In fossil subduction zones associated with massive exhumation of (ultra)high-pressure ((U)HP) rocks such as the Western Alps, the geometry and behavior of subduction-channel and mantle-wedge rocks during exhumation are still poorly constrained by independent geophysical observations. Here we use a new local earthquake tomography model of the entire fossil subduction zone of the Western Alps based on data collected during the CIFALPS and CIFALPS2 passive seismic experiments, and the first receiver-function profile across the Ligurian Alps, to investigate the styles of subduction-channel and mantle-wedge exhumation as a function of increasing upper-plate divergence motion. In the northern Western Alps (low divergence), a thickened subduction channel can be detected, but no exhumed mantle wedge is found beneath the Gran Paradiso (U)HP dome. In the southern Western Alps (intermediate divergence), an exhumed mantle wedge is detected beneath the Dora-Maira (U)HP dome above a serpentinized subduction channel. In the Ligurian Alps (high divergence), an exhumed mantle wedge and a former subduction channel are detected at much shallower levels beneath the Voltri-Valosio (U)HP dome, and above a shallow-dipping lower-plate Moho. In this latter case, the lower boundary of the exhumed subduction channel is the most evident seismic-velocity interface, which may be easily misinterpreted as a true Moho. Similar Moho-like interfaces are found beneath the exhumed (U)HP domes of eastern Papua New Guinea and the Dabie Shan, which suggests that the results of the CIFALPS experiments may be used as a reference case for the interpretation of other (U)HP terranes worldwide.
D’Orbigny named the Callovian stage after Kellaways in Wiltshire, UK, in the 1850 s. However, agreement on its boundaries and, more recently, on the position and location of the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Callovian has proven difficult for the last 170 years. This is mainly due to the lack of agreement on the appropriate index fossil and its regional and global correlations, as well as the location of the stratotype section. Stable carbon isotope chemostratigraphy and event stratigraphy are now essential tools for aiding in the definition of GSSPs. In this study, stable carbon isotopic analysis of 91 samples from east Greenland’s Middle Jurassic shallow marine sandstones of the Pelion Formation (Store Koldewey and Hold with Hope) and correlative and well-dated offshore siltstones and mudstones of the Fossilbjerget Formation (Jameson Land) is used to discriminate several isotopic events previously observed in other European basins and propose the early Callovian (δ13CTOC) positive carbon isotopic excursion as a secondary marker for defining the Callovian GSSP. The early Callovian (δ13CTOC) positive carbon isotopic excursion is a fundamental tool for superregional correlation between candidate GSSPs and Standard Auxiliary Boundary Stratotypes. It can also help establish a chronological order (synchronous vs diachronous) of species occurrences between different locations.
In line with achieving the objectives of COP27 and SDG7, this paper examines the interdependence of the Artificial Intelligence market, clean energy, and conventional energy markets from 19th December 2017 to 5th May 2023 by using Cross-Quantilogram (CQ) and Wavelet Locale Multiple correlations (WLMC) techniques. Heatmaps of CQ show a bidirectional relationship between the AI market and clean energy at lag one with negative cross-quantile dependence evident throughout most quantiles, especially in normal market conditions. It also indicates a positive relationship between AI return rates and the clean energy market, but only when both datasets are in the same extreme quantiles (10th and 90th). Additionally, WMLC results reveal that time, scale, and investment horizons influence the interaction between AI and clean and non-clean energy industries. A considerable positive association exists between the AI market and traditional energy markets, ranging from 0.6 to 0.8. However, during the pandemic, this dependency turned negative, and it has since been minor, with an uptick in co-movement during Russia – Ukraine conflict. Several policy implications are suggested for the clean energy and conventional energy markets in line with AI.
The concentration of redox sensitive trace metals (RSTEs) and their isotopic composition preserved in Precambrian marine sediments, are critical for the reconstruction of ocean–atmosphere oxygenation history. Particularly, the concentration of Fe, its redox speciation, and isotopic distribution, have gained widespread use for inferring the biogeochemical processes that controlled Fe cycling in Precambrian oceans linked to the reconstruction of Earth surface redox budget. However, questions remain about the biotic and abiotic processes involved in Fe cycling in these ancient oceans, including the impact of post-depositional alterative processes on the reliability of the Fe redox proxy. Here we present a multi-proxy mineralogical and geochemical study of the ∼1.1 Ga Atar and El Mreiti strata of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, to better constrain pathways involved in Fe cycling, linked to Fe mineralogy, redox speciation, isotopic ratios during this time and metamorphism. We compare unmetamorphosed sedimentary deposits with facies metamorphosed by dolerite sill intrusion. The results reveal the occurrence of diagenetic Fe minerals in the basal unmetamorphosed samples associated with light δ56Fe signatures, reflecting dominant anoxic conditions that promoted microbial dissimilatory Fe reduction. Notably, δ56Fe composition of these rocks reveal several fluctuations in evolving seawater redox state from oxic to anoxic/sulfidic conditions associated with changes in sea level stand and periods of full bottom water oxygenation and redox stratification. Overall, Ce anomalies suggest a general up sequence increase in seawater oxygen content. Metamorphosed rocks display heterogeneous δ56Fe distribution, consisting of light and heavy signatures associated with secondary Fe-bearing minerals produced by metamorphic and metasomatic overprinting of carbonated rocks by hot circulating fluids. The results thus indicate metamorphic overprinting of primary seawater δ56Fe promoted by increased mobility of reactive Fe during post-depositional metamorphic transformation. They show that post-depositional metamorphic/metasomatic overprinting complicates direct reconstruction of seawater biogeochemical Fe cycling and redox state using δ56Fe systematics.
The South Tibetan Detachment System is an important extensional fault zone, separating the Greater Himalayan Sequence from the overlying Tethyan Himalayan Sequence, and is well exposed in the upper reaches of the Dhauliganga valley, NW Himalaya. This fault system is characterized by the occurrence of an extensive Cambro–Ordovician granite belt between Sutlej and Dhauliganga valleys, although only a few small granitoids intrude the high-grade mylonite gneiss of the Greater Himalayan Sequence in its immediate footwall. These bodies yielded U-Pb zircon crystallization ages between 498.92 ± 5.5 Ma and 486.54 ± 2.3 Ma. This work postulates that the South Tibetan Detachment System evolved as a major proto-tectonic marginal extensional terrane boundary during the Cambro–Ordovician Kurgiakh/Bhimphedian Orogeny, when it was the conduit for emplacement of the Cambro–Ordovician granite belt. Denudation of the Neoproterozoic Greater Himalayan Sequence and the Paleozoic granites on its footwall provided approximately ∼ 10 km thick sediments into the Tethyan Basin due to this fault system as a master growth fault. Reactivation of this fault system controlled further melting and emplacement of the Higher Himalayan Leucogranite belt during the Cenozoic. Zircon growth is observed in two distinct modes: pulsative from the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene, with peaks at 33.99 ± 1.07 Ma, 30.53 ± 0.32 Ma and 25.03 ± 0.54 Ma; and in the continuous mode from 23.68 ± 0.94 Ma to 13.30 ± 0.30 Ma, in the Miocene, for nearly 10.0 myr. These datasets reveal some of the oldest pulsative movements in the Late Eocene–Early Oligocene during crustal thickening, thrusting and associated metamorphism, followed by continuous extension during the Miocene. Data from the South Tibetan Detachment System are distinct in character, and do not support either its eastwards younging or diachronous movements along the Dhauliganga valley.
The Salair terrane located in the northern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) contains many epithermal deposits including volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits. The host rocks mainly consist of felsic volcanic rocks such as lavas, volcanic breccias and tuffs that associated with thick strata of carbonates. In this study, we present zircon U–Pb ages, whole rock geochemistry, and Nd isotope data from the volcanic rocks, and results of geochemical and isotope (Sr, C, O) studies of carbonates to constrain their age and petrogenesis, and to characterize the tectonic setting. Zircon U–Pb dating reveals that the ore-bearing felsic lavas have age of 519.3 ± 1.9 Ma, while the felsic tuffs have age of 516.0 ± 0.9 Ma. These volcanic rocks are characterized by high SiO2 and Na2O contents, enrichment in light rare-earth elements, remarkable negative Eu anomalies, and pronounced depletion in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. They have depleted ɛNd(t) values ranging from +4.9 to +6.3, and young two-stage Nd model ages (from 0.82 to 0.64 Ga). The felsic volcanic rocks from the Salair terrane are interpreted as highly evolved I-type magmatic rocks that might be produced by high degree partial melting of juvenile lower crust without a significant contribution of ancient crust and without crustal reworking.
Felsic volcanism was accompanied by the formation of thick strata of carbonates. These carbonates are marine limestones with Mg/Ca ratios less than 0.007, δ18O(SMOW) values from 17.1 to 23.8 ‰ and δ13C(PDB) values between –0.9 and +0.9. Their Sr isotope composition varies in a narrow range within 0.70844–0.70859 that interpreted as representing proxy for coeval seawater. These values are consistent with depositional ages of 520–510 Ma and confirms the synchronicity of the formation of carbonates and felsic volcanism. Based on the regional geology and geochemistry, the ore-host rocks of the Salair terrane were formed in the back-arc setting where the marine transgression occurred as a result of graben subsidence. It is important for better understanding epithermal deposits in the northern CAOB and might provide new insights about prospecting the VMS deposits in similar tectonic settings.