scholarly journals The Geology of the Torlesse Supergroup, Southern Tararua Range, North Island, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thomas O. H. Orr

<p>Basement rocks in the southern Tararua Range are part of the Torlesse Supergroup, possibly Late Triassic to Late Jurassic in age, and form two distinct associations. The sedimentarv association consists mainly of quartzo-feldspathic sandstone and argillite with minor olistostrome, calcareous siltstone and microsparite. The sandstone and argillite were deposited as turbidites in a mid- to outer- submarine fan environment. The sediment was derived from a heavily dissected active continental margin that was shedding sediment of mainly plutonic and metamorphic origin. The volcanic association consists mainly of metabasite and coloured argillite with minor chert and limestone. Geochemical data indicate that the metabasites were erupted in an oceanic intraplate environment. The nature of amygdules in amygdaloidal metabasites suggests eruption in less than 800m of water. Coloured argillites have two distinct origins, namely sediments formed by the degredation of basalt; and also pelagic material modified by metal-rich effluent either from hydrothermal systems associated with mid-ocean ridges or intraplate volcanism. The rocks of the volcanic association indicate formation in an environment similar to present day mid-ocean islands. Nowhere were rocks of the two associations observed to be conformable. Coupled with this, the nature of the two associations suggests that they were formed in separate environments. The following structural history is proposed: 1) Early veining; 2) Isoclinal folding and development of a NNE striking cleavage; 3) Faulting both at low and high angles to bedding, extreme amounts of which have resulted in mélange; 4) NE-SW trending close to open folds; 5) E-W trending open to gentle folds; 6) Recent faulting, predominantly NE trending strike-slip faults. The nature of the two associations and the deformational style and history supports an accretionary prism model for the development of the Torlesse Supergroup. Rocks of the southern Tararua Range show many similarities with, and probably represent a northward continuation of, the Esk Head Mélange of the South Island.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thomas O. H. Orr

<p>Basement rocks in the southern Tararua Range are part of the Torlesse Supergroup, possibly Late Triassic to Late Jurassic in age, and form two distinct associations. The sedimentarv association consists mainly of quartzo-feldspathic sandstone and argillite with minor olistostrome, calcareous siltstone and microsparite. The sandstone and argillite were deposited as turbidites in a mid- to outer- submarine fan environment. The sediment was derived from a heavily dissected active continental margin that was shedding sediment of mainly plutonic and metamorphic origin. The volcanic association consists mainly of metabasite and coloured argillite with minor chert and limestone. Geochemical data indicate that the metabasites were erupted in an oceanic intraplate environment. The nature of amygdules in amygdaloidal metabasites suggests eruption in less than 800m of water. Coloured argillites have two distinct origins, namely sediments formed by the degredation of basalt; and also pelagic material modified by metal-rich effluent either from hydrothermal systems associated with mid-ocean ridges or intraplate volcanism. The rocks of the volcanic association indicate formation in an environment similar to present day mid-ocean islands. Nowhere were rocks of the two associations observed to be conformable. Coupled with this, the nature of the two associations suggests that they were formed in separate environments. The following structural history is proposed: 1) Early veining; 2) Isoclinal folding and development of a NNE striking cleavage; 3) Faulting both at low and high angles to bedding, extreme amounts of which have resulted in mélange; 4) NE-SW trending close to open folds; 5) E-W trending open to gentle folds; 6) Recent faulting, predominantly NE trending strike-slip faults. The nature of the two associations and the deformational style and history supports an accretionary prism model for the development of the Torlesse Supergroup. Rocks of the southern Tararua Range show many similarities with, and probably represent a northward continuation of, the Esk Head Mélange of the South Island.</p>


Author(s):  
Yin Liu ◽  
Wenjiao Xiao ◽  
Brian F. Windley ◽  
Kefa Zhou ◽  
Rongshe Li ◽  
...  

Carboniferous-Triassic magmatism in northern Qiangtang, central Tibet, China, played a key role in the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau yet remains a subject of intense debate. New geochronological and geochemical data from adakitic, Nb-enriched, and normal arc magmatic rocks, integrated with results from previous studies, enable us to determine the Carboniferous-Triassic (312−205 Ma), arc-related, plutonic-volcanic rocks in northern Qiangtang. Spatial-temporal relationships reveal three periods of younging including southward (312−252 Ma), rapid northward (249−237 Ma), and normal northward (234−205 Ma) migrations that correspond to distinct slab geodynamic processes including continentward slab shallowing, rapid trenchward slab rollback, and normal trenchward rollback of the Jinsha Paleotethys rather than the Longmuco-Shuanghu Paleotethys, respectively. Moreover, varying degrees of coexistence of adakites/High-Mg andesites (HMAs)/Nb-enriched basalt-andesites (NEBs) and intraplate basalts in the above-mentioned stages is consistent with the magmatic effects of slab window triggered by ridge subduction, which probably started since the Late Carboniferous and continued into the Late Triassic. The Carboniferous-Triassic multiple magmatic migrations and ridge-subduction scenarios provide new insight into the geodynamic processes of the Jinsha Paleotethys and the growth mechanism of the Tibetan Plateau.


LITOSFERA ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 30-47
Author(s):  
A. M. Fazliakhmetov

Research subject.The West Magnitogorsk zone of the Southern Urals in the vicinity of the Ishkildino village features a subaerially exposed basaltic sequence superposed by cherts and siliceous-clay shales. The basalts and the overlying shales are assumed to have formed during the Ordovician and Silurian (?)–Early Devonian (up to the conodont zone excavates inclusive) periods, respectively. The aim of this research was to reconstruct, using geochemical data, the conditions under which the rocks present in this geological location were formed.Materials and methods. Five samples of the basalts (XRD and ICP-MS methods), 27 samples of the siliceous-clay shales and 10 samples of the cherts (XRD and ICP-AES methods) were analyzed.Results.According to the ratio of SiO2, Na2O and K2O, the volcanic rocks from the lower part of the section are represented by basalts and trachybasalts. Their geochemical composition corresponds to the N-MORB and is established to be similar to that of the basalts in the Polyakovskaya formation (the Middle–Upper Ordovician). In terms of main elements, the shales under study consist of quartz and illite with a slight admixture of organic matter, goethite, quartzfeldspar fragments, etc. The degree of the sedimentary material weathering according to the CIA, CIW and ICV index values is shown to be moderate. The values of Strakhov’s and Boström’s moduli correspond to sediments without the admixture of underwater hydrothermal vent products. The values of Cr/Al, V/Al and Zr/Al correspond to those characteristic of deposits in deep-water zones remote from the coasts of passive and active continental margins, basalt islands and areas adjacent to mid-ocean ridges. For most samples, the values of Ni/Co, V/Cr, Mo/Mn are typical of deposits formed under oxidative conditions. However, several samples from the upper part of the section, which is comparable to the kitabicus and excavatus conodont zones, demonstrate the Ni/Co, V/Cr, and Mo/Mn values corresponding to deposits formed under reducing atmospheres. An assumption is made that the existence of these deposits can be associated with the Bazal Zlichov event.Conclusion.The investigated pre-Emsian shales have shown no signs of volcanic activity in the adjacent areas. The studied deposits are established to correspond to the central part of the Ural Paleoocean.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Liang Yue ◽  
Veerle Vandeginste

The Neoproterozoic era is a time of major environmental change in Earth history. The Ediacaran period (635–541 Ma), the uppermost division of Precambrian time, is characterized by the remarkable Shuram excursion (largest C isotope negative excursion), a deep ocean water oxidation event, and Ediacaran biota. The Nafun Group of Oman provides a well-preserved and mostly continuous section of an Ediacaran succession. Based on geochemical data from the Nafun Group, the Shuram excursion (SE) and deep ocean oxidation hypotheses were proposed. Now, we sampled this section at high stratigraphic resolution, and present here the petrographical and geochemical analysis of the Khufai, Shuram and Buah Formations. The major and trace element analysis of shales from the Shuram Formation indicates that northern Oman was an active continental margin environment in Neoproterozoic times. The provenance of the Shuram Formation was primarily mafic and intermediate igneous rocks. With the unsteady tectonic setting, the development of the Nafun Group was influenced by hydrothermal supply and volcaniclastic input. Based on the V/Cr and U/Th ratio of the samples from the Nafun Group, our study reveals the transition of the ocean water redox environment, which is connected to the rise and fall of the Ediacaran biota. Our study constrains the tectonic setting of northern Oman and the petrography and geochemical data from the Nafun Group for the hydrothermal and volcaniclastic supply. Thus, our study acknowledges more factors for the explanation of the Ediacaran conundrums.


2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (12) ◽  
pp. 2067-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A Pointon ◽  
Michael J Flowerdew ◽  
Peter Hülse ◽  
Simon Schneider ◽  
Martin J Whitehouse

AbstractThe Upper Cretaceous Kanguk Formation of the Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic Islands, contains numerous diagenetically altered volcanic ash layers (bentonites). Eleven bentonites were sampled from an outcrop section on Ellesmere Island for U–Pb zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry dating and whole-rock geochemical analysis. Two distinct types of bentonite are identified from the geochemical data. Relatively thick (0.1 to 5 m) peralkaline rhyolitic to trachytic bentonites erupted in an intraplate tectonic setting. These occur throughout the upper Turonian to lower Campanian (c. 92–83 Ma) outcrop section and are likely associated with the alkaline phase of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province. Two thinner (<5 cm) subalkaline dacitic to rhyolitic bentonites of late Turonian to early Coniacian age (c. 90–88 Ma) are also identified. The geochemistry of these bentonites is consistent with derivation from volcanoes within an active continental margin tectonic setting. The lack of nearby potential sources of subalkaline magmatism, together with the thinner bed thickness of the subalkaline bentonites and the small size of zircon phenocrysts therein (typically 50–80 μm in length) are consistent with a more distal source area. The zircon U–Pb age and whole-rock geochemistry of these two subalkaline bentonites correlate with an interval of intense volcanism in the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanic Belt, Russia. It is proposed that during late Turonian to early Coniacian times intense volcanism within the Okhotsk–Chukotka Volcanic Belt resulted in widespread volcanic ash dispersal across Arctic Alaska and Canada, reaching as far east as the Sverdrup Basin, more than 3000 km away.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Grobbe ◽  
S. Barde-Cabusson

We demonstrate the value of using the self-potential method to study volcanic environments, and particularly fluid flow in those environments. We showcase the fact that self-potential measurements are a highly efficient way to map large areas of volcanic systems under challenging terrain conditions, where other geophysical techniques may be challenging or expensive to deploy. Using case studies of a variety of volcano types, including tuff cones, shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, and monogenetic fields, we emphasize the fact that self-potential signals enable us to study fluid flow in volcanic settings on multiple spatial and temporal scales. We categorize the examples into the following three multiscale fluid-flow processes: (1) deep hydrothermal systems, (2) shallow hydrothermal systems, and (3) groundwater. These examples highlight the different hydrological, hydrothermal, and structural inferences that can be made from self-potential signals, such as insight into shallow and deep hydrothermal systems, cooling behavior of lava flows, different hydrogeological domains, upwelling, infiltration, and lateral groundwater and hydrothermal fluid flow paths and velocities, elevation of the groundwater level, crater limits, regional faults, rift zones, incipient collapse limits, structural domains, and buried calderas. The case studies presented in this paper clearly demonstrate that the measured SP signals are a result of the coplay between microscale processes (e.g., electrokinetic, thermoelectric) and macroscale structural and environmental features. We discuss potential challenges and their causes when trying to uniquely interpret self-potential signals. Through integration with different geophysical and geochemical data types such as subsurface electrical resistivity distributions obtained from, e.g., electrical resistivity tomography or magnetotellurics, soil CO2 flux, and soil temperature, it is demonstrated that the hydrogeological interpretations obtained from SP measurements can be better constrained and/or validated.


2001 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
TANIEL DANELIAN ◽  
ALASTAIR H. F. ROBERTSON

This paper presents new radiolarian biostratigraphic and igneous/metamorphic geochemical data for a Mesozoic volcanic–sedimentary mélange on the island of Evia (Euboea or Evvoia), eastern Greece. This mélange includes dismembered thrust sheets and blocks of radiolarian chert and basalt. Biostratigraphic age data show that radiolarites interbedded with basalt-derived, coarse clastic sediments near the base of a coherent succession were deposited in Middle and Late Triassic time (Late Ladinian–Carnian, Norian?). Geochemical evidence shows that associated extrusive rocks, of inferred Triassic age, range from ‘enriched’ alkaline basalts, to ‘transitional’ basalts, and more ‘depleted’ mid-ocean ridge-type basalts. Amphibolite facies meta-basalts from the metamorphic sole of the over-riding Evia ophiolite exhibit similar chemical compositions. Both the basalts and the meta-basalts commonly show an apparent subduction-related influence (e.g. relative Nb depletion) that may have been inherited from a previous subduction event in the region. The basalts are interpreted to have erupted during Middle–Late Triassic time (Late Ladinian–Carnian), related to initial opening of a Neotethyan ocean basin adjacent to a rifted continental margin. Radiolarites located stratigraphically higher in the coherent succession studied are dated as Middle Jurassic (Late Bathonian–Early Callovian). Similar-aged radiolarites are depositionally associated with ophiolitic rocks (including boninites), in some other areas of Greece and Albania. During initial ocean basin closure (Bajocian–Bathonian) the adjacent shallow-water carbonate platform (Pelagonian zone) disintegrated to form basins in which siliceous sediments were deposited and highs on which shallow-water carbonates continued to accumulate. This facies differentiation is seen as a response to crustal flexure as the Neotethyan ocean began to close. The over-riding Pagondas Mélange and other similar units in the region are interpreted as accretionary prisms related to subduction of Neotethyan oceanic crust in Middle–Late Jurassic time. These mélanges were emplaced, probably diachronously during Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian time, when the passive margin collapsed, creating a foredeep ahead of advancing thrust sheets of mélange and ophiolites.


2012 ◽  
Vol 524-527 ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Jian Guo Huang ◽  
Run Sheng Han ◽  
Ren Tao ◽  
Zhi Qiang Li

The Late Triassic Tumugou Formation volcanic rocks which belongs to typical island arc volcanic rocks in southern end of Yidun island arc belt is located at the eastern of the Zhongdian ,NW Yunnan, SW China. The volcanic rocks can be divided into three categories:andesitic basalt, andesite, quartz andesite, etc. Through geochemical analysis the major elements, rare earth ele and trace element in volcanic rocks, SiO255.18-57.59×10-2,TiO21.16-1.45×10-2,Na2O+K2O5.11-8.05×10-2.consider it is calc-alkaline- alkaline Series of high-K andesite, volcanic may be controlled by the crystal fractionation of magma.Rb31.50-101×10-6,Ba1310-12300×10-6,Nb/Ta11.4-15.5,REE166.07-240.78×10-6,δEu0.74-1.00,REE distribution patterns show oblique to the HREE side and enrichment in LREE .Eu anomaly is not obvious. It is can see from the relevant figure about trace element, it is very similar in magmatic distribution patterns between volcanic rock and Volcanic-arc rock, indicating that the volcanic in this area may be formed in volcanic-arc environment. From east to west, Magma source depth have regular change with the really thickness of mainland shell. Explain that Tumugou Formation volcanic rock is subduction by Ganzi- Litang Ocean basin from east to west. Hongshan-Ousaila region of eastern edge of Zhongdian is the volcanic island arc system during the passive continental margin into an active continental margin.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Weinert ◽  
Kristian Bär ◽  
Günter Zimmermann ◽  
Ingo Sass

&lt;p&gt;Key requirement for geothermal power production are temperatures of at least&amp;#160;100&amp;#176;C, while the obtainable flow-rate mainly controls the economic viability. Many geotectonic settings only provide such reservoir temperatures in depths of 3&amp;#160;km or more. Hydrothermal systems reach such temperatures only in specific geotectonically active settings, e.g. the Upper Rhine Graben or the Molasse basin in Germany, and usually are already under exploration and exploitation. Besides these easily accessible hydrothermal systems, which only make up a small share of the overall geothermal potential, petrothermal systems in crystalline or metamorphic basement rocks provide a much larger and ubiquitous resource. Locating and quantifying these petrothermal potentials is still a challenging task.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A newly developed exploration scheme for petrothermal potentials is proposed and applied to the crystalline basement of the Mid-German Crystalline High in the federal state of Hesse, Germany. The exploration is composed by three tiers and subdivided in an outcrop analogue study, a conceptual geological 3D-structural model and the estimation of petrothermal potentials based on the comprehensive geothermal 3D-model composed as result of the first two tiers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On the example of the Mid-German Crystalline High basement rocks, the assessment scheme is demonstrated. Therefore, the geological 3D-structural model which is based on geophysical, structural geological and well data is presented. Petrophysical rock properties such as porosity, grain and bulk density, compressional wave velocity but also thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are measured on outcrop analogue samples and fed into a custom-made weighting matrix as basis for a multi-criteria decision making system. Together with additional criteria such as reservoir geometry, rock mechanical and structural geological features, qualitative potential assessment is performed. Quantification of the petrothermal potentials will be applied by the volumetric method and assumption of recovery factors for petrothermal systems based on operating systems worldwide.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Petrothermal potentials are displayed in the geological model.&lt;/p&gt;


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Zhang ◽  
Ben J. Williamson ◽  
Hannah S.R. Hughes ◽  
Gavyn Rollinson

&lt;p&gt;Porphyry magmatic systems emplaced within carbonate host rocks constitute a major source of the world&amp;#8217;s Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Au [1]. Mineralisation is generally either porphyry-style or endoskarn-style within, or porphyry-, exoskarn- or manto-style outside the porphyry intrusion(s) [1,2]. Genetic models for porphyry and skarn mineralisation are well established, however questions remain as to why endoskarn- rather than porphyry-style mineralisation predominates within certain systems and regions. This is the case in Japan, for example, where there are very few signs of porphyry mineralisation despite generally favourable geological conditions, but there are large endoskarn and exoskarn deposits [3]. Recent studies show that magmas can assimilate large volumes of crustal carbonates, potentially providing a significant amount of CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; to late and post-magmatic hydrothermal fluids [4]. High levels of CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; in magmatic-hydrothermal systems may favour endoskarn formation and affect metal fractionation and solubility of ore minerals [5]. In this contribution, we test the hypothesis that endoskarn alteration may eliminate porphyry-style Cu mineralisation and mobilise Cu into other parts of the pluton and surrounding carbonate wall-rocks (exoskarns). &amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To address this hypothesis, the Daye ore district in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt was selected for study as it hosts porphyry-, exoskarn- and endoskarn-styles of mineralisation [6]. The porphyry and skarn deposits lie within Late Mesozoic intrusions or along their contacts with Late Triassic carbonates. From among the many porphyry-related systems, the Tonglushan Fe-Cu-(Au) endoskarn-bearing system was selected for detailed field-, light microscopy-, cathodoluminescence-, SEM- and QEMSCAN&amp;#174;-based genetic studies. The current study is mainly based on a comparison of samples from a single core through altered granite, endoskarn and exoskarn. From preliminary data for the Tonglushan system, the granites distal to the endoskarn were affected by Na-Ca alteration (replacement of intermediate composition plagioclase with albite, calcite and chlorite, and hornblende with calcite and chlorite), potassic alteration (replacement of plagioclase with K-feldspar), and later quartz-calcite veining. The endoskarn, which shows relict minerals and textures from the granite, underwent: 1) sericitic alteration, 2) prograde endoskarn formation, 3) retrograde endoskarn formation, 4) potassic alteration and 5) late carbonate veining stage. The textural relationships of oxide minerals in exoskarn and endoskarn indicate that magnetite and hematite likely formed during Stage 3, whereas Cu-(Au) mineralisation in the exoskarn is considered to be genetically associated with the potassic alteration phase, with precipitation of sulphides caused by acid neutralisation within the carbonates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[1] Sillitoe R (2010) Econ Geol 105:3-41&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[2] Meinert L D et al. (2005) Econ Geol 100:299-336&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[3] Ishihara S (1980) Mining Geol 30:59-62&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[4] Carter L B and Dasgupta R (2016) Geochem Geophys Geosyst 17:3893-3916&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[5] Lowenstern J B (2001) Mineral Deposita 36:490-502&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[6] Zhai Y S et al. (1996) Ore Geol Rev 11:229-248&lt;/p&gt;


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