Tunguska Syneclise Research Articles

LOWER ORDOVICIAN STROMATOLITES FROM THE KEY MOYERO SECTION (TUNGUSKA SYNECLISE, EASTERN SIBERIA)

Stromatolite bioherms were found in the Lower Ordovician sediments of the Moyero River section (Tunguska syneclise, Eastern Siberia). Their characteristics are considered on the example of their typical build-up and adjacent sediments. It was revealed that the formation of the studied sediments occurred during the development of both bacterial communities (primarily cyanobacteria) and calcareous algae. The presence of remains of calcareous algae Nuia of different preservation in bioclast-oolitic and oolite-bioclastic limestones underlying stromatolite and composing sediments between bioherms was established. It is assumed that the growth of stromatolite bioherms and adjacent sediments was controlled by sea level fluctuations which were reflected in the transgressive-regressive cyclicity and changes of sedimentation conditions.

Lower Ordovician Stromatolite Bioherms from the Moyero River Key Section (Tunguska Syneclise, Eastern Siberia)

Lower Ordovician Stromatolite Bioherms from the Moyero River Key Section (Tunguska Syneclise, Eastern Siberia)

The Permian-Triassic Riftogen Rocks in the Norilsk Area (NW Siberian Province): Geochemistry and Their Possible Link with PGE-Cu-Ni Mineralization

The volcanic rocks in the Vologochan syncline, the Khikey River valley, and Mount Sunduk, within the Norilsk area in the NW Siberian large igneous province, have been studied. They belong to the Ivakinsky, Syverminsky, Gudchikhinsky, Khakanchansky, Nadezhdinsky, Tuklonsky, and Morongovsky Formations. These Formations consist of trachybasalts, picritic basalts and tholeiitic basalts with aphyric and porphyritic textures, and intersertal and poikiloofitic structures. For the first time, we demonstrate the variations in the structure and composition of these Formations along the strike, based on 151 analyses of the major and trace elements in the rocks. The thickness of all the Formations, excepting the Morongovsky, reduce dramatically from the Yenisey–Khatanga trough to the Tunguska syneclise, and they pinch out in the east of the Norilsk area and are attributed to riftogen (rift) basalts. The rock compositions also change in this direction, especially in the Gudchikhinsky and Nadezhdinsky Formations. The two subformations of the Gudchikhinsky formation, the lower and upper, disappear in the east, so the Gudchikhinsky consists only of high-Mg rocks, picritic basalts, and picrites. The composition of the Nadezhdinsky formation varies intensely in its (Gd/Yb)n and (Th/Nb) ratios from the Vologochan syncline to the Khikey River valley. These structural and compositional variabilities differ between the rift formations and the platform ones. Two gabbro–dolerite sills from these areas that are close to the Norilsk and Ergalakh intrusive complexes have been studied. The metal contents in volcanic and intrusive rocks are similar and do not differ from the barren rocks of the South Pyasinsky massif comprising the PGE-Cu-Ni deposits. Only the Gudchikhinsky Formation contains elevated Cu and Ni concentrations. These features and the coinciding spatial distribution of the ore-bearing intrusions and picrites of the Gudchikhinsky rocks in the Norilsk–Igarka paleorift suggest their genetic link. It is proposed that the initial sulfides could have been formed in the mantle, as the Gudchikhinsky picrites, transported to the lower crust, and then involved by the trap magmas in the origin of the ore-bodies in the Norilsk deposits.

Perovskite from spurrite-merwinite marbles of the Kochumdek contact aureole: application to u-pb dating of a thermal event

The paper presents the results of the frst LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronological studies of 60 perovskite grains from spurrite marbles of the Kochumdek contact aureole (East Siberia). Perovskite is a dominant accessory mineral of U- and Th-poor marbles, which formed at the contact with traps of the Kuz’movsky complex (southwestern margin of the Tunguska Syneclise). Chemically homogeneous perovskite is characterized by limited substitutions: Ti4+ > Zr4+ (up to 2.5 mol. % CaZrO3) and Ca2+Ti4+ > REE3+Fe3+ (up to 1.8 mol. % REEFeO3). Perovskite is the main host for Th (up to 1550 ppm), U (up to 450 ppm), Ti, Zr, and LREEs (La + Ce + Pr + Nd); the element incorporation ratios are KTh = 516–870 and КU = 374. The U-Pb isotopic age of perovskite of 248.0 ± 7.2 Ma is in agreement with isotopic age values of traps of the Kuz’movsky complex.

Компьютерное моделирование напряженнодеформированного состояния Тунгусской синеклизы и Якутско-Вилюйской крупной изверженной провинции

The states of stress and strain are numerically analyzed under conditions of the geodynamic process of tension in the south part of the Vilyui syneclise and the middle part of the Tunguska syneclise. Two-dimensional models of geological structures of the south part of the Vilyui syneclise and the middle part of the Tunguska syneclise are constructed based on the Kimberlit-1981 geological profile obtained using deep seismic sounding. To describe the plastic strain in the geomedia, the model of elastic-plastic media with the non-associated plastic flow rule based on the Drucker-Prager-Nikolaevskii model is used. In this model, the “jelly sandwich” strength model is adopted for the analysis of the stress state of the lithosphere. The results of the numerical modeling of the state of the stress and strain of the chosen parts of the Siberian Craton are presented. The localization of plastic strain, the region of positive values of horizontal stresses, and the negative deviation of the calculated pressure from the lithostatic pressure correspond to mineral deposits.

The Formation Conditions of Pyroclastic Rocks at the Eastern Margin of the Tunguska Syneclise for Forecasting during Diamond Prospecting

The Formation Conditions of Pyroclastic Rocks at the Eastern Margin of the Tunguska Syneclise for Forecasting during Diamond Prospecting

Lower Silurian graptolitic shales of the Tunguska Syneclise and its oil and gas source properties (East Siberia)

Lower Silurian graptolitic shales of the Tunguska Syneclise and its oil and gas source properties (East Siberia)

О РЕЧНОЙ СЕЙСМОРАЗВЕДКЕ: ИСТОРИЯ, ОПЫТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ, ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ НА СОВРЕМЕННОМ ЭТАПЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ СИБИРСКОЙ ПЛАТФОРМЫ

Since the beginning of the 2000s, water shooting has been carried out on the territory of the Siberian Platform o a number of profiles, including long routes along the Nizhnyaya Tunguska [Lower Tunguska] River, Lena River (in the upper and lower courses), Vitim River, as well as more local works, including experimental and methodological ones – at the Angara, Chuna, and Biryusa Rivers. The high geological efficiency of these routes, combined with an almost twofold reduction in the cost of one linear km of seismic profile, сomparatively common ground-based operations of the CDP method, allows researchers to recommend the expansion of such operations on the rivers of the northern Tunguska syneclise, the area with very low exploration degree of prospects of oil and gas. It is situated in the region where a quarter of all the hydrocarbon resources of the Siberian Platform are on the balance sheet.

Reconstruction of conditions for the formation of pyroclastic formations on the Eastern edge of the Tunguska syneclise prospecting

Studies on the study of the rocks of the trap formation on the territories of diamondiferous regions within the eastern side of the Tunguska syneclise have been carried out. The zoning of pyroclastic formations of the mafic complex is performed on the basis of the structural-formational analysis in. Volcanogenic rocks formed as a result of explosive processes in the main volume are composed of different-fragmented tuffs. Areal development of pyroclastic formations associated with epicenters of volcanic structures, we reconstructed. This is a negative prognostic factor in the exploration for kimberlites. The regularity of implementation shafts intrusive bodies within the paleo valleys and grabens controlling kimberlites. This is recommended for prediction of new diamond deposits.

About a possible second source of trap magmatism in the east of the Siberian craton

There was made a comparison of trap formation of two major tectonic structures of the eastern part of the Siberian craton - north-east of the Tunguska syncline and Olenek uplift. Using the analysis of geological data and isotopic age determination by the methods of 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb (also outside the researching area), we can conclude, that the traps of the Tunguska syneclise are 264-240 million years Permo-Triassic age, at the same time, the age of the traps of the Olenek uplift defined as Lower Triassic. The traps of the Tunguska syneclise were formed in three independent intrusion phases, each has its petrochemical specifics, but at the Olenek uplift, there was a single impulse that formed the rocks of the same type, with a well-defined pre-chamber stage of the melt crystallization. The magma that formed the dolerites of the Olenek uplift was more magnesian. The REE distribution patterns for the traps of the Olenek uplift are steeper (La/Ybn=2.4-2.8) in comparison with the Tunguska syneclise traps, the total amount of REE (g/t) in them is within 58-63. A well-defined Sr maximum, promoted by the presence of the early-formed basic plagioclase, is mostly shown in the Olenek uplift traps. In the Nb/Th-Zr/Nb and Nb/Y-Zr/Y diagrams of chemical behavior to incompatible elements, dolerites of the Olenek uplift form composition fields, which are isolated from the Tunguska syneclise traps, thus showing their specific nature. So this information gives us the right to talk about two different sources for the trap forming of the Tunguska syneclise and the Olenek uplift. They resulted from independent plume-induced magmatic events.

Petrographical and Geochemical Characteristics of Magmatic Rocks in the Northwestern Siberian Traps Province, Kulyumber River Valley. Part II: Rocks of the Kulyumber Site

The origin of the Siberian trap province is under discussion even though numerous models of its formation have been created over the last three decades. This situation is mainly due to lack of modern geochemical data on magmatic rocks around the province. These data are a very important tool to reconstruct of magmatic evolution within the province in time and space and to understand a mechanism of province formation. Geochemical study has only been carried out so far for the Norilsk and Meimecha–Kotuy areas. For the first time, we have studied the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of magmatic rocks at the Kulyumber river valley located 150 km to south from the Norilsk ore district, in the junction of the Tunguska syneclise and Norilsk–Igarka zone. It comprises three sites, i.e., Khalil, Kaya, and Kulyumber. The geochemical data on the magmatic rocks of the Khalil and Kaya sites were published earlier (Part I). This article (Part II) regards geochemical and mineralogical data on igneous rocks at the Kulyumber site. Seventeen intrusive bodies (41 samples) and six samples of sedimentary rocks were studied by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Isotopes analyses (Sr, Nd, Pb) were conducted for 12 samples. These data were compared with data for intrusions of the Norilsk area, the Dzhaltulsky massif, Kureyka river, and intrusions in Angara river valley published earlier. The whole list of analyses includes 102 items. Three groups of intrusive rocks were recognized: (1) Mafic rocks with elevated K2O without negative Ta-Nb and Pb-positive anomalies, with (Gd/Yb)n = 2.0 and εNd = −1.0; attributed to a new Kulyumbinsky complex; (2) subalkaline rocks with elevated SiO2,TiO2, P2O5, and K2O with small negative Ta-Nb and positive Pb anomalies and (Gd/Yb)n = 1.8, εNd = −3.8; Ergalakhsky complex; and (3) mafic rocks with strong Ta-Nb and Pb anomalies and (Gd/Yb)n = 1.2–1.4, εNd = +0.4–+2.2. The third group is rather nonhomogeneous and includes intrusions of the Norilsk, Kuryesky, Katangsky, Ogonersky, and Daldykansky complexes differing in MgO content and trace element distribution (values of Ta-Nb, Pb, and Sr anomalies). Three groups of intrusive bodies had different magma sources and different condition of crystallization reflecting their origin in rift and platform regimes.

Petrographical and Mineralogical Characteristics of Magmatic Rocks in the Northwestern Siberian Traps Province, Kulyumber River Valley. Part I: Rocks of the Khalil and Kaya Sites

The origin of the Siberian Traps province has been under discussion for the last three decades. Up to now, there is no real model of its formation in a good agreement with geological data on the magmatic evolution at P–T boundary in Eastern Siberia. Modern geochemical data on magmatic rocks around the province is a key to reconstructing magmatic development in time and space. Such data have been obtained for the Norilsk and Meimecha–Kotuy and not for other parts of the Siberian province. For the first time, we studied the geochemistry and mineralogy of magmatic rocks at the Kulyumber river valley, located in the intersection of the Tunguska syneclise and Norilsk–Igarka zone in the NW Siberian platform. In this article, we present data from the Khalil and Kaya sites of this area belonging to the Syverminsky, Gudchikhinsky, Khakanchansky and Nadezhdinsky formations. Their mineralogical and geochemical features (including Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data) are similar to the same formations in the Norilsk area, while the rocks belonging to the Gudchikhinsky formation show differences. The Syverminsky tuffs are also described for the first time. The intrusive rocks are attributed to four intrusive complexes, i.e., Ergalakhsky, Kureysky, Katangsky and Norilsk. The Ergalakhsky complex comprises trachydolerites similar to the trachydolerites of the Norilsk area. The rocks of the Norilsk complex at the Khalil site differ from the rocks of the same complex at the Norilsk area by the (U/Nb)n = 1.8, (La/Yb)n = 2.1 in comparison with 3.7 and 2.3 of the rocks of the Norilsk 1 intrusion. The intrusions of the Kureysky complex are more differentiated than those of the Katangsky intrusions but show comparable TiO2 and trace elements distribution. Thus, the magmatism of the Kulyumber area is characterized by features matching those of the Tunguska syneclise and Norilsk area, i.e., suggesting rift and platform regimes.

Structure and Geochemical Features of the Volcanic Rocks in the Tunguska Syneclise (Siberian Trap Province)

To understand the origin of the Siberian trap province, it is necessary to know its internal structure in detail. Only two areas were described, the Noril’sk and Maimecha-Kotuy, while the most important part of the province, the Tunguska syneclise, is still poorly characterized. The main goal of our study is an investigation of the structure and geochemistry of volcanic rocks located in the central part of the province. We have studied basalts and tuffs and compared them with the rocks of the Noril’sk area. All studied rocks belong to three formations: Korvunchansky, Nidymsky and Kochechumsky. The whole thickness of this cross-section is around 1,000 m. Our geochemical data demonstrate that the lower part of the cross-section comprises basalts with TiO2=1 wt% while the upper part consists of the basalts with the average TiO2 content 1.4-1.5wt%. Based on this data, these rocks can be correlated with Morongovsky and Mokulaevsky formations located in the Noril’sk area. Despite many similarities between the volcanic rocks of these two areas, the basalts and tuffs of the Tunguska syneclise have their specific features, i.e. many tuff horizons, small thickness of flows and their poikiloophitic structure that reflect the rock formation near the boundary of the Tunguska syneclise.

Unique PGE–Cu–Ni Noril’sk Deposits, Siberian Trap Province: Magmatic and Tectonic Factors in Their Origin

The unique and very large PGE–Cu–Ni Noril’sk deposits are located within the Siberian trap province, posing a number of questions about the relationship between the ore-forming process and the magmatism that produced the traps. A successful answer to these questions could greatly increase the possibility of discovering new deposits in flood basalt provinces elsewhere. In this contribution, we present new data on volcanic stratigraphy and geochemistry of the magmatic rocks in the key regions of the Siberian trap province (Noril’sk, Taimyr, Maymecha-Kotuy, Kulyumber, Lower Tunguska and Angara) and analyze the structure of the north part of the province. The magmatic rocks of the Arctic zone are characterized by variable MgO (3.6–37.2 wt %) and TiO2 (0.8–3.9 wt %) contents, Gd/Yb (1.4–6.3) and La/Sm (2.0–10.4) ratios, and a large range of isotopic compositions. The intrusions in the center of the Tunguska syneclise and Angara syncline have much less variable compositions and correspond to a “typical trap” with MgO of 5.6–7.2 wt %, TiO2 of 1.0–1.6 wt %, Gd/Yb ratio of 1.4–1.6 and La/Sm ratio of 2.0–3.5. This compositional diversity of magmas in the Arctic zone is consistent with their emplacement within the paleo-rift zones. Ore-bearing intrusions (the Noril’sk 1, Talnakh, Kharaelakh) are deep-situated in the Igarka-Noril’sk rift zone, which has three branches, namely the Bolsheavamsky, Dyupkunsky, and Lower Tunguska, that are prospected for discovering new deposits. One possible explanation for the specific position of the PGE–Cu–Ni deposits is accumulation of sulfides in these long-lived zones from the Neoproterozoic to the Mesozoic era during magmatic and metamorphic processes. Thus, trap magmatism, itself, does not produce large deposits, but mobilizes earlier formed sulfide segregations in addition carrying metals in the original magmas. These deposits are the results of several successive magmatic events, in which emplacement of the traps was the final event.

Geodynamics and Oil and Gas Potential of the Yenisei-Khatanga Basin (Polar Siberia)

The geodynamic development of the north–western (Arctic) margin of the Siberian craton is comprehensively analyzed for the first time based on our database as well as on the analysis of published material, from Precambrian-Paleozoic and Mesozoic folded structures to the formation of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic Yenisei-Khatanga sedimentary basin. We identify the main stages of the region’s tectonic evolution related to collision and accretion processes, mainly subduction and rifting. It is demonstrated that the prototype of the Yenisei-Khatanga basin was a wide late Paleozoic foreland basin that extended from Southern Taimyr to the Tunguska syneclise and deepened towards Taimyr. The formation of the Yenisei-Khatanga basin, as well as of the West-Siberian basin, was due to continental rifting in the Permian-Triassic. The study describes the main oil and gas generating deposits of the basin, which are mainly Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous mudstones. It is shown that the Lower Cretaceous deposits contain 90% of known hydrocarbon reserves. These are mostly stacked reservoirs with gas, gas condensate and condensate with rims. The study also presents data on oil and gas reservoirs, plays and seals in the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous complexes.

Lithology, organic geochemistry, and petroleum potential of the northern areas of the Kureika syneclise

We present results of lithological and geochemical studies of Paleozoic deposits stripped by drilling within the Ledyanskaya area in the north of the Tunguska syneclise. The studied section has a terrigenous sulfate-carbonate composition and is complicated by trap intrusions. We have established that the Ordovician-Devonian sedimentation proceeded within an epicontinental basin, with its depth varying from supralittoral to lower sublittoral zones. In the Carboniferous and Permian, coastal-continental sedimentation was predominant; in the Late Permian it was accompanied by volcanic activity. Analysis of the poroperm properties of rocks has distinguished three potential oil reservoirs: Silurian reef carbonate deposits and Ordovician and Carboniferous sand horizons. The Lower Silurian argillaceous-carbonate rocks and Devonian carbonate-sulfate-clay members, halite beds, dolerite bodies, and tuffaceous rocks are probably confining beds of these reservoirs. Geochemical study of organic matter has shown several possible sources of hydrocarbons: Upper Proterozoic deposits, Lower and Middle Cambrian Kuonamka complex, Middle Devonian Yukta Formation, and Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing deposits.

Distribution of PGE in Permo-Triassic basalts of the Siberian Large Igneous Province

We have revealed the spatio-temporal regularities of distribution of platinum group elements (PGE) in basaltoids related to the activity of the Siberian mantle plume. As objects of study, we chose rift and flood basalts from the Norilsk district (sampled from the SD-9 borehole), flood basalts from the central part of the Tunguska syneclise (Lower Tunguska), Kuznetsk Basin traps, and subalkalic basalt from the Semeitau volcanoplutonic structure in eastern Kazakhstan. Based on the PGE patterns of basaltoids related to the activity of the Permo-Triassic Siberian plume, we have shown that the rocks that formed in the central part of the Siberian Large Igneous Province (LIP) at the early rift stage have low contents of PGE, whereas picrites and tholeiitic flood basalts have high contents. The rift (Semeitau structure) and flood (Kuznetsk Basin traps) basalts from the peripheral regions are characterized by extremely low PGE contents. The high PGE contents in magmas of the plume head are responsible for the high productivity of ultramafic-mafic trap magmatism. The elevated K contents in magmas and the high PGE contents in the mantle plume head are probably due to the ascent of deep-seated material from the core-lower-mantle boundary, as follows from the thermochemical model of the Siberian plume.

Alkaline rocks of Meso-Cenozoic volcanosedimentary complex of the West Siberian Plate: petrologic composition

This paper is concerned with study of tephriphonolites, rare rocks that have been first found in the pre-Jurassic basement of West Siberia. Based on geological observations of the bedding of different types of volcanics and their geochemical peculiarities, the conclusion about the synchronous occurrence of subalkaline and alkaline volcanism is drawn. This is confirmed by the coexistence of compositionally contrasting volcanics in the borehole section. The hypothesis is put forward that these rocks alternate in the section, as is the case in the Tunguska syneclise of the Siberian Platform. The new data on Sr and Nd isotopy suggest the participation of crustal material in the formation of alkaline rocks. The rift nature of the regional intraplate volcanism is confirmed.

Seismic inhomogeneities in the upper mantle beneath the Siberian craton (Meteorite profile)

The upper-mantle structure was studied from first-arrival data along the Meteorite profile, run using underground nuclear explosions. Unlike the layered, slightly inhomogeneous models in the previous works, emphasis was laid on lateral inhomogeneity at the minimum possible number of abrupt seismic boundaries. We used forward ray tracing of the traveltimes of refracted and overcritical reflected waves. The model obtained is characterized by considerable velocity variations, from 7.7 km/s in the Baikal Rift Zone to 8.0–8.45 km/s beneath the Tunguska syneclise. A layer of increased velocity (up to 8.5–8.6 km/s), 30–80 km thick, is distinguished at the base of seismic lithosphere. The depth of the layer top varies from 120 km in the northern Siberian craton to 210 km in its southeastern framing. It has been shown that, with crustal density anomalies excluded, the reduced gravity field is consistent with the upper-mantle velocity model.

Experimental modeling of the effect of relative thermal power on the shape of a plume conduit and the structure of free-convection flow in it

The shape of a plume conduit produced by melting solid paraffin block above a local heat source was studied experimentally as a function of the relative thermal power of the plume Ka= N/N1, where N1 is the power of the plume source and N1 is the power corresponding to the amount of heat transferred by conduction through the plume conduit to the surrounding solid paraffin block. The limiting power of the plume source at which the plume erupts at the Earth’s surface (Nlim1= (1.35–1.60) × 1010 W) and the power at which the mushroom-shaped plume head formed at the base of the refractory layer (Nlim2=(1.78–1.90) × 1010 W) with no horizontal mantle flow were determined. The dependence of the diameter of the base of the plume on the Ka number was established. The Ka value and the diameter of the plume base were determined for the Hawaiian and Iceland plumes, for the plume responsible for the formation of the Tunguska syneclise and for the McKenzie and Central Atlantic continental plateau-basalt provinces and for the Ontong Java and Manihiki oceanic lava plateaus.