Extensive Set Research Articles

Probabilistic fault displacement Hazard analysis in an extensional setting: Application to a strategic Dam and methodological implications

Probabilistic fault displacement Hazard analysis in an extensional setting: Application to a strategic Dam and methodological implications

Late Paleoproterozoic within-plate mafic magmatism in the western Yangtze Block, South China Craton: Implications for the initial break-up of the Columbia supercontinent

The Paleoproterozoic was an important period for the tectonic-magmatism evolution of the Yangtze Block, which coincided with the assembly and break-up of the global Columbia (also known as Nuna) supercontinent. However, an essential issue, when the Yangtze Block initiated rifting from the supercontinent, remains controversial. This paper presents new zircon chronology, Lu-Hf isotopic data, and whole-rock geochemical analyses of the Bajiaojing and Xiaoqingshan meta-diabases in the western Yangtze Block to address this issue. The magmatic zircons from the Bajiaojing and Xiaoqingshan meta-diabases yielded U-Pb ages of 1675 ± 38 Ma and 1719 ± 10 Ma, representing an episode of mafic magmatism during the Late Paleoproterozoic. Moreover, the abundances and elemental ratios of high-field-strength elements (HFSEs, e.g., Y, Ta, Th, and Hf) in both meta-diabases are very similar to those of within-plate and mantle plume magmas. This implies that these Late Paleoproterozoic mafic rocks were likely derived from a mantle plume source in a continental within-plate extensional setting. Their magmatic source was relatively heterogeneous in isotopic and geochemical compositions, as inferred from significant differences in εHf(t) values and certain HFSE ratios (e.g., Nb/Yb, Ta/Yb, Th/Yb, Nb/Y, and Zr/Y) among samples. Such source heterogeneity might be attributed to interactions between the mantle plume and the overlying lithosphere. Combined with published εHf(t) values of detrital zircons and whole-rock εNd(t) values of (meta-)magmatic rocks, we speculate that the Yangtze Block experienced a tectonic transition from plate convergence to continental extension at ∼ 1.7 Ga. This means that the block began to rift from the Columbia supercontinent as early as 1.7 Ga. The Yangtze Block then evolved progressively as an isolated fragment until it was amalgamated into the Rodinia supercontinent.

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the multistage magmatic processes of the Lianhuashan batholith, South China: Implications for the petrogenesis and polymetallic mineralization

The Lianhuashan batholith, which is a composite pluton located in the middle part of a world-class giant tungsten (W) polymetallic belt of South China, hosts a huge reserve of more than 50000 t of W. Despite this great economic significance, the petrogenesis of each phases of the Lianhuashan batholith, as well as its temporal and genetic relationships to the W polymetallic mineralization, is still unclear. To address these questions, we conducted a comprehensive study for the Lianhuashan batholith, including LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemical and in-situ mineral trace element analyses. Different from previous studies, four main granitic phases (G1 to G4) were identified. The biotite granite (G1) formed from 168.6 to 165.3 Ma, has the lowest Si content and high Al and Fe contents, and is significantly depleted in Ba, Sr, Ti, P, and Nb whereas enriched in U, Hf, Zr, and Y contents. In contrast, the two-mica granite (G2) and fine-grained muscovite granite (G3), formed from 162.8 to 160.5 Ma, exhibit similar characteristics including enrichment in La, Y, Hf, Th, U, and depletion in Ba, Sr, and P. The porphyritic granite (G4) is the latest magmatic phase and formed at 158.3 Ma. It is characterized by high K, Si, Th, U, Zr, Hf contents but low Al, Fe, Sr, P, and Ti contents. These features support that four main phases of the Lianhuashan batholith belong to S-type granites that experienced significant fractional crystallization, and display reduced and low temperature features. Combined with previously published studies, we suggest that the Lianhuashan batholith formed in an intraplate extensional setting triggered by the high-angle rollback subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate. The three early phases (i.e., G1–G3) are in turn more oxidized and are responsible for the transition from Sn- to W-dominated mineralization. In contrast, the G4 granite, characterized by lower oxygen fugacity, is resposible for Pb-Zn-Ag-U polymetallic mineralization.

Development of the Arabian-Nubian Shield along the Marsa Alam-Idfu transect, Central-Eastern Desert, Egypt: geochemical implementation of zircon U-Pb geochronology

The magmatic complex along the Marsa Alam-Idfu transect, Central-Eastern Desert of Egypt, represents the northern segment of the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS), which developed within the framework of the East African Orogen. The basement rocks of the Arabian-Nubian Shield have been developed through three distinct phases of magmatic activity: the island-arc, the syn-orogenic, and the post-orogenic phases. Transitioning of the magmatic phases from the syn-orogenic to the post-orogenic, identifies changing the tectonic regime from a compressional to an extensional setting. The scarcity of comprehensive regional geochronological data that rely on precise isochron methods, such as the zircon U-Pb technique, could limit the comprehensive understanding of this region’s geological and tectonic history. That would raise a number of uncertainties ranging from the timing of the different magmatic activities and timing of changes in the tectonic regime to the existence of the pre-Pan-African crust in the CED. Our study provides new insights into the aforementioned uncertainties through zircon U-Pb dating of different rock units along the Marsa Alam-Idfu transect, CED, Egypt. The resulting ages ranged from 729 ± 3 Ma to 570 ± 2 Ma, constraining the temporal evolution of the ANS in the studied region into (1) the island-arc phase, represented by a metamorphic sample with an age of 729 ± 3 Ma. (2) the syn-orogenic phase, represented by calc-alkaline and alkaline granitic samples with ages ranging from 699 ± 4 Ma to 646 ± 2 Ma. These two phases indicate initiation of the compressional subduction regime in the CED since 729 ± 3 Ma and being dominated till 646 ± 2 Ma. (3) the post-orogenic phase, represented by metavolcanics, volcanic rocks, and alkaline plutonic samples with ages ranging from 623 ± 3 Ma to 570 ± 2 Ma. This phase suggests dominance of the compressional-to-extensional tectonic transition setting from 623 ± 3 Ma to 600 ± 1 Ma along with the Dokhan volcanism and activation of post-collision tensional regime activated at 582 ± 3 Ma. Our findings discourage the proposed dominance of the island-arc and syn-orogenic phases in the CED and the classical restriction of older magmatic activity to calc-alkaline granitic rocks and younger magmatic activity to alkaline granitic rocks. Additionally, we identified evidence of local magmatic sources by dating five grains with Mesoproterozoic (pre-Arabian–Nubian Shield) xenocrysts with ages ranging from 1549 ± 4 to 1095 ± 25 Ma.

Formation and Tectonic Evolution of Ophiolites in the Sabah Area (Borneo, SE Asia)

Zircon U-Pb dating, rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Pb, and zircon Hf isotope analyses were conducted on the ultrabasic and basic rocks of ophiolites in the Sabah area (Borneo, SE Asia). The zircon U-Pb ages of ultrabasic and basic rocks range from 248 to 244 Ma, indicating that the ophiolites already existed in the early Triassic. The rare earth elements of basic rocks in Central Sabah show N-MORB-type characteristics and E-MORB-type characteristics in the northwest and southeast. The εNd(t) values of basic rocks range from 3.66 to 8.73, and the εHf(t) values of zircon in ultrabasic rocks are between −10.2 and −6.1. Trace element analysis shows that the magmatic source was influenced by melts and fluids from the subducting plate of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The tectonic evolution of the Sabah area can be traced back to the Early Triassic. At that time, the fast subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean plate and the retreating of the Paleo-Pacific plate resulted in the upwelling of mantle material in relatively small extensional settings, leading to the formation of the ophiolites. From the Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous, the Paleo-Pacific plate was intensely subducted, and the ophiolite intrusion in the Sabah area moved to the continental crust of South China or the Sundaland margin as fore-arc ophiolites. From the Late Cretaceous to the Miocene, with the expansion of the Proto-South China Sea and South China Sea oceanic crust, the ophiolites in the Sabah area drifted southward with microplate fragments and sutured with East Borneo.

Gold Mineralization at the Syenite-Hosted Anwangshan Gold Deposit, Western Qinling Orogen, Central China

The Anwangshan gold deposit is located in the northwestern part of the Fengtai Basin, Western Qinling Orogen (WQO). The gold ore is hosted within quartz syenite and its contact zone. The U–Pb weighted mean age of the quartz syenite is 231 ± 1.8 Ma. It is characterized by high potassium (K2O = 10.13%, K2O/Na2O > 1) and high magnesium (Mg# = 55.31 to 72.78) content, enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Th, U, and Ba) and light rare earth elements (LREE), with a typical “TNT” (Ti, Nb, and Ta) deficiency. The geochemical features and Hf isotope compositions (εHf(t) = −6.68 to +2.25) suggest that the quartz syenite would form from partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle under an extensional setting. Three generations of gold mineralization have been identified, including the quartz–sericite–pyrite (Py1) stage I, the quartz–pyrite (Py2)–polymetallic sulfide–early calcite stage II, and the epidote–late calcite stage III. In situ sulfur isotope analysis of pyrite shows that Py1 (δ34S = −1.1 to +3.8‰) possesses mantle sulfur characteristics. However, Py2 has totally different δ34S (+5.1 to +6.7‰), which lies between the typical orogenic gold deposits in the WQO (δ34S = +8 to +12‰) and mantle sulfur. This suggests a mixed source of metamorphosed sediments and magmatic sulfur during stage II gold mineralization. The fluid inclusions in auriferous quartz have three different types, including the liquid-rich phase type, pure (gas or liquid)-phase type, and daughter-minerals-bearing phase type. Multiple-stage fluid inclusions indicate that the ore fluids are medium-temperature (concentrated at 220 to 270 °C), medium-salinity (7.85 to 13.80% NaCleq) CO2–H2O–NaCl systems. The salinity is quite different from typical orogenic gold deposits in WQO and worldwide, and this is more likely to be a mixture of magmatic and metamorphic fluids as well. In summary, the quartz syenite should have not only a spatio-temporal but also a genetical relationship with the Anwangshan gold deposit. It could provide most of the gold and ore fluids at the first stage, with metamorphic fluids and/or gold joining in during the later stages.

Coal-Mine Water-Hazard Risk Evaluation Based on the Combination of Extension Theory, Game Theory, and Dempster–Shafer Evidence Theory

Due to the complex hydrogeological conditions and water hazards in coal mines, there are multiple indexes, complexities, incompatibilities, and uncertainty issues in the risk evaluation process of coal-mine water hazards. To accurately evaluate the risk of coal-mine water hazards, a comprehensive evaluation method based on extension theory, game theory, and Dempster–Shafer (DS) evidence theory is proposed. Firstly, a hierarchical water-hazard risk-evaluation index system is established, and then matter-element theory in extension theory is used to establish a matter-element model for coal-mine water-hazard risk. The membership relationship between various evaluation indexes and risk grades of coal-mine water-hazard risk is quantified using correlation functions of extension set theory, and the quantitative results are normalized to obtain basic belief assignments (BBAs) of risk grades for each index. Then, the subjective weights of evaluation indexes are calculated using the order relation analysis (G1) method, and the objective weights of evaluation indexes are calculated using the entropy weight (EW) method. The improved combination weighting method of game theory (ICWMGT) is introduced to determine the combination weight of each evaluation index, which is used to correct the BBAs of risk grades for each index. Finally, the fusion of DS evidence theory based on matrix analysis is used to fuse BBAs, and the rating with the highest belief fusion result is taken as the final evaluation result. The evaluation model was applied to the water-hazard risk evaluation of Sangbei Coal Mine, the evaluation result was of II grade water-hazard risk, and it was in line with the actual engineering situation. The evaluation result was compared with the evaluation results of three methods, namely the expert scoring method, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, and the extension method. The scientificity and reliability of the method adopted in this paper were verified through this method. At the same time, based on the evaluation results, in-depth data mining was conducted on the risk indexes of coal-mine water hazards, and it was mainly found that 11 secondary indexes are the focus of coal-mine water-hazard risk prevention and control, among which seven indexes are the primary starting point for coal-mine water-hazard risk prevention and control. The groundwater index in particular has the most prominent impact. These results can provide a theoretical basis and scientific guidance for the specific water-hazard prevention and control work of coal mines.

Gender Stereotyping and Social Norms: Exploring Theoretical Perspectives and Educational Implications

This review is a theoretical paper which examined gender stereotyping and social norms. The review was supported by feminist theory, critical theory and social psychology theory. The review utilizes a comprehensive strategy to investigate the theoretical lenses and consequences of gender stereotyping and social norms. The approach comprised of a few key stages. A survey incorporating gender stereotyping, social norms, feminist theory, critical theory and social psychology to assemble an all encompassing comprehension of the review was done. The review of gender stereotyping and social norms through critical assessment of key idea and viewpoints from feminist theory, critical theory and social psychology. The structure for revealing perplexing social peculiarities is given by the integration of feminist theory, critical theory and social psychology theory. This enlightened the basic component of inequality and injustice by considering the joint impact of gender, power and social setting. The review revealed the pervasive nature of gender stereotyping and social norms, their effect on causing inequality and injustice and the significance of promoting gender equality and social equity. In this way, the significance of interdisciplinary collaborative effort and combined actions in addressing the issue of gender stereotyping and social norms within educational setting and more extensive cultural setting. It emphasized the need for holistic approaches that will consider the broad intersection of power, ideology, and social issue in order to create gender equality and social justice both in the social and educational domain.

Late-Silurian intraplate basalts from the southwestern margin of the Ordos Basin: Implication for decompression melting of metasomatized evolved mantle in extension setting

Late-Silurian intraplate basalts from the southwestern margin of the Ordos Basin: Implication for decompression melting of metasomatized evolved mantle in extension setting

Structure and Evolution of Multi-Trend Faults in BZ19-6 Buried Hill of the Bohai Bay Basin, Eastern China

Defining the structure and evolution of multi-trend faults is critical for analyzing the accumulation of hydrocarbons in buried hills. Based on high-resolution seismic and drilling data, the structural characteristics and evolutionary mechanism of multi-trend faults were investigated in detail through the structural analysis theory and quantitative calculations of fault activity, allowing us to determine the implication that fault evolution exerts on hydrocarbon accumulation in the BZ19-6 buried hill. There are four kinds of strike faults developed on the buried hill: SN-, NNE-, NE–ENE-, and nearly EW-trending, which experienced the Mesozoic Indosinian, Yanshan, and Cenozoic Himalayan tectonic movements. During the Indosinian, the BZ19-6 was in a SN-oriented compressional setting, with active faults composed of SN-trending strike-slip faults (west branch of the Tanlu fault zone) and near EW-trending thrust faults (Zhang-peng fault zone). During the Yanshanian, the NNE-trending normal faults were formed under the WNW–ESE tensile stress field. Since the Himalayan period, the BZ19-6 buried hill has evolved into the rifting stage. In rifting stage Ⅰ, all of the multi-trend pre-existing faults were reactivated, and the EW-trending thrust faults became normal faults due to negative inversion. In rifting stage II, a large number of NE–ENE-trending normal faults were newly formed in the NW–SE-oriented extensional setting, which made the structure pattern more complicated. In rifting stage III, the buried hill entered the post-rift stage, with only part of the NNE- and NE–ENE-trending faults continuously active. Multi-trend faults are the result of the combination of various multi-phase stress fields and pre-existing structures, which have great influence on the formation of tectonic fractures and then control the distribution of high-quality reservoirs in buried hills. The fractures controlled by the NNE- and EW-trending faults have higher density and scale, and fractures controlled by NE–ENE trending faults have stronger connectivity and effectiveness. The superposition of multi-trend faults is the favorable distribution of high-quality reservoirs and the favorable accumulation area of hydrocarbon.

Late Triassic extension of thickened lithosphere of the East Kunlun orogenic Belt, northern Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from the geochemistry and geochronology of mafic magmatism

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (E-KOB) evolved into an extensional tectonic setting with plenty of mafic magmatism after the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. However, the deep tectonic system and geodynamic processes in this context still need further clarification. The detailed field geological, petrological, geochronological and geochemical works carried out on the Yeniugou gabbros in this study could provide key evidence for clarifying this issue. The gabbros are predominantly composed of clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, olivine and ilmenite. Zircon U–Pb dating results suggest that their formation at ca. 209–207 Ma. Characterized by a relatively low SiO2 content and a moderate total alkaline content, these rocks are classified as alkalic to subalkaline series. High values of Mg# (42.2–59.4) and high concentrations of compatible elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni) suggest that their parent magma was generated through high partial melting of a lithospheric mantle source. The left-leaning rare earth element distribution patterns, combined with the characteristic spikes of Nb-Ta, indicate that they were originated from the lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducting components. The positive zircon εHf(t) values (0.1–5.7), along with elevated Nb/La ratios (0.45–0.67), further confirm a small amount of asthenosphere mantle contribution. Elevated Zr/Y ratios, plus a slightly positive correlation between Alz and TiO2 in clinopyroxene, imply that they formed within an extensional setting, where the upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle provided heat for partial melting of the metasomatic lithospheric mantle. Combined with previous data, we suggest that E-KOB underwent delamination of thickened lithosphere in the late Triassic, following the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Geochemistry and Petrology of post-Archean dolerite intrusions in the Elogo Complex in the Ivindo Basement northwest of the Congo Craton

Geochemical and tectono-metamorphic study of post-Archean dolerite intrusions is carried out to reconstruct the petrogenesis and geodynamics of post-Archean intrusive mag- matism in the Congo Craton. Dolerites and hornblendites of the Elogo complex are characterized by a low-pressure greenschist metamorphism controlled by brittle micro tectonics and are metaluminous (A/NK: 4.47 and 7.84; A/CNK: 1.02 and 1.37) with a dominant tholeiitic affinity and affected by hydrothermal alteration (LOI = 1.13 – 8.7 %). LREE and Th enrichment, negative Nb and Ti anomaly, low Nb/Th, (Nb/La)PM < 1, Ti/Yb, Ce/La < 0.85, Nb/La < 1, and Ta/Th < 1 ratios, and high (La/Yb)n > 1 and (La/Sm)n > 1 define the dolerites geochemical signature as crustal contaminated. Al2O3/TiO2 (12.17 to 19.65), CaO/Al2O3 (0.60 to 0.78), (Gb/Yb)PM > 1 ( 1.15 to 1.32), and (Tb/Yb)n (1.13 to 1.29) ratios associated with the lack of HREE fractionation (Yb = 11.24 to 18. 01 ppm) characterize a shallow (1073.03 to 1189.92°c) spinel lherzolite-type mantle source with low melt rate (f = 10 to 20%), outside the garnet stability field [(Th/Ta)n < 1]. The negative Nb, Ti, Zr, Rb, and Ba anomalies, positive Hf, Th, and U anomalies, the moderate Cs and LREE (La and Ce) enrichment, and the REE fractionation [(La/Yb) n >1], associated with the high Ta contents, define an extensive intracratonic rift-type setting. The vein rocks originate from an asthe- nospheric uplift marked by lithospheric thinning in a Mezo-Neoproterozoic rift system that dislocated the Congo Craton inducing the genesis of the tholeiitic dolerites (1167 Ma and 850 Ma) of Nola in RCA and Yokadouma in Cameroon.

Topology on residuated lattices for biresiduum-based continuity of fuzzy sets

By continuity of [0,1]-valued fuzzy set it is usually understood standard continuity of a real-valued function. This could be in conflict with the similarity fuzzy relation on [0,1] given by the operation of biresiduum induced by a left-continuous t-norm. In this work, a new kind of continuity, called t-continuity, of an L-set in a topological space for L being a complete residuated lattice of finite dimension is defined. It is based on a notion of oscillation of L-set, which is an element of L computed by means of biresiduum in L. A topology on L of this continuity, called the t-topology on L, is found. This topology is constructed by means of biresiduum and a variant of Scott-open sets called residuated Scott-open sets. It is shown that the t-topology of L is Hausdorff and that L together with its t-topology is a topological residuated lattice. T-topologies of four standard t-norms are found. The notion of t-topology is generalized to sets with L-equivalence relation and a new characteristic of extensional sets implying that extensional L-sets are t-continuous is given.

Petrogenesis of Eocene A-Type Granite Associated with the Yingpanshan–Damanbie Regolith-Hosted Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Element Deposit in the Tengchong Block, Southwest China

The ion-adsorption-type rare earth element (iREE) deposits dominantly supply global resources of the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have a critical role in a variety of advanced technological applications. The initial enrichment of REEs in the parent granites controls the formation of iREE deposits. Many Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites are associated with iREE mineralization in the Tengchong block, Southwest China. However, it is unclear how vital the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of these granites are to the formation of iREE mineralization. We conducted geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope analyses of the Yingpanshan–Damanbie granitoids associated with the iREE deposit in the Tengchong block with the aims to discuss their petrogenesis and illustrate the process of the initial REE enrichment in the granites. The results showed that the Yingpanshan–Damanbie pluton consists of syenogranite and monzogranite, containing REE-bearing accessory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, apatite, zircon, allanite, and titanite, with a high REE concentration (210–626 ppm, mean value is 402 ppm). The parent granites have Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (333–747 ppm) contents and a high FeOT/MgO ratio (5.89–11.4), and are enriched in Th (mean value of 43.6 ppm), U (mean value of 4.57 ppm), Zr (mean value of 305 ppm), Hf (mean value of 7.94 ppm), Rb (mean value of 198 ppm), K (mean value of 48,902 ppm), and have depletions of Sr (mean value of 188 ppm), Ba (mean value of 699 ppm), P (mean value of 586 ppm), Ti (mean value of 2757 ppm). The granites plot in the A-type area in FeOT/MgO vs. Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and Zr vs. 10,000 Ga/Al diagrams, suggesting that they are A2-type granites. These granites are believed to have formed through the partial melting of amphibolites at a post-collisional extension setting when the Tethys Ocean closed. REE-bearing minerals (e.g., apatite, titanite, allanite, and fluorite) and rock-forming minerals (e.g., potassium feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite) supply rare earth elements in weathering regolith for the Yingpanshan–Damanbie iREE deposit.

New Uranium-lead (U-Pb) Zircon Geochronology of Sholayar Alkaline Syenite Complex, Kerala: Significance of Cryogenian Magmatism from the Southern Granulite Terrane of the Indian Shield

ABSTRACT U-Pb age data from the leuco-syenite from the Sholayar Alkaline Syenite Complex (SASC) (10°17′59.9″N: 076°47′26.3″E) is presented in this study. The present sample contains alkali feldspar (orthoclase), oligoclasic plagioclase, diopsidic pyroxene, biotite and opaque minerals (magnetite and ilmenite). The modal data of constituent minerals is plotted over the IUGS classification diagram and the data plots fall within the syenite field. Obtained age (mean age 706.7 ± 8.4 Ma) largely corresponds to the Cryogenian period. In chondrite-normalized diagrams, the syenite shows some affinity towards well-studied silica over-saturated syenites of the Southern Granulite Terrane (SGT). The Ti-in zircon thermometry indicates the crystallization temperature in the range of 613° to 755°C. The reported zircon U-Pb age suggests evidence for Cryogenian alkaline magmatism in the SGT associated either with asthenospheric upwelling in an extensional setting or subduction related continental rifting.

End-to-end drone route planning in flexible airspace design

Drone traffic, consisting of anything from small quadcopters for video and photography to large eVTOL transporting people, is expected to grow rapidly as soon as the challenges currently barring urban flights can be solved. One of the main challenges is how to automate authorization while both keeping full control over where and how drones fly over specific areas, and at the same time allowing the operators the freedom they require to successfully provide their services. While restrictions are necessary, being overly restrictive on plans has a negative impact on capacity, safety and efficiency. In this article we propose the combination of no-fly zones and flight grids into design elements for airspace design, to be used only where and when necessary. City planners can use these design elements to make both strategic decisions and real-time updates, and thereby set the rules for an automated system for planning and authorization. We describe the design elements, how to automatically find the optimal end-to-end route between or through these elements, a set of modifications or extension to improve flexibility even more, and demonstrate the efficacy of the approach through example airspace design patterns and by showing the resulting traffic in a drone traffic simulator.

Uncertainty Calculation as a Service: Integrating Cloud-Based Microservices for Enhanced Calibration and DCC Generation.

The calibration industry is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated equipment and complex processes, which necessitate innovative solutions to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology. This paper introduces an enhancement to an existing microservice-based cloud architecture, aimed at effectively managing the inherent complexity within this field. The enhanced architecture seamlessly integrates various equipment types and communication technologies, aligning diverse stakeholder expectations into a unified system that ensures efficient and accurate calibration processes. It highlights the integration of microservices to facilitate various methods of uncertainty calculation and the generation of digital calibration certificates (DCCs). A case study on RF power measurement illustrates the practical application and benefits of the enhanced architecture. Although initially focused on RF power measurement, the flexible architecture allows for future expansions to accommodate new standards and measurement techniques. The enhanced system offers a comprehensive approach to managing data flow from calibration equipment to the final generation of DCCs, utilizing cloud-based services for efficient data processing. As a future direction, this extension sets the groundwork for broader applicability across multiple measurement types, ensuring readiness for upcoming advancements in metrology.

A Carboniferous to Permian tectono-paleogeographic reconstruction for the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt was formed by the subduction to closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). However, it is highly controversial about the closing time of the PAO, especially its middle segment in the northern Alxa orogenic belt (NAOB). In this study, the new and published zircon U–Pb and Hf data for the Carboniferous to Permian sediments across the NAOB have been integrated to reply the above problem. The depositional ages have been constrained as the Carboniferous to Permian by the detrital zircon ages, fossil assemblages and stratigraphic correlation. The Carboniferous sandstones are dominated by the Paleozoic zircons (mainly around 380–510 Ma) with a few Precambrian zircons. The late Cambrian to early Carboniferous zircons with positive to slightly negative εHf(t) values were probably sourced from the orogen itself. The early Paleozoic zircons with slightly to extremely negative εHf(t) values and the late Archean to Paleoproterozoic zircons were likely derived from the surrounding cratonic blocks in the south. For the Permian samples, the Carboniferous to Permian age signal is enhanced. The Permian zircons yield similar age peaks around 278–279 Ma and similar εHf(t) values, and thus shared a similar source. Thus, the Carboniferous to Permian sediments received detritus across the PAO, indicating the closure of the PAO. Subsequently, the NAOB entered into an extensional setting based on the detrital zircon age patterns, rift-related volcanic rocks and basin analysis. Finally, a tectono-paleogeographic reconstruction from the Carboniferous relic sea and marine transgression to Permian marine regression-transgression-regression with crustal extension was proposed.

Long-term stability of sediment routing on an active continental margin: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb ages and measured stratigraphy of Carboniferous to Miocene strata, Sierra de Narváez, NW Argentina

The complex Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the western margin of South America, including extensional, neutral, and contractional deformation regimes, provides an opportunity to test how sedimentary systems were affected by variable tectonics on a long-lived active margin. Here, we report new geologic mapping, measured stratigraphic sections, paleocurrent measurements, and detrital zircon U-Pb ages from the Fiambalá area, NW Argentina, that together constrain the evolution of sediment routing and basin systems of the northern Sierras Pampeanas during Carboniferous to Miocene time. Carboniferous to Triassic strata of the Paganzo Group include fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian intervals deposited in an extensional setting with SSW-directed paleocurrent orientations. The Mesozoic El Pedernal Formation consists of a lower, basalt interval and an upper, conglomerate and sandstone interval, which has a new detrital zircon maximum depositional age of ca. 88 Ma. Observed strata of the Miocene Tambería Formation include fluvial to eolian sandstones of the lower member of the formation and alluvial conglomerates of the middle member. Whereas lower member Tambería fluvial strata have SSW-oriented paleocurrents, middle member conglomerates indicate broadly E-directed paleoflow.Detrital zircon age distributions of the Paganzo Group, El Pedernal Formation, and Tambería Formation are remarkably consistent, with dominant age peaks ca. 1.3–0.9 Ga and ca. 660-450 Ma. The ages and relative magnitudes of these peaks are consistent with derivation from igneous sources associated with Choiyoi magmatism (330-215 Ma), the Famatinian (490-450 Ma) and Pampean (540-510 Ma) orogens, basement of the MARA block (ca. 1.3–0.9 Ga), and recycling of Neoproterozoic to Cambrian sedimentary successions derived from central Gondwana (ca. 1.3–0.9 Ga, 650-590 Ma, 540-510 Ma).The consistent paleocurrent orientations and detrital zircon U-Pb ages of the Carboniferous Paganzo Group to the Miocene lower member of the Tambería Formation suggest that a S-directed axial drainage network with a consistent sediment source area persisted in the region for ∼300 Myr. This axial drainage network was succeeded by an E-directed transverse drainage network initiated between 15 Ma and 8 Ma due to growth of the Andean thrust wedge, coeval with tectonic compartmentalization and drainage modification of nearby foreland depocenters. These findings highlight the potential for long-term persistence of drainage networks on continental margins under changing tectonic regimes.

Extension settings favour initial REE enrichment in the parent granites of ion-adsorption REE deposits: implication from Late-Permian to Triassic granites in South China

The mechanism of rare earth elements (REE) enrichment in granites is important to understand generation of ion-adsorption REE deposits. We investigated Late Permian to Triassic granites from South China to investigate these issues. The ore-related granites with high REE contents (192-467 ppm) intruded in Late Permian have high K 2 O and Zr+Ce+Nb+Y contents, high Ga/Al and K/Na ratios, and low CaO contents, which belong to aluminous A-type granite derived from melting of felsic igneous rocks at a high-temperature extensional setting. The ore-unrelated Triassic Pingtian granite with relatively low REE contents (81.7-127 ppm) is peraluminous with occurrence of muscovite, indicating a S-type affinity. Its high Rb/Sr and low CaO/Na 2 O ratios indicate magma origin from a metapelitic source related to the compressional setting due to the continental collision. In the extensional settings in South China, the high temperature condition promoting melting of REE-rich accessory minerals and F-rich conditions improving the solubility of REE in the melts could be the reasons for the initial REE enrichment in these granites. Given that parent rocks for ion-adsorption REE deposits are all generated in extensional settings, multiple tectonic stages and long-term extensional setting in South China contributed to generation of the specific ion-adsorption REE deposits in South China.