Lawsonite eclogites and metasomatites of the Utarbaev Association of the Maksyutov complex

Research subject. This article presents mineralogical, petrological and geochemical studies of lawsonite eclogites and metasomatites of the Utarbayev Аssociation of the Maksyutov complex. The Utarbayev Association forms an independent unit in the Maksyutovsky complex accretion structure. This Association features a variety of lawsonite-bearing metasomatites that form zonal halos in the frame of block-like diopside-grossular bodies included in the antigorite-serpentinite melange. The Utarbayev Association differs from typical lawsonite-blue shale complexes of collisional oro genes by the absence of mineral parageneses of lawsonite-bearing rocks of blue amphibolites.Methods. A microprobe analysis of the mineral composition was performed using a Cameca SX-100 microanalyzer. The content of petrogenic, rare and rare-earth elements was determined by X-ray spectroscopy (CPM-18) and mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS, ELAN-90). Results. An indicator mine ral paragenesis (Grt + Omp + Lws + Di) ± (Coe-Qz + Ttn) that characterizes lawsonite eclogite was found. Omphacite (Jd38–44) and unchanged lawsonite (Н2O-OH – 11.8%, Ca/Al = 0.48–0.51 и Fe/Al = 0.01 0.02%) are represented as inclusions in grossular-almandine garnet (Alm39–46Grs41–51), coesite – as microinclusions in omphacite. Thermobarometry (Grt-Omp, Grt-Omp-Ph) showed the following formation conditions of lawsonite paragenesis: T = 495–622°C under P = 2.2–2.4 GPa. The age of crystallization of lawsonite eclogite was found to be Lower Paleozoic (471–444 Ma).Conclusions. The lawsonite eclogite of the Utarbayev Association is similar to the complexes of «cold» eclogites, which are formed under the conditions of a very low geothermal gradient and are rarely preserved when removed into the upper crust. The latest review published in the «Journal of Metamorphic Geology» (2014) mentions 19 sites, where lawsonite eclogites were discovered on the earth’s surface. Тhe HP-UHP lawsonitebearing Utarbayev Rock Association complements this list.

THE U-Pb AGE AND Lu-Hf ISOTOPE SYSTEMATICS OF ZIRCON FROM THE HULIAIPOLE MET AVOLCANICS, THE AZOV DOMAIN OF THE UKRAINIAN SHIELD: EVIDENCE FOR THE PALEOARCHEAN-HADEAN CRUST

The Azov Domain occurs as a part of a larger Mesoarchean (3.2-3.0 Ga) craton, fragments of which are preserved in the eastern part of the Ukrainian Shield and as a block of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA). In the Neoarchean-Palaeoproterozoic time, it was fragmented into several tectonic blocks: Vovcha, Remivka, Huliaipole, Bilotserkivka, and Saltych. The northern part of the Huliaipole Block is composed of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) rock association, that hosts the Kosivtsevo greenstone structure. It is composed of metamorphosed rocks of the jaspilite-komatiite-tholeiite association (the Kosivtsevo unit), which corresponds to the Sura Suite of the Konka Series of the Middle Dnieper Domain. The Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic formations are represented by volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Huliaipole Suite and granitoids of the Dobropillya and Anadol complexes. Granitoids of the Dobropillya complex host numerous pyroxenite, gneiss, and plagioclase granite xenoliths. The U-Pb zircon age of granitoids of the Dobropillya Complex is 2040 Ma and inherited zircon has an age up to 3400 Ma. Small intrusions of two-feldspar granites of the Anadol Complex are widespread in the Ternuvate structure. Their U-Pb monazite age is 2190 Ma. In the central part of the Huliaipole Block, the NW-striking Huliaipole syncline (3.5 × 9 km) occurs. This structure is composed of volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Huliaipole Suite, which unconformably overlie Archean TTG. Felsic and intermediate metavolcanics are confined mainly to ferruginous quartzites of the middle Subsuites. To a limited extent, meta-andesites and felsic metavolcanics are also found in the lower and upper Huliaipole Subsuites. Zircons from meta-andesites and felsic metavolcanics of the Huliaipole Suite are very heterogeneous, indicating their crustal derivation. The U-Pb age of zircon populations from metadacite of the Huliaipole Suite was determined using the LA-ICP-MS method at 3085-2850 and 3700-3360 Ma. In addition, the age of the two crystals exceeded 3800 Ma. According to geological and geochronological data, the Huliaipole Block, 30 × 50 km in size, is composed of rocks and relicts of the Hadean, Archean, and Palaeoproterozoic eons. The oldest nucleoid of the Azov Domain.

Trans-lithospheric diapirism explains the presence of ultra-high pressure rocks in the European Variscides

The classical concept of collisional orogens suggests that mountain belts form as a crustal wedge between the downgoing and overriding plates. However, this orogenic style is not compatible with the presence of (ultra-)high pressure crustal and mantle rocks far from the plate interface in the Bohemian Massif of Central Europe. Here we use a comparison between geological observations and thermo-mechanical numerical models to explain their formation. We suggest that continental crust was first deeply subducted, then flowed laterally underneath the lithosphere and eventually rose in the form of large partially molten trans-lithospheric diapirs. We further show that trans-lithospheric diapirism produces a specific rock association of (ultra-)high pressure crustal and mantle rocks and ultra-potassic magmas that alternates with the less metamorphosed rocks of the upper plate. Similar rock associations have been described in other convergent zones, both modern and ancient. We speculate that trans-lithospheric diapirism could be a common process.

The U-Pb Zircon Geochronology (LA-ICP-MS) of Geological Processes in Granulites of Middle Bouh Area. Article 3. Rock association in the lower reaches of the Yatran river

LA-ICP-MS method was applied to investigate U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope systematics of zircon crystals from charnockitic gneiss and biotite-garnet-hypersthene enderbite that occur in the lower reaches of the Yatran river (Yatran block of the Bouh river area). According to the obtained isotope data, charnockitic gneiss hosts three zircon populations. The oldest one is represented by three crystals that have isotope age between 3125 and 3300 Ma, and εHf values between –2.3 and –7.5. The next population is well-defined, it has an age of 2038±25 Ma and large variations of Hf isotope composition: 176Hf/177Hf — from 0.28122 to 0.28261, εHf — from –9.3 до 4.6. However, the ages of most of the analyzed zircons spread along the concordia between 2300 and 2800 Ma. All zircons in this population have a similar Hf isotope composition 176Hf/177Hf = 0.28072 to 0.28092, which does not depend on the age. It is characteristic that the oldest (with preserved U-Pb isotope systematics) crystals have positive or slightly negative εHf values. Most of the U-Pb isotope analyses of zircons from enderbite fall on the discordia line that has an upper interception age of 2029 ± 18 Ma. A small number of discordant grains have 207Pb/206Pb ages up to 2500 Ma. Hafnium isotope composition in zircons from enderbite varies widely: 176Hf/177Hf = 0.28131 to 0.28151, and εHf from –6.2 to 1.8.

Influence of interbedded rock association and fracture characteristics on gas accumulation in the lower Silurian Shiniulan formation, Northern Guizhou Province

The northern Guizhou area, located near the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block, is a promising area for shale gas exploration and development. The Lower Silurian Shiniulan Formation as a new discovery stratum of natural gas marks an exciting breakthrough in natural gas exploration in northern Guizhou area. Based on several field investigations and samples analyses, the lithology and fracture characteristics were systematically analyzed in the lower Shiniulan Formation, and the reservoir specificity and its influence on natural gas accumulation were determined. The characteristics of the relatively fractures and lithology assemblages were identified as key factors controlling the natural gas accumulation. The lower Shiniulan Formation is deposited as calcareous shale and marlstone with frequent centimeter-scale interlayers. This is reflective of a shallow sea shelf strata with decreasing sedimentary rhythm and gradual weakening of sedimentary changes and developed calcareous shale and marlstone with frequent centimeter scale interlayer changes. The gas reservoir is dominated by calcareous mudstone, controlled by the interbedded rock association (calcareous mudstone and limestone), characterized by the raw-storage and the accumulation-reservoir interbedded system. The reservoir is located in the central part of the syncline and is characterized by strong sealing of the stratum, large proportion of free gas, and high abnormal pressure. The Lower Shiniulan Formation is formed between the shale layer with horizontal fractures and dense limestone with underdeveloped fractures. Among them, the shale section generally develops diagenetic shrinkage fractures, which provide good storage space for natural gas and act as the main body of natural gas. The pore sizes in limestone (2.8 nm) are significantly smaller than those in mudstone (7.5 nm), which results in a good capping and preservation of shale gas. This paper reports on results that are of significance for supplementing the theory of unconventional natural gas accumulation and guiding shale gas exploration in similar areas.

The U-Pb Zircon Geochronology (LA-ICP-MS) of Geological Processes in Granulites of Middle Bouh Area. Article 2. Rock association in the Chausove open pits

The LA-ICP-MS method was applied to investigate U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope systematics of zircon crystals from charnockitoids that crop out in the open pits near Chausove village, Pervomaisk district. The association of enderbite gneisses, mafic and ultramafic (pyroxenite) granulites and vein bodies of pink biotite granites occur in the open pits. Enderbites are rather heterogeneous, and their composition varies from leucocratic quartzite-like rocks to enderbite-diorite. The Pervomaisk open pit is located within charnockite massif. Our data indicates that the association of enderbites and charnockites crystallised at 2850-2760 Ma from juvenile material (Hf isotope composition in zircons from enderbite-diorite is 176Hf/177Hf = 0.280915 ± 12, εHf2850 = +2; from leucocratic charnockite 176Hf/177Hf = 0.280875 ± 12, εHf2760 = –1; and from charnockite 176Hf/177Hf = 0.280875 ± 12, εHf2760 = –1). These rocks represented the newly formed Meso-Neoarchean crust, in contrast to the reworked older continental crust. This association has experienced a significant transformation in Paleoproterozoic. The last stage of transformation was accompanied by crystallisation of a new generation of zircon and formation of monazite at 2.04-2.06 Ga.