Geological Journal最新文献

The Baiyinnuoer Pb–Zn deposit, estimated at 26.57 million metric tonnes (Mt) with grades of 1.77% Pb and 5.21% Zn, is situated in the southern Great Xing'an Range (SGXR) of northeast China. The deposit comprises southern and northern ore belts. The southern belt primarily contains skarn ore bodies (32% of reserves) associated with Triassic granodiorite, while the northern belt is dominated by skarn ore bodies (30% of reserves) related to Triassic diorite porphyry. In addition to Triassic skarn-type mineralization, the deposit also exhibits Early Cretaceous mineralization. This includes vein-type occurrences (36% of reserves) within volcanic tuff and syenite porphyry, alongside a small amount of skarn ore bodies (2% of reserves) related to syenite porphyry. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of intrusive rocks and garnets was conducted to investigate the timing and genesis of these mineralization events, revealing two distinct stages of skarn-type mineralization. The first stage, associated with Early Triassic granitoids, dates to 254.6 ± 1.4–241.7 ± 2.7 Ma, while the second stage is closely associated with Early Cretaceous syenite porphyry, constrained to 135.4 ± 1.1–135.2 ± 1.6 Ma. Garnet U–Pb dating in the syenite porphyry-related skarn yielded an age of 134.9 ± 4.7 Ma; however, due to low U content, reliable dating of garnets associated with Early Triassic granitoid-related skarn was not feasible. Micro-thermometry and Laser Raman analyses of fluid inclusions within vein-type ore bodies highlighted distinct differences between vein-type mineralization and Early Triassic skarn-type mineralization. Additionally, in situ sulfur isotope analyses of sphalerite from both Early Triassic and Early Cretaceous ore bodies indicate a magmatic origin for sulfur in both stages. Through comprehensive geological, geochronological, in situ sulfur isotope and fluid inclusion studies, the Baiyinnuoer Pb–Zn deposit is conclusively identified as a large deposit characterized by two distinct periods of mineralization (Early Triassic and Early Cretaceous), akin to several other significant polymetallic deposits in NE China.

Tunnel engineering is a complex and multidisciplinary field that requires the integration of geological expertise, advanced modeling techniques, and practical engineering solutions. The research compiled in the Special Issue "Tunnels and Tunneling" makes significant contributions to the field by addressing the diverse geological conditions and intricate challenges inherent in tunnel construction. These insights are crucial for enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of tunnel projects worldwide. The studies in this Special Issue provide a comprehensive understanding of the various challenges and innovative solutions in tunnel engineering. They offer valuable insights and practical guidelines for designing, constructing, and maintaining safe and stable tunnel structures across different geological settings. In addition, geological challenges in specific regions, such as the Three Gorges Reservoir area, the Hengduan Mountains, and the Tibetan Plateau, require tailored approaches. A key theme in many of the comparative studies is the importance of accurate risk assessment to ensure tunnel safety. In regions prone to geological hazards, landslide susceptibility mapping and risk assessment are critical. Innovative approaches, such as machine learning models, are highlighted for their potential to predict and manage landslide risks effectively.

In this article, the influence of soil condition on the dynamic response of a tunnel and the surrounding soil was studied by both experimental model tests and numerical simulations. We tested a 1/20-scale tunnel model with three different soil conditions: upper soft soil and lower hard soil, homogeneous soft soil and homogeneous hard soil. We also applied dynamic loads, sweep loads and train loads on the model tunnel for time domain and frequency domain analysis. The experimental and numerical results revealed that the interface between the soft and hard soil strata has an obvious amplification effect on the vibration wave. With the propagation of the vibration wave to the surface, the damping effect of the soil above the tunnel becomes the main factor affecting the dynamic response of soil. The internal force response of the tunnel structure is for the most part concentrated in the section under the excitation load, which is mainly affected by the soil properties beneath the tunnel.

With the advent of new terminologies to categorize and characterize the simple and complex monogenetic volcanoes, also came the semantic issues, which caused a predicament for the usage of terms like simple, complex, polycyclic, polymagmatic, complex monogenetic volcanoes with polygenetic inheritance. To analyse and validate this nomenclature, we studied an overlapping volcanic structure located south of the present-day town of Irapuato, Central Mexico, that appears to be a monogenetic complex at first sight. Field observations, tephra stratigraphy, petrography and geochemistry of the tephra deposits confirms that the structure is in fact a cluster of three simple (San Joaquin tuff ring and two scoria mounds) and one complex, polycyclic, polymagmatic (La Sanabria-San Roque tuff ring) monogenetic volcanoes formed by independent events, governed by distinct conduits and magma bodies of different origin (subduction-related, OIB and E-MORB origin) and separated by different tephra sequences of dissimilar components and depositional characteristics. We estimate the magma volumes (using the juvenile content and their vesicularity percentage) to be at 0.40–1.31 × 10⁸, 0.25 × 10⁸ and 0.42–0.90 × 10⁸ m³ for San Joaquin, La Sanabria and San Roque, reckoning an eruption duration of 77 and 48 and 81 days, respectively (considering an average eruption rate of 6 m³/s from the well-documented shallow crater (<30 m), Ukinrek maars in Alaska) occurring within the age range of 40–70 k years (crater diameter and depth ratio). This study not only aided to validate the above-mentioned terms for monogenetic volcanoes, but also reconsider a few of them and avoid confusion with the polygenetic counterparts.

Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the need to prioritize sustainability in their economic growth agendas due to escalating environmental deterioration. Green financing and the utilization of clean energy are advanced solutions to this problem. However, there is a significant need to investigate the green finance-emission nexus in the presence of renewable energy. This study investigates the impact of green financing and renewable energy on environmental sustainability in BICST economies from 2000 to 2021. The analysis considers GDP, urbanization and access to electricity as controlling factors in the model. A Method of Moments Quantile Regression was executed and indicated that green financing and renewable energy play a crucial role in managing and reducing ongoing CO₂ emissions in BICST countries. The scientific evidence indicates that increasing levels of CO₂ emissions can be attributed to both urbanization and economic development. On the other hand, having access to power has a positive impact on the environment. Additionally, numerous other tests confirm the validity, strength and reliability of the major findings. In the BICST countries, major policy recommendations to enhance environmental sustainability include private sector investment, promoting incentive-based policies and ensuring the financial sector's autonomy to stimulate the integration of renewable energy sources into economic operations.

The ductile shear deformation of Precambrian basement rocks in Wuyishan provides a crucial perspective on intraplate orogeny in the South China Block (SCB). This study focuses on the Longquan-Badu ductile shear zone in southeastern Zhejiang, employing field observations, thin section analysis, quartz electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), zircon U–Pb dating and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology. Two distinct phases of deformation, referred to as D1 and D2, have been identified. D1 is primarily characterized by a WNW–ESE striking foliation within a NE-plunging lineation, indicating top-to-SSW shearing. The paragneiss within the Badu complex that experienced D1 deformation has been dated to 247–239 Ma through zircon U–Pb analysis, corresponding to the prevalent high-pressure metamorphic age in the region. This correlation suggests that the D1 deformation event coincided with crustal thickening during the Early Triassic. D2 deformation exhibits folds, foliation, S-C fabrics and mylonitic microstructures and is mainly characterized by striking NNE–SSW with steeply dip, demonstrating a dominant dextral strike–slip component. Quartz c-axis orientations in mylonitic rocks indicate deformation temperatures between 350°C and 550°C with asymmetric girdle patterns suggesting simultaneous basal and prism slip. The plateau ages of muscovite from mylonitic rocks obtained through ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating are approximately ~228 Ma implying that the D2 deformation occurred under retrograde amphibolite to greenschist facies metamorphic conditions during Middle Triassic. Collectively these data along with regional geological evidence signify two distinct intracontinental orogenic processes occurring in eastern SCB. Considering Early Mesozoic tectonothermal events in Cathaysia Block, it can be inferred that intraplate orogeny in Wuyishan resulted from plate-margin collisions between SCB and peripheral plates following scissors closure of Palaeo-Tethys from east to west.

The present investigation breaks new ground by examining the Raniganj sediments in the Kendudihi section of the Ib-River Coalfield, Odisha, India. The study identifies a megaflora consisting of 25 species of Glossopteris, Vertebraria indica, stem casts and equisetaceous stems. The microflora is predominantly composed of Striatopodocarpites spp., with a secondary presence of Densipollenites spp. The lithological signatures, including off-white fine-grained sandstone with thin bands of silty shale and grey shale, indicate that these sediments belong to the Late Permian succession of the Lower Gondwana sequence, specifically the Raniganj Formation. The macrofloral assemblage found in the lowermost grey shale can be attributed to the Wordian–Capitanian age, while the microfloral assemblage in the upper silty shale resembles that of the Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian age. Well-preserved palynomorphs and megafossils, along with the abundant occurrence of lath-shaped translucent phytoclasts in the grey and silty shale of the Raniganj sediments exposed in the Kendudihi section, explicitly suggest that the sediments were deposited in proximal, low-energy swampy settings. Additionally, the moderate occurrence of charcoal (20%), along with the existence of degraded organic matter (DOM: 7.6%) and amorphous organic matter (AOM: 16.4%), indicates that the sediments might have been deposited in oxic–dysoxic conditions. The palynological and megafloral studies reveal a warm-temperate climate with low humidity and intermittent spells of hot and cold seasons, associated with abundant rainfall. The occurrence of phosphorite in the form of nodules and thin lenses, as well as biogenic structures at the juncture of the Raniganj and Barren Measures formations, suggests a marine incursion in the area during the deposition of the late Barren Measures and early Raniganj sediments. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F) as the predominant phosphatic mineral phase in the phosphatic nodule, siltstone and claystone. The Post-Archean Australian Shale composition, normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of samples from this area, reveals slight positive La (average La anomaly: 1.02) and Gd (average Gd anomaly: 1.05) anomalies and heavy REE enrichment compared to light REE, explicitly indicating a marine environment.

Cobalt is a critical and strategic metal mainly found as associated element in several types of deposits, of which skarn-type deposits are the major sources. Han-Xing type skarn iron deposit, having high grade iron ore and associated cobalt, is a typical skarn-type iron ore in China. But the complete recovery and exploitation of cobalt are restricted because of the lower grade of related cobalt and the dearth of prior research on its occurrence condition and enrichment mechanism. In this paper, pyrite from five typical ore deposits in the Han-Xing area was studied by using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) techniques to decipher the occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of associated cobalt in skarn-type iron deposits. The results show that Co²⁺ replaces Fe²⁺ in pyrite through isomorphism. The distribution of cobalt in pyrite from different deposits varies greatly, that is, in the Xishimen iron deposit, the cobalt content is comparatively enriched in the pyrite's core. In contrast, in other deposits, the cobalt content is concentrated in the pyrite's rims, where it can be up to 1000 times higher than in the core. The cobalt mineralization in Han-Xing area can be divided into several stages. The sulphur element of sulphide is mainly derived from evaporite, while cobalt mineralization occurred in the early stage with pyrite formation or in the late stage by metasomatism/cementation of Co-rich ore-forming fluid. The magma assimilated with the Ordovician evaporite not only promoted iron mineralization, but also became the main controlling factor for cobalt enrichment.