Search Results (36)

The use of a conceptual model of reference and modelling of relevant processes is mandatory to correctly interpret chemical and isotopic data. Adopting these basic guidelines, we have interpretated the unprecedented increase in the H₂S_(g) concentration and the concurrent unexpected decrease in the δ³⁴S value of H₂S_(g) recorded since 2018 in the fumarolic effluents of the Bocca Grande fumarolic vent at Solfatara, Campi Flegrei caldera, in the framework of our conceptual model of the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system. Assuming that the magma chamber situated at depths ≥ 8 km was filled at the end of the 1982–1984 bradyseismic crisis and no refilling episodes took place afterwards, as suggested by gas geochemistry, the concentration and the δ³⁴S value of H₂S_(g) of the Bocca Grande fumarolic effluents are controlled by closed-system degassing of the melt at depths ≥ 8 km and disproportionation of SO₂ in the deep hydrothermal reservoir (6.5–7.5 km depth) hosted in carbonate rocks where H₂S equilibrates. These processes have been active during the last 40 years, but 41.1% (±6.4%) of the sulfur initially stored in the melt (2200 mg/kg) was lost in the 4-year period of April 2018–April 2022. This marked loss of S from the melt in 2018–2022 might be due to the high solubility of sulfur in the melt, which caused its preferential separation during the late degassing stages. These findings are of utmost importance for the surveillance of the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system during the ongoing bradyseismic crisis. Full article

Geothermal resources are crucial for sustainable energy development, yet accurately detecting geothermal anomalies in complex terrains remains a significant challenge. This study develops a multi-source thermal infrared approach to enhance geothermal anomaly detection using Landsat 8 and ASTER land surface temperature (LST) data. The Yangbajing–Yangyi Basin in Tibet, characterized by high altitude and rugged topography, serves as the study area. Landsat 8 winter time-series data from 2013 to 2023 were processed on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to generate multi-year average LST images. After water body removal and altitude correction, a local block thresholding method was applied to extract daytime geothermal anomalies. For nighttime data, ASTER LST products were analyzed using global, local block, elevation zoning, and fault buffer strategies to extract anomalies, which were then fused using Dempster–Shafer (D–S) evidence theory. A joint daytime–nighttime analysis identified stable geothermal anomaly regions, with results closely aligning with known geothermal fields and borehole distributions while predicting new potential anomaly zones. Additionally, a 21-year time-series analysis of MODIS nighttime LST data identified four significant thermal anomaly areas, interpreted as potential magma chambers, whose spatial distributions align with the identified anomalies. This multi-source approach highlights the potential of integrating thermal infrared data for geothermal anomaly detection, providing valuable insights for exploration in geologically complex regions. Full article

Ultrapotassic lamprophyre dykes in southern Xizang provide important insight into the deep processes and nature of the source region. In this study, the lamprophyre dykes in the Bangbule area of southern Xizang were investigated to understand their petrogenesis and source mantle characteristics. The lamprophyres, based on their mineral and chemical compositions, are classified into two types: type-1, mainly comprising biotite and clinopyroxene, and type-2, featuring annite, phlogopite, and clinopyroxene as phenocrysts. Mica ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dating indicates their formation in the early Oligocene (29.5 ± 0.2 Ma). Geochemically, both lamprophyre types show extremely high Sr [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.713936–0.716999] but low and consistent Nd [(¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i = 0.511991–0.512012] isotopic ratios. Type-1 lamprophyres are more enriched in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and total alkalis (Na₂O + K₂O) but have lower ^TFe₂O₃, CaO, and MgO contents, as well as Mg^# values, compared to type-2, underscoring the differentiated nature of type-1. Geochemical evidence shows that the Bangbule lamprophyre originated from the partial melting of the lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted Indian continental crust-derived melts, followed by fractional crystallization. The phenocrysts of clinopyroxene, phlogopite, and K-feldspar exhibit disequilibrium textures and complex zoning between their cores and mantles, suggesting magma replenishment and mixing during their formation. The cores of the clinopyroxene and phlogopite phenocrysts exhibit low Mg^# values, while their mantles show high Mg^# values, indicating magma replenishment between later mafic and early evolved (ultrapotassic) magmas. Accordingly, an open magma chamber model that experienced fractional crystallization and replenishment was proposed for the generation of diverse lamprophyre dykes in Xizang. Full article

The petrology, geochemistry, and zircon U-Pb chronology of the Huoshaodian pluton in the Liuba area of the western part of the South Qinling tectonic belt are investigated in this study. The Huoshaodian pluton consists of gabbro, quartz diorite, and granodiorite, and the dominated rock type is quartz diorite. The results indicate that the Huoshaodian pluton belongs to the calc-alkaline series. In the chondrite-normalized REE, all of the samples showed similar patterns, with an enrichment of light REEs and depletion of heavy REEs, but they showed slight differences in the degrees of Eu anomalies. The primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagram reveals an enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), as well as depleted high field strength elements (HFSEs). The zircon U-Pb dating results reveal that the gabbro, quartz diorite, and granodiorite have crystallization ages of 214.9 ± 0.58 Ma, 215.0 ± 1.2 Ma, and 215.4 ± 1.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that the Huoshaodian pluton was emplaced during the late Triassic period (214.9–215.4 Ma). In terms of petrogenesis, the gabbro of the Huoshaodian pluton originates from a transitional lithospheric mantle that has undergone fluid metasomatism and partial melting. Specifically, it originated through 1%–2% garnet spinel peridotite undergoing partial melting. In addition, the gabbro underwent a slight degree of contamination by crustal materials during its ascent and intrusion, with some continental crust material being incorporated. The quartz diorite and granodiorite of the Huoshaodian pluton are formed through partial melting processes occurring within the normal lower crust. Combined with the previous studies on the early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the South Qinling, this study proposes that the formation mechanism of the Huoshaodian pluton may be as follows: in the early Triassic, the Mianlue Ocean subducted northward beneath the Qinling microblock, resulting in a large-scale continental-continental collision between the North China Block and the Yangtze Block; when the oceanic crust subducted to a certain depth, the detachment of the subducting slab triggered the upwelling of mantle material. The heat from mantle-derived magma caused the partial melting of the mafic lower crust, while the mafic magma entered into the upper granitic magma chamber and began to mix. Due to the high viscosity contrast and temperature difference between the two end-member magmas, incomplete mixing led to the formation of a melt with distinct adakitic characteristics and a mafic melt representing mantle-derived material. Full article

The Changbaishan volcano is well known for its major caldera-forming Millennium Eruption (ME) in 946 CE (Common Era). We report Hf–O isotopes of zircon grains from pre-caldera Qixiangzhan (QXZ) and syn-caldera eruptions of the Changbaishan (Baitoushan) volcano to constrain magma chamber processes. Zircon grains from the pre-caldera QXZ comendite lavas have δ¹⁸O ranging from 4.46 to 5.16 (lower than mantle values) and ε_Hf ranging from −4.47 to +4.37. Zircon grains from the syn-caldera ME1 charcoal-bearing non-welded comendite pyroclastic flow deposits have δ¹⁸O ranging from 2.25 (lower than mantle values) to 5.51 and ε_Hf from −3.75 to +3.31. By comparison, zircon grains from the ME2 welded trachytes have δ¹⁸O ranging from 5.66 to 6.20 (higher than mantle zircon values) and ε_Hf from −1.97 to +6.23. There are no correlations between O and Hf isotopes for all zircon grains in QXZ and ME1 comendites and ME2 trachyte. The ubiquitous occurrence of low-δ¹⁸O zircon grains in QXZ and ME1 comendites indicates shallow remelting of hydrothermally altered low-δ¹⁸O juvenile rocks. By contrast, ME2 trachyte zircons (except for two zircon grains) have normal δ¹⁸O (5.66 to 6.10) values, indicating a lack of remelting processes. Similar zircon Hf–O isotopes between pre-caldera QXZ comendites and syn-caldera ME1 comendites indicate tapping of the upper portion of a zoned magma chamber. Higher δ¹⁸O in ME2 trachyte zircons indicate tapping of the deeper portion of a zoned magma chamber free from shallow remelting. The lack of significant correlations between zircon O and Hf isotopes, and the relatively high εHf values for all Changbai zircon grains, argue against partial melting of ancient continental crust or significant contaminations by ancient crustal rocks as an origin for these felsic magmas. The QXZ and ME1 comendites were formed by shallow remelting of hydrothermally altered juvenile volcanic rocks, and ME2 trachytes were formed by evolution of mantle-derived basaltic magmas free of hydrothermal assimilations. A proto-caldera likely formed prior to the generation of QXZ lavas at 10 ka. Full article

The formation of Fe-Ti oxides-rich layers is commonly associated with open-system magma chamber dynamics. These processes are widely discussed due to the economic importance of Fe-Ti-(V) deposits, although an alkaline-system approach to the matter is still scarce. In this study, we use petrography, mineral chemistry, X-ray diffraction and elemental geochemical analyses (whole-rock and Sr isotopes) to discuss the process associated with the formation of Fe-Ti-(V) oxide-rich clinopyroxenite (OCP, 7–15 vol.%) and magnetitite (MTT, 85 vol.%) from the Ponte Nova alkaline mafic–ultramafic massif (PN, K-Ar 87.6 Ma). Ilmenite and Ti-magnetite from both OCP and MTT exhibit higher MgO contents (MgO > 5.0 wt%) than other PN rocks. OCP shows high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i ratios, equivalent to crustal-contaminated lithotypes of the PN Central Intrusion, while MTTs are less radiogenic. The oxide supersaturation in silicate mafic magmas is typically associated with the dislocation of the liquid cotectic evolution line, shifting to Fe-Ti-(V) oxide minerals stability field, mainly Ti-magnetite. Different magmatic processes can lead to these changes such as crustal contamination and magma recharge. For the PN massif, the OCP was formed by the assimilation of crustal contaminants in a mush region, near the magma chamber upper walls, which was associated with the evolution of the main pulse. Differently, the MTT would have its origin related to the interaction between magma chamber evolved liquids and more primitive liquids during a new episode of magma recharge. Lastly, post-magmatic events were superimposed on these rocks, generating sulfides. Full article

The gravity and gradient anomalies contain valuable information about the underground geological structures at various depths. Deep and shallow buried source bodies are able to be identified through multi-scale field separation processes, and visual comprehensions of geological structures can be obtained via 3D density inversion techniques. In this study, we propose an improved 3D imaging strategy based on gravitational field separation using the preferential continuation filter. This strategy incorporates the relationship between spectral features and buried depths of source bodies, allowing for a one-step transformation from planar gravity and full-tensor gradient field observations to a 3D density structure in the wave-number domain. Synthetic tests validate the effectiveness and robustness of the gravity and gradient imaging approaches, highlighting their advantages in high vertical resolution and low computational requirements. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the imaging effects of horizontal gradients ${\Gamma }_{xx}$ and ${\Gamma }_{yy}$ are unsatisfactory due to their weak noise resistance. Thus, they are not suitable for real data applications. The other imaging approaches are further applied to recover the subsurface 3D density structure beneath the Weishan cone in Wudalianchi Volcanic Field, Northeastern China. Our results provide insights into the possible location and shape of the low-density magma chamber. Also, the potential presence of partial melts is inferred and supported from a gravity perspective. The primary advantage of these approaches is their ability to generate a reasonable geological model in scenarios with limited prior information and physical property constraints. As a result, they have significant practical value in the field of applied geophysics, including mineral exploration and volcanology studies. Full article

The emplacement of shallow magma chambers within a carbonate basement is a typical feature of many volcanic systems around the world. The accompanying formation of exoskarns, endoskarns, cumulates, exsolved fluids and differentiated melts at the interface between the magma chamber and carbonate host-rock is well documented through mineralogical and geochemical studies of ejected skarns and cumulates and through fluid and melt inclusion studies. This review presents the current knowledge on the interaction of alkaline magma chambers with carbonate-bearing host-rocks, with a focus on the geochemical evolution and mineralization at the outer margins of the magma chamber and the accessory mineral phases at Somma-Vesuvius, Colli Albani and Merapi volcanic systems. Furthermore, we discuss how this interaction and its products, especially the CO₂ released during the thermometamorphic decarbonation of the carbonate host-rock, impacts the eruptive behavior in all three systems. Full article

The recently discovered 460 Gaodi porphyry Mo-Cu deposit is a sub-economic deposit characterized by low Mo-Cu grades, dispersed mineralization, and separated Mo- and Cu-ore bodies. This study aims to elucidate the factors underlying this type of sub-economic mineralization. Electron-microprobe analyses of biotite from ore-related granite porphyry yielded Ti-in-biotite crystallization temperatures of 677–734 °C (an average of 719 °C) and biotite phenocryst crystallization depths of 6.0 to 12.9 km. LA-ICP-MS analyses of zircons from the same sample revealed average zircon Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ ratios of 299.7 and elevated zircon lg(ƒO₂) ratios, with an average ΔFMQ of +6.6 ± 1.9. These discoveries suggest that the magma responsible for ore formation boasts a high degree of oxidation, yet also possesses a magma chamber located at a significant depth within the upper crust. This implies an extensive exsolving depth for fluids. Furthermore, our microthermometry analysis of fluid inclusions reveals that a portion of the fluid experiences considerable conductive cooling as it ascends along the conduit, owing to the depth of fluid exsolution. This process results in the ore fluids remaining in the liquid-only region without undergoing boiling, which is conducive to the enrichment of metals. We emphasize the fact that fluid-exsolving depth plays a critical role in determining the metal grades and economic value of a porphyry deposit by regulating the P-T evolution path of the ore fluids Full article

Apatite Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopes are broadly used to trace magma sources and constrain magma evolution processes, further improving our understanding of the origin of granitoids. We present zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace elements, and whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf, zircon Hf-O, and apatite Sr-Nd isotopic data for the coarse-grained quartz monzonite, biotite monzogranite, and granite porphyry in the Yushulinzi pluton in the Liaodong Peninsula, the eastern North China Craton, to establish their magma sources and petrogenesis. The coarse-grained quartz monzonite, biotite monzogranite, and granite porphyry were formed contemporaneously, with zircon U-Pb ages of 123–119 Ma. They share enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf and zircon Hf isotopic compositions, and the coarse-grained quartz monzonite has crust-like δ¹⁸O values (5.7–6.7‰). The coarse-grained quartz monzonite and biotite monzogranite have variable apatite (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios and negative apatite ε_Nd(t) values. These isotopic characteristics indicate that the different rock types in the Yushulinzi pluton were derived from the partial melting of ancient crustal material in the North China Craton. Their geochemical and petrographic characteristics indicate that the crystal-melt segregation model can be employed to elucidate the genetic links among different rock types, with the coarse-grained quartz monzonite representing crystal accumulation and the biotite monzogranite and granite porphyry representing interstitial melts extracted from a crystal-rich magma chamber. Furthermore, the variable apatite Sr isotopic compositions and subtle differences in the peak zircon ε_Hf(t) values of the studied rock samples confirm the possibility of a contribution from shallow crustal components and materials with high ε_Hf(t) values during magma evolution, which is not readily revealed by their whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions. These results demonstrate that in situ apatite Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopic analyses have the potential to provide distinctive insights into the magma sources and evolution of magmatic systems. Full article

Recent studies have shown that giant landslides correlate with climatic variations. However, the precise processes involved in this phenomenon need to be better defined. This study investigates the causes of giant landslides using a modeling approach. Here, I show that the effect of meteoric water infiltration could be distinguished from that of the sea level rise in triggering paleo-landslides. It is possible to identify the cause of coastal paleo-landslides based on the age of occurrence and comparison with climatic signals when glacial maxima are wetter than during interglacial periods, as in Polynesia and East Equatorial Africa, but not in other cases (Caribbean, Indonesia). The role of pore-pressure variations and sea water loading variations is discussed. The interaction between the relative sea level rise, pre-existing relief and deep weak structure due to the presence of highly weathered lavas may trigger the conditions for a large landslide. Highly weathered lavas have very low friction angles in volcanic islands. When volcanoes are still active, pressure fluctuations in the magma chamber caused by sea level lowering are expected to play a significant role in the destabilization of the relief. Competing processes in real cases make it difficult to distinguish between these processes. Full article

The Paleoproterozoic Khondalite Belt, located in the northwestern segment of North China Craton (NCC), is characterized by widespread high-temperature/ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulite/gneiss and large-scale magmatic activity. The tectonic evolution is still controversial. Here, we report new geochronological, elemental, and Hf-O-Sr-Nd isotopic data for a Paleoproterozoic layered complex in the Jining terrane to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Khondalite Belt. In situ zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the Sanchakou gabbros were emplaced between ~1.94 Ga and ~1.82 Ga, which might be the heat source of UHT metamorphism. The elemental and Hf-O-Sr-Nd isotopic analysis shows that the formation of Sanchakou gabbros is consistent with the assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) process. The magma originates from the 10%~20% partial melting of the spinel + garnet lherzolite mantle. The Sanchakou gabbros are magmatic crystallization products mixed with crustal wallrocks in the magma chamber. We have established a tectonic evolution model involving asthenosphere upwelling after the amalgamation of the Ordos and Yinshan Blocks at ~1.95 Ga. Full article

The Yonaguni Knoll IV is an active seafloor hydrothermal system associated with submarine silicic volcanism located in the “cross back-arc volcanic trail” (CBVT) in the southwestern Okinawa Trough. However, the behavior of volatiles during magmatic differentiation in the shallow silicic magma chamber is unclear. Here, the volatile contents of apatite inclusions trapped in different phenocrysts (orthopyroxene and amphibole) and microphenocrysts in the rhyolite from the Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal field were analyzed by using electron microprobe analysis, which aims to track the behavior of volatiles in the shallow magma chamber. Notably, the ‘texturally constrained’ apatites showed a decreasing trend of X_Cl/X_OH and X_F/X_Cl ratios. Based on the geochemical analyses in combination with thermodynamic modeling, we found that the studied apatites were consistent with the mode of volatile-undersaturated crystallization. Therefore, volatiles were not saturated in the early stage of magmatic differentiation in the shallow rhyolitic magma chamber, and consequently, the metal elements were retained in the rhyolitic melt and partitioned into crystalline magmatic sulfides. Additionally, previous studies suggested that the shallow rhyolitic magma chamber was long-lived and periodically replenished by mafic magma. The injection of volatile-rich and oxidized subduction-related mafic magmas can supply abundant volatiles and dissolve magmatic sulfide in the shallow magma chamber. These processes are important for the later-stage of volatile exsolution, while the forming metal-rich magmatic fluids contribute to the overlying Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal system. Full article

The Hongniu-Hongshan porphyry-skarn deposit is located in the southern Yidun terrane in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (STMD). Although its metallogenesis has been well constrained in the past decade, the magmatic processes for granitoids in the Hongniu-Hongshan deposit are still poorly understood. Herein, we provide new geochemical data on magmatic minerals (plagioclase, amphibole, and clinopyroxene) in the Hongniu-Hongshan granitoids to get a better insight into these processes. The complex zoning patterns of plagioclase phenocrysts indicate magma recharge and mixing. Physiochemical estimations indicate that clinopyroxenes were crystallized in hotter (919 ± 11 °C) and more mafic (FeO: 2.8–4.6 wt.%, MgO: 0.8–1.8 wt.%) magmas in a deep chamber (18.6 ± 0.9 km) compared with the colder (819 ± 29 °C), more felsic (FeO: 0.9–2.2 wt.%, MgO: 0.3–0.6 wt.%) and shallow magma chamber (13.4 ± 1.6 km) in which amphiboles crystallized. Therefore, we suggest that magmatic minerals in the Hongniu-Hongshan granitoids were produced by multistage magmatic processes within the upper–middle crust range. In this model, the deep-seated magmas recharged into the shallow reservoir and mixed with the shallow magmas therein. The recharged hot magmas may provide heat sources and rejuvenate the shallow magma reservoirs. On this basis, we further infer that ore-forming materials could be pre-concentrated in the crustal range and mobilized by the Late Cretaceous magmatism in the southern Yidun terrane. Full article

The paper concerns the geochemical analysis of rocks from the ore-bearing layered intrusions that belong to two age groups of the Monchepluton and the Imandra–Umbarechka Complex (2.50 and 2.44 Ga) and the largest gabbro-anorthosite of the Main Ridge Complex (2.51–2.45 Ga). The intrusion of these complexes happened at different depths when the endogenous and geodynamic settings changed at the beginning of the Paleoproterozoic Era. Five megacycles are distinguished in a generalized cross-section of the two-chamber Monchepluton. The megacycles differ in rock composition, rock geochemical features, and mineralization types, i.e., the chromite, sulfide Cu–Ni–PGE and low-sulfide PGE types. The abrupt changes in isotope indicators (εNd, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) mark their boundaries. At a depth of 2037–2383 m, the M-1 borehole intersects a standalone intrusive body that is essentially a magma feeder channel. The intrusive body’s geochemical characteristics and U–Pb isotope age correlate to the Monchepluton rocks. The gabbro-anorthosite massifs united in the Main Ridge Complex were intruded in the following order: the Monchetundra, Chunatundra, Volchetundra, and Losevo–Medvezhye tundras. The largest Monchetundra massif was formed as a result of multiple intrusions of mafic magmatic melt from the deep reservoirs. The melts intruded in two stages, i.e., 2.51–2.49 Ga and 2.48–2.47 Ga, and their composition changed gradually. The gabbro-pegmatites and coeval harrisite dykes are more recent ones (2.46–2.45 Ga). The summarized results of the U–Pb, Sm–Nd, and Re–Os systems research allowed us to establish genetic relations between the studied geological objects. We proposed a model where there was an uplift of a mantle plume to the lower crust area at the age of 2.5 Ga, the deep mantle reservoirs were formed, and a large-scale interaction happened between the parental magma and granulite–eclogite complex rocks. Local contamination and assimilation processes took place during the uplifting of magmas in areas where the magmatic feeding system contacted the host amphibolite–gneiss Archean complexes. Full article