Late Carboniferous Research Articles

Paleo-air pressures and respiration of giant Odonatoptera from the Late Carboniferous to the Early Cretaceous

Adult Odonatoptera are among the most efficient flying predators. They have retained many physical characteristics over an immense period stretching from the Carboniferous to the present. Over this time they have greatly varied in size and mass, as shown in the fossil record and in particular by the length, shape, and structure of their wings. A fossil of Meganeurites gracilipes indicates that this large ‘griffenfly’ had a ‘hawker’ hunting behavior similar to certain extant species, with long periods of flight in which power, thermoregulation, and respiration would therefore tend to a ‘steady state’ equilibrium, allowing oxygen requirements and tracheole volumes to be projected and compared to extant ‘hawkers’. Comparing these values with standard pO2 models allows paleo-atmospheric density estimates to be derived. The results suggest that paleo-air pressure has varied from over two bars in the Late Carboniferous, Late Permian, and Middle to Late Jurassic, with lower values in the Early Triassic and Early Jurassic.

A polygenetic origin for the Sikhoran ultramafic-mafic complex in South Iran

The nature and geodynamic setting of the Sikhoran ultramafic–mafic complex, southwest Iran, is debated, with multiple competing theories having been proposed in recent years. The Sikhoran ultramafic–mafic complex is located in the southern part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic-magmatic zone (SSMMZ) and is comprised of porphyroclastic, transitional and layered ultramafic-mafic sequences of Carboniferous age. These units are cut by isotropic gabbros, diabasic and pegmatoid gabbroic dikes with ages ranging from Permian to the Cretaceous. These bodies also intrude into Upper Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, where they induced high-temperature contact metamorphism during the Late Carboniferous. Here we present new textural descriptions, mineral and whole-rock geochemical analyses, and the results of zircon UPb dating of magmatic mafic rocks and metamorphic host rocks from this region in order to reconstruct the petrogenesis of the Sikhoran ultramafic–mafic complex. Zircon UPb ages from layered gabbros indicate Late Carboniferous (320.8 ± 6.4 Ma) crystallization, which is similar to the age of the Upper Paleozoic host gneisses (334.6 ± 4.9 Ma). By contrast, isotropic gabbros that cross-cut the complex have a crystallization age of 178.3 ± 2.3 Ma, and anatectic quartz diorite/plagiogranite produced from partial melting of hosting amphibolite in contact with the gabbros yielded Late Triassic-Early Jurassic ages (187.2 ± 2.6 Ma). These data suggest a polygenetic origin and a range of tectonic settings for various parts of the ultramafic-mafic complex. Geochemical modeling shows that mantle plume-related melting (∼5–40%) of metasomatized mantle could have formed the ultramafic-mafic layered cumulate complex during the Late Carboniferous. A geochemical transition from island arc tholeiite (IAT) isotropic gabbros to cross-cutting enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB)–diabasic dikes occurred between the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous. The mantle-derived ultramafic parts of the Sikhoran ultramafic-mafic complex have similarities with other known ultramafic-mafic mantle plumes (e.g., Tinaqulllo, Lherz, and Ronda), and its layered ultramafic-mafic segment has similarity with layered intrusions (e.g., Pulur complex in Turkey). The highest observed crystallization temperature in porphyroclastic, transitional and layered ultramafic mantle sections of ∼1140 °C is considered as the mantle potential temperature, since the highest crystallization temperatures are observed in the most forsteritic olivine crystals. Based on amphibole chemistry, the crystallization conditions of transitional to layered ultramafic rocks at 900–1005 °C occurred at high H2O contents in a melt between nickel–nickel oxide (NNO) −8.5 and NNO −9.0, which lies along the NNO−2 buffer. These results are consistent with a model in which the opening of the Zagros Neotethys Oceanic basin in the Esfandagheh region initiated in the Late Carboniferous, alongside the formation of an extensional environment that allowed ascent of a subcontinental mantle plume. Subduction initiation of oceanic lithosphere began during the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic and ended in the Late Cretaceous.

Carboniferous to Early Permian tectono-sedimentary evolution in the western Junggar Basin, NW China: implication for the evolution of Junggar Ocean

The discovery of Carboniferous hydrocarbon source rocks in the Mahu-Shawan Sag has implied considerable exploration potential in the Carboniferous strata in the western Junggar Basin. However, controversy has long surrounded when and how the Junggar Ocean was eventually closed, leading to a poor understanding of the Carboniferous basin evolution and the continental growth of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. We performed stratigraphic and geochronologic studies to establish the chronostratigraphic framework of the western Junggar Basin to better understand its tectonic-sedimentary evolution during the Carboniferous-Early Permian. Three tectonostratigraphic units in the southern West Junggar region have been identified as Early Carboniferous shallow-deep marine sequences, Late Carboniferous coast-shallow marine sequences, and Early Permian continental sequences. The Carboniferous strata are similar to forearc and backarc-rift sequences in the Western Fault Belt and the Mahu-Shawan Sag, respectively. The Lower Permian strata in the southern West Junggar region are all continental sequences. Seismic profiles indicate extensional settings in the early stage of Late Carboniferous and Early Permian but a compressional setting at the end of Late Carboniferous. Geochemical data have suggested a Carboniferous continental arc setting and an Early Permian within-plate extensional setting. Meanwhile, calc-alkaline arc magma migrated from the Zhongguai High to the Western Fault Belt at the end of the Late Carboniferous. Collectively, the tectonic-sedimentary evolution in the Carboniferous-Early Permian of the southern West Junggar region can be divided into three stages: 1) Early Carboniferous subduction, 2) Late Carboniferous slab roll-back, and 3) Early Permian intra-continental evolution stage. This model constrains the closure of the Junggar Ocean at the Late Carboniferous.

Formation of columnar/tabular and vermicular kaolinite in the crystal tonsteins within the Late Carboniferous Coal in the Datong Coalfield, Shanxi Province, North China

The Datong Coalfield, Shanxi Province, North China, is rich in high-grade coal-measure kaolin, primarily occurring as partings within the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal seams. There is a type of kaolinite-dominant coarse-grained parting similar to sandstone in appearance, whereas the phanerocrystalline minerals are columnar/tabular and vermicular kaolinite rather than terrigenous detrital minerals. The origins of the coarse-grained partings and the formation mechanism of the columnar/tabular and vermicular kaolinite remain ambiguous. Herein, petrographical, mineralogical, whole-rock geochemical, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic studies of the coarse-grained partings were conducted to explore these issues. The zircons in the coarse-grained partings show typical features of magmatic origin and yield a single age group of very latest Carboniferous at ca. 300 Ma, indicating they were transformed from air-fall volcanic ash. Therefore, the coarse-grained partings are essentially crystal tonsteins. The wide range of negative εHf(t) values and arc-related tectonic affinity of the zircons genetically link the primary volcanic ash to the Late Paleozoic continental arc volcanoes that existed in the Inner Mongolia Paleo-Uplift, related to the southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the North China Block. Two orthogonal cleavages are generally observed on the columnar/tabular and vermicular kaolinite in the crystal tonsteins, contradicting the crystalline structure of kaolinite that belongs to a 1:1 type phyllosilicate with only one cleavage along its (001) lattice plane. These columnar/tabular and vermicular kaolinite are considered to be pseudomorphic kaolinite after plagioclase in the crystal-rich volcanic ash. When the crystal-rich volcanic ash fell into open and acidic peat-forming environments (mires), the low-pH water containing abundant organic acids and good water circulation conditions facilitate dissolution of plagioclase along the chemically unstable (001) lattice planes and leaching out of Na+, Ca2+, and much of silica. Simultaneously, the Al3+ or hydroxides of aluminum and silica recrystallized along the (001) lattice planes of plagioclase as the substrate, constraining layer-by-layer growth of large kaolinite platelets to eventually form pseudomorphic kaolinite. The cleavages perpendicular to the exclusive (001) cleavage of pseudomorphic kaolinite should be inherited from the twin planes and (010) cleavage cracks (if present) of plagioclase.

Basement differences control granitoid compositions: insights from zircon Hf isotopic mapping of Paleozoic granitoids in the northern Beishan orogenic collage, NW China

ABSTRACT The source of granitoids in Phanerozoic accretionary orogens is debatable. Paleozoic granitoids are widespread in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and are considered the most eloquent witness to continental crustal growth during the Phanerozoic. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic and geochemical data from six Paleozoic granitic plutons in the northern Beishan Orogenic Collage (NBOC). Zircon U-Pb data reveal that these plutons recorded a long-lasting magmatism from the Late Silurian to the Late Carboniferous. The elemental and isotopic data show a major contribution from the Precambrian crustal basement as the source of the Late Silurian to Carboniferous granitoids in the Mingshui – Hanshan massif (MHM). In contrast, the source compositions of the Carboniferous granitoids in the Heiyingshan arc (HYA) indicate a dominant role of juvenile materials. Combined with published data, three magmatic pulses from the Ordovician to Carboniferous were identified in the NBOC: Stage I magmatism (Early Ordovician to Late Silurian) formed in a subduction-related compressional setting, Stage II magmatism (Late Silurian to Early Devonian) occurred in an extensional setting, and Stage III (Carboniferous) formed in a compressional setting. For the MHM, the zircon Hf isotopic mapping results show that the eastern segment was predominantly composed of a Paleoproterozoic basement, whereas the western segment mainly consisted of a young Mesoproterozoic – Neoproterozoic basement. The Heiyingshan magmatic rocks were probably formed as a continental arc during the Mesoproterozoic – Neoproterozoic and accreted to the MHM during the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Overall, these data indicate that the NBOC had remnants of the ancient Precambrian basement during the Paleozoic. Accordingly, numerous Phanerozoic granitic rocks in the NBOC have mostly resulted from the recycling of ancient crustal materials along with the addition of minor new juvenile materials. Our study has highlighted that systematic basement differences can exert a major influence on the nature of granitoids.

Late paleozoic climate revealed by coral fossil patterns.

The study of coral fossils with clear growth lines inShiqiantan Formation (310 Ma) in China showed the growth line increments of a single coral growing in this area is related to the sunlight illumination time. Moreover, the daily increment of the growth line caused by calcium carbonate depositions has an unusual bimodal curve. The study of this bimodal curve indicated Shiqiantan had evident four-season changes in the Late Carboniferous period, and the climate at that time was similar to that of modern North China. The present paper updates the oldest existing record of climate analysis materials and provides important information for the study of Late Paleozoic climate, as well as the ancient obliquity of ecliptic.

The exceptionally well-preserved Sauropleura scalaris (Nectridea: Urocordylidae) from the late Carboniferous of the Czech Republic: new information on ontogeny, lateral line and tail

Abstract Urocordylids represent a group of the late Carboniferous–early Permian basal tetrapods, with short limbs, extremely elongated bodies and a deep and distinctive tail and vertebral architecture, which is indicative of an aquatic habitat. However, the important morphological structures that would indicate their ecological preferences unambiguously (e.g. hyobranchial apparatus, lateral line sulci) remain unknown. Moreover, the high degree of skeletal ossification present in urocordylids contrasts with the common pattern seen in most other basal tetrapods known to inhabit aquatic environments. Here, we describe an exceptionally well-preserved skull, with an associated mandible and a partial postcranial skeleton, of Sauropleura scalaris from the locality of Nýřany, Czech Republic, based on high-resolution micro-computed tomography. The labial surface of the mandible shows the first evidence of the lateral line system in Urocordylidae, which consists of both small pits and elongated grooves, and unambiguously supports the aquatic ecology of the group. The juvenile stage of the specimen provides new information on ontogeny of sauropleurines. The partly ossified opisthotic bone indicates that, unlike development in most other early tetrapods, the otic capsules were among the first neurocranial elements to ossify in nectrideans. Finally, an almost complete caudal region suggests that tails were much longer in sauropleurines than previously assumed.

A world-class example of a Late Palaeozoic glaciated landscape in Chad

Continental glacial deposits are rarely preserved in nature. Recent studies of the LPIA reveal the presence of periglacial deposits in Northern Chad covering an area of 20,000 km2. Using satellite maps, this project managed to examine the entirety of the Ennedi Plateau. 3D reconstructions of this mountain range reveal complex glacial morphological features. This paper presents large-scale subglacial features interbedded with proglacial fluvial features and discussed the variables at play during the progressive, repetitive, and perhaps cyclical nature of the Carboniferous glaciation. Using remote sensing techniques, this paper shows that there are three major ice advance–retreat cycles that led to the deposition of mega-scale glacial lineations with a complex fluvial channel belt. Palaeo-geomorphological mapping of satellite images in northern Chad reveals that the Late Carboniferous Chadian ice sheet covered at least 20,000 km2, a much greater extent than previously thought (ca. 6000 km2). Glacial lineations (GLs) are dominant and extensive on the plateau. They are arranged in widespread ice stream networks and developed at multiple stratigraphic levels. This broadly indicates palaeo-ice flow to the north. We report a newly discovered pristine channel belt, covering at least 300 km2 of a plateau in the Ennedi Plateau. A swarm of N–S trending channels, up to 250 m wide, is recognised. These are of both braided and meandering characters and are organised into channel belts of up to 500 m width. The mapped palaeo-morphology shows complex crosscutting relationships. The channel belt is intercalated with zones of GLs; hence, ice activity preceded and succeeded fluvial activity. Preserved planform sinuous channel geometries show distinctive point bar deposits and scroll bar geometries therein, which testify to a terrestrial, subaerial environment, rather than to their evolution in the subglacial realm, e.g. as eskers. Therefore, we find that cross-cutting, amalgamated channel systems record the complex phases of meltwater release during glacial retreat in the advance–retreat cycles of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age in Chad.

Taxonomic and carbon metabolic diversification of Bathyarchaeia during its coevolution history with early Earth surface environment

Bathyarchaeia, as one of the most abundant microorganisms on Earth, play vital roles in the global carbon cycle. However, our understanding of their origin, evolution, and ecological functions remains poorly constrained. Here, we present the largest dataset of Bathyarchaeia metagenome assembled genome to date and reclassify Bathyarchaeia into eight order-level units corresponding to the former subgroup system. Highly diversified and versatile carbon metabolisms were found among different orders, particularly atypical C1 metabolic pathways, indicating that Bathyarchaeia represent overlooked important methylotrophs. Molecular dating results indicate that Bathyarchaeia diverged at ~3.3 billion years, followed by three major diversifications at ~3.0, ~2.5, and ~1.8 to 1.7 billion years, likely driven by continental emergence, growth, and intensive submarine volcanism, respectively. The lignin-degrading Bathyarchaeia clade emerged at ~300 million years perhaps contributed to the sharply decreased carbon sequestration rate during the Late Carboniferous period. The evolutionary history of Bathyarchaeia potentially has been shaped by geological forces, which, in turn, affected Earth’s surface environment.

Gzhelian (latest Carboniferous) Pseudoacutella partoazari foraminiferal assemblage from the Tabas Block (Central Iran)

A foraminiferal assemblage is reported from the Zaladou Formation in the Tabas Block (Shishtu Section), Central Iran. This assemblage comprises 16 species belonging to 14 genera, and encompasses the fusulinids Pseudoacutella partoazari, Grovesella tabasensis, Gr. aff. australis, Gr. sphaerica, Gr. sphaerica var. quadrata, Gr. cf. staffelloides, Schubertina sp., Schubertella sp., and the smaller foraminifers Eotuberitina sp., Lasiodiscus tenuis, Raphconilia cf. minor, R. multihelicis, R. modificata, Tetrataxis cf. parviconica, Globivalvulina ex gr. bulloides, Gl. graeca, Calcivertella heathi, Tansillites sp., Palaeonubecularia? sp., Hemigordiellina sp., Nodosinelloides longa, and N. longissima. The age of this assemblage is considered to be Gzhelian. The assemblage is dominated by the fusulinid Pseudoacutella partoazari with a low total diversity of smaller foraminifers. This assemblage is compared to similar assemblages in other parts of Iran and well as the USA. An evolutionary lineage of Pseudoacutella partoazari is also proposed. It is confirmed that Pseudonovella differs from Pseudoacutella by the periphery rounded-carinate (carinate in Pseudoacutella), pseudochomata less developed, and the type of coiling (Pseudoacutella is truly planispiral involute). Pseudonovella is suggested here as the ancestor of Pseudoacutella. This assemblage bears one unusual attribute, the overwhelming dominance of the fusulinid Pseudoacutella and the relatively low total diversity, compared with similar foraminifera from Alborz, Sanandaj-Sirjan, Sabzevar and central Iran, which present warm and humid conditions during the Late Carboniferous.

Geological characteristics and genesis of the Late Carboniferous extremely thick slate in the Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn district, southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China: constraints on metallogenesis and tectonic setting

The Shuangjianzishan super-large Ag-Pb-Zn deposit is situated in the southern Great Xing’an Range (SGXR), which is part of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the northeastern Xing’an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt (XMOB). The host rock of this deposit is the Dashizhai Formation, characterized by a widely distributed, extremely thick slate in the Shuangjianzishan basin. Petrographically, the slate contains secondary minerals such as secondary quartz, biotite, sphalerite, pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite, in addition to primary quartz, feldspar, and rock fragment. The whole-rock geochemical analysis indicates that the slate was deposited in an oxygen-deficient shale basin, influenced by calcium-rich volcanic ash and magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The mineralogical characteristics of sulfide minerals and the in-situ sulfur isotopic composition of pyrites suggest that the sulfide minerals were likely formed before the primary metallogenic epoch, indicating pre-enrichment of metals. The color variation from black to green observed in the drilling core of the slate is attributed to differences in feldspar content, with the denser “black” slate marking the metallogenic horizon. Based on previous research, it is inferred that the slate is a product of the post-orogenic extensional tectonic setting of the XMOB in the Late Carboniferous, and it underwent alteration by epithermal magmatic-hydrothermal fluids during the Mesozoic metallogenic episode.

The formation environment of Carboniferous karstic bauxite deposits in the central North China Craton: Insights from nitrogen isotopes and geochemical proxies

Over 5 billion tons of karstic bauxites are hosted in the Late Carboniferous Benxi Formation in the North China Craton (NCC). However, the bauxite formation environment in the central NCC remains unknown. The geological, mineralogical, geochemical, nitrogen concentrations, and δ15N isotope evidence of the Huilong and Shangwutou bauxite deposits in the central NCC was conducted, aiming to clarify the formation environments. Typically, bauxites in the central NCC contains three layers from bottom to top: Fe-bearing claystone/clayey ironstone, bauxite ore, and bauxitic claystone. The Fe-bearing claystone/clayey ironstone is composed of kaolinite, goethite, and hematite; the bauxite ore is composed of diaspore, kaolinite, but also minor hematite, ilmenite, and svanbergite; and the bauxitic claystone consists of kaolinite, but also some diaspore and goethite. Diaspores coexisted extensively with hematite, anatase, and svanbergite, forming cryptocrystalline matrix of bauxites, suggesting that they may be formed during early diagenesis. Geochemical discriminant diagrams also indicated that two deposits were primarily affected by the hydrogenous deposition and early diagenesis, and no sedimentary recirculation. The ∑REEs concentrations and fractionation (Prn/Ybn) features along the profiles mainly concentrated in the bottom bauxite ore, which reflected that the pH values could be alkaline in bottom bauxite ore, and decreased weakly acidic for the central bauxite ore to bauxitic claystone along the profiles upwards. Combining the δ15N data with two geochemical redox proxies, and the widely coexistence of diaspore and hematite, indicated that the two deposits mainly formed under suboxic conditions, and thus denitrification was the predominant process in nitrogen cycling. The δ15N values are positively correlated with paleosalinity proxies, indicating that the higher saline bottom water may lead to a strong vertical density differential and water-column stratification, conducing to forming suboxic restricted pore-water environments.

Multiple ridge subduction processes in the southern Altaids: Implications from clinopyroxene chemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes of late carboniferous Nb-enriched, magnesian diorite-andesites in West Junggar, NW China

Magnesian (Mg# > 45) and/or Nb-rich (Nb > 6 ppm) dioritic-andesitic rocks have been identified in the Mayile area of southern West Junggar, Northwest China. A systematic petrological, geochronological, whole-rock geochemical, Sr–Nd–Hf isotope, and clinopyroxene chemistry study was conducted to constrain the petrogenesis, mantle source, and P–T conditions of magmas as well as the tectonomagmatic processes in the southern Paleo-Asian Ocean subduction zone. Mayile dioritic-andesitic rocks generated in the Late Carboniferous (306–312 Ma) have a high SiO2 content (52.3–63.2 wt%) and high Mg# (46–66) as well as sanukitic-like low LaN/YbN and Sr/Y ratios. They have high Nb contents (6.27–11.6 ppm) and Nb/U (9–18) ratios and are Nb-enriched sanukitic high-Mg andesites (HMAs). Clinopyroxene thermobarometry indicates that the parental magma of the Mayile HMAs experienced a high-temperature (1137–1199 °C) and shallow-level (0.8–0.17 GPa) partial melting in a mantle wedge. They have εNd(t) (+5.14 to +6.42), εHf(t) (+8.8 to +14.4), and zircon εHf(t) (+9.4 to +15.8) values and a slightly high (87Sr/86Sr)t ratio ranging from 0.703214 to 0.704140 relative to normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB). The results suggest that West Junggar was dominated by continuous records of sanukitic rocks hinting at multiple ridge subduction processes in the southern Altaids. We reconstructed the subduction history of the Junggar Ocean in the Carboniferous-Permian from these particular observations in West Junggar, and gained insight into the gradual evolution of the tectonic setting, which transitioned from normal intraoceanic subduction to hot subduction of the young oceanic lithosphere from the Early to Late Carboniferous, with subsequent ridge subduction occurring mainly in the Late Carboniferous.

Lithospheric dripping triggered by slab break-off: A possible mechanism for Late Carboniferous magmatism in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

In this paper, we present zircon UPb dating, elemental geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions for Late Carboniferous intrusive rocks in the northern Great Xing'an Range, northeast China. We decipher the mechanisms which triggered lithospheric thinning under microblock-microblock collision and provide a new perspective on the Late Paleozoic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Zircon UPb dating indicates that Jifeng gabbroic diorites and Xinlin granites were formed during a short time interval at 322–321 Ma, whereas the Xinlin gabbros were crystallized at 300 ± 2 Ma. The Jifeng gabbroic diorites exhibit typical arc characteristics, depleted in HFSEs and enriched in Pb and have positive εNd(t) (+1.88 to +2.00) and εHf(t) (+6.6 to +10.7) values, suggesting they originated from the partial melting of depleted lithospheric mantle modified by slab fluids. The Xinlin gabbros belong to alkaline series and are characterized by the enrichment in HFSEs with positive Nb and Ta anomalies and depleted NdHf isotopic compositions (zircon εHf(t) = +12.5 to +18.9, whole rock εNd(t) = +8.0 to +8.1). High Nb concentrations and low La/Nb (0.81–0.83) and La/Ta (12.50–14.61) ratios of the Xinlin gabbros indicate an origin from a depleted asthenospheric mantle. The Xinlin granites have high-K calc-alkaline compositions, belonging to I-type granites. These granites have positive εHf(t) values (+0.2 to +15.1) and juvenile two-stage model ages (1314–506 Ma) with low Sr and high Yb contents, indicating they were formed by the partial melting of a juvenile lower crust under low-pressure conditions. These data, together with the temporal and spatial distribution and the geochemistry characteristics of the Carboniferous igneous rocks in the Great Xing'an Range, suggest that the amalgamation between the Erguna–Xing'an and Songnen blocks occurred before the Late Carboniferous. The occurrence of asthenospheric mantle-derived mafic rocks indicates localized thinning process of lithosphere. Late Carboniferous magmatism on the Erguna–Xing'an Block attributed to dripping or piece removal of the lithosphere due to asthenospheric fluctuation triggered by slab break-off.

Controlling Factors of Meteoric Diagenesis in Karst Reservoirs: An Example from the Majiagou Formation, Ordos Basin, China

Karst reservoirs have always been a key field of oil and gas exploration. However, quantifying the process of meteoric transformation remains a persistent challenge that limits the accuracy of reservoir quality prediction. To explore the controlling factors of meteoric cementation on karst reservoirs, the Majiagou Formation of the Ordos Basin in China was selected as an example. The petrology; carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes; and in situ major, trace, and rare earth elements were used, types and origins of calcite cements were analyzed in detail. The results revealed five types of calcite cements (Cal-1~Cal-5), four types of cathodoluminescence (CL) intensities (dull, dull red, deep red, and bright red luminescence), and six types of rare earth element patterns (Pattern-1~Pattern-6). These five types of calcite cements developed in three periods. Cal-1 (transition CL) and Cal-2 (dull CL) were precipitated during the Early Pennsylvanian period, the meteoric freshwater was clean; Cal-3 (transition CL) and Cal-4 (bright red CL) were precipitated at the end of the Late Carboniferous period, the fluids had strong dissolution ability and were polluted by terrigenous debris; Cal-5 (transition CL) was deposited during the burial period, the fluid was pure pore water or groundwater. The control of the cement on the reservoir during the burial period was much weaker than that of meteoric cements. Therefore, explorations of karst reservoirs should be focused on weak cementation during the epigenetic period.

Onset of the late Paleozoic glaciation in the Lhasa terrane, Southern Tibet

The Late Paleozoic Ice Age is characterized by diverse stratigraphic records with extensive spatial-temporal distribution in the Gondwana. The Lhasa terrane located in northeastern Gondwana during the late Paleozoic developed successive glacial sedimentary records, but the depositional evidence, as well as age constraint for the onset of glaciation, is unknown. This paper provides the first full description of the basal glacial deposits in the Xainza area of Lhasa terrane, southern Tibet. Conodonts present in the carbonate overlying the glacial bed (1 m) dominantly consist of Declinognathodus intermedius, indicating that the initiation of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age in the Lhasa terrane took place in Bashkirian. Three facies associations were recognized: (i) tidal flat association (subtidal channel, bar, intertidal mixed flat), (ii) subglacial association (megaclasts and melt-out diamictite), and (iii) lonestone-bearing heterolithic association (grounding-line fan and iceberg). These facies associations are vertically arranged into a complete transgressive-retrogressive glacial succession. Ice movement direction reconstructed from the imbricated megaclasts, the concordant folds and the lateral distribution of subglacial deposits and glacial marine deposits is consistently from NNE to SSW. These characteristics suggest that the Bashkirian glaciation in the Lhasa terrane is irrelevant to western Australia, implying that these two blocks were separated during the Late Carboniferous.

Geological and geochemical characteristics of Late Ordovician volcanic levels of the Gözdağ Formation in the İstanbul-Zonguldak Tectonic Unit (NW Turkey): Implications for global events during the Ordovician

The İstanbul-Zonguldak Tectonic Unit is regarded as the easternmost fragment of Avalonia-Carolina and stands for Far East Avalonia. Its stratigraphy also is characterized by discontinuous sedimentation from Late Ediacaran to Late Carboniferous. In the western part of the block, known as the İstanbul Terrane, the Gözdağ Formation is represented by lagoonal sedimentary rocks consisting of shale-sandstone with limestone of Middle Ordovician-Lower Silurian age. Here, I report on stratigraphic positions and petrographical and geochemical data of fine- and coarse-grained tuffs and lavas in the Late Ordovician strata of the Gözdağ Formation. The fine- and coarse-grained tuffs have pyroclastic and the lavas have porphyritic, vitrophyric and aphanitic textures. The fine-and coarse-grained tuffs are Sandbian and Katian ages, and the lavas are Hirnantian ages, according to the stratigraphic positions of the Late Ordovician volcanic rocks. Geochemically, the-fine grained tuffs have High-K calc-alkaline character and the coarse-grained tuffs and lavas have calc-alkaline affinity. They are devoid of noticeable with-in plate components, as deduced by the presence of obvious negative Nb anomalies, and they have subduction signatures. In conjunction with the data from literature, the Sandbian fine-grained tuffs were deposited in a lagoonal depocenter in the İstanbul-Zonguldak Tectonic Unit during the Taconic orogeny formed in the earliest late Ordovician between the Piedmont Terrane and Laurentia. The Katian coarse-grained tuffs were deposited in a shallow marine in it during the last phase of the consumption of the Teisseyre-Tornquist Ocean from volcanoes occurred in volcanic arc-related settings. Besides, I the Hirnantian lavas flowed in a lagoonal depocenter in it during the soft-docking of Avalonia and Baltica, known as the pre-Caledonian orogeny.

Provenance of multi-stage volcanic ash recorded in the Late Carboniferous coal in the Jungar Coalfield, North China, and their contribution to the enrichment of critical metals in the coal

The origins of partings within the Late Carboniferous No. 6 coal in the Jungar Coalfield, North China, and their relationship to the enrichment of critical metals in the coal, is poorly understood. This study combines UPb ages and LuHf isotope data of zircon, whole-rock geochemistry, LA–ICP–MS elemental mapping, and selective chemical extraction experiments to investigate the provenance of the partings and the occurrence mode of critical metals in the partings collected from the exploration area in the northwest of the Jungar Coalfield. It was found that the zircons in the kaolinite-dominant partings yielded a single age group of ca. 300 Ma at the latest Carboniferous (Gzhelian), indicating that the partings are alteration products of air-fall volcanic ash (tonsteins). The zircons are characterized by negative εHf(t) values and a continental arc tectonic setting, suggesting a genetic connection between the volcanic ash and the Late Paleozoic continental arc that existed in the Inner Mongolia Paleo-Uplift, related to the southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the northern margin of the North China Block. During the devitrification of volcanic glasses to kaolinite in the mires, the incompatible elements, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and rare earth elements (REEs and Y, REY), preserved in the volcanic glasses were leached out as they are incompatible with the crystal lattice of kaolinite. Niobium and Ta, similar to Ti in ionic radii, were preferentially incorporated into fine-grained Ti oxides as reprecipitated products in the alteration process of volcanic ash. The enrichment of Nb, Ta, and Ti in organic matter in the tonsteins suggests that they have some mobility during alteration of volcanic ash and could be, to some extent, transported into the enclosing peats. Zirconium, Hf, and REY were fixed by organic matter admixed with the volcanic ash after their deposition in the mires. Meanwhile, they could also be transported into the enclosing peats, as no secondary minerals formed could substantially retain them. Although Li and Ga were able to be incorporated into the crystal lattice of kaolinite during their crystallization, they could also be transported into the enclosing peats due to their fluid-mobile nature. Both the leaching of a voluminous amount of volcanic ash contacting with the peats and the input of the volcanic ash as an admixture into the peats contributed to the enrichment of critical metals in the Late Carboniferous coal in the Jungar Coalfield.

From Tethyan subduction to Arabia-Eurasia continental collision: Multiple geo-thermochronological signals from granitoids in NW Iran

NW Iran, situated between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, carries a record of both Paleo-Tethyan and Neo-Tethyan tectonic evolution. During the Wilson Cycle of Tethys Ocean opening and closing, several episodes of magmatism from Late Paleozoic to latest Cenozoic generated a massive volume of intrusive rocks. These intrusives, which record cooling histories from high-temperatures to final exhumation, are ideal for multiple geo-thermochronological studies. Our new zircon and apatite U-Pb results suggest three regional magmatic events in the Late Carboniferous, mid-Cretaceous and middle Eocene, which could be related to Paleo-Tethys subduction, Neo-Tethys subduction and Neo-Tethyan ridge subduction, respectively. New apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He data reveal post-magmatic cooling and differential exhumation related to subduction and collision. By integrating published regional thermochronological data from northeastern part of the Middle East, a broader tectono-thermal framework is outlined as follows: 1) Cretaceous cooling signals are most pronounced in the Alborz and Caucasus, and reflect back-arc extension during Neo-Tethyan subduction; 2) diachronous Neo-Tethyan evolution led to the Paleocene assemblage of Anatolia in the west, and subduction associated with a late Paleocene-Eocene magmatic flare-up in Iran. Subsequent westward escape of Anatolia and extensive surface uplift were driven by propagation of Arabia-Eurasia collision in the Miocene; 3) Continuous northward indentation of Arabia into Eurasia triggered late Miocene-Pliocene fast exhumation of the Zagros, Alborz and the Caucasus.

Timing of Transition from Proto- to Paleo-Tethys: Evidence from the Early Devonian Bimodal Volcanics in the North Qaidam Tectonic Belt, Northern Tibetan Plateau

The transition from the Proto- to the Paleo-Tethys is still a controversial issue. This study reports a new petrology, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and whole-rock geochemistry of volcanic rocks from the Maoniushan Formation in the Nankeke area, northern Qaidam (NQ) of the Tibetan Plateau, to provide new evidence for the transition from the Proto- to the Paleo-Tethys oceans. The volcanic suite consists mainly of rhyolitic crystal lithic tuff lavas and minor basalts. Zircon U–Pb data indicate that the bimodal volcanic rocks were formed during the Early Devonian (ca. 410–409 Ma). Geochemically, the basalts have low contents of SiO2 (48.92 wt.%–51.19 wt.%) and relatively high contents of MgO (8.94 wt.%–9.99 wt.%), TiO2 (1.05 wt.%–1.29 wt.%), K2O (2.35 wt.%–4.17 wt.%), and K2O/Na2O ratios (1.04–2.56), showing the characteristics of calc-alkaline basalts. Their rare earth element (REE) patterns and trace element spider diagrams are characterized by enrichments in LREEs (LREE/HREE = 18.31–21.34) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; Rb, Th, and K) and depletion in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs; Nb, Ta, P, and Ti), with slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.82–0.86), which are similar to Etendeka continental flood basalts (CFB). These features suggest that the basalts were most likely derived from low degree (1%–5%) partial melting of the asthenospheric mantle, contaminated by small volumes of continental crust. In contrast, the felsic volcanics have high SiO2 (68.41 wt.%–77.12 wt.%), variable Al2O3 (9.56 wt.%–12.62 wt.%), low MgO, and A/CNK ratios mostly between 1.08 and 1.15, defining their peraluminous and medium-K calc-alkaline signatures. Their trace element signatures show enrichments of LREEs and LILEs (e.g., Rb, Th, U, K, and Pb), depletion of HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ti, Ta, and P), and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.22–0.66). These features suggest that the felsic volcanics were derived from partial melting of the middle crust, without interaction with mantle melts. Considering all the previous data and geochemical features, the Maoniushan Formation volcanic rocks in NQ formed in a post-collisional extensional setting associated with asthenospheric mantle upwelling and delamination in the Early Devonian. Together with the regional data, this study proposed that the Proto-Tethys Ocean had closed and evolved to the continental subduction/collision orogeny stage during the Middle to Late Ordovician, evolved to the post-collisional extensional stage in the Early Devonian, and finally formed the Zongwulong Ocean (branches of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean) in the Late Carboniferous, forming the tectonic framework of the Paleo-Tethys Archipelagic Ocean in the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.