Gabbroic Plutons Research Articles

Crust‐Derived CO2 Production From a Shallow Pluton in Limestone Is Driven by Metamorphic Decarbonation, Not Assimilation

AbstractTraditionally, it is assumed that contributions of crust‐derived CO2 emissions at arc settings are minor, but this requires well‐constrained field studies to determine the extent of magma‐carbonate reaction and concomitant C released. The Jurassic Bonanza arc on Vancouver Island (Canada) was built on a Triassic limestone platform and makes for an ideal setting to examine arc magma‐carbonate interactions beneath an island arc. We examine how km‐scale magma bodies might react with carbonate from a well‐constrained study of a gabbro pluton that intrudes limestone. The pluton shows muted to nil carbonate interaction preserving primary igneous 87Sr/86Sr values (∼0.703) except for a thin (<2 m wide) marginal gabbro (∼0.706) in contact with a decarbonized metamorphic aureole. A lack of 87Sr/86Sr or δ18Ocpx enrichment in gabbro ∼10 to >1,000 m from the contact suggests that any reaction with limestone wallrock is limited to at most the outer ∼10 m of the pluton. More enhanced magma‐carbonate interaction and CO2 production occurs via a network of shallow dikes and sills (<0.2 GPa) compared to deeper plutons, consistent with experimental data showing increased carbonate assimilation at shallower depths (≤0.5 GPa). Plutons are an important heat source to release CO2 from carbonate wallrock by contact metamorphism, where >89% of crust‐derived CO2 is liberated by wallrock decarbonation and <11% is liberated by magma that assimilated limestone. Nonetheless, we show that neither magmatic nor metamorphic crust‐derived CO2 contributions compare to mantle‐derived CO2. Our study places realistic and quantitative limits on arc‐derived CO2 from upper crustal limestone sources.

Middle to Late Triassic felsic and mafic magmatism in the eastern West Qinling Orogen, Central China: A record of the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust advance to retreat

The tectonic setting of Indosinian magmatism in West Qinling Orogen and the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys remain hotly debated. Here we present SHRIMP zircon UPb dating, major-trace elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for four granitic and gabbroic plutons across the eastern West Qinling Orogen, from north to south including Guanshan, Fengxian, Mishuling and Miba. Our new data indicate that the Fengxian granitoids, emplaced at 238 Ma in a continental arc setting, show adakitic affinity and were formed by partial melting of subducted sediments. The southern Guanshan granitoids, emplaced at 235–229 Ma in a continental arc setting, also show adakitic affinity but were generated by partial melting of thickened (>50 km) lower crust. The northern Guanshan granites and gabbros were emplaced at 217–216 Ma in a back-arc setting, with the former generated by partial melting of normal (40–50 km) lower crust and the latter derived from asthenospheric mantle. The Mishuling granitic pluton contains abundant mafic microgranular enclaves, both emplaced at 214 Ma in a back-arc setting with the host granitoids formed by partial melting of normal (40–50 km) lower crust and the enclave magmas derived from asthenospheric-lithospheric mantle. The Miba granitoids, emplaced at 216 Ma in a continental arc setting, show adakitic affinity and were generated by partial melting of thickened (>50 km) lower crust. We suggest that the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust had subducted near the Shangdan suture by 238 Ma and successively advanced northward, approaching southeastern Qilian Orogen at 235–229 Ma. Then slab rollback initiated and gradually migrated southward. The slab subduction did not cease before 214 Ma.

Magmatic evolution of the La Huerta Plutonic Complex, Jalisco: A 80–70 Ma record of arc magmatism along the Mexican Cordillera

The La Huerta Plutonic Complex (LHPC) forms part of the Cretaceous Mexican Cordillera, located between the well-documented ~80 Ma Puerto Vallarta Batholith (PVB) and the ~65 Ma Manzanillo Plutonic Complex (MPC). The LHPC shares lithological and geochemical features with the aforementioned batholiths and is dominated by voluminous granitoids and hybrid intrusions ranging from gabbro to granitic compositions. Scarce cummulitic gabbroic plutons are also present. Detailed petrographic, geochemical, microchemical, and geochronological results provide evidence for three magmatic stages: (1) a gabbroic magmatism at >84 Ma (observed from field relations), (2) ~83–80 Ma granitic magmatism (U-Pb in zircon), and (3) a ~75–70 Ma gabbroic and granitic magmatism (U-Pb in zircon). Thermobarometric determinations (3.0–2.0 kbar and <900 °C) and Sr-Nd isotopic signatures in all lithologies (εNdi from +4.2 to +6.2 and 87Sr/86Sri around 0.7035) suggest a shallow magmatic environment with low and heterogeneous crustal assimilation. These features hold considerable differences with the northern PVB and are more comparable to the MPC. The LHPC is interpreted as the south easternmost part of the PVB and as a transitional zone between the PVB and the MPC.

A new tomographic-petrological model for the Ligurian-Provence back-arc basin (North-Western Mediterranean Sea)

The nature of the crystalline basement of the Ligurian-Provence back-arc (LPB) basin is a matter debate as it remains unexplored by direct drilling methods. Several models have been proposed for the lower crustal structure comprising hyperextended continental crust or serpentinized mantle. In this paper, a new Vp-Vs geophysical dataset and corresponding tomography are used to propose a new petrological model for the LPB basin and for the formation of the crust of this back-arc domain. By crossing values of Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs ratios, the Messinian salt layer can be clearly identified down to 5 km depth, which highlights salt diapir structures into its overlying sedimentary cover. The 7.5 km depth corresponds to the transition with a heterogeneous basaltic oceanic crust about 4.5–5 km thick, intruded by rounded felsic gabbro plutons and underplated by a more mafic/ultramafic gabbro. This latter results from fractional crystallization of a hydrous magma inherited from the melting of a supra-subduction mantle which interacted with fluids originating from the subducting Adria slab. These magmas can be traced at the surface by magnetic anomalies punctuating the studied profile. Those new data and observations lead to conclude that the crust of the LPB basin resulted from a fast oceanic accretion during the opening of the back-arc. Its nature remains comparable to an immature oceanic crust with an overall basaltic and gabbroic composition and appears devoid of any serpentinized exhumed mantle.

Late Paleozoic igneous rocks at Clarke Head, Nova Scotia: magmatism at an arc to back-arc transition

Abstract This study re-examines a reported mylonitic ‘metabasic granulite’ block in a megabreccia that is the most outboard igneous rock outcrop in the Avalon terrane, near the Meguma–Avalon terrane boundary in the northern Appalachians. The block of foliated gabbro is one of several igneous rock blocks in a largely dissolved salt wall and in style of deformation, mineralogy, lithogeochemistry and Sm/Nd isotopes resembles foliated and locally mylonitized late Devonian–early Carboniferous gabbro plutons along the Cobequid Shear Zone to the north. Garnet porphyroclasts in the foliated gabbro are exceptional, with a distinctive composition of Alm 55 Pyr 25 Grs 13 And 4 Sps 3 . Inclusions of pyroxene, andesine and ilmenite, lack of zoning and corroded rims suggest the garnets are antecrysts. Elsewhere in the world, garnets of similar composition in arc-related andesites are interpreted to be from disintegration of comagmatic cumulate material at 0.8–1.0 GPa under hydrous conditions. The Clarke Head foliated gabbro has two mafic components, one resembling arc-related hydrous magma and the other with tholeiitic back-arc character, similar to coeval rocks in the Cobequid Highlands. The gabbro is a product of complex mixing in crustal magma chambers and rapid rise of magma containing lower crustal antecrysts along strike-slip faults.

Energy Drive for the Kiruna Mining District Mineral System(s): Insights from U-Pb Zircon Geochronology

The Kiruna mining district, Sweden, known for the type locality of Kiruna-type iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits, also hosts several Cu-mineralized deposits including iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG), exhalative stratiform Cu-(Fe-Zn), and structurally controlled to stratabound Cu ± Au. However the relationship between the IOA and Cu-systems has not been contextualized within the regional tectonic evolution. A broader mineral systems approach is taken to assess the timing of energy drive(s) within a regional tectonic framework by conducting U-Pb zircon geochronology on intrusions from areas where Cu-mineralization is spatially proximal. Results unanimously yield U-Pb ages from the early Svecokarelian orogeny (ca. 1923–1867 Ma including age uncertainties), except one sample from the Archean basement (2698 ± 3 Ma), indicating that a distinct thermal drive from magmatic activity was prominent for the early orogenic phase. A weighted average 207Pb/206Pb age of 1877 ± 10 Ma of an iron-oxide-enriched gabbroic pluton overlaps in age with the Kiirunavaara IOA deposit and is suggested as a candidate for contributing mafic signatures to the IOA ore. The results leave the role of a late energy drive (and subsequent late Cu-mineralization and/or remobilization) ambiguous, despite evidence showing a late regional magmatic-style hydrothermal alteration is present in the district.

Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes, Biotite 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology, and Whole-Rock Geochemistry of the Baogeqi Gabbro in the Northern Alxa, Southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The final closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the Permo-Carboniferous tectonic settings in the northern Alxa are very important but controversial tectonic issues. The geochronology and petrogenesis of mafic igneous rocks are superior in clarifying regional tectonic settings. Here, we report on zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes, biotite 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and whole-rock geochemical data of the hornblende gabbro from the Baogeqi gabbro pluton in the northern Alxa. The LA-ICP MS U-Pb analysis of zircon grains from the hornblende gabbro yield a weighted mean age of 262.7 ± 2.3 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.74), manifesting that the Baogeqi gabbro pluton emplacement was during the late Middle Permian (Capitanian). The 40Ar/39Ar dating of biotite grains from the hornblende gabbro yields a plateau age of 231.3 ± 1.6 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.55), indicating that the Baogeqi gabbro pluton cooled to below 300 ℃ in the Triassic. The hornblende gabbro samples are calc-alkaline with metaluminous character, and show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, Sr, and K) but depletion in Nb, Ta, P, Th, and Ti relative to primitive mantle. Combined with the positive zircon εHf(t) values (+4.9–+9.4), we suggest that the magmas formed from the partial melting of depleted mantle were metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Together with regional geology, these geochemical data suggest that the Baogeqi gabbro pluton was formed in an intracontinental extension setting, further indicating that the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the northern Alxa was closed prior to the late Middle Permian (Capitanian), and this region was in a post-collision extensional setting during the Capitanian-Late Permian. In addition, the Triassic cooling of the gabbro pluton may be a record of the decline of the Capitanian-Late Permian post-collisional extension basin due to the far-field effect of subduction-collision during the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Subduction initiation of the western Paleo-Asian Ocean linked to global tectonic reorganization: Insights from Cambrian island-arc magmatism within the West Junggar, NW China

Abstract The subduction initiation associated with the beginning of accretionary orogens has been thought to be related to global plate reorganization. To characterize the initial subduction within the western Central Asian Orogenic Belt, this integrated study focuses on Cambrian tholeiitic to calc-alkaline plutons in the Barleik-Mayile-Saleinuohai area of West Junggar, NW China. Zircon U-Pb results of felsic plutons reveal a wide range (511–488 Ma) of ages with older ages up to 514–511 Ma. The felsic rocks exhibit variable SiO2 (53.0–77.4 wt%) and K2O (0.05– 2.24 wt%) contents and can be classified as diorite, granodiorite, trondhjemite, and tonalite. On the basis of their low TiO2 (0.12– 0.71 wt%) contents and characteristic trace element trends as well as high zircon εHf(t) (+10.5 to +14.5) and mantle-like zircon δ18O (5.0 ± 0.48‰ to 5.4 ± 0.43‰, two standard deviations) values, we interpret that the Cambrian felsic rocks have diverse origins, involving differentiation of arc basalts and partial melting of subducted oceanic crust, arc mafic crust, and metasomatized mantle wedge. The Saleinuohai gabbroic pluton shows zircon δ18O ratios from 4.2 to 4.7‰, which are lower than those of igneous zircons in equilibrium with mantle and thus reflect modification of their mantle source by hydrothermal fluids with seawater-like oxygen isotopes at high temperature. Combined with regional data, we propose that the West Junggar arc represents the extending of the Boshchekul-Chingiz arc in the Early Cambrian, defining a long (>1000 km) E-W–trending subduction zone. The earliest island-arc tholeiitic felsic plutons in the West Junggar took place at ca. 514–511 Ma, which, coupled with other early subduction records (e.g., 530 Ma SSZ-type Kopu-relisay ophiolites) in the western Paleo-Asian Ocean, indicates that initial stages of subduction of the western Paleo-Asian Ocean probably occurred in the Early Cambrian. The simultaneity between the initial subduction of the western Paleo-Asian Ocean, Gondwana assembly, and Laurasia breakup suggests a causal link between the three, collectively correlated to a global plate adjustment event.

Crustal Contamination and Hybridization of an Embryonic Oceanic Crust during the Red Sea Rifting (Tihama Asir Igneous Complex, Saudi Arabia)

AbstractThe Red Sea rift system represents a key case study of the transition from a continental to an oceanic rift. The Red Sea rifting initiated in Late Oligocene to Early Miocene (24–23 Ma) and was accompanied by extensive magmatism throughout the rifted basin, from Afar and Yemen to northern Egypt. Here, we present a petrological and geochemical study of two gabbro bodies and associated basalts from the Tihama Asir igneous complex, which formed at 24–20 Ma within the rifted Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS). The Tihama Asir is therefore an ideal location to study the initial phase of syn-rift magmatism and its influence on the geodynamic evolution of the Red Sea rift system. The most primitive olivine gabbros present modal, bulk and mineral compositions consistent with formation from Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB)-type parental melts, whereas the evolved olivine-free gabbros and oxide-bearing gabbros show saturation of phlogopite and a crystal line of descent diverging from fractional crystallization trends. In detail, whole-rock and mineral compositions in the most evolved lithologies show high Light over Middle Rare Earth Elements (LREE/MREE) ratios (LaN/SmN = 0.89–1.31) and selective enrichments in Sr, K and highly incompatible elements (Rb, Ba, U, Th). We relate these geochemical characteristics to a process of progressive assimilation of host continental crust during the emplacement of the gabbroic plutons. Interestingly, high LREE/MREE ratios (LaN/SmN = 1.45–4.58) and high Rb, Ba, Th and U contents also characterize the basaltic dike swarms associated to the gabbros. Incompatible trace element compositions of these basalts approach those of the melts that formed the most hybridized gabbros. Therefore, we propose that the dike swarms represent melts partially contaminated by assimilation of continental crust material, extracted from the underlying gabbroic crystal mush. Our results suggest that early syn-rift magmatism led to the partial replacement of the thinned continental crust by MORB-type gabbroic bodies, in turn suggesting that oceanic magmatism started prior to continental break-up. Extensive syn-rift magmatism is consistent with the interpretation of the southern Red Sea rift system as a volcanic rifted margin. One possible implication of this study is that extensive but diffuse syn-rift magmatism possibly hampered continental break-up, leading to a protracted rifting stage.

Low-Ti gabbroic pluton in Dali, SW China: new evidence for back-arc lithospheric melting inducing early-stage magmatism of the Emeishan large igneous province

The Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) was emplaced on the western Yangtze plate during the Permian and its formation is primarily attributed to a mantle plume. Recent research has shown that material from this plume modified the melts in the Palaeotethys subduction zone. However, it remains poorly understood whether, in turn, the subduction of Palaeotethys affected the formation of the Emeishan LIP. We report here geochronological, petrological, geochemical and isotopic studies of a gabbroic intrusion located in Jiangwei, in the Dali area of the Emeishan LIP. The gabbro has a weighted mean SHRIMP U–Pb age of c. 262 Ma. The key geochemical features include: depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti; enrichment in Th, U and Sr; low light to heavy rare earth element ratios; 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (t) values of c. 0.707; and ε Nd (t) values of c. −0.21. We conducted pMELTS thermodynamic modelling and batch-melting calculations to evaluate the origin and evolution of the gabbro based on real components of low-Ti picrites and xenoliths from the Yangtze lithosphere. Our results show that 3% melting of a hydrated spinel peridotite source from the Yangtze lithosphere can produce magma equivalent to the gabbroic intrusion. Integrating this conclusion with the tectonic background of the western Yangtze plate and the volcano-stratigraphic record of the Emeishan LIP, we infer that the early-stage magmatism of the Emeishan LIP was triggered by Palaeotethys back-arc extension with fluid modification from the subducting slab. Supplementary material: Tables S1–S7 are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5433267

Heavy magnesium isotopes in the Gangdese Magmatic Belt: Implications for magmatism in the Mesozoic subduction system of southern Tibet

The Gangdese magmatic belt of southern Tibet preserves important records of the Mesozoic Neo-Tethyan orogeny. Here we investigate a newly identified Late Cretaceous hornblende gabbro pluton using zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf-O-Mg isotopes with a view to evaluate the magma source characteristics and fluid evolution. The geochronological data and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes suggest that the Late Cretaceous gabbro crystallized in the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous (ca. 98 Ma), from magma generated by partial melting of the depleted mantle. We report the first set of Mg isotopic data for the Late Cretaceous and Late Triassic arc-type gabbroid rocks in the Gangdese magmatic belt, where both rocks show homogeneous heavy Mg isotopic compositions with δ26Mg values ranging from 0.01 to 0.12‰ and − 0.09 to 0.09‰, respectively. Their δ26Mg values are higher than the average mantle values (−0.25 ± 0.07‰), suggesting that 26Mg-rich fluids were involved in their mantle sources. Based on Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopic data and published information on Mg isotopic reservoir, we argue that talc-rich serpentinite fluids played an important role in producing the heavy Mg isotopes in these arc-related intrusions. Integrating data from previous studies and this study, we propose that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere and formation of arc-type magmas provide a viable model to account for the heavy Mg isotopic compositions through fluid-rock interaction within the subduction channel. This further indicates that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere commenced in the Late Triassic or earlier rather than in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 145 Ma).

Faulting intersections and magma-feeding zones in Tihamat-asir, Southeast red sea rift: Aeromagnetic and structural perspective

The Tihamat-Asir area is located in southwest Saudi Arabia between the Asir Mountains and the Red Sea coast. Herein, the Tihamat-Asir area aeromagnetic data are re-interpreted to explain the magmatic activity and related structural interaction between extensional normal and transfer strike-slip faulting. The magnetic anomaly structural interpretation indicates that faulting and related magmatic activities are the main structural features affecting the study area. The magnetic signatures reveal oceanic crust underlying the onshore and offshore western side of the study area, while the eastern side is characterized by a broad, low magnetic anomaly indicative of continental crust. The boundary between the oceanic and continental crusts is not sharp, and represents a transitional zone, characterized by magnetic gradient steepness potentially related to mid-Cenozoic gabbroic plutons and volcanic flows together with normal faults injected by Cenozoic basalts. This zone incorporates three NW striking normal faulting and NE striking transfer strike-slip faulting system intersections, located close to Baysh, Abu Arish, and southwest of Abu Arish. The intersectional interactions between these two faulting systems have resulted in brittle magma-feeding zones that have allowed magma to reach the surface at these localities, and is believed to have resulted from the fracturing process affecting these localities due to the accumulated stress exerted by the movement of the NE strike-slip faults along the normal NW faulting systems and the associated releasing bends. A pull-apart magma-feeding zone is the structural model proposed to explain the interpreted brittle magma feeding zones and the associated magmatic activities in the study area.

Geophysical Study of Gold Mineralized Zones in the Carolina Terrane of South Carolina

Abstract Large pyrite-dominated gold deposits are hosted in hydrothermally altered metamorphic rocks in the Carolina slate belt of South Carolina and are partly covered by Coastal Plain sedimentary rocks. In this study, we investigate the utility of geophysical data including aeromagnetic, electromagnetic (EM), and land gravity surveys as exploration tools. Observed geophysical anomalies are correlated with rock properties such as resistivity, susceptibility, and density. Mineral concentrations were measured for 40 samples from 16 new drill holes, as well as densities and pyrite concentrations for 49,183 samples from 448 drill holes in the Haile ore zone. Regional positive gravity anomalies are observed over the Haile, Ridgeway, and Barite Hill mine areas, and residual high-pass filtered positive gravity anomalies are observed over all mine areas. New measurements for drill cores in the Haile mine area directly confirm high rock densities and high pyrite concentrations in the ore zone. In the Haile and Brewer mine areas, high-conductivity EM anomalies are observed over the ore zones as well as over nearby metasedimentary rocks. The high concentration of pyrite in the metasedimentary units and in the ore zones may explain the high conductivities observed. All gold deposits in the Carolina slate belt are hosted in similar geologic settings near the contact between the Persimmon Fork metamorphosed volcaniclastic rocks and Richtex metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. Density and conductivity contrasts between the Persimmon Fork and Richtex Formation rocks may permit mapping of the contact zone between the two units. The magnetic anomalies do not correlate with the mineralized zones but rather with granite and gabbro plutons and diabase dikes. A prominent east-northeast linear magnetic anomaly correlates with the Modoc shear zone that separates low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Carolina terrane from higher-grade metamorphic rocks of the Kiokee belt. We use the Modoc linear magnetic anomaly to predict the southeastern boundary of the Carolina slate belt where it is covered by Coastal Plain sedimentary rocks.

Evolution of late Paleozoic shearing in the Cobequid Highlands: constraints on the fragmentation of the Appalachian Orogen in Nova Scotia along intra-continental shear zones

Abstract The Cobequid Highlands of northern Nova Scotia lie at the intersection of two major dextral intra-continental shear zones which developed during closure of the Rheic Ocean and formation of Pangea. The Cobequid Shear Zone was an ENE–WSW transfer zone in a NE–SW-trending, orogen-parallel, shear system in the late Devonian–early Carboniferous (Neo-Acadian phase), in which syntectonic granite–gabbro plutons and volcanic strata <4 km thick were progressively deformed along multiple faults. In the Late Carboniferous–Permian, the Alleghanian collision of Africa with Laurentia formed the east–west-trending Minas Fault Zone, reactivating parts of the Cobequid Shear Zone. This deformation was mostly taken up on the master Cobequid–Chedabucto Fault. Deformation chronology is well constrained by the biostratigraphy of syntectonic sedimentary rocks, and by radiometrically dated igneous rocks and minerals in faults and veins. Early strike-slip faults were lubricated by magmatic heating, leading to dyke-to-pluton construction along multiple faults. During cooling, rooted gabbro was more resistant than ductile granite, thereby deflecting solid-state deformation. Neo-Acadian strike-slip displacement across the shear zone is estimated as >50 km. The location of Alleghanian deformation was influenced by the paucity of magmatism and the resistance offered by older stitching plutons.

Structural Variability Within the Kane Oceanic Core Complex From Full Waveform Inversion and Reverse Time Migration of Streamer Data

AbstractThe origin and distribution of the gabbroic bodies provide crucial information to understand the formation and evolution processes of the oceanic core complexes (OCCs). Nevertheless, images of the shape of the gabbroic bodies across the domes and gabbroic intrusion into the mantle have remained elusive. High‐resolution acoustic early‐arrival full waveform inversion tomography models obtained along and across the Kane OCC characterize the detailed lateral variability in structure and composition of the upper ~2 km of this well‐developed OCC. Reverse time migration images show the gabbroic plutons embedded in mantle rocks are seismically transparent, while more reflective sections correspond to the layered magmatic crust. Lithological interpretation shows heterogeneous distribution of gabbroic bodies within the Kane OCC, indicating strong spatial and temporal variability in magmatism during fault exhumation. Our results will also be of high value for future scientific ocean drilling efforts in the area.

Imaging Alpine crust using ambient noise wave-equation tomography

SUMMARYWe present an improved crustal Vs model and Moho depth map using ambient noise wave-equation tomography. The so-called ‘ambient noise wave-equation tomography’ is a method to invert seismic ambient noise phase dispersion data based on elastic waveform simulation, which accounts for 3-D and finite-frequency effects. We use cross-correlations of up to 4 yr of continuous vertical-component ambient seismic noise recordings from 304 high-quality broad-band stations in the Alpine region. We use model LSP_Eucrust1.0 obtained from traditional ambient noise tomography as initial model, and we iteratively improve the initial model by minimizing frequency-dependent phase traveltime differences between the observed and synthetic waveforms of Rayleigh waves in the period range 10–50 s. We obtain the final model after 15 iterations with ∼65 per cent total misfit reduction compared to the initial model. At crustal depth, the final model significantly enhances the amplitudes and adjusts the shapes of velocity anomalies. At Moho and upper-mantle depth, the final model corrects an obvious systematic velocity shift of the initial model. The resulting isovelocity Moho map confirms a Moho step along the external side of the external crystalline massifs of the northwestern Alps and reveals underplated gabbroic plutons in the lower most crust of the central and eastern Alps. Ambient noise wave-equation tomography turns out to be a useful tool to refine shear wave velocity models obtained by traditional ambient noise tomography based on ray theory.

Chapter 22 Upper and uppermost thrust sheets in the Caledonide orogen, Sweden: outboard oceanic and exotic continental terranes

Abstract Three separate stacks of thrust sheets (Köli Nappe Complex) constitute the Upper Allochthon in the Caledonide orogen, Sweden. This thrust complex is dominated by late Cambrian–Ordovician successions deposited in subduction-related, marginal oceanic basins. Magmatic activity at c. 488 Ma (Lower Köli) and c. 492–476 Ma (Middle Köli) is linked to rifted volcanic arcs and Zn–Cu–Fe–(Pb–Au–Ag) sulphide mineralization; serpentinite bodies with talc deposits are also conspicuous. Renewed magmatic activity, both plutonic (Upper and Middle Köli) and mafic volcanic (Middle and Lower Köli), occurred at c. 440–434 Ma during crustal extension. Late Ordovician shallow-marine sedimentation, deepening upwards into an early Silurian succession also prevailed (Lower Köli). Silurian ( c. 430 Ma and later) folding, eastwards-vergent thrusting and greenschist or lower amphibolite facies metamorphism preceded upright, orogen-parallel and orogen-transverse open folding. Juxtaposition of an arc-related terrane to an ancient continental margin, comprising slices of gneiss and marble, in the Middle Köli occurred prior to c. 437 Ma and the eastwards-vergent thrusting; remnants of an Ordovician amphibolite facies tectonothermal event are also preserved in the Upper Köli. The tectonic roof to the Köli complex contains amphibolite facies mica schist, gneiss and marble, derived from the Laurentian continental margin, and a major gabbroic pluton (Rödingsfjället Nappe Complex, Uppermost Allochthon).

Constraints of zircon U-Pb and biotite Rb-Sr ages and P-T conditions on the emplacement and uplifting of the Late Mesozoic Jinan gabbro, eastern North China

The North China Craton underwent exceptional lithospheric thinning. A debate remains as to the mechanism and timing of this thinning partly as a result of the lack of information on the crustal uplift. Mantle-derived mafic rocks can carry key messages of lithospheric thinning and facilitate the determination of the time and mechanism. Gabbroic rocks from the Jinan area in eastern North China were emplaced in the peak period of the thinning and, for this reason, were chosen as the study object. Isotopic ages and P-T conditions of the Jinan gabbro pluton were measured to examine the uplifting and cooling history of the magma. Jinan gabbros were enriched in large ion lithophile elements and large rare earth elements but depleted in high field strength elements without a significant Eu anomaly. Their Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic features suggest that the magma was derived from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle (EMI). This pluton was emplaced at ~130 Ma, and crystallization temperatures of pyroxene and biotite were 909–1116 °C and 828–952 °C, respectively. The core and rim crystallization pressures of clinopyroxene and plagioclase are ~4.45 kbar and ~2.56–3.91 kbar, respectively. These might record the pressure changes during the uplift process from ~16.5 to 9.5 km. The Rb-Sr isotopic system of biotite was closed at ~121–117 Ma, constrained by the single–grain biotite Rb-Sr ages. This shows that the cooling depth of pluton is ~8.4 ± 2.4 km. Consequently, the pluton was rapidly uplifted from the ~16.5 km to ~8.4 km, at an uplift rate of 0.81 ± 0.24 km/Ma and/or a cooling rate of approximately 50 °C/Ma during 130–120 Ma. This fast uplift was related to the delamination and thinning of the lithosphere that caused activities associated with magmatism and mineralization in eastern North China during the late Mesozoic.

Origin of Late Permian syenite and gabbro from the Panxi rift, SW China: The fractionation process of mafic magma in the inner zone of the Emeishan mantle plume

Contemporaneous alkaline and gabbroic intrusions are commonly observed around high-Ti basalt in the inner zone of Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP), the distribution and origin of these igneous rocks are significant to understand the process associated with a head of Emeishan mantle plume activity. In this study, we present detailed petrology, chronology, major and trace element geochemistry, whole rock Sr-Nd isotopes and zircon Hf isotopes for quartz syenite and hornblende gabbro from Miyi area, middle-southern Panxi rift. The Hengshan quartz syenite closely lies to the west of the Hepingcun hornblende gabbro pluton, and both units have identical U-Pb ages (260 Ma). The quartz syenite has high SiO2 (66.74 to 70.63 wt%), Na2O (4.94 to 5.64 wt%) and K2O (4.95 to 5.35 wt%) contents, with significantly negative Eu and Sr anomalies, while the hornblende gabbro displays lower SiO2 (47.80 to 48.85 wt%) and higher MgO (8.09 to 9.06 wt%), TFe2O3 (10.57 to 11.16 wt%) contents with slightly positive Eu and Sr anomalies. The highest εHf(t) values from quartz syenites (QS-1) is up to +10, which is similar to the values of hornblende gabbro (+6.6 to +9.4), indicating the both magmas were predominantly from a mantle-derived component. The negative εNd(t) values (−3.9 to −5.2) and variations in overall εHf(t) values (−5.4 to +1.3) for quartz syenite indicate the rocks had undergone certain extent of contamination by crustal material, combined with the reciprocal normalized trace element patterns, suggesting a common source of both two units. The syenitic and gabbroic units exhibit well-developed correlation of SiO2 with various major oxides, indicating the fractional crystallization plays a major role in magma evolution. We use the MELTS modeling to evaluate the detail fractional crystallization process and the results show that magma composition similar to the quartz syenite can be produced by fractional crystallization of ~4% olivine, ~11% clinopyroxene, ~9% orthopyroxene, ~40% plagioclase and ~8% oxide from a high-Ti basalt magma at ~900 °C. We propose the syenite-gabbro association in Panxi rift coincides with final activity of the Emeishan mantle plume, and the lower part formed the hornblende gabbroic unit in a closed system, the upper part of the intrusion formed the syenitic unit and mixed with the crust material.

Ductile and brittle deformation in Singapore: A record of Mesozoic orogeny and amalgamation in Sundaland, and of post-orogenic faulting

Singapore bedrock geology is dominated by late Permian to Triassic arc magmatism and a genetically related, essentially Middle to Upper Triassic, marine to fluvial volcano-sedimentary inner forearc succession. These Mesozoic strata are deformed into a pattern of NE-translated ductile–brittle deformation structures during the latest Triassic to earliest Jurassic collision and amalgamation of the Sibumasu continental block with the southern part of the Sukhothai Arc. The subduction-related magmatic complex represented in Singapore by the granitic to gabbroic plutons of the Bukit Timah Centre likely acted as a backstop to thrusting at this time. Collisional tectonics drove progressive shortening and steepened earlier-formed inclined asymmetrical folds, culminating in the regional-scale development of a non-coaxial, NE-vergent and NE-facing, fold and thrust system. In Singapore, the Murai Thrust and Pasir Laba Thrust are identified as major elements of this system; both are associated with SW-dipping thrust-imbricate duplex slices. Two distinct early Cretaceous (Berriasian and Barremian) sedimentary successions overstep these collisional tectonic structures. An array of mostly NE–SW and ENE–WSW trending faults and fractures acts as an important control on bedrock unit distribution across Singapore and are most likely generated by Cenomanian dextral shear stress. That stress locally reactivated faults initiated during orogeny, or even earlier. Knowledge of the geotechnical impact of these structural features is critical to both future development and ongoing management of the subsurface in Singapore.