fission-track and apatite/zircon(U-Th)/He thermochronometry,bitumen reflectance,thermal conductivity of rocks,paleotemperature recovery,and basin modeling were used to restore the Meso-Cenozoic tectonothermal history of the Permian Strata.The Triassic AFT data have a pooled age of^180±7 Ma with one age peak and P(χ2)=86%.The average value of corrected apatite(U-Th)/He age of two Permian sandstones is^168±4 Ma and a zircon(U-Th)/He age from the Cambrian strata is^231±14 Ma.Bitumen reflectance and maximum paleotemperature of two Ordovician mudstones are 1.81%,1.57%and^210℃,~196℃respectively.After undergoing a rapid subsidence and increasing temperature in Triassic influenced by intrusive rocks in some areas,the Permian strata experienced four cooling-uplift stages after the time when the maximum paleotemperature reached in late Jurassic:(1)A cooling stage(~163 Ma to^140 Ma)with temperatures ranging from^132℃to^53℃and a cooling rate of^3℃/Ma,an erosion thickness of^1900 m and an uplift rate of^82 m/Ma;(2)A cooling stage(~140 Ma to^52 Ma)with temperatures ranging from^53℃to^47℃and a cooling rate less than^0.1℃/Ma,an erosion thickness of^300 m and an uplift rate of^3 m/Ma;(3)(~52 Ma to^8 Ma)with^47℃to^43℃and^0.1℃/Ma,an erosion thickness of^500 m and an uplift rate of^11 m/Ma;(3)(~8 Ma to present)with^43℃to^20℃and^3℃/Ma,an erosion thickness of^650 m and an uplift rate of^81 m/Ma.The tectonothermal evolutionary history of the Qishan area in Triassic was influenced by the interaction of the Qinling Orogeny and the Weibei Uplift,and the south Qishan area had the earliest uplift-cooling time compared to other parts within the Weibei Uplift.The early Eocene at^52 Ma and the late Miocene at^8 Ma,as two significant turning points after which both the rate of uplift and the rate of temperature changed rapidly,were two key time for the uplift-cooling history of the Permian strata in the Qishan area of the southwestern Weibei Uplift,Ordos Basin.

The Geochemistry of Late Mesozoic Mafic Dyke Swarms in Fujian Province, Southeast China

Mafic dyke swarms is a special geologic terrain in continent,which can provide us abundant geodynamic information,mafic dyke swarms were an important symbol of the lithospheric extension,which were mainly derived

Paleoclimatic application of spectral parameters to the eolian red clay of the Jianzha Basin,northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Reflectance spectroscopy is rapid,inexpensive,and non-destructive and can provide important information about the mineralogy of rocks and sediments.We measured the reflectance spectroscopy of Miocene red clay deposits on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,with the aim of developing a rapid methodology for detecting paleoclimatic changes.We obtained visible/near-infrared(VNIR)and short-wave infrared(SWIR)spectroscopy data from the red clay in the Jianzha Basin,and analyzed their relationship with independent paleoclimatic records,including mineral contents and environmental magnetic parameters.The results show that the VNIR parameters,including D500,D900,R500,and R900(where D and R represent the depth and reflectance of the absorption peaks around 500 and 900 nm,respectively)are temperature-sensitive and correlated with the magnetic susceptibility,frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility,and the marine δ^(18)O record.The results of frequency-domain analysis of the VNIR parameters show that they reflect climate change on orbital timescales.SWIR parameters,such as AS1400,D1400/D1900 and D1900(where AS represents the asymmetry of the absorption peaks around1400 nm),are correlated with the illite and montmorillonite content,and they are sensitive to the weathering intensity.The spectral parameters of the eolian red clay in the Jianzha Basin reflect regional climatic changes caused by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau at~8.5 Ma and global climatic cooling at~7.2 Ma,and thus they are applicable as both regional and global paleoenvironmental indicators.

Different Burial-Cooling History of Triassic Strata between the Western Weibei Uplift and the Northwestern Weihe Basin in Northwest China

Analysis of tectonothermal history of the Yanchang Formation in the western Weibei Uplift and in the northwestern Weihe Basin can reconstruct the cooling history of the southwest most remained Upper Triassic source rock of the North China Plate. Apatite fission-track(AFT) and(U-ThSm)/He(AHe) analysis were used to recover the cooling and uplift history of the Upper Triassic here. Ten sandstones from the Middle–Upper Triassic strata yield AFT ages between 179.8 ± 7.4 and 127.6 ± 8.1 Ma. AHe ages of two sandstones have the value of 37.7 ± 2.3–131.1 ± 8.1 and 45.7 ± 2.8–83.5 ± 5.2 Ma. Time-temperature modeling results showed that tectonothermal history of the Yanchang Formation was initially different in time-space relationships but then became almost identical through time followed by different cooling rate. Modeling results of the Triassic strata in the Qianyang area and the Yaojiagou area revealed three different uplift-cooling stages commencing in the Late Jurassic at ~165 Ma and in Early Cretaceous at ~110 Ma, respectively, both followed by first similar cooling histories to the Early Miocene at ~20 – 23 Ma and then different since the Late Miocene. Uplift-cooling rate since the Late Miocene at ~8 Ma were different between the Western Weibei Uplift and the Northwestern Weihe Basin. The timing, cooling-uplift rates of the Yaojiagou area, which was mainly controlled by movements related to the Liupanshan Mountains, the Qinling Orogens and the Weibei Uplift, had the earliest onset of uplift-cooling for the Upper Triassic series compared to other regions within the Weibei Uplift. Cooling paths for the Upper Triassic series became uniform regionally in the Early Cretaceous marking a key time for the tectonothermal evolutionary history of Upper Triassic series in the southwestern North China Plate.

A Preliminary Review of Metallogenic Regularity of Copper Deposits in China

Copper resources in China are rich, but imported copper products are still required. Researches on metallogenic regularity of major types of copper deposits by geologists have involved in worldwide classification, significant copper belts, representative copper deposits, etc. Studies on metallogenic regularity of copper deposits in China also have made achievements with a long-term work. Combined with latest exploration advances obtained in recent ten years, this review aims to conclude the achievements of researches on copper metallogenic regularity in China. Based on data of 814 copper deposits and other ore （mineralized） occurrences, ten prediction types of copper deposits have been suggested. Porphyry and skarn copper ores are taken as the key targets. Porphyry copper deposits are the most important one which concentrate in Gangdese, Changdu-Sanjiang, Dexing and East Tianshan. The Cenozoic and Mesozoic are the major metallogenic epochs. Four main metallogenic epochs are been studied based on the copper ore geochronological data including Precambrian Era （Archean and Proterozoic）, Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era and Cenozoic Era. Based on the study of metallogenic series of ore deposits in China, twenty-seven metallogenic series of copper deposits are proposed. This is suggested to deepen the study of metallogenic regularity of copper ore and provide the theory guide for copper resources prediction in China.

A Preliminary Review of Metallogenic Regularity of Gold Deposits in China

Gold is one of the most important mineral resources in China with its rich mineral resources. In recent years, significant progress has been made on the process of gold resource exploration. Some large and giant gold deposits were newly found and some important expansions in the main mining regions were also been completed. Studies on metailogenic regularity of gold deposits in China also have made achievements with a long-term work. This review aims to conclude the achievements of research on gold metallogenic regularity in China. Based on the data of about 2000 gold deposits and other ore （mineralized） occurrences, gold deposits in China were classified into five prediction types： gold deposits genetically related to granite-greenstone formation, gold deposits related to sedimentary formation （including the Carlin type and the metamorphosed clastic rock related vein gold deposit）, gold deposits genetically related to volcanic rocks （including the continental and marine types）, gold deposits genetically related to intrusions （including the porphyry type and the inner intrusion and contact zone related gold deposit）, gold deposits of supergenesis （including fracture zone-altered rock gold deposit, placer gold deposit, gossan type gold precise chronology data of gold deposits indicate deposit and soil type gold deposit）. Statistics on that there occurred 5 main periods of gold- mineralization in geological history of China. They were Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic, Meso- Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Gold deposits in China mainly formed in the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic. On the studies of the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of gold deposits, 53 gold-forming belts were delineated in China. The metallogenic regularity of gold deposits was preliminarily summarized and 71 gold metallogenic series were proposed in China. This suggests that it is necceary to deepen the study on metallogenic regularity of gold deposits and to provide the theory guide for the ore-prospecting for gold resources in China.

Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds:Distribution,Lithostratigraphy and Paleoenvironments

Cretaceous oceanic red beds （CORBs） represented by red shales and marls, were deposited during the Cretaceous and early Paleocene, predominantly in the Tethyan realm, in lower slope and abyssal basin environments. Detailed studies of CORBs are rare; therefore, we compiled CORBs data from deep sea ocean drilling cores and outcrops of Cretaceous rocks subaerially exposed in southern Europe, northwestern Germany, Asia and New Zealand. In the Tethyan realm, CORBs mainly consist of reddish or pink shales, limestones and marlstones. By contrast, marlstones and chalks are rare in deep-ocean drilling cores. Upper Cretaceous marine sediments in cores from the Atlantic Ocean are predominantly various shades of brown, reddish brown, yellowish brown and pale brown in color. A few red, pink, yellow and orange Cretaceous sediments are also present. The commonest age of CORBs is early Campanian to Maastrichtian, with the onset mostly of oxic deposition often after Oceanic Anoxic Events （OAEs）, during the early Aptian, late Albian-early Turonian and Campanian. This suggests an indicated and previously not recognized relationship between OAEs, black shales deposition and CORBs. CORBs even though globally distributed, are most common in the North Atlantic and Tethyan realms, in low to mid latitudes of the northern hemisphere; in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean in the mid to high latitudes of the southern hemisphere; and are less frequent in the central Pacific Ocean. Their widespread occurrence during the late Cretaceous might have been the result of establishing a connection for deep oceanic current circulation between the Pacific and the evolving connection between South and North Atlantic and changes in oceanic basins ventilation.

Revisiting Rhenium-Osmium Isotopic Investigations of Petroleum Systems: From Geochemical Behaviours to Geological Interpretations

Recent decades have witnessed an increasing number of studies investigating petroleum systems with the application of rhenium-osmium(Re-Os) isotopic geochemistry. Here, we review the use of the 187 Re-187 Os geochronometer with respect to the geochemical behaviour of rhenium and osmium in hydrocarbon-related geological processes. The Re-Os budget in hydrocarbon source rock predominantly originates from natural water columns during its deposition. Open seawater tends to have a homogeneous Os isotopic composition because its residence time in seawater is longer than the time taken for ocean mixing. On the contrary, restricted water bodies(e.g., lakes) may have heterogeneous Os isotopic compositions due to the greater amount of terrigenous input. Hydrogenous Re and Os atoms are sequestered from the water body into sedimentary organic matter and transferred into crude oil through thermal maturation of organic matter. Thermal maturation likely does not significantly alter the Re-Os isotopic systematics of the source rock as a Re-Os isochron age of 442±21 Ma(2σ) is yielded in this study for over matured source rocks within the Silurian Longmaxi Formation from the Sichuan Basin. Re-Os atoms are mainly hosted by the highly polar/aggregating/aromatic asphaltenes in hydrocarbons, possibly chelating with organic complexes or occurring as metalloporphyrins. Resin and aromatic hydrocarbons also contribute to the Re-Os budget, but are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of asphaltenes, whereas saturates do not contain appreciable Re-Os contents. The distribution of Re-Os atoms in hydrocarbons is heterogeneous because the duplicate analysis of pure single bitumen samples yields similar ^(187)Os/^(188)Os ratios whereas variable ^(187)Re/^(188)Os ratios. The Re-Os system in crude oils can be reset during transport away from the source rocks, with Os-rich organic fractions more readily expelled than Re-rich fractions. Contact with metal-rich fluids(e.g., hydrothermal fluid) or compositional changes related to asphaltene contents(e.g., deasphalting, biodegradation, thermal cracking and thermochemical sulphate reduction) are also likely to alter the Re-Os systematics in hydrocarbons. These geochemical features enable the ^(187)Re-^(187)Os isotopic system to have robust applicability for petroleum system investigations, which may use the Re-Os radiometric tool for:(1) stratigraphic correlation of source rocks,(2) dating geological events altering the asphaltene content in hydrocarbon such as hydrocarbon generation, thermochemical sulphate reduction, etc., and,(3) fingerprinting hydrocarbons. Regardless of the robustness of the ^(187)Re-^(187)Os geochronometer for petroleum system investigations, there are several pending questions such as partitioning between solid organic species or between organic matter and sulphide, chelating sites in hydrocarbons and Os isotopic equilibration between hydrocarbon subfractions. To improve the understanding of the Re-Os behaviour in petroleum systems, we underscore multi-proxies-based geochemistry(e.g., inorganic-organic geochemistry) and experimental studies(e.g., hydrous pyrolysis).