Geochemical response to varying tectonic settings: an example from southern Sulawesi (Indonesia)

The South arm of Sulawesi was an active continental margin from approximately 60 to 10 Ma, when it collided with the microcontinental fragment of Buton. Pre-collisional samples analyzed for this study are characterized by a geochemical signature typical of arc volcanics: high LILE/HFSE ratios; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr slightly higher than MORB; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios similar to MORB. Syn-collisional samples have more enriched isotopic signatures, and are relatively potassium rich. This is interpreted to reflect a larger contribution from subducted sediments, added to the mantle wedge as a silicic melt. Melting of subducted sediments is interpreted to result from a decrease in subduction rate and an increase of temperature in the slab. Magmatism that postdates the collisional event by 10 Ma is characterized by higher Nb/Y ratios than the pre- or syn-collisional samples, and Sr and Nd isotopic signatures intermediate between these two groups. This is likely to reflect melting of a subduction-modified mantle, with a significant contribution from the sub-continental lithospheric mantle. Comparison with post-collisional magmatism from other areas of the world suggests that trace element signatures are similar, but isotopic characteristics are variable. The latter are likely to reflect both the age of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle and the time lag between cessation of subduction and formation of the post-collisional magmas.     

Tectono-stratigraphic modelling of the North Sicily continental margin (southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

A two-dimensional numerical modelling that simulate the kinematic and thermal response of the lithosphere to thinning was used for the quantitative reconstruction of the late Neogene to Recent times tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the North Sicily continental margin (southern Tyrrhenian Sea). The numerical study of the evolution of the North Sicily margin builds on the crustal image and kinematic interpretation of the margin obtained by Pepe et al. [Tectonics 19 (2000) 241] on the basis of seismic data and gravity modelling. Tectonic modeling indicate that different segments of the margin were undergoing different vertical movements, which are mainly expression of the rifting and thinning of the lithosphere occurred during tectonic evolution of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. A prediction of the pre-rift basement topography and the Moho along the margin converges to a value of 6.5 km for the depth of necking and a temperature-dependent EET (500° isotherm). The model fails to reproduce the morphology of the Solunto High confirming its non-extensional origin. A polyphase evolution is required to reproduce the observed syn- and post-rift stratigraphy. During the first rifting stage (between 9 and 5 Ma), crustal thinning factors reach maximum values of 1.27 in the Cefalù basin. A similar value is predicted for the subcrustal thinning around 60 km NNE of the profile margin. Crustal thinning factors increase during the second rifting stage (from 4 to 2 Ma) and reach values of 2 and up to 3.5 in the Cefalù basin and in the continent–oceanic transition zone, respectively. Similarly, subcrustal lithospheric thinning factors reach values up to 2.5 in the distal sector of the margin. An uplift of more than 100 m is predicted for the North Sicily shelf and surrounding onshore areas during the post-rift stage. The evolution of thermal structure with time is very sensitive to the partial thinning factors describing the evolution of the thinning itself during time. The lithosphere preserved part of its strength during extension. The effective elastic thickness (EET) along the margin through time is 24 km at the onset of rifting and reaches values less to 8 km during the second rifting stage in the northeastern end of the margin.     

Fractal analysis of mingled/mixed magmas: an example from the Upper Pollara eruption (Salina Island, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Upper Pollara eruption products (13 ka, Salina Island, Italy) include both homogeneous and heterogeneous pumices resulting from mixing/mingling processes between an HK andesite and a high-SiO₂ rhyolite. Representative samples of heterogeneous pumices are collected and analyzed in order to check the correspondence between glass composition and morphological features of the mingling/mixing structures. Image analysis techniques are applied and eight grey color ranges (classes) are extracted from high-resolution scans of pumice. Class 1 (lighter colors) and class 8 (darker colors) show end-member glass compositions, i.e. HK andesite and high-SiO₂ rhyolite, respectively. These two classes show spot- to cluster-like morphological structures. Intermediate classes show an HK dacitic to rhyolitic composition and a banding- to fold-like morphology. Fractal analysis by box-counting of the boundary pattern of eight grey classified images is performed over a length scale of 0.028–1.8 cm. Fractal dimension D is between 1.01 and 1.84. Coupled fractal analysis and geochemical data reveal that D increases as the degree of magma interaction (homogenization) increases. This feature well fits the results from numerical models on the convective mixing of fluids driven by thermal convection. We conclude that the increase of D observed in the Upper Pollara samples reflects the transition from fractal mixing to homogenization. End-member magmas (HK andesite and high-SiO₂ rhyolite) represent isolated mixing regions, while homogenized magmas represent active mixing regions. In the analyzed pumices, isolated and active mixing regions coexist at scales between 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻² m. Morphological and compositional features of the Upper Pollara pumices result from turbulence.     

阿尔金南缘构造带西段辉绿岩墙群的地球化学特征及构造环境

对阿尔金南缘构造带西段辉绿岩墙群的岩石学和地球化学的详细研究表明,该区辉绿岩墙群为拉斑系列岩石,其主量元素以中等TiO2(1.19%～1.59%)、高MgO(5.51%～7.88%)、贫K2O(0.04%～0.84%)和P2O5(0.10%～0.20%)、Na2OK2O为特征;高场强元素(HFSE)丰度特征显示其为E-MORB型或过渡型玄武岩质岩石;稀土元素总量相对较高,轻重稀土元素分馏不显著[(La/Yb)N=1.93～3.61,LREE/HREE=3.01～4.10],在球粒陨石标准化配分模式图上呈略富集型.结合玄武岩构造环境判别图解综合分析推测,它们可能形成于一种裂谷向MORB环境过渡的构造环境,即初始小洋盆构造环境.     

Precambrian sedimentation in the Urik-Iya Graben,southern Siberian Craton: Main stages and tectonic settings

The Paleoproterozoic sedimentary and volcanic-sedimentary sequences of the Urik-Iya Graben at southern flank of the Siberian Craton have been studied. Based on the isotopic U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of detrital zircons contained in the clastic fraction of the studied rocks, three main extension stages accompanied by sedimentation are recognized; each stage is characterized by certain types of sediments and conditions of their accumulation. The oldest rocks (Ingashi Formation) mark early extension events (～1.91?1.87 Ga), which were caused by collapse of the orogen that arose due to collision of the Biryusa and Sharyzhalgai blocks. The basin formed as a result of extension is regarded as an aulacogen. Granitoids of the Sayan Complex were emplaced in the cratonic lithosphere at the final stage of the first extension stage. The second stage of extension started ～1.75 Ga ago as a response to the effect of the inferred mantle plume on the lithosphere of the Siberian Craton. It was accompanied by deposition of the Daldarma Formation. Stress inversion took place at the final stage (～1.70 Ga), and an intracratonic fold zone arose at the place of the paleoaulacogen. The third extension stage (1.65?1.60 Ga) corresponds to the time of molasse accumulation in pull-apart basins (Yermosokha Formation). The final stage of rifting was marked by emplacement of granitoids (Chernaya Zima Complex, 1.53 Ga), which completed the active tectonic events in the region. Afterward, the Urik-Iya Graben transformed into a stable intracratonic domain. The available data allow us to revise the tectonic history of the Urik-Iya Graben. In light of new evidence, this structural unit may be interpreted as a long-evolving paleoaulacogen. The series of revealed sedimentation settings reflects the formation of a consolidated continental lithosphere at the southern flank of the Siberian Craton.     

Structural control of geothermal reservoirs in extensional tectonic settings: An example from the Upper Rhine Graben

In extensional tectonic settings major structural elements such as graben boundary faults are typically oriented subparallel to the maximum horizontal stress component S_Hmax. They are often structurally accompanied by transfer zones that trend subparallel to the extension direction. In the Upper Rhine Graben, such transfer faults are typically characterized by strike-slip or oblique-slip kinematics. A major re-orientation of the regional stress field by up to 90° of the Upper Rhine Graben in the Early Miocene led to the present-day normal and strike-slip faulting regimes in the North and South of the Upper Rhine Graben, respectively, and a transition zone in-between. Consequently, conditions for fault frictional failure changed significantly. Moreover, it has been observed during tracer and stimulation experiments that such transfer faults may be of major importance for the hydraulic field of geothermal reservoirs under the present stress condition, especially, when located between production and injection well.In this context we have investigated slip and dilation tendencies (T_S and T_D) of major structural elements at reservoir scale for two representative geothermal sites, Bruchsal (Germany) and Riehen (Switzerland), located close to the Eastern Main Boundary Fault of the Upper Rhine Graben. We have evaluated the quality and uncertainty range of both tendencies with respect to potential variation in S_Hmax orientation. Despite significant differences in orientation of the structures and the stress regimes, the resulting variation of T_S and T_D reveal major similarities concerning the reactivation potential of both, the graben-parallel structures and the transfer faults. The conditions of criticality for tensile failure and non-criticality for shear failure suggest that transfer faults are most likely naturally permeable structures with low stimulation potential. This is in agreement with the absence of both immediate tracer recovery and seismicity in the studied geothermal sites.     

藏南岗巴-定日地区花岗岩单元特征及构造环境

岗巴-定日地区花岗岩属藏南拉轨岗日构造岩浆带的组成部分,岩石类型主要为似斑状二云母二长花岗岩、黑云母二长花岗岩、二长花岗岩、片麻状二云母二长花岗岩。通过1:25万区域地质填图,按照同源岩浆演化序列的观点,根据岩石学、岩石化学及地球化学、接触关系等特征,将该区花岗岩划分为5个单元,归并为1个超单元——佩古错超单元。研究表明,该超单元为S型花岗岩,在岩石学、岩石化学及地球化学组成上具有明显的同源岩浆演化特征,为形成于被动大陆边缘同碰撞构造环境的花岗岩。     

The Deep Seismicity of the Tyrrhenian Sea*

The deep seismicity of the Tyrrhenian Sea is analysed using data from a new instrumental catalogue of the seismicity of the Italian area. We use algorithms for the determination of absolute and relative hypocentral locations and for the evaluation of the geometry and coherence of the state of stress within the subducting slab. The structure of the Benioff zone, although simpler than previously indicated, reveals anomalous traits both in the seismicity distribution and in the stress geometry, confirming that standard subduction models cannot be applied in the Tyrrhenian region. The velocity anomaly and the location of few isolated events indicate that the subducted slabs extend to the north along the Apenninic chain approximately to the latitude of the Irpinia region, in Central Italy (? 42°N).     

Crustal observations beneath the southern North Sea and their tectonic and geological implications

In 1991, a deep seismic reflection line, MPNI-9101, was acquired in the southern North Sea from the Mesozoic Broad Fourteens Basin, across the West Netherlands Basin onto the London-Brabant Massif (LBM). The resultant section shows a strongly reflective lower crust beneath the area of Mesozoic basin development. This lower crustal reflectivity continues to be strong beneath the LBM. The travel time to the base of the reflective zone increases from approximately 11.0 s beneath the Mesozoic basins to 12.5 s beneath the LBM, suggesting a southward thickening of the crust (Rijkers et al., 1993). Based on these travel times and information from deep wells and refraction surveys. Moho depth is estimated to increase from about 31 km beneath the Mesozoic basins to about 38 km beneath the LBM. This difference in depth to the Moho can partly be explained by coaxial stretching of the crust beneath the Mesozoic basins. In comparison with the Mesozoic basins, the crust beneath the LBM was thickened during the Caledonian and Variscan orogenies.     

Heat flow and geodynamics in the Tyrrhenian Sea

The present heat flow in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea appears as a transient thermal wave that has migrated eastward in time. The higher heat flow in the south‐eastern side of the basin confirms the suggestion of an eastward‐migrating rift. Punctuation of the Tyrrhenian backarc extension in lithospheric boudins is accompanied by a concentrated increase in heat flow generated by asthenospheric intrusions and related magmatism progressively moving eastward. The migration of the asthenosphere in the same direction could explain these phenomena.     

Structural evolution of the '41st parallel zone': Tyrrhenian Sea

The present study is based on the interpretation of more than 1300 km of 16 kJ sparker seismic profiles recorded in July 1990, during the Cruise T-41 of the Geological Institute of Urbino. The investigated area extends along the 41st parallel in the central Tyrrhenian Sea between the northern Sardinian margin to the west and the Latium–Campanian margin to the east. This zone, situated on continental crust, marks the boundary between the northern Tyrrhenian and the southern Tyrrhenian domains. A kinematic reconstruction is presented, based on the age-dating of the recognized structures (i.e. normal faults, reverse faults, anticline and flower structures). The evolution of the ‘41st parallel zone’ can be described in terms of polyphase tectonics characterized by different orientations of the stress field during time. The direction of the normal fault-trends, turned clockwise, striking NE–SW in the late Tortonian–Messinian, E–W in the early Pliocene, NNW–SSE in the late Pliocene and N–S during the Quaternary. The concurrence of compressional and strike-slip deformations suggests oblique shear motions across the 41st parallel. The occurrence of late Pliocene–Quaternary tectonic activity in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, locally characterized by inversion tectonics, suggests active mechanisms (intraplate compression?) superimposed on the post-rift subsidence.     

Assessing the nature of tectonic contacts using fission-track thermochronology: an example from the Calabrian Arc, southern Italy

Fission-track thermochronology applied to the nappe pile of the Calabrian Arc of southern Italy, particularly within the continental basement rocks, has provided important new constraints on the nature of some of the tectonic contacts. In southern Calabria an important phase of lower Miocene crustal extension is indicated. In northern Calabria no Oligocene or younger extension is seen. Here, the emplacement of continental basement rocks with Alpine metamorphism over ophiolitic rocks with little or no metamorphism is constrained as a thrust of lower to middle Miocene age related to collision of the Calabrian Arc with the Adria plate margin. It is proposed that reduction in the plate convergence velocity during collision of a retreating subduction zone with a continental margin is, at least partly, an explanation for the onset of extension in southern Calabria during the Miocene.     

Geochemical and isotopic variations in the calc-alkaline rocks of Aeolian arc,southern Tyrrhenian Sea,Italy: constraints on magma genesis

New geochemical and isotopic data are reported for calc-alkaline (CA) volcanics of the Aeolian arc. Three main groups are recognized: the Alicudi and Filicudi volcanics in the western part of the arc; the Panarea, Salina and Lipari (henceforth termed PSL) volcanics in the central part of the arc and the Stromboli suite which makes up the eastern part of the arc. Each group is characterized by distinctive isotopic ratios and incompatible element contents and ratios. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.70352–0.70538) increase from west to northeast, and are well correlated with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (Nd from +4.8 to -1.5). Pb isotope ratios are fairly high (6/4=19.15–19.54; 7/4=15.61–15.71; 8/4=38.97–39.36), with a general increase of 7/4 and 8/4 values from Alicudi to PSL islands and Stromboli. LILE contents and some incompatible element ratios (e.g. Ba/La, La/Nb, Zr/Nb, Rb/Sr) increase from the western to the central part of the arc, whereas HFSE and REE abundances decrease. Opposite variations are often observed in the volcanics toward the north-east from PSL islands. To account for these features and the decoupling observed between isotopic compositions and incompatible element abundances and ratios, it is suggested that a mantle source with affinities to the MORB source is metasomatized by slab-derived, crustal components. The proportion of crustal material entrained in the mantle source increases from Alicudi to Stromboli, according to the Sr and Nd isotope variations. It is also proposed that slab derived hydrous fluids play an important role, but which is variable in different sectors of the arc. This is attributed to the metasomatizing agent having variable fluid/melt ratios, reflecting different types of mass transfer from the subducted contaminant (probably pelagic sediments) to the mantle wedge. Thus, it is suggested that the slab derived end-member has a high hydrous fluid/melt ratio in the PSL mantle source and a correspondingly lower ratio in the Alicudi and Stromboli sources.     

Geophysical and petrological modelling of the structure and composition of the crust and upper mantle in complex geodynamic settings: The Tyrrhenian Sea and surroundings

Information on the physical and chemical properties of the lithosphere–asthenosphere system (LAS) can be obtained by geophysical investigation and by studies of petrology–geochemistry of magmatic rocks and entrained xenoliths. Integration of petrological and geophysical studies is particularly useful in geodynamically complex areas characterised by abundant and compositionally variable young magmatism, such as in the Tyrrhenian Sea and surroundings.A thin crust, less than 10 km, overlying a soft mantle (where partial melting can reach about 10%) is observed for Magnaghi, Vavilov and Marsili, which belong to the Central Tyrrhenian Sea backarc volcanism where subalkaline rocks dominate. Similar characteristics are seen for the uppermost crust of Ischia. A crust about 20 km thick is observed for the majority of the continental volcanoes, including Amiata–Vulsini, Roccamonfina, Phlegraean Fields–Vesuvius, Vulture, Stromboli, Vulcano–Lipari, Etna and Ustica. A thicker crust is present at Albani – about 25 km – and at Cimino–Vico–Sabatini — about 30 km. The structure of the upper mantle, in contrast, shows striking differences among various volcanic provinces.Volcanoes of the Roman region (Vulsini–Sabatini–Alban Hills) sit over an upper mantle characterised by V_s mostly ranging from about 4.2 to 4.4 km/s. At the Alban Hills, however, slightly lower V_s values of about 4.1 km/s are detected between 60 and 120 km of depth. This parallels the similar and rather homogeneous compositional features of the Roman volcanoes, whereas the lower V_s values detected at the Alban Hills may reflect the occurrence of small amounts of melts within the mantle, in agreement with the younger age of this volcano.The axial zone of the Apennines, where ultrapotassic kamafugitic volcanoes are present, has a mantle structure with high-velocity lid (V_s ∼ 4.5 km/s) occurring at the base of a 40-km-thick crust. Beneath the Campanian volcanoes of Vesuvius and Phlegraean Fields, the mantle structure shows a rigid body dipping westward, a feature that continues southward, up to the eastern Aeolian arc. In contrast, at Ischia the upper mantle contains a shallow low-velocity layer (V_s = 3.5–4.0 km/s) just beneath a thin but complex crust. The western Aeolian arc and Ustica sit over an upper mantle with V_s ∼ 4.2–4.4 km/s, although a rigid layer (V_s = 4.55 km/s) from about 80 to 150 km occurs beneath the western Aeolian arc. In Sardinia, no significant differences in the LAS structure are detected from north to south.The petrological–geochemical signatures of Italian volcanoes show strong variations that allow us to distinguish several magmatic provinces. These often coincide with mantle sectors identified by V_s tomography. For instance, the Roman volcanoes show remarkable similar petrological and geochemical characteristics, mirroring similar structure of the LAS. The structure and geochemical-isotopic composition of the upper mantle change significantly when we move to the Stromboli–Campanian volcanoes. The geochemical signatures of Ischia and Procida volcanoes are similar to other Campanian centres, but Sr–Pb isotopic ratios are lower marking a transition to the backarc mantle of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea. The structural variations from Stromboli to the central (Vulcano and Lipari) and western Aeolian arc are accompanied by strong variations of geochemical signatures, such as a decrease of Sr-isotope ratios and an increase of Nd-, Pb-isotope and LILE/HFSE ratios. The dominance of mafic subalkaline magmatism in the Tyrrhenian Sea basin denotes large degrees of partial melting, well in agreement with the soft characteristics of the uppermost mantle in this area. In contrast, striking isotopic differences of Plio-Quaternary volcanic rocks from southern to northern Sardinia does not find a match in the LAS geophysical characteristics.The combination of petrological and geophysical constraints allows us to propose a 3D schematic geodynamic model of the Tyrrhenian basin and bordering volcanic areas, including the subduction of the Ionian–Adria lithosphere in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, and to place constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the whole region.     

伸展盆地构造演化的数值模拟——以南海北部白云凹陷为例

介绍了瞬时均匀拉伸模型、挠曲悬臂梁模型和多幕伸展模型,特别强调各种模型的基本假设和适用条件,以及基于这些模型发展出的二维正反演模拟和一维应变速率模拟的方法。这些方法在计算岩石圈伸展系数和盆地张裂的过程中,具有一定的优越性。在盆地的数值模拟中,有时需要综合运用多种数值模型来突破单个模型假设条件的约束。为了研究南海北部白云凹陷的裂后沉降特点,分别应用二维正反演和一维应变速率正反演方法计算岩石圈的伸展系数,并计算理论热沉降,与实测裂后沉降进行对比。模拟结果表明,白云凹陷岩石圈的伸展系数大致呈钟形分布,在凹陷中心处最大,大约为3.5;凹陷的实测裂后沉降远大于理论值,即存在裂后异常沉降,裂后期的异常沉降总量在凹陷中心和南部在2km以上。     

伸展盆地构造演化的数值模拟——以南海北部白云凹陷为例

介绍了瞬时均匀拉伸模型、挠曲悬臂梁模型和多幕伸展模型,特别强调各种模型的基本假设和适用条件,以及基于这些模型发展出的二维正反演模拟和一维应变速率模拟的方法。这些方法在计算岩石圈伸展系数和盆地张裂的过程中,具有一定的优越性。在盆地的数值模拟中,有时需要综合运用多种数值模型来突破单个模型假设条件的约束。为了研究南海北部白云凹陷的裂后沉降特点,分别应用二维正反演和一维应变速率正反演方法计算岩石圈的伸展系数,并计算理论热沉降,与实测裂后沉降进行对比。模拟结果表明,白云凹陷岩石圈的伸展系数大致呈钟形分布,在凹陷中心处最大,大约为3.5;凹陷的实测裂后沉降远大于理论值,即存在裂后异常沉降,裂后期的异常沉降总量在凹陷中心和南部在2km以上。     

Composite detrital and thermal remanent magnetization in tuffs from Aeolian Islands (southern Tyrrhenian Sea) revealed by magnetic anisotropy

This paper reports on the complex relation between rock emplacement and remanence acquisition in tuffs deposited by pyroclastic density currents, disclosed by systematic measurements of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization (NRM). Thermal demagnetization shows that the NRM consists of two components with different blocking-temperature spectra. The direction of the low-temperature component is consistent with the geocentric axial dipole value, whereas the high-temperature component has dispersed directions. The magnetic fabric is oblate, the magnetic foliation is close to the bedding and the lineations are generally dispersed along a girdle within the foliation plane. The directions of the magnetic lineation and the high-temperature remanence component of individual specimens are close to each other. This correspondence suggests that the high blocking-temperature grains acquired a remanence aligned to their long dimension before deposition, while cooling within the explosive cloud and the moving pyroclastic current. Thereafter, during deposition, the traction processes at the base of the current oriented the grains along the flow direction and affected both fabric and high-temperature remanence. This NRM component results from mechanical orientation of previously magnetized grains and is thus detrital in origin. A second, thermal component was then acquired during the cooling of the low blocking-temperature grains after deposition. These results show that NRM in fine-grained pyroclastic rocks is affected by the Earth’s magnetic field as well as the emplacement processes and that magnetic fabric data are essential to unravel its complex nature.