Acta Geologica Sinica ‐ English Edition最新文献

New discovery of the early Silurian fossil fish Changxingaspis (Xiushuiaspidae, Galeaspida), Changxingaspis nianzhongi sp. nov. and C. gui, are described from the Tataertag Formation in Tarim Basin and the Kangshan Formation in Zhejiang Province, respectively. C. nianzhongi mainly differs from C. gui in the shape of the median dorsal opening that is transverse elliptic with a width/length ratio of about 3.0, the long lateral transverse canals extending to the lateral margin of the headshield, and the second lateral transverse canal with dichotomous branchings. Discovery of C. nianzhongi from the Tataertag Formation and C. gui from the Kangshan Formation provide direct evidence on the specific level for the correlation between these two formations, which further supports the Silurian fish-bearing red beds in northwest Zhejiang belonging to the Silurian Lower Red Beds (LRBs) rather than the Upper Red Beds (URBs). Additionally, as the first record of the Changxingaspis in Tarim Basin, it extends the paleogeographical distribution of this genus from the South China Block to the Tarim Block, providing new evidence to support faunal exchanges between these two blocks and the hypothesis of a united Tarim–South China Block during the early Silurian.

Since the Cenozoic, the Tibetan Plateau has experienced large-scale uplift and outgrowth due to the India–Asia collision. However, the mechanism and timing of these tectonic processes still remain debated. Here, using apatite fission track dating and inverse thermal modeling, we explore the mechanism of different phases of rapid cooling for different batholiths and intrusions in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. In contrast to previous views, we find that the coeval granitic batholith exposed in the same tectonic zone experienced differential fast uplift in different sites, indicating that the present Tibetan Plateau was the result of differential uplift rather than the entire lithosphere uplift related to lithospheric collapse during Cenozoic times. In addition, we also suggest that the 5–2 Ma mantle-related magmatism should be regarded as the critical trigger for the widely coeval cooling event in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, because it led to the increase in atmospheric CO₂ level and a hotter upper crust than before, which are efficient for suddenly fast rock weathering and erosion. Finally, we propose that the current landform of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau was the combined influences of tectonic and climate.

The Tianshan range, a Paleozoic orogenic belt in Central Asia, has undergone multiple phases of tectonic activities characterized by the N–S compression after the early Mesozoic, including the far-field effects of the Cenozoic Indian–Asian collision. However, there are limited reports on the tectonic deformation and initiation of Triassic intracontinental deformation in the Tianshan range. Understanding this structural context is crucial for interpreting the early intracontinental deformation history of the Eurasian continent during the early Mesozoic. Growth strata and syn-tectonic sediments provide a rich source of information on tectonic activities and have been extensively used in the studies of orogenic belts. Based on detail fieldwork conducted in this study, the middle–late Triassic Kelamayi Formation of the northern Kuqa Depression in the southern Tianshan fold-thrust belt has been identified as the typical syn-tectonic growth strata. The youngest detrital zircon component in two lithic sandstone samples from the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata yielded U-Pb ages of 223.4 ± 3.1 and 215.5 ± 2.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that the maximum depositional age of the bottom and top of the Kelamayi growth strata is 226–220 and 218–212 Ma. The geochronological distribution of detrital samples from the Early–Middle Triassic and Late Triassic revealed abrupt changes, suggesting a new source supply resulting from tectonic activation in the Tianshan range. The coupling relationship between the syn-tectonic sedimentation of the Kelamayi Formation and the South Tianshan fold-thrust system provides robust evidence that the Triassic intracontinental deformation of the South Tianshan range began at approximately 226–220 Ma (during the Late Triassic) and ended at approximately 218–212 Ma. These findings provide crucial constraints for understanding the intraplate deformation in the Tianshan range during the Triassic.

The magma sources, origins and precise forming ages of the miarolite from Qishan and Kuiqi intrusions are still uncertain. New results reveal that, miarolites from the Qishan and Kuiqi intrusions yield crystallization ages of ∼101 and ∼98 Ma, and they have a high formation temperature (∼910°C) and low oxygen fugacity value, indicating crystallization condition at low pressure in the upper crust with temperature of 678°C. The Qishan and Kuiqi miarolites are characterized by enrichment in SiO₂ and high-K alkali, depletion in Ca and Mg, and belong to the high-K weak peraluminous rock series. The samples are enriched in HFSEs (i.e., Ta, Zr and Hf) and LILEs (i.e., Ba, P and Sr), depleted in Ba and Sr with the negative anomaly of Eu. In the primitive mantle normalized trace element spider diagram, the samples show a right-inclined ‘seagull-type’ pattern, combined the ratios of (La/Yb)_N, 10000 × Al/Ga, Rb/Nb and Nb/Ta etc., they were proved to be alkaline A-type granite. Combined the characterize of the trace elements, they were derived from clay-rich source accompanied pelite melting, and subjected to K-feldspar crystallization fractional. The values of ε_Hf(t) and t_DM2 are distributed in the range of –2.8 to 3.3 with ∼1.2 Ga, and –6.0 to 4.0 with ∼1.2 Ga, revealing that they were generated from the Mesoproterozoic Cathaysia basement rocks. The comprehensive research reveals the Kuiqi and Qishan intrusions derived from crust-mantle mixing and partial melting of the crust, respectively, resulting from lithospheric extension generated by the Paleo-Pacific Plate subducted into the European–Asian Plate.

The deep Lower Jurassic Ahe Formation (J₁a) in the Dibei–Tuzi area of the Kuqa Depression has not been extensively explored because of the complex distribution of fractures. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the natural fracture distribution and structural style. The J₁a fractures in this area were mainly high-angle shear fractures. A backward thrust structure (BTS) is favorable for gas migration and accumulation, probably because natural fractures are more developed in the middle and upper parts of a thick competent layer. The opposing thrust structure (OTS) was strongly compressed, and the natural fractures in the middle and lower parts of the thick competent layer around the fault were more intense. The vertical fracture distribution in the thick competent layers of an imbricate-thrust structure (ITS) differs from that of BTS and OTS. The intensity of the fractures in the ITS anticline is similar to that in the BTS. Fracture density in monoclinic strata in a ITS is controlled by faulting. Overall, the structural style controls the configuration of faults and anticlines, and the stress on the competent layers, which significantly affects deep gas reservoir fractures. The enrichment of deep tight sandstone gas is likely controlled by two closely spaced faults and a fault-related anticline.

The Triassic was a crucial period in the tectonic evolution of the South China Block. Research on tectonic deformation during this period provides information on intracontinental orogenic mechanisms in South China. In this study, alongside thermochronological analyses, we examine the macroscopic and microscopic structural features of the Rongxian ductile shear zone, located south of the Darongshan granite in the southeastern part of Guangxi Province, on the southern margin of South China. Sinistral shear is indicated by the characteristics of rotated σ-type feldspar porphyroclasts, stretching lineations defined by elongated quartz grains and the orientations of quartz c-axes. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from two samples of granitic mylonite and one of granite yielded ages of ca. 256 Ma. Furthermore, two samples of granitic mylonite yield muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 249–246 Ma. These results indicate that the Rongxian ductile shear zone resulted from Early Triassic deformation of the late Permian Darongshan granite. This deformation was likely related to the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the subsequent collision of the South China and Indochina blocks, during the early stage of the Indosinian orogeny.

Three-dimensional geochemical modeling of ore-forming elements is crucial for predicting deep mineralization. This approach provides key information for the quantitative prediction of deep mineral localization, three-dimensional fine interpolation, analysis of spatial distribution patterns, and extraction of quantitative mineral-seeking markers. The Yechangping molybdenum (Mo) deposit is a significant and extensive porphyry-skarn deposit in the East Qinling–Dabie Mo polymetallic metallogenic belt at the southern margin of the North China Block. Abundant borehole data on ore-forming elements underpin deep geochemical predictions. The methodology includes the following steps: (1) Three-dimensional geological modeling of the deposit was established. (2) Correlation, cluster, and factor analyses post delineation of mineralization stages and determination of mineral generation sequence to identify (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag) and (Mo, W, mfe) assemblages. (3) A three-dimensional geochemical block model was constructed for Mo, W, mfe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ag using the ordinary kriging method, and the variational function was developed. (4) Spatial distribution and enrichment characteristics analysis of ore-forming elements are performed to extract geological information, employing the variogram and w(Cu + Pb + Zn + Ag)/w(Mo + W) as predictive indicators. (5) Identifying the western, northwestern, and southwestern areas of the mine with limited mineralization potential, contrasted by the northeastern and southeastern areas favorable for mineral exploration.

The Ailaoshan Orogen in the southeastern Tibet Plateau, situated between the Yangtze and Simao blocks, underwent a complex structural, magmatic, and metamorphic evolution resulting in different tectonic subzones with varying structural lineaments and elemental concentrations. These elements can conceal or reduce anomalies due to the mutual effect between different anomaly areas. Dividing the whole zone into subzones based on tectonic settings, ore cluster areas, or sample catchment basins (Scb), geochemical and structural anomalies associated with gold (Au) mineralization have been identified utilizing mean plus twice standard deviations (Mean + 2STD), factor analysis (FA), concentration-area (C-A) modeling of stream sediment geochemical data, and lineament density in both the Ailaoshan Orogen and the individual subzones. The FA in the divided 98 Scbs with 6 Scbs containing Au deposits can roughly ascertain unknown rock types, identify specific element associations of known rocks and discern the porphyry or skarn-type Au mineralization. Compared with methods of Mean + 2STD and C-A model of data in the whole orogen, which mistake the anomalies as background or act the background as anomalies, the combined methods of FA and C-A in the separate subzones or Scbs works well in regional metallogenic potential analysis. Mapping of lineament densities with a 10-km circle diameter is not suitable to locate Au deposits because of the delineated large areas of medium-high lineament density. In contrast, the use of circle diameters of 1.3 km or 1.7 km in the ore cluster scale delineates areas with a higher concentration of lineament density, consistent with the locations of known Au deposits. By analyzing the map of faults and Au anomalies, two potential prospecting targets, Scbs 1 and 63 with a sandstone as a potential host rock for Au, have been identified in the Ailaoshan Orogen. The use of combined methods in the divided subzones proved to be more effective in improving geological understanding and identifying mineralization anomalies associated with Au, rather than analyzing the entire large area.