Geochemistry,provenance, and metamorphic evolution of Gabal Samra Neoproterozoic metapelites,Sinai, Egypt

Metapelites are exposed at Wadi Ba’ba, east of Abu Zenima city; represent the northwestern extension of the Fieran-Solaf Metamorphic Complex, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The metapelites are characterized by qtz + pl (An_24–28) + bt + grt ± crd ± sil mineral assemblage, indicating upper amphibolite facies with peak metamorphic conditions of 700 °C and pressures of 7 kbar, as determined by conventional geothermobarometeric methods. This resulted in incipient migmatization, forms patches of leucosomes and melanosomes. Geochemical investigation indicates that the precursor sediments of the metapelites had been deposited as immature Fe-rich shales from source materials of dominantly intermediate composition. Source area exhibited weak to moderate chemical weathering in a tectonically active continental marginal basin within a continental-arc system. A strong shallow-dipping foliation, characterizing the metapelites, was folded around an open antiform with sub-horizontal south plunging hinge.Phase equilibria calculations in the KFMASH system indicate that the peak metamorphic conditions formed at 730–750 °C and 6.8–7.9 kbar. This was followed by a retrogression formed at 770–785 °C and 3.9–4.5 kbar. Hence, this implies an isothermal decompression and rapid exhumation of the metapelites from depth (25–29 km) in the lower crustal level at peak conditions, continuous to include shallow to middle crustal level (14–17 km), at overprint retrograde conditions. Subsequent isobaric cooling took place at 720–750 °C and 3.6–4.5 kbar. The resulting isothermal decompression followed by isobaric cooling clockwise P–T path of the metapelites is more likely, in which the high-temperatures attained maximum conditions during isothermal decompression were enhanced by heat flux, due to the presence of an active magmatic arc that formed on top of subducting young lithosphere. This is supported by a moderate geothermal gradient of 27–43 °C/km and dating compatibility of the Sinai granitoids and the metamorphic complexes. The P–T path segment records the tectonothermal histories of crustal thickening as a result of the East and West Gondwana collision at the metamorphic peak. This was subsequent by extensional and crustal thinning with syn-metamorphic magmatic intrusions, during P–T path retrogression, which resulted in the final assembly of the Arabian–Nubian Shield during Neoproterozoic.     

Origin and evolution of post-collisional magmatism: Coeval Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline and alkaline suites of the Sinai Peninsula

Two Late Neoproterozoic post-collisional igneous suites, calc-alkaline (CA) and alkaline–peralkaline (Alk), widely occur in the northernmost part of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. In Sinai (Egypt) and southern Israel they occupy up to 80% of the exposed basement. Recently published U–Pb zircon geochronology indicates a prolonged and partially overlapping CA and Alk magmatism at 635–590 Ma and 608–580 Ma, respectively. Nevertheless in each particular locality CA granitoids always preceded Alk plutons. CA and Alk igneous rocks have distinct chemical compositions, but felsic and mafic rocks in general and granitoids from the two suites in particular cannot be distinguished by their Nd, Sr and O isotope ratios. Both suites are characterized by positive ε_Nd(T) values, from + 1.5 to + 6.0 (150 samples, 28 of them are new analyses), but predominance of juvenile crust in the region prevents unambiguous petrogenetic interpretation of the isotope data. Comparison of geochemical traits of felsic and mafic rocks in each suite suggests a significant contribution of mantle-derived components to the silicic magmas. Model calculation shows that the alkaline granite magma could have been produced by partial (~ 20%) melting of rocks corresponding to K-rich basalts. Material balance further suggests that granodiorite and quartz monzonite magmas of the CA suite could form by mixing of the granite and gabbro end-members at proportions of 85/15. In the Alk suite, alkali feldspar and peralkaline granites have evolved mainly by fractional crystallization of feldspars and a small amount of mafic minerals from a parental syenogranite melt. Thus the protracted, 20 m.y. long, contemporaneous CA and Alk magmatism in the northern ANS requires concurrent tapping of two distinct mantle sources. Coeval emplacement of CA and Alk intrusive suites was described in a number of regions throughout the world.     

Post-collisional magmatism in the northern Arabian-Nubian Shield: The geotectonic evolution of the alkaline suite at Gebel Tarbush area, south Sinai, Egypt

Post-collisional alkaline magmatism (∼610–580 Ma) is widely distributed in the northern part of the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), i.e. the northern part of the Egyptian Eastern Desert and Sinai. Alkaline rocks of G. Tarbush constitute the western limb of the Katharina ring complex (∼593 ± 16 Ma) in southern Sinai. This suite commenced with the extrusion of peralkaline volcanics and quartz syenite subvolcanics intruded by syenogranite and alkali feldspar granite. The mineralogy and geochemistry of these rocks indicate an alkaline/peralkaline within-plate affinity. Quartz syenite is relatively enriched in TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Sr, Ba and depleted in SiO₂, Nb, Y, and Rb. The G. Tarbush alkaline suite most likely evolved via fractionation of mainly feldspar and minor mafic phases (hornblende, aegirine) from a common quartz syenite parental magma, which formed via partial melting of middle crustal rocks of ANS juvenile crust. Mantle melts could have provided the heat required for the middle crustal melting. The upper mantle melting was likely promoted by erosional decompression subsequent to lithospheric delamination and crustal uplift during the late-collisional stage of the ANS. Such an explanation could explain the absence or scarce occurrence of mafic and intermediate lithologies in the abundant late- to post-collisional calc-alkaline and alkaline suites in the northern ANS. Moreover, erosion related to crustal uplift during the late-collision stage could account for the lack or infrequent occurrence of older lithologies, i.e. island arc metavolcanics and marginal basin ophiolites, from the northern part of the ANS.     

北祁连早古生代花岗质岩浆作用及构造演化

北祁连山中段花岗岩锆石SHRIMP定年结果表明,柯柯里岩体的斜长花岗岩和石英闪长岩的年龄分别为512Ma和501Ma,野马咀和金佛寺花岗岩的年龄分别为508Ma和424Ma。结合区内其它花岗岩体的定年资料,根据花岗岩的岩石地球化学特征及岩体产出的构造位置、区域地质资料等,我们认为,早古生代北祁连洋板块向南俯冲,至少引发了两期花岗质岩浆作用,第一次岩浆作用形成柯柯里斜长花岗岩(512Ma)、野马咀花岗岩(508Ma)和柯柯里石英闪长岩(501Ma),第二次花岗质岩浆作用形成牛心山花岗岩(477Ma)。由于往南俯冲的板块受到柴达木板块向北俯冲的影响,俯冲受阻,继而俯冲极性发生变化,转向北俯冲,形成了民乐窑沟(463Ma)等花岗岩侵入体。大约440Ma之后,洋盆闭合,柴达木陆块和阿拉善陆块对接碰撞,形成北祁连造山带。由于造山带根部岩石圈发生折沉作用,造山带上不同的块体伸展、滑塌,形成一系列碰撞后花岗岩如金佛寺花岗岩(424Ma)及牛心山岩体的石英闪长岩(435Ma)等。     

Petrogenesis and evolution of the Dineibit El-Qulieb hyperaluminous leucogranite,Southeastern Desert,Egypt: petrological and geochemical constraints

The Dineibit El-Qulieb Leucogranite exhibits most features of l-type granitoids (calc-alkaline affinity, relatively high Na₂O, moderate values of Rb, Ba, LREE, Rb/Sr and low Rb/Ba with the presence of magnetite and titanite as the main accessories). On the other hand, they possess hyperaluminous (molar A/CNK = 1.22−1.43) and high normative corundum (∼ 5%), which are in contrast to typical l-type granitoids. The REE patterns are characterised by fractionated LREE and relatively flat HREE with pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The investigated rocks have low K/Rb and high Zr/Y ratios reflecting a typical mature continentalarc environment.The absence of recrystallised phases and the undepleted and flat HREE of the Dineibit El-Qulieb Leucogranite pattern argue against its formation by partial melting of crustal materials. Based on the petrological and geochemical features, the Dineibit El-Qulieb Leucogranite can be generated by fractional crystallisation of mafic magma. The Qulieb leucogranites are characterised by LILE enrichment, normative corundum-rich, strongly peraluminous compositions and associated with miarolitic cavities and pegmatitic patches suggesting the role of the aqueous fluids released from the downgoing slab during subduction. The main fractionating phases were hornblende, biotite, plagioclase and alkali feldspars. Based on the modelling of major elements, the least differentiated adamellite sample requires 91% crystal fractionation, mainly of hornblende, plagioclase, K-feldspar and biotite, from dioritic liquid. On the other hand, the most felsic investigated adamellite sample can be generated by 29% fractional crystallisation of plagioclase, K-feldspar and biotite from the most basic adamellite sample.     

Dahab stream sediments, southeastern Sinai, Egypt: a potential source of gold, magnetite and zircon

The stream sediments of Dahab area, southeastern Sinai, Egypt, were studied for their content of economic minerals. These sediments are immature as indicated by poor sorting and other mechanical parameters. They are derived from Precambrian basement rocks, which are mostly represented by granitic rocks in addition to lesser amounts of volcanics and gabbros. The mineralogical investigation revealed that these sediments contain considerable amounts of placer gold, Fe–Ti oxides and zircon.The concentrated Fe–Ti oxides comprise homogeneous magnetite and ilmenite in addition to ilmeno-magnetite, hemo-ilmenite and rutile–hematite intergrowths. Isodynamic separation of some raw samples of SIZE=1 mm revealed that up to 15.12% magnetic minerals can be recovered. Zircon shows remarkable variations in morphology, colour, chemistry and provenance. U-poor and U-rich varieties of zircon were discriminated containing UO₂ in the ranges of 0.04–1.19 and 3.05–3.68 wt.%, respectively. REE-bearing minerals comprise monazite, allanite and La-cerianite.On mineralogical basis, the present work suggests that Dahab stream sediments represent a promising target for further geochemical exploration for precious metals, especially gold. Fire assay data indicate that placer gold in the studied sediments sometimes reaches 15.34 g/t. Narrow gullies and valleys cutting the basement manifest the development and preservation of gold in this arid environment. Background concentration of gold and variation in lithology suggest multiple source of the metal in the investigated sediments.     

Geochemical and isotopic evolution of groundwater in the Wadi Watir watershed,Sinai Peninsula,Egypt

The Wadi Watir delta in the Wadi Watir watershed is a tourist area in the arid southeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, where development and growth of the community on the delta are constrained by the amount of groundwater that can be withdrawn sustainably. To effectively manage groundwater resources in the Wadi Watir delta, the origin of groundwater recharge, groundwater age, and changes in groundwater chemistry in the watershed needs to be understood. Mineral identification, rock chemistry, water chemistry, and the isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon in groundwater were used to identify the sources, mixing, and ages of groundwater in the watershed and the chemical evolution of groundwater as it flows from the upland areas in the watershed to the developed areas at the Wadi Watir delta. Groundwater in the Wadi Watir watershed is primarily from recent recharge while groundwater salinity is controlled by mixing of chemically different waters and dissolution of minerals and salts in the aquifers. The El Shiekh Attia and Wadi El Ain areas in the upper Wadi Watir watershed have different recharge sources, either from recharge from other areas or from different storm events. The downgradient Main Channel area receives groundwater flow primarily from the El Shiekh Attia area. Groundwater in the Main Channel area is the primary source of groundwater supplying the aquifers of the Wadi Watir delta.     

Perogenesis of granites, Sharm El-Sheikh area, South Sinai, Egypt: petrological constrains and tectonic evolution

Precambrian granites of the Sharm El-Sheikh area in south Sinai, Egypt belong to collisional and post-collisional Magmatism (610–580 Ma). The granites are widely distributed in the northern part of the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield. South Sinai includes important components of successive multiple stages of upper crust granitic rocks. The earliest stages include monzogranite and syenogranites while the later stages produced alkali feldspar granites and riebeckite-bearing granites. Numerous felsic, mafic dikes and quartz veins traverse the study granites. Petrographically, the granitic rocks consist mainly of perthite, plagioclase, quartz, biotite and riebeckite. Analysis results portray monzogranites displaying calc-alkaline characteristics and emplaced in island-arc tectonic settings, whereas the syenogranites, alkali-feldspar granites and the riebeckite bearing-granites exhibit an alkaline nature and are enriched in HFSEs similar to granites within an extensional regime. Multi-element variation diagrams and geochemical characteristics reinforce a post-collision tectonic setting. REEs geochemical modeling reveals that the rocks were generated as a result of partial melting and fractionation of lower crust basaltic magma giving rise to A₁ and A₂ subtype granites. They were subsequently emplaced within an intraplate environment at the end of the Pan-African Orogeny.     

Structural architecture and tectonic evolution of the Maghara inverted basin,Northern Sinai,Egypt

Large NE–SW oriented asymmetric inversion anticlines bounded on their southeastern sides by reverse faults affect the exposed Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks of the Maghara area (northern Sinai). Seismic data indicate an earlier Jurassic rifting phase and surface structures indicate Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary inversion phase. The geometry of the early extensional fault system clearly affected the sense of slip of the inverted faults and the geometry of the inversion anticlines. Rift-parallel fault segments were reactivated by reverse slip whereas rift-oblique fault segments were reactivated as oblique-slip faults or lateral/oblique ramps. New syn-inversion faults include two short conjugate strike-slip sets dissecting the forelimbs of inversion anticlines and the inverted faults as well as a set of transverse normal faults dissecting the backlimbs. Small anticline–syncline fold pairs ornamenting the steep flanks of the inversion anticlines are located at the transfer zones between en echelon segments of the inverted faults.     

Sedimentological characteristics and geochemical evolution of Nabq sabkha, Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai, Egypt

Nabq sabkha exists 16 km north of Sharm El Sheikh City occupying the low land topography in the alluvial fan zone along the coastal area, Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai, Egypt. The long axis of the sabkha trends NW–SE receiving water from two different sources: meteoric water drained from the surrounding mountainous area and seawater seepage. Field observations help to divide the area into raised beach, hill slopes, sabkha basin, and coastal area. The sabkha basin can be subdivided from its center outward into (1) basin center hypersaline lake flourished with microbial mat and precipitation of halite as rafts, cumulates, and chevrons, (2) saturated saline sand and/or mud flat zone with the extensive growth of gypsum and halite crystals growing displacively as well as different forms of petee structures, and (3) an elevated marginal dry zone with tepee structures. Mineralogical analysis reveals that quartz, halite, and gypsum are the dominant minerals with subordinate amount of aragonite, anhydrite, thenardite, and/or polyhalite. In addition, clay minerals in the mudflat zone are presented by illite and smectite, indicating derivation of soil from the surrounding basement rocks. Chemical analysis of the collected brine samples reveals alkali character in the saline lake (pH?=?7.6) and high concentrations of Na⁺ (680 meq/l), Cl^? (940 meq/l), Mg²⁺ (208 meq/l), Ca²⁺ (70 meq/l), SO ₄ ²⁺ (30 meq/l), and HCO ₃ ^? (6 meq/l). The high salinity values are due to the aridity of the area, which favors precipitation of halite. Using comparative sedimentological, chemical, and mineralogial methods between such modern and ancient evaporitic environments and by detailed field, petrographic and mineralogical studies of modern evaporite environments help to interpret paleo-depositional environments of ancient evaporites sequences still in debate.     

Geochemistry of an Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex in Eastern Desert,Egypt:New insights and constraints on the Neoproterozoic island arc magmatism

Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_melt(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.     

西秦岭北缘花岗质岩浆作用及构造演化

西秦岭北部江里沟、阿夷山、德乌鲁、温泉和中川5个花岗质岩体岩石学、地球化学和LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学研究结果表明,花岗岩体的岩性主体为花岗闪长岩-二长花岗岩,属高钾钙碱系列,少数为钙碱系列;形成时代为264~216Ma。江里沟、阿夷山和中川岩体属弱过铝质花岗岩(ACNK1.05),温泉岩体和德乌鲁岩体属准铝和弱过铝质花岗岩(ACNK=0.95~1.05);花岗岩具有埃达克岩(Sr400×10-6,Yb2×10-6)或喜马拉雅型花岗岩(Sr400×10-6,Yb2×10-6)的地球化学特征,或两者兼而有之。花岗岩浆起源于下地壳的部分熔融,源岩最有可能是古老的玄武质岩石。西秦岭北部存在埃达克岩和喜马拉雅型花岗岩,说明三叠纪时期存在陆陆碰撞或陆陆俯冲导致的地壳加厚,加厚的下地壳的部分熔融以及部分熔融发生深度的不同,形成本区具有埃达克或喜马拉雅型地球化学特点的花岗岩侵入体。埃达克岩和喜马拉雅型花岗岩对寻找金铜矿产具有一定的指导意义。     

A-type leucogranite magmatism in the evolution of continental crust on the western margin of the Siberian craton

We discuss problems of the origin, settings, and age of Neoproterozoic A-type leucogranites widespread in the Yenisei Ridge. Combined analysis of geological, petrological, and geochemical (including isotope) data shows that some granitoids (Glushikha complex) were formed at the postcollisional stage (750–720 Ma), and others (Tatarka complex), in an anorogenic environment (680–630 Ma). The anorogenic complex contains diverse igneous rocks, including alkaline varieties and carbonatites. Leucogranites form separate plutons within different igneous complexes. They have high contents of potassium (up to ultrapotassic composition in the Glushikha complex), iron, and fluorine and are depleted in europium. Postcollisional granitoids show the highest concentrations of Rb, Th, and U, extremely low concentrations of Ba and Sr, whereas anorogenic granitoids are rich in Ta, Nb, Y, Sm, and HREE. The obtained data point to the augmented mantle contribution to the formation of continental crust of the Yenisei Ridge between 750 and 630 Ma. We also report new results of U-Pb zircon dating, including SHRIMP and Ar-Ar data.     

祁连山地区花岗质岩浆作用及构造演化

祁连山在构造上是一条经历了多期构造旋回叠加的早古生代复合型造山带,花岗质岩浆作用研究对揭示其构造演化具有重要意义。锆石U-Pb年代学统计结果表明,祁连地区花岗质岩浆活动可以分为7个大的阶段,包括古元古代早期(2 470~2 348 Ma)、古元古代晚期(1 778~1 763 Ma)、中元古代晚期-新元古代早期(1 192~888 Ma)、新元古代中期(853~736 Ma)、中寒武世-志留纪(516~419 Ma),泥盆纪-早石炭世(418~350 Ma)以及中二叠世-晚三叠世(271~211 Ma)。其中古元古代早期发育强过铝质高钾钙碱性S型和准铝质低钾拉斑-高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩,记录了早期的陆壳增生及改造事件。古元古代晚期为准铝质-弱过铝质高钾钙碱性-钾玄质A型花岗岩,是Columbia超大陆裂解事件的产物。中元古代晚期-新元古代早期以过铝质-强过铝质钙碱性-钾玄质S型花岗岩为主,新元古代中期以准铝质-强过铝质钙碱性-高钾钙碱性A型花岗岩为主,分别对应Rodinia超大陆的汇聚和裂解事件。中寒武世-志留纪花岗岩是洋陆转换过程中的产物,约440 Ma加厚基性下地壳部分熔融形成的低Mg埃达克岩的广泛出现指示祁连地区全面进入碰撞造山阶段。泥盆纪-早石炭世花岗岩代表后碰撞伸展阶段岩浆岩组合,发育准铝质-强过铝质低钾拉斑-钾玄质等一系列花岗岩。中二叠世-晚三叠世花岗岩以准铝质-弱过铝质钙碱性-高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩为主,有少量弱过铝质高钾钙碱性A型花岗岩,是宗务隆洋俯冲消减以及碰撞后伸展过程的产物。     

Geology,geochemistry, and source characteristics of Neoproterozoic arc-related clastic metasediments,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The present work concerns two occurrences of Neoproterozoic volcaniclastic metasediments in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt namely Alam occurrence and Atalla occurrence. They are mainly composed of bedded successions of feldspathic and feldspathic-lithic metagreywackes, arkosic metagreywackes, metasiltstones, and subordinate metaconglomerates. The rocks have been subjected mainly to various ductile deformational events (D₁ and D₂) due to NE–SW compression and later deformation (D₃). The D₁ deformation is synchronous with greenschist facies metamorphism (M₁). The Alam metagreywackes show oceanic arc tectonic setting. The greywackes have clasts of quartz, feldspar, and metamorphic amphibole after pyroxene and show variable abundances of Cr, Ni, and V. Their provenance components are mainly of evolved felsic and mafic (bimodal) island arcs. The rocks are suggested to be deposited in a localized “intra-arc basin.” The metagreywackes of Atalla show tectonic setting affinity similar to continental sland arc or active continental margin. Their geochemical characteristics reflect the presence of felsic rocks as the main sources, together with minor inputs of intermediate rocks and reworked mineral grains of quartz and feldspar. They are deposited in a localized “retro-arc basins” of an active continental margin. The whole sequences of both Atalla and Alam sediments have been subjected to deformation and contemporaneous regional metamorphism during arc-arc or arc-continent collision. Newproterozoic clastic metasedimentary rocks in the CED appear to have been deposited in arc-related basins, including interarc or back-arc basins, intra-arc basins, and retro-arc basin of active continental margin.     

壳内岩浆层演化的盆地效应:以中国东南部中生代盆地为例

中国东南部中生代发育有拗陷型、断裂型、断陷型3种不同类型的盆地,其中前者发育于晚三叠世-早侏罗世,其内多为含煤建造;次者发育于中侏罗世-早白垩世,主要为火山岩建造;后者发育于白垩纪-古近纪,主要为陆相红岩建造。研究结果表明,盆地构造类型的演化与该区中生代壳内岩浆层的演化密切相关。与联合古陆解体相伴随的古太平洋板块俯冲使得东亚陆缘岩石圈的内能逐渐升高,其结果是壳内岩浆层的形成和增厚以及其上盖层岩石的弯曲变形,导致中生代早期众多拗陷盆地的形成;燕山早期的构造运动使印支期已强烈变形的地壳进一步破裂,为壳内岩浆层的物质溢出或喷发提供了通道条件,从而在重熔界面(岩浆层上界面)埋深较浅的本区东部形成众多火山岩盆地;系统内能在晚侏罗世后逐渐下降,地壳冷却收缩使得断块的重力调整逐渐占主导位置,形成众多由正断层控制的断陷盆地。     

ASTER spectral ratioing for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield, the Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid area, Sinai, Egypt

The Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid metamorphic belt in southeastern Sinai in Egypt represents a structurally and metamorphically complex assemblage of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks folded into a series of ENE–WSW-trending antiforms and synforms. Geological mapping in this region is challenging, primarily due to difficult access, complexity of structures, and lack of resolution and areal integrity of lithological differentiation using conventional mapping techniques. Spectral ratioing of selected bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data of the area, in synergy with geological field observation, proved effective in resolving geological mapping problems in the region. A new ASTER band-ratio image 4/7-4/6-4/10 is applied successfully for lithological mapping in the Wadi Kid area, showing improvement over previous techniques in detailing the main rock units. These are gneiss and migmatite, amphibolite, volcanogenic sediments with banded iron formation, meta-pelites, talc schist, meta-psammites, meta-acidic volcanics, meta-pyroclastics volcaniclastics, albitites and granitic rocks. Validating the use of the new ASTER band-ratio image relied on both calculating statistical optimum index factor (OIF) and matching interpreted lithological boundaries to field data and previously published geologic maps. The adopted ASTER band-ratio image demonstrates the benefit of using ASTER remote sensing data in lithological mapping of the Wadi Kid area and therefore for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield and other arid areas.     

Microstructural evidence for magma confluence and reusage of magma pathways: implications for magma hybridization,Karakoram Shear Zone in NW India

In the Karakoram Shear Zone, Ladakh, NW India, Miocene leucogranitic dykes form an extensive, varied and complex network, linking an anatectic terrane exposed in the Pangong Range, with leucogranites of the Karakoram Batholith. Mineral paragenesis of the heterogeneous anatectic source rocks suggests melting has resulted from water influx into rocks at upper amphibolite facies conditions, and microstructures suggest anatexis was contemporaneous with shearing. The network is characterized by continuous and interconnected dykes, with only rare cross‐cutting relationships, forming swarms and chaotic injection complexes where magmatic rocks cover up to 50% of the outcrop area. Despite this volume of magma, the system did not lose continuity, suggesting that it did not flow en masse and that the magma network was not all liquid simultaneously. Leucogranites in this network, including leucosomes in migmatites, carry an isotopic signature intermediate between the two main anatectic rocks in the source, suggesting efficient homogenization of the magmatic products. Here, we describe a number of microscopic features of these magmatic rocks which suggests that several pulses of magma used the same pathways giving rise to textural and chemical disequilibrium features. These include: (i) narrow, tortuous corridors of fine‐grained minerals cutting across or lining the boundaries of larger grains, interpreted to be remnants of magma‐filled cracks cutting across a pre‐existing magmatic rock; (ii) corrosion of early formed grains at the contact with fine‐grained material; (iii) compositional zoning of early formed plagioclase and K‐feldspar grains and quartz overgrowths documented by cathodoluminescence imaging; (iv) incipient development of rapakivi and anti‐rapakivi textures, and (iv) different crystallographic preferred orientation of early formed quartz and fine‐grained quartz. Mapping of the fine‐grained corridors interpreted to represent late melt channels reveal an interlinked network broadly following the S‐C fabric defined by pre‐existing magmatic grains. We conclude that early formed dykes provided a pathway exploited intermittently or continuously by new magma batches. New influxes of magma opened narrow channels and migrated through a microscopic network following predominantly grain boundaries along an S‐C fabric related to syn‐magmatic shearing. A mixed isotopic signature resulted not from the mixing of magmas, but from the micro‐scale interaction between new magma batches and previously crystallized magmatic rocks, through local equilibration.