Middle-upper Crust Research Articles

Crustal structures and anisotropy in southeastern China: Continental collision and intraplate earthquakes

This study investigates the role of crustal structures and anisotropy in southeastern China regarding intraplate earthquakes within the context of concentrated and perturbed tectonic stresses. The region is characterized by a complex multiphase tectonic history,including the ongoing collision between the Philippine Plate and the South China Sea margin. Utilizing the teleseismic receiver function method, we offer a comprehensive depiction of the crustal structures and layered anisotropy in Guangdong and Fujian, two earthquake-prone areas. Our results reveal that the crustal anisotropy is stratified into two layers, with a slow axis perpendicular to the orogenic belt in the upper-middle crust, whereas the fast axis aligns perpendicularly at lower crust levels. The lateral heterogeneity and anisotropy of the crustal structure emphasize both the boundary delineation and differential movement between continental blocks. The observed increase in density and intensity of intraplate earthquakes across this boundary supports our conclusion regarding a connection between decoupled crustal deformation and seismicity. Specifically, the foliation of metamorphic rocks during the Mesozoic collision generated orogen-parallel fabrics in the upper-middle crust, while ductile shearing resulted in orogen-perpendicular fast directions at lower crust levels. In contrast, mismatch evolution between continental blocks reactivated by present collision provides stress conditions conducive to earthquake occurrence in southeastern China. Our findings provide valuable insights into mechanisms behind intraplate earthquakes as well as tectonic evolution within continental collision zones.Plain Language SummaryThe mechanism of intraplate earthquakes is a topic of great interest in the study of continental collision and regional tectonic evolution. The controlling factors behind these earthquakes are highly complex and uncertain. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of crustal structures and anisotropy in southeastern China within the context of intraplate seismic activity. This region, which is currently experiencing a collision between the Philippine Plate and the South China Sea Margin, has a multiphase tectonic history that includes remnants of paleo-Pacific subduction. By utilizing the receiver function method, we provide a detailed picture of crustal structures and layered anisotropy in Guangdong and Fujian, two earthquake-prone regions in southeastern China. Our findings reveal that anisotropy in the crust can be stratified into two layers: an upper-middle crust and a lower crust with a slow axis and a fast axis, both perpendicular to the orogeny, respectively. The lateral heterogeneity and anisotropy of the crustal structure highlight the boundary and differential movement between the continental blocks. The enhanced density and intensity of the intraplate earthquakes across this boundary provide evidence for a connection between decoupled crustal deformation and seismicity. Specifically, our observations suggest that (1) the Mesozoic continental collision induced metamorphic foliation in the upper-middle crust, (2) ductile shearing is characteristic of the lower crust, and (3) ongoing collision has led to mismatch evolution between continental blocks, which creates stress conditions favorable for earthquake occurrence.

Hidden magma reservoirs: Insights from helium and carbon isotopic compositions in shallow groundwater beneath the Wudalianchi volcanic field, Northeastern China

The lack of strong geothermal manifestations and limited fumarolic activity has sparked widespread debate about the presence of active magma reservoirs beneath the Wudalianchi volcanic field (WVF). Helium (He) in hydrological systems is sensitive and responsive to the mixture of mantle-derived He, making it an excellent tool for deciphering mantle-derived magmatic processes. Through investigating dissolved He and inorganic carbon (DIC) in shallow groundwater of the WVF, we found that He captures mantle characteristics with R/Ra ratios (R equals to 3He/4He ratios, Ra is atmospheric 3He/4He ratio of 1.39 × 10−6) ranging from 0.07 to 2.27 and the highest proportion of mantle-derived He is 30.38 %. In contrast, DIC shows minimal mantle influence, with low concentrations (1.91–7.39 mmol/L) and depleted δ13C-DIC values ranging from −17.9 ‰ to −13.6 ‰. The calculated mantle 4He fluxes in groundwater are 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than that in stable continents and show the signature of volcanic degassing. The high mantle He fluxes and high upward flow rates suggest the efficient release and transfer of mantle-derived He into shallow groundwater through magma degassing. Magma-aging model effectively constraints the period of magmatic activity to within the last 47 ka. These findings, consistent with seismic noise imaging results, support the presence of magma reservoirs in the upper–middle crust. The absence of magmatic carbon signature in groundwater suggests the decoupling of magmatic He and magmatic CO2. Magmatic CO2 may be removed during ascent, possibly being trapped through dissolution or precipitation processes within the low-resistivity bodies identified at ∼2.5 km depth by magnetotelluric imaging. These findings not only contribute to resolving the controversy surrounding the existence of magma reservoirs beneath the WVF but also have broader implications in guiding the exploration and validation of hidden magmatic systems.

Local earthquake tomography of the Aegean crust: Implications for active deformation, large earthquakes, and arc volcanism

Three-dimensional velocity models can enable accurate earthquake location, improved seismic hazard assessment, and can enhance our understanding of geodynamic processes. This is particularly true for areas such as the Aegean, where the crust is marked by active volcanoes as well as shear and rift zones, all of which make this region highly heterogeneous. This work describes the application of local earthquake tomography in order to elucidate the crustal structure of the Aegean. We utilized a dataset of 2,135,625 P arrivals and 1,095,515 S arrivals from 178,676 events recorded across 324 stations. Results indicate that the boundary separating the slow Vp from the fast anomalies at 20–40 km depth is well correlated with the Aegean Moho obtained from receiver functions. A slow Vp (−5%) zone at depths >30 km along the Hellenic arc is likely associated with basal underplating that forms the base of the crust. On the other hand, fast Vp and moderate to high Vp/Vs (1.77–1.92) in the upper-middle crust may indicate evolving metamorphic core complexes. Steeply dipping clusters of earthquakes could highlight pathways of fluid migration from the base to the middle/upper crust, albeit more detailed seismological studies are needed to confirm this interpretation. The 3D velocity model can be also utilized in order to investigate the amount of melt fraction beneath active volcanoes and the influence of fluids on the rupture zone of large earthquakes. Our results show a melt fraction between 4 and 10% beneath active volcanoes, with the largest volume of melt present beneath Santorini caldera. The ruptures zones of 10 large earthquakes (Mw ≥ 6.0), show slow Vp anomalies and moderate to high Vp/Vs (> 1.77), suggesting that these events were likely triggered by weakening of their source zones by fluid activity.

Multilevel transcrustal magmatic system beneath the Geysers-Clear Lake area

Magmatism in the Quaternary Clear Lake volcanic field (CLVF), with its youngest eruption having only occurred c. 10 ka ago, is commonly invoked as the heat source for the world's largest commercial geothermal reservoir, The Geysers, in northern California. A shallow silicic magma reservoir in the upper-middle crust has been discovered for some time, but the location and mechanism of a potential deep mafic magma reservoir have remained elusive. Here, we present a seismic tomographic model that images the entire crustal column, clearly revealing a multilevel transcrustal magmatic system beneath the Geysers-Clear Lake area. Upwelling melts from the mantle traverse across the crust-mantle boundary and accumulate in the lower crust underneath the southeastern part of Clear Lake, resulting in a hot Moho in between. Mafic melts primarily ascend westward due to the extensional regime in the west and physical barrier effect from the overlying rigid ophiolite fragment, ultimately forming a shallow silicic magma reservoir underlying and heating The Geysers geothermal field. In addition, this study also links compositionally diverse volcanism in a continental setting to differentiation in a multilevel transcrustal magmatic system.

Petrogenesis of the Early Paleozoic Dioritic–Granitic Magmatism in the Eastern North Qilian Orogen, NW China: Implications for Tethyan Tectonic Evolution

Abstract The North Qilian Orogen witnessed the opening, subduction, and closure of the Proto-Tethys Qilian Ocean and the post-subduction of multiple exhumation events from Late Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic. The Early Paleozoic dioritic–granitic magmatic suites, prominently exposed in the eastern North Qilian Orogen, offer valuable insights into the evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. However, their petrogenesis, magma source, and tectonic evolution remain controversial. Here, we investigate the Leigongshan, Zhigou, and Dalongcun intrusions and present geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data, aiming to refine the comprehension of their timing and petrogenesis, which will contribute to understanding the tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals mean ages of 471–427 Ma for these intrusions, consistent with compiled formation ages of dioritic–granitic intrusions in the eastern North Qilian Orogen, indicating close temporal links with the tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean during the Early Paleozoic. The studied magmatic rocks could be categorized into two major types: granitoids and diorites. The granitoids are majorly I-type granitoids that are generated through partial melting of the mafic lower crust and fractional crystallization at the middle-upper crust, with the involvement of mantle-derived materials. The diorites underwent limited crustal contamination and fractionation of hornblende, plagioclase, and some accessory minerals. They were derived mainly from the mixture of fertile mantle and reworked crustal components, with minor contributions from subduction-related slab fluids and sediment melts. In addition, all the studied Early Paleozoic dioritic–granitic intrusions (ca. 471–427 Ma) formed within subduction-related arc settings. Combined with the tectonic evolution of the Early Paleozoic Qilian orogenic system, we interpret these Cambrian to Silurian dioritic–granitic intrusions as tectonic responses to the subduction (ca. 520–460 Ma) and closure (~440 Ma) of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, whereas the Devonian Huangyanghe intrusion witnessed the final stage of extensional collapse of the Qilian orogenic system at ca. 400–360 Ma.

Transcrustal magmatic processes of the Tianshuigou dolerite sill from the ca. 1.32 Ga Yanliao large igneous province: Insights from zoned plagioclase macrocrysts

Transcrustal magmatic processes within the magmatic plumbing systems of large igneous provinces (LIPs) remain poorly constrained. Here we present petrographic textures, whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, and in situ Sr isotopes of several types of zoned plagioclase macrocrysts identified as antecrysts in the shallowly emplaced Tianshuigou dolerite sill from the Yanliao LIP. The goal is to reveal the transcrustal magmatic processes from middle to shallow crust. Our results characterize three zones in the plagioclase macrocrysts: core, mantle, and rim, and we determine that these zones crystallized in different parts of the LIP plumbing system under distinct P-T conditions. The cores of plagioclase macrocrysts originated from a mid-crustal (ca. 17.4 km deep) magma reservoir consisting of crystal mush. The mantle zone of plagioclase macrocrysts records the magma ascent and/or convection processes in a shallower chamber at a depth of ca. 6 km. The rim and groundmass plagioclase crystallized initially in a shallower chamber at a depth of ca. 6 km, and further crystallization of the rim and groundmass occurred during final ascent of the crystal-bearing magma and intrusion into the Xiamaling Formation as dolerite sills. Geothermometers show that the core crystallized at ∼1214 ± 36 °C, the mantle crystallized at ∼1169 ± 36 °C, and the rim and groundmass plagioclase crystallized over a range from ∼1154 ± 36 to 1108 ± 14 °C. The hygrometer data suggest the magma plumbing system is relatively dry (H2O contents <1 wt%). The plagioclase macrocrysts generally show normal zonation from core to rim reflecting overall evolution of magma composition in the plumbing system. Geochemical data suggest that magmas were contaminated by the mafic lower crust prior to crystallization of the plagioclase macrocryst cores in the middle crustal magma reservoir, but that little or no contamination occurred during the magma storage and the ascent in the middle-upper crust. Our results suggest that the zoned plagioclase macrocrysts in mafic sill swarms may record the magmatic processes from the middle to the shallow crust in LIP plumbing systems. The processes that occurred in magma plumbing systems in middle crust play a vital role in the compositions of shallowly emplaced intrusions in LIPs.

Geochronology and petrochemistry of Karabiga pluton in western Sakarya Zone (NW Turkey): Implications from new zircon U-Pb and biotite Ar/Ar ages, Sr-Nd isotope data and bulk-rock geochemistry

The closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the following continental collision produced extensive Eocene-aged granitic plutons in the northern margin of Gondwana. This paper deals with the geochronology and petrogenesis of the Karabiga pluton in western Sakarya Zone. The pluton comprises K-feldspar, plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, quartz and accessory minerals (e.g., titanite, zircon, apatite, opaques), and secondary minerals such as chlorite, sericite, epidote, carbonate and clay minerals. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer zircon U-Pb dating yielded perfect ages of 48.27 ± 0.21 and 47.06 ± 0.32 Ma, indicating that the pluton were emplaced in the Early Eocene. Our results indicate that Ti-in-zircon temperature (ca. 900 °C), which is consistent with zircons grew in the continental crust, are higher than zircon saturation temperatures (740–884 °C). 40Ar/39Ar dating of biotites of the pluton yielded cooling ages between 47.34 ± 0.43 Ma and 46.30 ± 0.52 Ma. These dates are interpreted as the cooling age of the Karabiga pluton. The pluton is characterized by high SiO2 (72.40–76.48 wt%), K2O (5.12–6.44 wt%) and Na2O (3.26–5.55 wt%) contents and exhibit enriched LREEs, K, Rb, Th, U, and Pb, and depleted Nb, Ta, P, and Ti contents. It belongs to shoshonite series, and displays peraluminous, I-type character. 87Sr/86S(i) ratios of the pluton vary between 0.703296 and 0.706654, while those of 143Nd/144Nd(i) lie between 0.512596 and 0.512629. In conclusion, Karabiga pluton could be originated from dehydration-melting of metagreywacke and metapelites in middle-upper crust due to slab breakoff/delamination and major, trace element contents, decreasing Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO and TiO2 with increasing SiO2 as well as initial Sr-Nd homogenity show that fractional crystallization played a role in the evolution of the pluton.

Petrogenesis of the Mesozoic granitoids from the Yuanlinzi Sn-Cu deposit, Northeast China: Implications for Cu-rich Sn mineralization

Granite-related hydrothermal Sn deposits are commonly expected to contain little or no Cu because Cu and Sn have markedly different geochemical properties. However, examples of Sn deposits rich in Cu are well-known in many Sn belts worldwide. So far, the magmatic processes of ore-related rocks and genesis of Cu-rich Sn deposits remain controversial. The newly discovered Yuanlinzi Sn-Cu deposit is located in the southern Great Xing’an Range (SGXR), Northeast China. It is a typical Cu-rich Sn deposit in the SGXR. This contribution reports new cassiterite and zircon U-Pb ages, geochemical compositions, and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the granitoids in the Yuanlinzi deposit to decipher the genesis of Cu-rich Sn deposit. Cassiterite U-Pb dating reveals that the Sn mineralization at Yuanlinzi was formed at ∼ 138 Ma. Zircon U-Pb dating of the granitoids yielded two age clusters: Early Triassic (247.6–246.3 Ma) for the granodiorite, and Early Cretaceous (145.3–141.9 Ma) for the granites, including K-feldspar granite (145.3 ± 0.5 Ma), granite porphyry (143.6 ± 0.9 Ma), fine-grained granite (142.8 ± 1.1 Ma) and albite granite (141.9 ± 1.3 Ma). The Early Cretaceous granites have geochemical affinities for A-type granites, for example, A/CNK = 0.98–1.07, high TFeO/(TFeO + MgO) ratios, total alkali (Na2O + K2O), and Ga/Al ratios. The Early Triassic granodiorite have relatively low (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.7034–0.7041, whereas the Early Cretaceous granite has slightly variable and higher (87Sr/86Sr)i values, varying from 0.7020 to 0.7065. The Early Triassic granodiorite and Early Cretaceous granites have similar bulk-rock εNd (t) values and TDM2 ages, ranging from + 1.89 to + 3.53 and 732 to 845 Ma, respectively. The geochemical data and Sr-Nd isotopes indicate that the Early Cretaceous granites were derived from partial melting of the juvenile middle-upper crust. This study further suggests that the 145.3–141.9 Ma granites are associated with back-arc extension environment during the low-angle subduction of Paleo-Pacific plate. In addition, the whole-rock and zircon compositions show that the Cu-Sn magma is characterized by relatively oxidized and less evolved features compared to the Cu-poor Sn deposits in the region. The rapid increase of oxygen fugacity of the latest episode of the Early Cretaceous magma is supposed to have initiated by the injection of mafic magma, which supported the Cu source for the deposit. Our studies suggest that the Cu-bearing mafic magma/fluid injection plays a key role on the formation of Cu-rich Sn deposit.

Volcanosedimentary fill of the early Cretaceous Yingcheng formation and response to the end of continental rifting in the Songliao Basin: Constraints from well SK-2, northern Xujiaweizi fault depression

Well SK-2 of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Project (ICDP) obtained continuous core samples with a length of 365.32 m in the Early Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation, showing a stratigraphy of interbedded rhyolites and coarse clastic rocks in the Xujiaweizi fault depression. The Yingcheng Formation in well SK-2 is divided into three sequences. Sequences 1 (S1) and 3 (S3) consist of coarse clastic rocks, and four types of conglomerate lithofacies are identified. The conglomerate lithofacies of S1 is characterized by gravity flows. In comparison, the conglomerate lithofacies of S3 is characterized by a progradational braided channel, reflecting a proximal provenance and a shallowing upward setting. Sequence 2 (S2) rocks are rhyolites, and geochemical analysis shows these to have mainly originated from the middle-upper crust. On the basis of volcanic rocks in wells Shengshen 2–1 and Shengshen 203 and seismic profiles crossing these wells, we identify two types of volcanic edifices: stratovolcanoes in the east and shield volcanoes in the west. The Early Cretaceous strike-slip faults, including the Xuzhong and Xudong faults, play an important role in controlling this area. In comparison with extensive, dark, and fine-grained clastic rocks of the Shahezi Formation, the felsic and coarse clastic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation in well SK-2 mark a sedimentary response to strike-slip tectonics and indicate the ending fault movement of the Xujiaweizi fault depression, and perhaps even the end of the Early Cretaceous Songliao Basin rifting stage.

Thermal structure beneath Changbaishan Volcano, northeastern Asia: new insights from temperature logging and numerical modelling

SUMMARY Changbaishan Volcano is considered one of the most hazardous active volcanic fields in northeastern Asia, and it has been the subject of increasing concern due to its unrest from 2002 to 2006. The physical conditions of magma chambers in the crust, particularly temperature and pressure, are crucial factors that determine the tempo and magnitude of volcanic eruptions, which are closely linked to potential hazards. However, the lithospheric thermal structure, which strongly influences rheological behaviour and melting, has been poorly studied. We conducted direct geothermal measurements and numerical forward modelling to address this issue to confirm whether a crustal magma chamber lies beneath the caldera as in earlier geophysical interpretations. We first reported four heat-flow data sets in Changbaishan Volcano. The research findings indicate that the heat flow value near the Tianchi caldera is remarkably high, at 270±16 mW m−2. As the distance from the caldera increases, the heat flow gradually decreases to a normal continental heat flow value of 75 mW m−2. 3-D transient heat simulations with a magma cooling model and a continuous magma supply model demonstrate the thermal effect of the magma chamber. The best-fitting model for the Tianchi magma system is an ellipsoidal magma chamber with a depth of 8–14 km, a 20 km east–west axis and a 70 km north–south axis, supplied with magma from the asthenosphere for 2 Myr. The high surface heat flow and crustal temperatures suggest that magma is active beneath Changbaishan Volcano within the middle-upper crust, and volcanic reactivation could occur. Thus, further research on the lithospheric thermal structure is necessary to understand the potential volcanic hazards associated with Changbaishan Volcano.

The relation of regional earthquakes to an intraplate volcano in the northern Hainan Island, China from magnetotelluric imaging

Volcanic activity can cause regional earthquakes before or during an eruption, while violent earthquakes are capable of changing static and dynamic stress-fields that may consequently accelerate or trigger volcanic eruption. It is thus important to consider the volcano and regional earthquake as an integrated system, which has implications for disaster prevention and may enable early warning. In this work, two magnetotelluric (MT) profiles were deployed across the active volcanic and seismic region in the northern Hainan Island, China. Data were inverted to generate a three-dimensional resistivity structure beneath the two profiles. The resistivity model shows a shallow (< 5 km) low-resistivity (< 10 Ωm) zone corresponding to Paleogene and Neogene sediments, and two conductors (10–30 Ωm) at depths of 5–12 km. The conductors in the middle-upper crust are attributed to the accumulation of high-salinity fluids supplied by deeper magmas. The north-south trending small earthquakes (< M3) are mainly distributed in high-resistivity basement, independent of the volcanic plumbing system, which are attributed to small-scale rupture in higher tensile rocks. The volcanic plumbing system appears to extend below the Qiongzhou Earthquake (M7.5 in 1605), indicating the possibility of distal volcano-tectonic earthquake.

Crustal Structure and Geothermal Mechanism of the Gonghe-Guide Basin Based on EIGEN-6C4 Satellite Gravity and Aeromagnetic Data

The Gonghe-Guide Basin is situated in the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, one of China’s main targets for geothermal research and exploitation. We present a new crustal structure of the entire basin by using EIGEN-6C4 satellite gravity and aeromagnetic data aimed to further recognize the geothermal mechanisms. The data are processed using the wavelet multi-scale decomposition method and the iterative compact depth from extreme points imaging method. The gravity inversion results reveal distinct low-density regions in the middle-upper crust at 15–35 km depth, which is most likely caused by partial melting. The magnetic inversion results show negative or no magnetism within a similar depth range. But at shallow depths of the same horizontal positions, there is high positive magnetism, which can be interpreted as granite. The results correspond well with the magnetotelluric and seismic results and can be an effective supplement. To confirm and validate this conclusion, a 2D geological model of a profile from a typical area is created to show the detailed tectonic. Based on the new crustal structure results, the suggested geothermal target is the low/negative density corresponding to low/negative magnetism located at deep depths and high/positive magnetism located at shallow depths. Then we established a geological conceptual model to illustrate this process. This indicates that tectonic movement is taking place in the deep part of the earth in the Gonghe-Guide Basin. The research on the geological structure and geothermal heat source mechanism in the Gonghe-Guide Basin can provide a primary reference for research on geothermal resources in other areas with similar geological structures.

U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and tectonic setting of the peralkaline magmatism in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil)

Aegirine-augite granite and syenite plutons and dikes form a distinct magmatic pulse aligned in the NE-SW direction in the central and northern Borborema Province. We use SHRIMP zircon U–Pb and laser step-heating 40Ar/39Ar determinations to constrain the crystallization and cooling ages of syenites and alkali-feldspar granites and gabbros deformed by shear zones. Concordant zircon ages of the Triunfo and Cacimbas syenites vary between 596 ± 4 and 594 ± 4 Ma while sodic amphiboles from a granitic dike of Manaíra swarm yield 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 606 ± 5, 605 ± 6 and 599 ± 4 Ma. Muscovite from host mylonitic gneisses, in turn, yields plateau ages of 600 ± 3 Ma and 586 ± 2 Ma. Close to the Patos shear zone which limits the Central and Northern Borborema domains, foliated felsic dike of the Serra do Algodão suite yields a concordia age of 592 ± 2 Ma whereas the Catingueira granitic pluton records numerous inherited zircons. The Taperoá gabbro stock, situated next to the connection between E− and NE-trending shear zones, yields concordant ages of 592 ± 2 Ma. These results constrain the alkaline magmatism of the Central and Northern domains between 600 and 590 Ma, i.e., shortly after the continental collisions that amalgamated the province in the Ediacaran. Cooling was faster in the Triunfo-Manaíra suite and apparently slower close to the Patos shear zone. Host rock structures indicate that the Triunfo-Manaíra suite emplaced in the brittle upper crust, whereas the alkaline rocks of the Serra do Algodão suite emplaced in HT/LP ductile transtensional setting. A possible tectonic scenario includes slab break-off in a continental collision setting, partial melting of the sub-continental mantle and lower crust and magma transfer to the middle-upper crust. The distribution of these rocks next to the margins of volcanosedimentary belts suggests that their ascent and emplacement explored deep fault segments reactivated by crustal extension.

Mechanical characterisation of new Sand-Hemihydrate rock-analogue material: Implications for modelling of brittle crust processes

The analogue materials play a critical role in dynamically scaled experiments, defining the processes that can be simulated and the structures observable in the model. The dynamic scaling enables the direct comparison between the model and its natural counterpart. To obtain such a model the physical and mechanical properties of the analogue material must be scaled with respect to the rock prototype. A large variety of materials have been applied in analogue modelling studies to address the physical and mechanical requirements for the simulation of (i) upper crust, (ii) middle crust and (iii) lower crust and mantle processes. Nevertheless, the development of new model materials represents a continuous improvement of the analogue modelling techniques.We investigated the mechanical and physical properties of a new Granular Rock-Analogue Material (GRAM) (introduced in Massaro et al. (2022)) and its component materials. GRAM is an ultra-weak artificial sandstone composed of quartz sand cemented with gypsum, capable to deform by tensile and shear failure under variable stress conditions. GRAM aggregates in different mixing ratios (from 1% to 4% in weight of hemihydrate powder) were systematically tested with ring-shear tests and uniaxial compression tests. The relationships between the hemihydrate content and the mechanical properties of GRAM were examined. Additionally, the sample preparation procedure of GRAM was investigated, evaluating the impact of the residual water content on the mechanical properties of GRAM aggregates and defining a standard preparation procedure. Finally, GRAM was compared to natural rocks and to other granular materials applied in analogue modelling studies, in terms of physical and mechanical properties, application to physical modelling and dynamic scaling. It was underlined how the application of GRAM aggregates in dynamically scaled experiments can enhance the comprehension of the fault and fracture processes occurring at the scale of the damage zone.

Fossil divergent double-subduction zone in the Great Xing’an Range, NE China: Evidence from a deep seismic reflection profile

Divergent double-subduction is an important component of plate tectonics and continental growth at modern active convergent margins. However, such a process is rarely identified by deep seismic reflection (DSR) profiles, which casts doubt on its past significance. We report here a 416 km DSR profile of large dynamite shots across the Great Xing’an Range (NE China), which shows multiple arc-shaped reflections in the upper-middle crust of the Xing’an terrane, and densely layered reflection structures suggesting tectonic nappes in the lower crust. This new evidence, together with recent geological studies, indicates that the Xing’an terrane may not be a micro-continental block as previously thought, but a Paleozoic accretionary complex. In addition, there is a strong west-dipping reflection at the boundary between the Xing’an and Erguna terranes in the western DSR profile extending from the lower crust to the lithospheric mantle, suggesting that this fossil subduction zone is most likely the Toudaoqiao-Xinlin suture, which separates the Xing’an and Erguna terranes. In addition, an east-dipping strong reflection was also found in the eastern profile between the Xing’an and Songliao terranes, corresponding to the Hegenshan-Nenjiang suture at the surface. Given the newly identified crust-mantle structure, the opposite subduction zone, and other geological evidence, we propose a new model that the Xing’an terrane was developed by divergent double-subduction of the Paleo-Xing’an Ocean (part of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the area) from ca. 500 Ma to ca. 300 Ma. Our study provides the first DSR evidence for a divergent double-subduction in the Paleozoic, which emphasizes its importance in past accretionary orogens.

P-wave velocity structure and implications for magmatism and metallogenesis in the southern Altaids: Constraint from wide-angle seismic data along the Altai-Eastern Tianshan traverse

Altaids in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the world’s largest orogenic belts containing mineral deposits. Together with the Junggar terrain they open an important window to study the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the CAOB. In this paper, we analyze a 637-km-long wide-angle refraction/reflection seismic profile across the Altai-Eastern Tianshan orogenic belt in the southern Altaids, conducted in September 2018 using 10 large explosive charges fired in drilled holes. We use a traveltime inversion method to reconstruct the lithospheric P-wave velocity structure along the profile. The lithosphere is composed of a 43-55-km-thick crust, a ∼10-km-thick crust-mantle transition layer beneath the Altai Mountain, and a ∼25-km-thick layer of lithospheric mantle. The results clearly reveal: a prominent Moho uplift beneath the Yemaquan Island Arc, two major crustal-scale low-velocity anomalies (LVAs) beneath the Yemaquan Arc and Bogda Mountain, and three high-velocity anomalies (HVAs) near the surface around the Kalatongke, Yemaquan and Kalatage mining areas. We hypothesize that the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean occurred with strong mantle upwelling. We suggest that continued compression of the Paleo-Asian Ocean causes the delamination of lithosphere, as well as asthenospheric material upwelling and magma underplating into the crust. Consistently, Paleozoic mafic-ultramafic rocks and mantle-derived minerals related to gold, copper and nickel deposits, are widely extended in the area. Our results show that the P-wave velocity-depth curves for deeper depths (&amp;gt;30 km) in the southern Altai and Junggar Basin are close to those of the continental arcs and global continent average. Despite powerful Paleozoic subduction activity, orogeny and volcanism strongly modified the lower crust in the region, part of ancient continental crust was still preserved below the southern Altai and Junggar Basin. In addition, the upper part (depth 5–30 km) of the velocity-depth curve for the Junggar Basin is close to that of the Costa Rica volcanic front and the British Columbia accreted terrain, suggesting that Paleozoic orogenic activity has intensively reconstructed the upper-middle crust beneath the Junggar Basin.

Magmatic Processes of Granitoids in the Hongniu-Hongshan Porphyry-Skarn Copper Deposit, Southern Yidun Terrane, China: Evidence from Mineral Geochemistry

The Hongniu-Hongshan porphyry-skarn deposit is located in the southern Yidun terrane in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (STMD). Although its metallogenesis has been well constrained in the past decade, the magmatic processes for granitoids in the Hongniu-Hongshan deposit are still poorly understood. Herein, we provide new geochemical data on magmatic minerals (plagioclase, amphibole, and clinopyroxene) in the Hongniu-Hongshan granitoids to get a better insight into these processes. The complex zoning patterns of plagioclase phenocrysts indicate magma recharge and mixing. Physiochemical estimations indicate that clinopyroxenes were crystallized in hotter (919 ± 11 °C) and more mafic (FeO: 2.8–4.6 wt.%, MgO: 0.8–1.8 wt.%) magmas in a deep chamber (18.6 ± 0.9 km) compared with the colder (819 ± 29 °C), more felsic (FeO: 0.9–2.2 wt.%, MgO: 0.3–0.6 wt.%) and shallow magma chamber (13.4 ± 1.6 km) in which amphiboles crystallized. Therefore, we suggest that magmatic minerals in the Hongniu-Hongshan granitoids were produced by multistage magmatic processes within the upper–middle crust range. In this model, the deep-seated magmas recharged into the shallow reservoir and mixed with the shallow magmas therein. The recharged hot magmas may provide heat sources and rejuvenate the shallow magma reservoirs. On this basis, we further infer that ore-forming materials could be pre-concentrated in the crustal range and mobilized by the Late Cretaceous magmatism in the southern Yidun terrane.

The Andaluca plutonic unit, Vinquis Intrusive Complex, Argentina: An assessment of mantle role in the genesis of Early Carboniferous weakly peraluminous A-type granites in the pre-Andean SW Gondwana margin

During the Early Carboniferous, significant intracontinental magmatism was developed in the retro-arc region of the SW margin of Gondwana between ca. 27° and 31°S. This magmatism consisted of metaluminous to weakly peraluminous A-type granites, strongly peraluminous A-type granites (A- to S- hybrid granitoids) and, in a lesser extent, (sub-)volcanic felsic (rhyolites and trachytes) and mafic (alkaline basalts and lamprophyres) rocks. The Vinquis Intrusive Complex (VIC) registers these two compositional varieties of A-type granites: the Vinquis Unit (VU) represents the strongly peraluminous granites and the Andaluca Unit (AU) the weakly peraluminous granites. The adjacent Zapata Intrusive Complex (ZIC) also contains metaluminous to weakly peraluminous A-type granites. The AU is a semi-elliptical plutonic body of approximately 60 km 2 located in the southwestern part of the VIC, intruding the Vinquis Unit. The AU comprises three dominant rock types: i) quartz monzonite, ii) syenogranite and iii) alkali feldspar granite that can be classified as F-rich (calculated F content: 1950–5700 ppm), ferroan (FeO t /(FeO t + MgO) = 0.86–0.95) and weakly peraluminous (ASI = 1.03–1.10) A-type (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y = 364–570 ppm; Ga = 20–23 ppm) granitoids (SiO 2 wt% = 67.8–75.4% wt%). This unit was emplaced in early Carboniferous time (U Pb zircon crystallization ages of 346 ± 3 Ma and 342 ± 3 Ma). The AU has 87 Sr/ 86 Sr t , εNd t and εHf t values ranging from 0.7092 to 0.7140, −2.6 to −3.6 and − 16.5 to −3.3, respectively. These isotopic suggest that the parental magma of AU dominantly involved variable mixtures of mantle-derived components (magmas/fluids) and peraluminous continental crust. The extremely felsic granites of the AU (SiO 2 > ~72%) with a strongly fractionated composition (Rb > 336 and Sr < 70 ppm and Eu/Eu* < 0.22) supports extensive fractional crystallization. The high contents of fluorine and HFSE in AU could be explained as derived from an F- HFSE- and alkali-rich parental mafic magma plus contributions from F-bearing minerals assimilated from the country rock. Likewise, the magmatic differentiation processes from these reduced mafic magmas could explain the ferroan character of the AU granitoids. We envision three stages in the origin of these rocks: (1) fluids and magmas from the asthenospheric mantle metasomatize and melt the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), the alkali-rich mafic melts produced are emplaced at the base of the crust, transfer heat to the crust and melt it, generating strongly peraluminous A-type magmas; (2) continued introduction of alkali-rich mafic magmas into the deep crust produce extensive assimilation of the preheated crust in equilibrium with mafic cumulates (generated by reaction and/or fractionation); (3) the hot magmas so produced migrate into the middle-upper crust to produce ferroan weakly peraluminous A-type granitoids. • The Andaluca plutonic unit of the Vinquis Intrusive Complex crystallized between 346 ± 3 Ma and 342 ± 3 Ma. • Andaluca Unit shows a F-rich weakly peraluminous ferroan A 2 -type affinity. • The high contents of fluorine and HFSE in Andaluca Unit can be explained from an F-rich parental alkaline mafic magma. • The Andaluca Unit granitoids can be generated through combined crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization of magmas derived from the metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle.

Miocene adakitic magmatism and conditions of porphyry metallogenesis in the Gangdese magmatic arc, Tibet

Numerous Miocene porphyry deposits related to adakites have been identified in the eastern Gangdese magmatic arc (east of 87°E), but few of these type of deposits have been found in the western part (west of 87°E), even contemporaneous adakitic porphyries were exposed in the western part. A little research has been undertaken on barren adakitic porphyries in the Gangdese magmatic arc, and the key controls on the metallogenic differences remains unclear. This study presents new whole–rock geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic data for barren adakitic rocks of the Yare complex as well as barren porphyritic and adakitic units in the Mayum, Pujue, Nanmuqie, and Qiagong areas. These data are compared with data for fertile adakitic porphyries, providing insights into the origin and evolution of barren and fertile adakitic magmatism as well as the conditions associated with the porphyry mineralization.The barren adakitic porphyries were formed at 18.03–13.29 Ma. These intrusions have higher (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.708752–0.709785) and lower ƐNd(t) values (−8.4 to −6.5) and zircon ƐHf(t) values (−13.81 to 3.23) than the fertile adakitic porphyries, suggesting the former were derived from ancient crustal sources with a little contributions from mantle-derived material. The fertile adakitic porphyries were formed as a result of partial melting of juvenile lower crust (such as Cu–Mo deposits) and with mixing of material from middle-upper crust (such as Mo–(Cu)–Pb–Zn deposits). The fertile adakitic porphyries also contain more water than the barren adakitic porphyries. Other important factors that discriminate between fertile and barren adakitic magmatism include the involvement of parental magma chambers as well as a history of continuous and relatively complex magmatism prior to emplacement.

A crustal LVZ in Iceland revealed by ambient noise multimodal surface wave tomography

The crustal low-velocity zone (LVZ), an important anomaly found in some regional structures of Iceland, is still absent in the Icelandic average velocity structure due to limitations of tomography methods. Using stations from the HOTSPOT experiment and other supplemental stations throughout Iceland, we apply the frequency-Bessel transform method (F-J method) to extract the first two mode dispersion curves from ambient noise data. We obtain an average S-wave velocity (Vs) model of Iceland down to 120 km depth, where two LVZs at depths of 12–22 km and below 55 km are found. The shallow LVZ, whose rationalities are justified using theoretical dispersion curves of certain models to recover themselves, may improve the understanding of the Icelandic average crust. Furthermore, our model shows better representativeness by comparing travel time residuals of the primary wave between observed and synthetic data predicted using different average velocity models. Based on the variations of the Vs gradient, the Icelandic crust with an average thickness of 32 km is divided into the upper crust (0–10 km), middle crust (10–22 km), and lower crust (22–32 km). The asthenosphere starts from the deeper LVZ at 55 km depth, potentially indicating the relatively concentrated melt in this depth range. In this study, crustal LVZs are revealed both in a volcanic active zone and a non-volcanic zone, which may also suggest the LVZ in the average model has more complex origins than the high-temperature zone beneath the central volcanoes. The prevalent thick-cold crustal model of Iceland, considered to rule out the existence of a broad region of partial melt in the crust, also strengthens the possibility of diverse origins. The variations in petrology may also contribute to the crustal LVZ in the average model.