Petrology最新文献

We propose a coupled hydro-mechanical-chemical model and its 1D numerical implementation. We demonstrate its application to the model filtration of a multicomponent fluid in deforming and reacting host rocks, considering changes in the densities, phase proportions, and the chemical compositions of the coexisting phases. The presented 1D numerical implementation is illustrated by the example of soapstone formation from serpentinite during the filtration of Н₂О−CО₂ fluid with a low CО₂ concentration coupled with the viscous deformation of the mineral matrix, considering the MgO−SiO₂−Н₂О−CО₂ system. The numerical results show the propagation of a porosity wave by means of a viscous (de)compaction mechanism accompanied by the formation of an elongated zone with higher filtration properties. After the formation of such a channel, the formation and propagation of the reaction fronts occur and are associated with the transformation of the mineral composition of the original rock. During H₂O−CO₂ fluid filtration, starting with 1 wt % dissolved CO₂, carbonization of hydrated serpentinite starts, specifically antigorite transforms to magnesite and talc.

Long-term strength of the lithosphere is often assumed to be equivalent to its average deviatoric stress level. However, this definition is only correct for a homogeneous visco-elastic material, in which no localized (in space and/or time) weakening and deformation processes occur. Here, I instead propose to define the large-scale-long-term strength of the lithosphere as the measure of its mechanical resistance to irreversible deformation, which corresponds to the amount of mechanical energy irreversibly spent (i.e., dissipated) for producing unit irreversible (i.e., inelastic, visco-plastic) deformation. According to this new definition, strength is the ratio of the integrated (through given lithospheric volume and time) mechanical energy dissipation to the integrated irreversible visco-plastic strain. With this new definition, the large-scale-long-term strength of the lithosphere stands as a strain-averaged rather than a volume-time-averaged quantity. As the result, an interesting behavior can occur when, due to localization of irreversible deformation along volumetrically minor weak structures, strength of the lithosphere can be significantly lower than its average long-term deviatoric stress level characteristic for volumetrically dominant strong elastic regions. This definition is applicable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous (i.e., localized in space and/or time) lithospheric deformation and provides a useful framework for analyzing various geodynamic settings on regional and global scale. In particular, I show some implications of this new lithospheric strength theory for better understanding of (i) intense melt-induced weakening of the lithosphere by magmatic processes, (ii) very low strength of plate interface in subduction zones and (iii) low brittle/plastic strength of tectonic plates predicted by global mantle convection models with plate tectonics. Although this work focuses on evaluating the long-term-large-scale brittle/plastic strength and deformation parameters, the proposed approach can also be applied for quantifying the effective ductile (i.e., viscous) strength and respective long-term-large-scale rheological properties.

Mineral reactions were studied in metamorphic rocks from the Meyeri tectonic zone, and the P–T path of the development of this structure was calculated. According to the P–T path, the Proterozoic granulite complex of the Svecofennian Belt was thrust onto low-temperature rocks of the Archean Karelian Craton. Relict staurolite and other minerals preserved as inclusions in the garnet porphyroblasts made it possible to identify the pre-peak stage of metamorphism with P–T parameters no higher than the low-temperature amphibolite facies of moderate and low pressure. The peak metamorphic conditions of the tectonic zone are estimated at T > 700°C and P ~ 7 kbar using the composition of relict minerals, while the temperature on the prograde trend of metamorphism was 500–600°C at a pressure of about 5 kbar. The post-peak stage began with a distinct decompressional P–T path at the aforementioned high temperatures, with a change from granulite hypersthene-containing assemblages to lower-temperature hydrous ones. The subsequent metamorphic retrogression was characterized by the development of numerous hydrous minerals as a result of the activation of fluids in the shear zone. The P–T path of the tectonic zone is clockwise and reflects the exhumation of the Svecofennian granulite complex during the orogenic events.

Metamorphosed dacitic porphyry dikes were first found in the western part of the Vorontsovka terrane, which is located in the Paleoproterozoic Volga–Don orogen at the margin of Archean Sarmatia and Volga–Ural cratons. The magmatic protolith age for the metadacites is ca. 2.07 Ga. These are ferrous, metaluminous calc-alkali I-type granitoids. The sodium specialization of the rocks and their low concentrations of Mg, Cr, Ni, and incompatible elements, with significant REE fractionation, the absence of Eu* anomalies, high Sr/Y ratio, remarkably high (Gd/Yb)_n values (>10), and the radiogenic Nd isotopic composition indicate that the dacitic melts were derived from a juvenile mafic source. According to petrogenetic estimations, such conditions could be caused by the partial melting of depleted N-MORB basites in equilibrium with an eclogitic residue. The dacitic magmas were likely generated by the partial melting of mafic rocks at lower levels of the significantly thickened crust (>60 km) in relation to collision processes.

Syn-emplacement serpentine is one of the most abundant late minerals in kimberlites; its multiple generations can be distinguished by various textural positions and parageneses. Composition of the primary kimberlite melt cannot be accurately determined if we do not recognize distinct origins for several textural varieties of serpentine. This study aims to find compositional indicators of the serpentine origin by characterizing millimetre-sized serpentine domains in hypabyssal kimberlites. Serpentine forms as segregations in the groundmass or when serpentine replaces olivine or metasomatized silicate xenoliths. The latter textural variety of serpentine has not been recognized previously; it develops in Si-rich basement xenoliths ranging from basalt to granite. This serpentine is associated with abundant diopside, pectolite, phlogopite and chlorite and less prominent amphibole, hydrogarnet, wollastonite, xonotlite and other rare Ca hydrosilicates. We report petrography and textures of reacted silicate xenoliths in Renard 65, Orapa AK15, BK1, Gahcho Kué 5034 and Jericho kimberlites and provide a global summary of the phase compositions in the xenoliths. This study discovered that NiO content < 0.05 wt %, Al₂O₃ content > 1.3 wt % and MnO > 0.3 wt % in serpentine are clear signs of formation after felsic xenoliths. Serpentine/chlorite replacing olivine always have 1.5–4 wt % more FeO than serpentine after silicate xenoliths. The compositional contrast results from the immobile behaviour of conserved Al, Ni and Mn. The proposed criteria were tested on a pyroclastic kimberlite with an enigmatic origin of round serpentinized clasts overgrown by fibrous clinopyroxene and identified the precursor of these clasts as felsic. We also determined mineralogical characteristics of serpentine parageneses that can be used for reconstruction of the initial xenolith lithology. Serpentine coexists with the more abundant calcic hydrosilicates (hydrogarnet, xonotlite, amphiboles) in reacted mafic xenoliths. There, serpentine and chlorite crystal structures show less ideal stoichiometry indicative of a higher volume of nanometre-scale interstratification with smectites. Serpentine-rich assemblages in reacted xenoliths formed metasomatically at T < 600°C due to skarn-like mass transfer with the host kimberlite that controlled the gain of Ca and Mg and desilication. These metasomatic assemblages are remarkably identical to rodingites. Serpentine production appeared to be limited by the availability of Si in and around silicate xenoliths, but by the H₂O availability in pseudomorphed olivine/monticellite.

Mafic intraplate magmatism is the main source of information about the geodynamics of processes that lead to the breakup of continental blocks. The article discusses geodynamics of the breakup of the Archean supercraton Superia in the Middle Paleoproterozoic. The discussion is based on data on 2.1 Ga magmatism in the Karelian Craton, where mafic igneous rocks of this age are represented by tholeiites of two geochemical types: depleted and enriched. Geochemically close to N-MORB, depleted tholeiites were studied in the Northern Ladoga Region where they form dike swarms at ca. 2111 ± 6 Ma (U-Pb, SIMS, zircon) in the Hatunoiya locality, and pillow lavas and sills in the Lake Maloe Jänisjärvi locality. Enriched tholeiites were studied in the Lake Tulos locality where they form a large swarm of doleritic dikes of age 2118 ± 5 Ma (U-Pb, ID-TIMS, baddeleyite). The results of these studies provide deeper insight into 2.1 Ga mafic magmatism. Depleted tholeiites with N-MORB geochemistry have a wide spatial distribution in the Karelian Craton and could be formed via decompression melting of a depleted asthenospheric mantle, raising melts along the extension zones, and minimal contamination by the Archean crust. According to modelling results, enriched tholeiitic melts probably occurred due to differentiation and crustal contamination of rising depleted tholeiitic melts through more rigid Archean crustal blocks. Data on ca. 2.1 Ga mafic magmatism in the Karelian craton are difficult to explain within the mantle plume rise model, but are consistent with the model of lithosphere extension due to a retreat of a subduction zone in the northeastern margin of the craton, in the Lapland-Kola Ocean at 2.0–2.2 Ga. The intensive thinning and rupture of the Archean continental lithosphere and opening of an oceanic basin at the western margin of the Karelian craton were probably controlled by the suture zone of the junction of Neoarchean and Paleoarchean crustal blocks, traced in the western part of the Karelian craton. An additional factor that led to the ca. 2.1 Ga lithospheric breakup could be a rise of a deep-seated mantle plume in the Hearne craton, neighboring to the Karelian craton in the Archean Superia supercraton.