Asian Earth Sci Research Articles

Corrigendum to “The Guttenberg δ13C excursion (GICE) and paleoclimate change recorded in the early Late Ordovician carbonate succession of the Ordos Basin, Northern Chinas” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 231 (2022) 105211

Corrigendum to “The Guttenberg δ13C excursion (GICE) and paleoclimate change recorded in the early Late Ordovician carbonate succession of the Ordos Basin, Northern Chinas” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 231 (2022) 105211

Corrigendum to “Pb-Pb baddeleyite ages of mafic dykes from the Western Dharwar Craton, Southern India: A window into 2.21–2.18 Ga global mafic magmatism” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 191 (2020) 104221

Corrigendum to “Pb-Pb baddeleyite ages of mafic dykes from the Western Dharwar Craton, Southern India: A window into 2.21–2.18 Ga global mafic magmatism” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 191 (2020) 104221

Corrigendum to “U–Pb, Re–Os and Ar–Ar dating of the Linghou polymetallic deposit, Southeastern China: Implications for metallogenesis of the Qingzhou–Hangzhou metallogenic belt” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 137 (2017) 163–179

Corrigendum to “U–Pb, Re–Os and Ar–Ar dating of the Linghou polymetallic deposit, Southeastern China: Implications for metallogenesis of the Qingzhou–Hangzhou metallogenic belt” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 137 (2017) 163–179

Atmospheric and ionospheric coupling phenomena associated with large earthquakes

This paper explores multi-instrument space-borne observations in order to validate physical concepts of Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) in relation to a selection of major seismic events. In this study we apply some validated techniques to observations in order to identify atmospheric and ionospheric precursors associated with some of recent most destructive earthquakes: M8.6 of March 28, 2005 and M8.5 of Sept. 12, 2007 in Sumatra, and M7.9 of May 12, 2008 in Wenchuan, China. New investigations are also presented concerning these three earthquakes and for the M7.2 of March 2008 in the Xinjiang-Xizang border region, China (the Yutian earthquake). It concerns the ionospheric density, the Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) of the Total Electron Content (TEC), the Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) anomalies, and the Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) data. It is shown that all these anomalies are identified as short-term precursors, which can be explained by the LAIC concept proposed in [S. Pulinets, D. Ouzounov, J. Asian Earth Sci. 41, 371 (2011)].

Withdrawal notice to “Petrogenesis of heterogeneous mantle peridotites with Ni-rich olivine from the Pujada Ophiolite, Philippines” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 205 (2021) 104596

Withdrawal notice to “Petrogenesis of heterogeneous mantle peridotites with Ni-rich olivine from the Pujada Ophiolite, Philippines” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 205 (2021) 104596

Retraction notice to “Structural styles and origin of the Dabashan foreland arcuate belt and basin-mountain system in central China” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 176 (2019) 244–252

Retraction notice to “Structural styles and origin of the Dabashan foreland arcuate belt and basin-mountain system in central China” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 176 (2019) 244–252

Corrigendum to “The influence of a weak upper ductile detachment on the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt (eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau): Insights from sandbox experiments” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 198 (2020) 104220

Corrigendum to “The influence of a weak upper ductile detachment on the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt (eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau): Insights from sandbox experiments” [J. Asian Earth Sci. 198 (2020) 104220

Intensity Attenuation Model Evaluation for Bangladesh with Respect to the Surrounding Potential Seismotectonic Regimes

An effort has been made through this study to evaluate the existing intensity attenuation model (IPE) for the potential seismotectonic regimes in and around Bangladesh. To reach the goal, the seismicity of the concerned tectonic regimes has been analyzed. Apart from evaluating the appropriate intensity model, this research has also assessed the predictive performance of epicentral intensity estimation. Different magnitude types have been made uniform by converting into moment magnitude and subsequently into the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (MMI). The epicentral intensity conversion following Li in Chinese Earthquakes (Seismological Press, Beijing, 1980) fits best for the study area among the utilized four predictive equations. The epicentral intensity conversion from the moment magnitude shows that small to moderate earthquakes get significantly overestimated. Suitable attenuation models have been applied to the different tectonic regimes based on the criteria of using the IPEs. Among all the utilized IPEs, the relation of Bakun et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 93:190–202, 2003) exhibits the highest standard deviation (σ = 1.61) in attenuation with distance. Although the Szeliga et al.’s (Bull Seismol Soc Am 100(2):570–584, 2010) attenuation relation has a standard deviation of 1.22, the intensity decay is little even for the greater distance (~ 800–900 km). Up to Mw 7.0, the IPE of Bindi et al. (Geophys J Int 187(1):327–337, 2011) shows realistic attenuation scenario (with σ = 1.3); however, at lower magnitude range (< Mw 7.0), the intensity starts to decay sharply. Still, the IPE of Bindi et al. (2011) is more realistic in comparison of the shakemaps of the past and in terms of convincible intensity decay with greater distance (~ 500–900 km). However, the intensity close to the epicenter gets very high MMI (XI or larger) value for the major events (Mw ≥ 8.5). Although the IPE of Chandler and Lam (J Asian Earth Sci 20(7):775–790, 2002) has distance constraints, its performance is acceptable considering the attenuation scenario with distance along with the lowest standard deviation (~ 0.92). Considering the seismic events from the only strike-slip Churachandpur Mao fault of the study area, Bakun and Wentworth (Bull Seismol Soc Am 87(6):1502–1521, 1997) relation has been applied to determine the attenuation pattern.

Comments on “Geomorphic evidences of tectonic instability during the Late Quaternary Period along southern Saurashtra, western India” by Prizomwala (2018)

The coastal tract of Saurashtra has been primarily controlled by sea-level changes and neo-tectonism thereby preserving coastal geomorphic features such as tidal notches, intertidal platforms and relict mudflats underscoring the interplay of sea-level and tectonics for the present coastal configuration. In a recent paper, Prizomwala (Arab J Geosci 11:397, 2018) investigated the geomorphic evidences of tectonic activity from the coastal tract of southern Saurashtra region based on the morphometry and the geomorphic features particularly the tidal notches. In the interpretation and estimation of tectonics, the author is making the same inferences which is already published by Banerji et al. (J Asian Earth Sci 111:428–439, 2015); thus, the paper does not contribute anything new towards understanding the tectonic instability of the study area.

Real Time Isothermal Raman Spectroscopy of Solid-State Kinetics: Goethite Dehydration in N2 Atmosphere

A novel, real-time, in-situ, micro-Raman technique was developed for the monitoring and physicochemical kinetics characterization of solid-state reactions. The technique comprises the acquisition and analysis of a set of time-dependent, isothermal Raman spectra. The pertinence of the technique is demonstrated by the contributions to the study of the dehydration of synthetic goethite (FeOOH) to hematite (Fe2O3). The process was monitored for up to 16 hrs in N2 atmosphere at temperatures of 220, 230 and 240 oC. The Raman spectral range of 200 to 700 cm-1 was deconvoluted using an iterative fitting algorithm. The isothermal, time-dependent mode analysis yields values for the reaction rates, which exhibit first-order kinetic behavior. The energy barriers of a two-step dehydration process are estimated to be 105 ± 19 kJ/mol and 74 ± 7 kJ/mol in agreement with molecular dynamic simulations (Wen-Juan Zhang et al, J. Mol. Struct.: THEOCHEM, 950 (2010) 20–26). Our study concurs with other reports on the activation energy of the same process in air, employing infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry (Walter D., Thermochim. Acta 445 (2006) 195 -199; Prasad et al., J. Asian Earth Sci. 27 (2006) 503-511). This in-situ, Raman spectroscopic experiment is a promising, non-destructive, real-time analysis technique with applications to various kinetic solid-state processes such as oxidation, dehydration, and phase transformations.

Global reconstructions of Cenozoic seafloor ages: Implications for bathymetry and sea level

Although accurate estimates of Cenozoic seafloor ages will serve to further our understanding of the relationship between mantle dynamics, plate tectonics, and a variety of surficial geological processes, it is difficult to estimate ages of subducted seafloor. However, given the near-constancy of surface velocities within a tectonic stage, we can estimate Cenozoic plate ages, even for subducted lithosphere. We reconstruct seafloor ages based on the Cenozoic plate reconstructions and absolute rotation poles of Gordon and Jurdy [R.G. Gordon and D.M. Jurdy, Cenozoic Global Plate Motions, J. Geophys. Res. 91 (1986) 12389–12406.]. For the western Pacific, we explore alternative models based on the reconstructions of Hall [R. Hall, Cenozoic geological and plate tectonic evolution of SE Asia and the SW Pacific: computer-based reconstructions, model and animations, J. Asian Earth Sci. 20 (2002) 353–434.]. Both reconstructions indicate an increase in average seafloor age since the early Cenozoic, resulting in an increase in the volume of ocean basins and a decreased sea level since the Early Cenozoic. These trends are more pronounced for the Gordon and Jurdy [R.G. Gordon and D.M. Jurdy, Cenozoic Global Plate Motions, J. Geophys. Res. 91 (1986) 12,389–12,406.] reconstruction because the Hall [R. Hall, Cenozoic geological and plate tectonic evolution of SE Asia and the SW Pacific: computer-based reconstructions, model and animations, J. Asian Earth Sci. 20 (2002) 353–434.] reconstruction retains older seafloor in the western Pacific, which approximately halves the predicted sea level decrease since the early Cenozoic (250 vs. 125 m compared to geologic estimates of ∼150 m). These changes in sea level occur despite decreases in oceanic lithosphere production rates of only about 20% in both models. Thus, the changing distribution of seafloor age has a larger effect on sea level than changes in spreading rates or ridge lengths. These reconstructions can also be used to estimate past heat flow, the volume of subducted buoyancy and changes in the bathymetry of the Cenozoic ocean basins.

Petrological and geochemical study of the Late Cretaceous ophiolite of Khoy (NW Iran), and related geological formations

This paper, based on 113 new whole rock analyses and about 3500 electron microprobe analyses of the mineral phases, is dedicated to the petrography and geochemistry of the Khoy ophiolites and related formations, NW Iran. It is complementary to a previous paper published in this Journal, where we gave a detailed description of the geology of the Khoy area, including various geological field sections, two geological maps in colour, new micropaleontological data and 27 new 40K– 40Ar datings (Khalatbari-Jafari, M., Juteau, T., Bellon, H., Whitechurch, H., Cotten, J., Emami, H., 2004. New geological, geochronological and geochemical investigations on the Khoy ophiolites and related formations, NW Iran. J. Asian Earth Sci. 23, 507–535). Our conclusions are: (a) The petrographic study confirms the field data showing the existence of two ophiolite complexes in the region of Khoy. (b) The Late Cretaceous ophiolitic lavas of the Khoy region exhibit very homogeneous T-MORB-type multi-element plots, suggesting that they were formed at oceanic spreading centers, by partial melting of a depleted mantle source, probably contaminated by one or several regional mantle plumes, responsible for their moderate enrichment in LREE. They do not show any negative anomaly for Nb, Zr or Ti, which allows us to exclude a genesis in a ‘supra-subduction’ environment. (c) The Late Cretaceous ophiolite of Khoy was created at a slow-spreading oceanic ridge. (d) Cryptic variations along extrusive and layered gabbros sections suggest frequent replenishment and magma mixing events in the magma chambers. (e) The ‘supra-ophiolitic turbiditic series’ overlying the Late Cretaceous ophiolite was accumulated in a subduction trench running along the northwestern margin of the Iran Block. This trench was fed with detrital volcanic fragments from both sides: T-MORB basalt fragments from the ocean-side, and arc-type basalts from the continent-side. (f) The meta-ophiolites of Khoy probably also represent slow-spreading conditions, and the porphyroclastic to mylonitic tectonites preserved in these metamorphic slices attest to extreme conditions of ductile shearing, characteristic of oceanic fracture zones.