Evolution Of Intrusion Research Articles

How Hydrogen Affects the Formation and Evolution of Persistent Slip Bands in High‐Purity α‐Iron

The effect of hydrogen on the fatigue behavior of materials has been studied extensively during the past 100 years, but is just poorly understood due to the complex interplay between hydrogen and deformation processes. In this context, hydrogen damage of metals is becoming one of the major challenges of decarbonization. While most work focuses on f.c.c. materials, the availability of relevant results becomes sparse when considering technologically highly relevant b.c.c. metals such as structural steels. This work uses in situ electrochemical hydrogen charging of α‐iron steels to investigate the formation and evolution of intrusions and extrusions prior to fatigue crack initiation using a new charging setup by which the specimens are charged from the interior. The advantage of this innovative technique is that the surface of the specimens can subsequently be characterized using atomic force microscopy without artefacts from electrochemical charging or corrosion. Hydrogen is shown to enhance slip localization at the early stages of damage. The developed persistent slip lines are less pronounced. By means of transmission Kikuchi diffraction, it is shown that orientation gradients between cells in the dislocation structure are much weaker in the presence of hydrogen. Hence, hydrogen appears to promote slip reversibility in b.c.c. materials.

Reply to Norini and Groppelli's comment on “Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico)” by Urbani et al. (2020)

Abstract. Structural studies in active caldera systems are widely used in geothermal exploration to reconstruct volcanological conceptual models. Active calderas are difficult settings to perform such studies mostly because of the highly dynamic environment, dominated by fast accumulation of primary and secondary volcanic deposits, the variable and transient rheology of the shallow volcanic pile, and the continuous feedbacks between faulting, secondary porosity creation, and geothermal fluid circulation, alteration and cementation that tend to obliterate the tectonic deformation structures. In addition, deformation structures can be also caused by near- and far-field stress regimes, which include magmatic intrusions at various depths, the evolving topography and regional tectonics. A lack of consideration of all these factors may severely underpin the reliability of structural studies. By rebutting and providing a detailed discussion of all the points raised by the comment of Norini and Groppelli (2020) to the Urbani et al. (2020) paper, we take the opportunity to specify the scientific rationale of our structural fieldwork and strengthen its relevance for geothermal exploration and exploitation in active caldera geothermal systems in general and, particularly, for the Holocene history of deformation and geothermal circulation in the Los Humeros caldera. At the same time, we identify several major flaws in the approach and results presented in Norini and Groppelli (2020), such as (1) the lack of an appropriate ranking of the deformation structures considering an inventory method for structural analysis; (2) the misinterpretation and misquoting of Urbani et al. (2020) and other relevant scientific literature; and (3) irrelevant and contradictory statements within their comment.

Tracking the sources and the evolution of the late Neoproterozoic granitic intrusions in the Brusque Group, Dom Feliciano Belt, South Brazil: LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP geochronology coupled to Hf isotopic analysis

The central Domain of the Neoproterozoic Dom Feliciano Belt in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina is mainly composed of a metavolcano-sedimentary sequence, the Brusque Group, and its crystalline basement, such as the Camboriú Complex. This association was intruded in its late-deformational stage by voluminous granitic magmatism, related to the metamorphic climax of the area. The intrusions share a distinct crustal affinity and are divided into three suites, from oldest to youngest, as indicated by field criteria: São João Batista, Valsungana and Nova Trento. We present seven new LA-ICP-MS and two SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages, coupled with in-situ analysis of Hf isotopes, and use them to discuss the magmatic sources and evolution of the intrusions, and propose an evolutionary model for this plutonic association. Intrusion mostly took place at 615–585 Ma, but the field stratigraphy is not necessarily reflected by U-Pb ages, which establish considerable overlaps between intrusions from different suites. Inherited zircon crystals are common, and reflect a long geological history that matches the geochronological record of the Brusque Group and the Camboriú Complex. Hf ratios are remarkably widespread, but strengthen the characteristic crustal signature of the magmatism, and partially overlap with whole-rock isotopic data for the same rocks. We propose that the intrusions were caused by a regional heating event within the central domain of the Dom Feliciano Belt in Santa Catarina, with limited direct mantellic contribution and more significant indirect thermal contribution through the voluminous magmatism of the recently juxtaposed Florianópolis Batholith. This triggered large-scale partial melting of the local continental crustal and formed the studied granites. The long-lasting magmatic event promoted the protracted generation and emplacement of numerous distinct intrusions synchronically, leading to contrasts between the field and U-Pb stratigraphy. The suites’ varied geochemical and isotopic characteristics probably reflect a combination of the heterogeneities of their source rocks with the impact of different magmatic processes during granitogenesis and emplacement. While the Valsungana and Nova Trento suites were probably generated within a deeper crustal level and underwent some degree of magmatic interaction, the peraluminous São João Batista Suite has an upper-crust signature that indicates the assimilation of metasedimentary rocks.

How do metals escape from magmas to form porphyry-type ore deposits?

Many precious and base metals (Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, W, Sn) in porphyry-type deposits are extracted from a granitic to granodioritic silicate melt and transported by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids to the site of ore deposition. Metals abundance increases from some ppb in the melt to % in ore bodies. Assuming a unique magmatic source for metals, it implies an exceptional combination of enrichment process acting over up to 4 orders of magnitude. Previous models of magma differentiation and hydrothermal circulations omitted to consider the role of metal segregation during magma chamber evolution. Models for the formation and evolution of intrusions have recently shifted from the so-called melting-storage-assimilation-homogenization (MASH) paradigm, basically steady state, to the mantle-melting-segregation-ascent-emplacement (m(M-SAE)) paradigm, dynamic and discontinuous in time. Successive magma injections of variable compositions progressively build the magma chamber. This is supported by field relations (e.g. cross-cutting dykes and stocks), textures (e.g. partially resorbed enclaves, or mineral fabrics), geochemistry (e.g. hybridization signatures), and age dating aswell as istopic studies. As melt crystallizes and forms a mush (>50% crystals), volatiles also exsolve forming a magmatic volatile phase (MVP) while melt motion slows down. Metals partition between the three phases: melt; crystals; and MVP. They generally prefer the MVP owing to more favorable partition coefficients. This is indicated by metal content in coeval melt and fluid inclusions with homogenization temperatures above 600 °C, or in volcanic fumaroles. Here, by simulating the physical interactions between the three phases we suggest a model of fluid sparging, during which metals segregate towards the MVP by diffusion and are further transported by advection as metal complexes. The model also provides estimates of metal enrichment. An undimensional Péclet number rules the competition between diffusion and advection, basically scaling with respect to the inverse of the product of melt viscosity (η) by metal diffusivity (D). The threshold value of the Péclet number between diffusion and advection is roughly 10−9. Fast diffusive metals (Au, Cu, Ag, W) readily diffuse from silicate melt and towards bubbles of the MVP. To escape the mush through tubular structures, the MVP must overcome a critical gas saturation level (about 20% vol.) usually reached after several magma injections. Advection then takes over and transports the metal-enriched MVP towards the top of the magma chamber. This leads to nearly coeval (1) separation between a high salinity-liquid phase and a low-salinity vapor phase, (2) fluid-rock interactions resulting in potassic, advanced argillic and phyllic alterations and (3) metal deposition. The metal enrichment scales as the ratio between partition coefficient (i.e. related to the gradient in chemical potential), diffusivity (i.e. related to the gradient of concentration), and melt viscosity (i.e. related to the gradient of momentum). The rates at which all such gradients relax determe metals enrichment, inducing chemical and physical instabilities, leading to a cyclic process. The whole cycle also encompasses the case of a partial, non-completed, full enrichment yielding to barren intrusions. A tentative model generalizes the sparging fluid model to other metal deposits linked to an intrusion. Such generalization should be interpreted as predicting metal enrichment by 3–4 orders of magnitude, rather than predicting an exact value.

Seismic reflection characteristics and evolution of intrusions in the Qiongdongnan Basin: Implications for the rifting of the South China Sea

The Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB) is situated in the extensional zone at the vertex of the V-shaped northwest sub-basin, non-volcanic northern margin of the South China Sea (SCS). From north to south, the thickness of the continental lithosphere decreases from 22 km on the northern continental shelf to 17 km at the deepest area of the central depression. A sharp change on the crustal structure is of importance to hydrocarbon exploration yet the dynamic causes remain unknown. A comprehensive study including (1) interpretation of seismic profiles, (2) P-wave velocity data modeling, and (3) magnetic anomalies analysis reveals that there are some high-density intrusions along the lithospheric thinning belt. Chaotic reflections can be found in the southwest of the QDNB, with a low velocity ( 6 km/s) suggest the existence of igneous diapirs. Diapirism differentiation are primarily achieved through analysis of the contact relationship and the thickness variations in the surrounding strata. The first phase of diapirism along the Songnan low uplift occurred in the Late Mesozoic, and the second phase of diapirism in a form of subsequent gas movement remained active until the Late Quaternary. The distribution and the evolution of the diapirs would have major implications for post-rift emplacement.

The stages of evolution of the partially molten rock material with a heterogeneous distribution of the solid phase

The paper addresses the interpretation of the geochemical laboratory experiments aimed at studying the differentiation of partially molten rocks in the terrestrial planets. These experiments simulate the early stages of material differentiation when the layers with the different chemical and petrological composition are formed in the planets. Density inversion which may arise at a certain stage of this process leads to the emergence of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability. The lifetime of this instability is estimated, and the different phases of its evolution are explored. It is shown that the laboratory experiments do not always adequately reproduce the nature of the physical processes which occur in the interior of the planets. The suggested methods are also used for interpreting the evolution of intrusions during their differentiation. The obtained results can be helpful in analyzing the intrusions for minerals.

Characterizing Thermohaline Intrusions in the North Pacific Subtropical Frontal Zone

Abstract A monthlong field survey in July 2007, focused on the North Pacific subtropical frontal zone (STFZ) near 30°N, 158°W, combined towed depth-cycling conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) profiling with shipboard current observations. Measurements were used to investigate the distribution and structure of thermohaline intrusions. The study revealed that local extrema of vertical salinity profiles, often used as intrusion indicators, were only a subset of a wider class of distortions in thermohaline fields due to interleaving processes. A new method to investigate interleaving based on diapycnal spiciness curvature was used to describe an expanded class of laterally coherent intrusions. STFZ intrusions were characterized by their overall statistics and by a number of case studies. Thermohaline interleaving was particularly intense within 5 km of two partially compensated fronts, where intrusions with both positive and negative salinity anomalies were widespread. The vertical and cross-frontal scales of the intrusions were on the order of 10 m and 5 km, respectively. Though highly variable, the slopes of these features were typically intermediate between those of isopycnals and isohalines. Although the influence of double-diffusive processes sometime during the evolution of intrusions could not be excluded, the broad spectrum of the observed features suggests that any role of double diffusion was secondary.