Permian Volcanic Rocks Research Articles

Application and comparison of RBF and BP neural networks for lithology identification of Permian volcanic rocks in the Shunbei area of the Tarim Basin in China

Application and comparison of RBF and BP neural networks for lithology identification of Permian volcanic rocks in the Shunbei area of the Tarim Basin in China

Late Paleozoic intra-oceanic arc and its accretionary complex in East Junggar (NW China): implications for multiple arc amalgamation in the southern Altaids

The East Junggar is a key to understanding the accretionary history of the southern Altaids. However, the tectonic setting and amalgamation history of the East Junggar during the Carboniferous–Permian remain controversial. Here we report new field, geochronological and geochemical data for the Carboniferous–Permian volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Jiangjun unit and the Hongliugou ophiolitic complex of East Junggar to constrain its tectonic evolution. Carboniferous volcanic rocks, with zircon and apatite U–Pb ages from 337 ± 2 to 303 ± 32 Ma, display arc-related geochemical characteristics. Carboniferous–Permian sedimentary rocks predominantly contain Carboniferous–Permian detrital zircons and have maximum depositional ages from 318 ± 5 to 281 ± 6 Ma. Provenance analysis indicates that the sediments from the west Jiangjun unit were sourced from the Yemaquan arc and those from the east Jiangjun unit may be sourced solely from a new intra-oceanic arc. Integrated data indicate that Carboniferous–Permian strata in the Jiangjun unit were formed in the intra-oceanic arc setting that remained until the middle Permian. These analyses suggest an amalgamation process of multiple convergence and accretion for the southern Altaids during the formation of NE Pangaea in the late Paleozoic.

Carboniferous bimodal volcanic sequences along the Northeastern Pamir: Evidence for back-arc extension due to northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys

The Pamir plateau lies at the western end of the Tethys domain recording the entire evolution from the opening of the Proto-Tethys to the final closure of the Neo-Tethys. During this long-term evolution, the details of the initial subduction of the Paleo-Tethys and the final amalgamation of the main terranes in the Pamir are still controversial. The Carboniferous bimodal volcanic sequences along the Northern Pamir may supply the key evidence to reveal the subduction process of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. This study presents the detailed stratigraphic architecture, petrography, geochronological and geochemical data of the Carboniferous−Permian volcanic rocks along the Northern Pamir in western China bordering Tajikistan. Zircons from two plagioclase phenocryst-rich basalts, and an andesite, volcanic agglomerate, and granitic sill emplaced in the basalts yield concordant ages of 319.5 ± 2 Ma, 322.7 ± 1.6 Ma, 288.7 ± 2.5 Ma, 301.6 ± 4.2 Ma, and 300.4 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. The basalts show mid-oceanic-ridge basalt−like geochemical features with flat to depleted light rare earth element trends [(La/Yb)N = 0.68−1.82], depleted whole-rock εNd(t) (6.44−7.85), and zircon εHf(t) (6.3−10.1) values, suggesting they are primitive magmas derived from a depleted mantle source metasomatized by earlier subduction in line with their low Nb/La ratios (0.30−0.64). As for the intermediate-acid volcanic rocks (andesite and dacite), they show enrichment of large ionic lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, and Sr) and depletion of high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) as well as negative εNd(t) values ranging from −0.97 to −0.75, demonstrating that they are primitive magmas derived from partial melting of the metasomatized lithospheric mantle source, followed by crystal fraction of hornblende, plagioclase, and minor quartz. Taking together the stratigraphic features, rock associations, and geochemical signatures, the Carboniferous basalts share most features with the Okinawa and the Mariana back-arc basalts. Integrating the new data with the previous studies, we construct a detailed evolution process of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean at the Pamir, i.e., extension of the filled residual Proto-Tethys Ocean between the Tarim and the Northern Pamir induced by the northward Paleo-Tethys subduction in the early Carboniferous, gradually waning of the back-arc basin from the late Carboniferous to the Early Permian, and finally, the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean led to the amalgamation of the Northern, the Central, and the Southern Pamir, resulting in the initial architecture of the Pamir.

Discovery of Pseudomorph Scapolite and Diagenetic Indication from the Permian Volcaniclastic Rocks in Western Sichuan (SW China)

Volcaniclastic rocks are important unconventional oil and gas reservoirs from which it is difficult to determine the protolith due to strong metasomatic alteration. Intensive alteration has occurred in much of western China, but few robustly documented examples are known from which to assess the alteration processes. Further recognition from the petrological and mineralogical record is essential to quantify the diagenetic environment, the degree of alteration, and its impacts. Permian volcanic rocks are widely developed in the western Sichuan Basin (southwestern China), with a thickness of more than 200 m. The thickness of volcaniclastic rocks in the Permian Emeishan Basalt Formation is up to 140 m, with a 5600~6000 m burial depth. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to recognizing hydrothermal alteration by the occurrence of scapolite megacryst mineral pseudomorphs (SMMPs) in Permian volcaniclastic rocks in the Sichuan Basin (southwestern China). The results show that SMMPs in the Permian volcaniclastic rocks in the western Sichuan Basin mainly occur in the lower part of the Permian basalts as intragranular minerals and rock inclusions. Scapolite is transformed into quartz and albite, and only the pseudomorph is preserved, indicating secondary hydrothermal fluid metasomatic alteration. Scapolite is formed after microcrystalline titanite and is the product of the high-temperature pneumatolytic metasomatism of plagioclase from the mafic protolith during the post-magmatic stage. The mixing of meteoric water and barium-rich hydrothermal fluid leads to the precipitation of barite; additionally, the pores are filled with barite and halite after the alteration of scapolite. The silicification and hydrothermal dissolution of scapolite and the albitization of sodium-rich matrix minerals increase the pore volume, which is conducive to the later recharge by hydrothermal fluids. The discovery of SMMPs can serve as an indicator of the high-temperature pneumatolytic metasomatism and mixing of meteoric water and deep hydrothermal fluid.

Coexisting Nb-enriched basalts and arc volcanic rocks in the northern Qiangtang Terrane, China: Implications for the effects of ambient mantle on subduction zone magmatism

The petrogenesis of Nb-enriched basalts (NEBs) is controversial. NEBs are generally considered to form by melting of either a mixed enriched and depleted mantle source or a mantle wedge metasomatized by adakitic melts. Here we present geochronological, petrological, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Os isotope data for Early Permian volcanic rocks from the Tuotuohe area in the northern Qiangtang Terrane, China. The studied volcanic rocks can be divided into two groups: arc basalts and basaltic andesites in the lower sequence and NEBs in the upper sequence. Zircon grains from one basaltic andesite sample in the lower sequence yielded a concordia age of 302.0 ± 1.1 Ma. The geochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that the NEBs were derived from a mixed source consisting of enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORB)- to oceanic-island basalt-like ambient mantle and slab-derived fluids, whereas the arc basalts and basaltic andesites originated from a source made of the MORB-type ambient mantle modified by slab-derived melts. We propose for the first time that the Nb enrichment of the NEBs was most likely inherited from high-Nb ambient mantle and is independent of the addition of slab-derived components. In addition to slab-derived components, the nature of the ambient mantle is also an important factor controlling the diversity of arc magmatism. Our new findings show that the Late Carboniferous−Early Permian magmatism in the northern Qiangtang Terrane was related to northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, suggesting that subduction might have occurred in at least the Early Permian rather than in the previously thought Middle Permian.

Large-volume Permian felsic volcanism in the Tisza Mega-unit (East-Central Europe): Evidence from mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology

Permian felsic volcanic rocks are widespread in the Tisza Mega-unit (Carpathian–Pannonian region), covering a relatively large area from southern Transdanubia (Hungary) to the Apuseni Mountains (Romania). The present occurrence and structural position of these Permian volcanic rocks are the result of a complex tectonic evolution (including Alpine nappe stacking and Neogene extension); meanwhile, multiple hydrothermal effects and deformation modified their microtexture and chemical composition. In this study, the same emphasis was given to Permian felsic volcanism as well as the subsequent fluid- and/or deformation-related processes in the Tisza Mega-unit to extend our knowledge in regional issues (e.g., geochronology, stratigraphy, and lithologic correlations) and to investigate if the variably altered volcanic rocks can be used in petrogenetic studies.The zircon U-Pb dating yields ages of ∼270.4–262.9 Ma for the Apuseni samples and ∼268.4–260.2 Ma for those of the Pannonian Basin. Whole-rock geochemistry, considering immobile trace elements, since most of the major element compositions were severely modified by alteration processes, indicates that the studied rocks are dacite to rhyolite. They belong to a voluminous silicic volcanism during the Middle Permian, most probably related to rifts.Petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and X-ray powder diffraction mineralogy revealed that the predominant alteration of the studied rocks is hydrothermal sericitization, locally superimposed by mylonitization in greenschist to subgreenschist conditions during Alpine orogeny. The K-Ar dating of the separated illite fractions confirms that the ductile deformation acted during the Turonian nappe stacking, as the main Alpine deformation phase in the study area.On a regional scale, the Permian magmatism in the Tisza Mega-unit looks significantly younger than the similar magmatic activity of the stable Europe (∼300–290 Ma).

Evolution of the North Qiangtang Block in the late Paleozoic: Paleomagnetism and its tectonic implications

Understanding of the geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan realm cannot be complete without paleogeographical reconstructions of the North Qiangtang Block (NQB) that occupies a central position in Tibet. However, the reliability of such a reconstruction for the Paleozoic still requires substantial improvement. In this paper, we present paleomagnetic results obtained from the Middle Permian limestones and Upper Permian volcanic rocks in the Tanggula area, aiming to provide precise constraints on the NQB kinematics during the geodynamic evolution of the Tethys realm. Combined with other available paleomagnetic data from the NQB, our results suggest that the block was stably located at ∼24°S for a long time before the Middle Permian, started to drift rapidly northward in the Middle Permian, and reached ∼8.4°S in the Late Permian. The NQB continued drifting rapidly northward during the Triassic until merging with the southern margin of Eurasia in the Late Triassic. We reviewed new and available paleomagnetic and geological data and proposed a revised model for the tectonic evolution of the eastern Tethys realm. The NQB likely belonged to a ribbon-like separate continental archipelago in the middle of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the early−late Paleozoic. The Cimmerian continent, including the South Qiangtang Block (SQB), rifted away from the northern margin of Gondwana and drifted northward to ∼22°S in the Middle Permian. The continent approached or partially collided with the NQB, resulting in the rapid northward movement of the NQB and the formation of the Longmuco−Shuanghu suture between the NQB and SQB.

Natural Gas Accumulation and exploration potential of permian Volcanic Rocks in Southwest Sichuan Basin

To figure out gas enrichment laws in Permian volcanic rocks, Sichuan Basin, an association among reservoir-forming elements was explored to analyze forming modes and point out exploration prospects in accordance with reservoir characteristics, gas source conditions, and fault elongation in Zhougongshan and Jianyang areas. Results show that there mostly exist porous volcaniclastic rock and lava reservoirs of explosive facies. In Jianyang with Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation as the principal source rock, early faults offered pathways to assemble ample initial oil and gas. Following an increase of burial depth, oil started cracking vastly to create oil-cracked gas. These elements constitute one reservoir-forming mode of Cambrian hydrocarbon supply–fault transporting–in-situ cracking in Jianyang. While in Zhougongshan with Lower Permian Maokou 1 Member as the main source, active faults during hydrocarbon generation and expulsion acted on trap preservation. Late kerogen-cracked gas gathered at structural highs far from giant faults. Thus, the other mode exhibited in Zhougongshan is Permian hydrocarbon supply–fault adjustment–effective trap accumulation. Reservoir-forming conditions in volcanic rocks present certain disparity among all kinds of tectonic settings inside the basin, giving rise to various volcanic gas reservoirs developed. The Permian volcanic rocks are expected to be a major domain for reserve and production increase in Sichuan Basin.

Volcanic and sedimentary rocks reveal the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Lhasa Terrane, Tibet

ABSTRACT The central Lhasa Terrane preserves the geological record of the opening, subduction, and closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. However, the early tectonic history of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean remains unclear. Here, we present the results of a systematic study of Paleozoic volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the central Lhasa Terrane. The composition of Paleozoic sandstone includes quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, lithic fragments, and a small amount of sericite. Qt-Ft-Lt Dickinson ternary diagrams reveal that the Paleozoic succession includes feldspatho-litho-quartzose sandstone (Gangsangmu and Yongzhu formations), litho-feldspatho-quartzose sandstone (Lower Laigu and Lower Laga formations), litho-quartzo-feldspathic sandstone (Upper Laigu and Upper Laga formations), and quartzo-litho-feldspathic sandstone (Luobadui formation). The Late Ordovician Gangsangmu formation shows passive margin characteristics controlled by sediment recycling. The Early Carboniferous–Late Carboniferous Yongzhu formation is derived from an evolved arc. The Late Carboniferous Lower Laigu and Lower Laga formations were associated with a passive margin controlled by sediment recycling. The Early Permian (Upper Laga, Upper Laigu, and Luobadui formations) represent active continental margin sedimentary rocks. The Early Permian volcanic rocks (287 ~ 274 Ma) belong to the calc-alkaline -potassic /shoshonitic series with high positive εHf(t) values. The Early Permian volcanic rocks have high LREE and LILE (e.g. Rb, Sr), and are depleted in HREE and HFSE (e.g. Nb and Ta, Ti), which indicate a subduction-related arc setting. Our findings, combined with previous studies, show that the northern margin of Gondwana was passive in the Late Ordovician. In the Early Carboniferous, a back-arc basin formed on this northern margin due to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. In the Late Carboniferous, the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean opened, and the southern edge of the central Lhasa Terrane was a passive margin. In the Early Permian, the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean began its initial northward subducted and formed the arc volcanic rocks on the central Lhasa Terrane.

Placing Another Piece of the Tethyan Puzzle: The First Paleozoic Paleomagnetic Data From the South Qiangtang Block and Its Paleogeographic Implications

AbstractThe origin and drift history of the South Qiangtang block (SQB) is critical to understanding the internal dimensions and kinematics of the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic Tethyan realm and the subsequent evolution of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, but so far no paleomagnetic data constrain the SQB in Paleozoic time. Here we present a paleomagnetic study of the middle Permian volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the SQB. Well‐defined high‐temperature components of magnetization were isolated from 6 sites of tuffaceous sandstone and 9 sites of basalt, but their directional populations are distinct. On the basis of a conglomerate test and comparisons with younger paleomagnetic data, we argue the basalts preserve a primary magnetization, whereas the sandstones may have been remagnetized during the Triassic. The magnetic directions from the basalt indicate that the SQB was located at a latitude of 22.3 ± 5.8°S during the middle Permian. Together with existing paleomagnetic data from other Tethyan continental blocks, this new constraint reveals that during the middle Permian the Neo‐Tethys Ocean spanned ∼10–20° of latitude and the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean spanned ∼50°, but also that the latter was a composite ocean system which included at least two important branches. In further considering the geological records of the SQB, we propose the block rifted from the northern margin of Gondwana during opening of the Neo‐Tethys in early Permian time, and then drifted rapidly northward until ultimately colliding with the North Qiangtang block and the southern margin of Laurasia during final closure of the Paleo‐Tethys in the Triassic.

Petrogenesis, tectonic setting, and metallogenic significance of the Middle Permian volcanic rock system of the Miaoling Formation, Yanbian area, NE China: Constraints from geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes

The volcanic rock system of the Miaoling Formation contains the main ore-bearing rocks of two volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS)-type deposits in the Yanbian area of NE China. Investigation of the VRSMF is needed to better understand the formation of these VMS-type deposits and the tectonic evolution of the Yanbian area. To determine the petrogenesis, material sources, and formation age of the VRSMF, and elucidate its late Paleozoic tectonic evolution and metallogenic significance, this paper presents new petrological, geochronological, geochemical, whole-rock Sr–Nd and in situ zircon Hf isotopic data for the VRSMF. The VRSMF is composed of marine carbonate, intermediate–felsic volcanic rocks (andesite–trachyandesite–dacite) and pyroclastic rocks. Laser-ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry zircon U–Pb dating gives an eruption age of ca. 265 Ma for the pyroclastic rocks in the VRSMF. These rocks are classified as low- to medium-K calc-alkaline series. They are characterized by enrichments in large-ion lithophile elements (e.g., K, Rb, and Ba) and light rare earth elements, and depletions in high field-strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements, showing affinity to igneous rocks formed in arc-related tectonic settings. These features, together with homogeneous zircon εHf(t) values of 10.9–15.7 and depleted Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [εNd(t) values of 2.4–5.0], suggest that the parental magma was derived from the partial melting of depleted mantle that had been metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. These results, along with findings of regional geological investigations, suggest that the formation of the VRSMF was related to subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate during the middle Permian. The VMS-type mineralization in the Hongtaiping and Dongfengnanshan deposits is interpreted to have formed in a bimodal–felsic setting in a back-arc extensional tectonic environment.

A late Carboniferous bimodal volcanic suite before closure of the North Tianshan Ocean at the southwestern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The North Tianshan Ocean (NTO) was one of the youngest oceanic basins at the southwestern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. When, where and how the NTO was finally consumed and closed have not been well addressed. To better understand the tectonic evolution of the NTO, particularly before its closure, an integrated study of volcanic rocks in the Yamansu volcanic arc has been carried out. Two SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages (317.6 ± 3.1 Ma and 310.7 ± 2.4 Ma) indicate that the previously identified Permian volcanic rocks erupted during the late Carboniferous instead. The late Carboniferous volcanics in the region are composed of a bimodal suite with a SiO2 compositional gap between 60 and 70%. The mafic volcanics could be further divided into LREE-poor basalts and LREE-rich basalt-andesites. The LREE-poor variety displays tholeiite and forearc-like characteristics with flat to depleted LREE patterns with (La/Yb)N < 1.5, which were likely derived from a moderately depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by a subducted fluid-like component. The LREE-rich suite is calc-alkaline and has enriched LREE patterns with high (La/Yb)N > 2. They were from a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by subducted sediment-derived melts, although more or less suffered crustal contamination. The felsic volcanics are I-type rhyolites, derived from anatexis of Cambrian to Mesoproterozoic arc crustal rocks. Here, we suggest that the Kanggur Fault presumably represented the southernmost suture of NTO. The Yamansu volcanic arc was a forearc system of the Central Tianshan continental arc related to southward subduction of the NTO.

Late Permian ultrapotassic rhyolites in SE Thailand: evidence for a Palaeotethyan continental rift basin

The volcanic rocks in the Chanthaburi zone are rarely reported, but are important in investigating the tectonic evolution of the Palaeotethyan Ocean in SE Thailand. Four rhyolitic samples from Ko Chang Island yield zircon ages of 258–254 Ma, confirming the presence of Late Permian volcanic rocks in SE Thailand. These rocks consist of Group 1 rhyolites and Group 2 rhyolitic ignimbrites and have high K 2 O contents of 4.92–7.10 wt% and A/CNK values of 1.10–1.69. They are enriched in the light rare earth elements, Rb, Th, U, Zr and Y and show negative anomalies of Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta and Ti, with clear Eu anomalies. Their whole-rock ε Nd ( t ) values range from −1.7 to −3.1. Zircon in situ ε Hf ( t ) and δ 18 O values range from 0.0 to +5.6 and from 8.2 to 9.6‰, respectively. They belong to the group of peraluminous, ultrapotassic A-type rhyolites and were derived from partial melting of a mixed source of Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks with a component of juvenile mafic crust. These ultrapotassic rhyolites formed in a continental rift setting in response to the rollback of a subducted Palaeotethyan oceanic slab beneath the Indochina Block. Combining these results with previous geological observations, we propose that there were some sporadically distributed continental rift basins along the Eastern Palaeotethyan domain during the Permian. Supplementary material: Major oxides, trace element analytical and Nd isotopic data, LA–ICP–MS and SIMS zircon U–Pb ages and Zircon in-situ Hf–O isotopic compositions are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5635390

Metamorphic rocks from the north-eastern part of the Ereendavaa terrane (Eastern Mongolia) :

In this paper, we have conducted geochronological and geochemical studies on the metamorphic rocks of the Khaychingol and Ereendavaa Formations in the Mogoitiin Gol, Khaychin Gol and Emgentiin Bulag areas from the Ereendavaa terrane and these rocks have been considered to be Precambrian in age. However, new LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating results indicate that the protolith of the studied metamorphic rocks was formed in two stages: 1) during ~ 296 - 285 Ma, the protolith of mafic, felsic and black schists formed; 2) during ~276 - 271 Ma, the protolith of gneiss and psammitic schists began to deposit. The Early Permian bimodal association composed of low-K basalt and comagmatic high-Na, low-K dacite with high-K calc-alkaline rhyolite, represent protolith of the mafic and felsic schists which were formed in back-arc basin environment. The Middle Permian gneiss, and psammitic schists with sedimentary protolith have geochemical signatures of island arc rocks, such as enrichment of LILE relative to HFSE, and markedly negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, suggesting that they were formed in a continental arc environment. Considering a close spatial relationship of the Ereendavaa terrane with the Mongol-Okhotsk Belt in the north-west, we propose that accompanied with the emplacement of arc magmatic rocks, the arc rifting occurred and formed the Early Permian bimodal volcanic rocks. In the Late Permian, after the formation of the back-arc basin, deposition of the immature deposits as wacke, arkose and litharenite dominated sediments in a continental arc environment started.

Relationship between Permian volcanic rocks distribution and karst paleogeomorphology of Maokou Formation and its significance for petroleum exploration in western Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on outcrop, drilling, logging, geochemical analysis and seismic data, the karst landform and distribution of Permian volcanic rocks at the end of the sedimentary period of the Maokou Formation in the western Sichuan Basin are examined, and their petroleum geological significance is discussed. Affected by normal faults formed in the early magmatic activities and extension tectonic background in the late sedimentary period of the Maokou Formation, a local karst shallow depression under the background of karst slope came up in the Jianyang area of the western Sichuan Basin, where the residual thickness of the Maokou Formation was thinner. Basic volcanic rocks like pyroclastic rock of eruptive facies, basalt of overflow facies, diabase porphyrite of intrusive facies and sedimentary tuff of volcanic sedimentary facies were formed after karstification. However, under the effects of faulting and karst paleogeomorphology, the volcanic rocks in different areas had different accumulation features. In the Jianyang area, with long eruption time, the volcanic rocks were thick and complex in lithology, and accumulated in the karst depressions. In the Zhongjiang-Santai area located in the karst slope, there’s no fault developed, only thin layers of basalt and sedimentary tuff turned up. The karst landform controls the build-up of thick explosive facies volcanic rocks and also the development of karst reservoirs in the Maokou Formation, and the western Sichuan area has oil and gas exploration potential in volcanic rocks and the Maokou Formation.

Geochemical Characteristics of Early Permian Pyroclastic Rocks in the Jimunai Basin, West Junggar, Xinjiang (NW China): Implications for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

AbstractDuring the Late Paleozoic, West Junggar (Xinjiang, NW China) experienced a shift in tectonic setting from compression to extension. Ha'erjiao is an important area for investigating collisional structures, post–collisional structures, and magmatic activities. Based on the petrological and geochemical characteristics of pyroclastic and other volcanic rocks in the Permian Kalagang Formation from the borehole ZKH1205 in the Jimunai Basin, the main types of source rock for the pyroclastic rocks deposited in the basin are identified and their implications for the Early Permian tectonic setting examined. The abundance of basalt and andesite lithic fragments in the pyroclastic rocks, together with the REE characteristics and the contents of transition and high field strength elements show that the source rocks were chiefly intermediate–basic volcanic rocks. High ICV values, low CIA values, low Rb/Sr ratios, low Th/U ratios and the mineralogical features suggest weak chemical weathering of the source rocks; the geochemical patterns of the pyroclastic rocks might not only have been impacted by crustal contamination but also might be related to the nature of the magma from the source area. The geochemical properties of the pyroclastic rocks distinguish them from arc‐related ones, and such samples plot in the within‐plate basalt (WPB) field in some diagrams. This is consistent with the formation background of the Early Permian volcanic rocks in this region.

Fracture propagation simulation and construction parameter optimization of eruptive phase volcanic rock

A large number of volcanic gas reservoirs are developed in the Sichuan Basin. Up to now, 92 wells have been drilled into Permian volcanic rock, which have good prospects for exploration. Among them, large areas of volcanic facies are distributed in the Sichuan Basin. The uneven distribution of pores in volcanic rocks of eruptive facies and the large difference in rock mechanics combination between different lithofacies make it difficult to develop volcanic gas reservoirs of eruptive facies effectively. Therefore, studying the characteristics of eruptive facies volcanic rocks and reservoir reconstruction schemes is very important for the later development of volcanic rocks Significantly, this paper builds a finite element model of a volcanic rock reservoir of the effusion facies based on the geological characteristics of the volcanic rock of the effusion facies, and optimizes the construction parameters in terms of construction displacement, fracturing fluid volume, and proppant. The research results show that, the injection pressure of the spouting phase under different stress difference conditions exhibits oscillating characteristics. The stress difference between the barrier and the reservoir is positively related to the injection point pressure and fracture fracturing. The recommended construction displacement is 4.5-5.5m3/min and the fracturing fluid dosage is 400-500m3, and the amount of proppant is between 30-40m3. The research content of this article is of great significance for the effective development of volcanic gas reservoirs in eruptive facies.

Geochronology and petrogeochemistry of Late Permian volcanic rocks in the B.Xiengnou area, Northwestern Laos: Petrogenesis and tectonic significance

The Nan Suture and Sukhothai Arc Terrane are products of the eastward subduction of the Paleotethyan Ocean during the Late Carboniferous to Triassic. However, their footprints in northwestern Laos are poorly constrained. New geochronological and geochemical data presented in this study demonstrate a Late Permian origin for the andesitic rocks in the B.Xiengnou area rather than Late Triassic. The breccia-bearing andesitic tuff in the B.On ultramafic complex yield a zircon U-Pb age of 260 ± 1.4 Ma, geochemically displaying a MORB-like signature. The andesitic tuff in the B.Kiophoulan-B.Houayhak belt gave the U-Pb age of 254 ± 1.3 Ma, with arc-like geochemical affinity. By combining geochronological and geochemical data from the Nan Suture and Sukhothai Arc Terrane, the authors suggest that the andesitic rocks in the B.On ultramafic complex formed in a back-arc basin background, which connected the Jinghong and Nan back-arc basin during the Permian; while the andesitic tuff in the B.Kiophoulan-B.Houayhak belt erupted in the Sukhothai continental arc setting.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

Geochronology, geochemistry and zircon Hf isotope constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Early Permian volcanic rocks from Sonid Youqi area, Solonker Zone

ABSTRACT The mineral composition, whole-rock geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotopes, and in situ zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes for mafic and intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks in the Sonid Youqi area were determined to unravel their petrogenesis and the Early Permian tectonic setting of the Solonker Zone, Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Zircon U–Pb ages suggested that these rocks formed in the Early Permian. The mafic volcanic rocks were depleted in Ba, Th, and Nb, enriched in Rb, U, and Sr, and had variable zircon εHf(t) values, with constant Th/Yb and variable Ba/La ratios, indicating that the mafic magma originated from the fluid-metasomatized mantle. The intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks were depleted in Ba, Th, Nb, Ta, and Ti and enriched in Sr, Zr, and Hf. Geochemical modelling and mineralogical observations suggested that magma mixing dominated the magmatic process. These features, along with variable SiO2 and MgO contents and zircon εHf(t) values of +9.40 to +13.47, suggested that these rocks originated from the mixing of melts from the mantle and juvenile crust. Early Permian volcanic rocks from the Solonker Zone had depleted Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, similar to those from the Japan Sea back-arc basin basalts. Their geochemical characteristics differed from those rocks formed during the initial subduction. In combination with previous studies, we suggest that the generation of these Early Permian rocks from the Solonker Zone occurred in an extensional tectonic setting that induced by the slab break-off of Hegenshan Ocean.

Lower Permian basaltic agglomerate from the Tsengel River valley, Mongolian Altai

A new occurrence of Permian volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks in the Mongolian Altai south of the Main Mongolian Lineament was described between soums of Tugrug and Tseel in Gobi-Altai aimag. Studied vitrophyric pyroxene basalt lies in a layer of agglomerate and amygdaloidal lavas, which is a part of NE–SW trending subvertical sequence of varicolored siltstones and volcaniclastic rocks in the Tsengel River valley. This high-Mg basalt is enriched in large ion lithophile elements, Pb and Sr and depleted in Nb and Ta. LA-ICP-MS dating on 44 spots reveals several concordia clusters. The whole rock geochemistry of sample fits volcanic arc characteristic in the geotectonic discrimination diagrams. Dominant zircon data yield Upper Carboniferous and Permian magmatic ages 304.4 ± 2.3 and 288.6 ± 1.9 Ma. Two smaller clusters of Upper Devonian (376 ± 4.7 Ma) to Lower Carboniferous ages (351.9 ± 3.5 Ma) indicate probably contamination of ascending magmatic material. Youngest Triassic age found in three morphologically differing grains reflects probably lead loss. Described high-Mg basalt lava represents sub-aerial volcanism in volcanic arc environment developed over the N dipping subduction zone in the southwestern Mongolia in the time span from Uppermost Carboniferous to Permian during terminal stage of its activity.