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Thermal conductivity (lambda) is an essential physical property of minerals and rocks and fundamental in constraining the thermal field of the lithosphere. In case that adequate samples to measure lambda are not available, it could be indirectly inferred from calculation. One of the most widely applied indirect methods for rocks involve modal mineralogy and porosity as parameters that are incorporated into mathematical mean or mixing models. Robust inferences from these approaches for crystalline rocks were impeded by a small number of studied samples or restriction to certain rock types. We employ this method and examine its applicability to low-porosity plutonic rocks by calculating bulk thermal conductivity lambda(b) for 45 samples covering the entire range from gabbro/diorite to granite. We show that the use of the harmonic-mean model for both rock matrix and porosity provided a good match between lambda(b.meas) and lambda(b.calc) of <10% deviation (2 sigma), with relative and absolute errors amounting to 1.49.7% and 4.44.9%, respectively. The results of our study constitute a big step forward to a robust conclusion on the overall applicability of the harmonic-mean model for inferring lambda(b) of isotropic, low-porosity, mafic to silicic plutonic and metamorphic rocks with an acceptable magnitude of error. Drill cuttings and enclaves form particularly interesting objects for application of this method, as they are poorly suited for direct measurement. Well-derived lambda values for those rocks would permit to calculate heat flow and to model more profoundly the thermal state of the deeper lithosphere.
In this paper, a unique set of samples from the uppermost crust down to the lithospheric mantle of Jordan is analyzed for composition and petrophysical properties (density. thermal conductivity, radiogenic heat production) These data, covering a vertical section of almost 65 km. are used in conjunction with surface heat flow to generate a detailed and comprehensive lithospheric thermal model that reflects the conditions of the Arabian Shield (AS) prior to the post- Oligocene onset of lithosphere thinning and Voluminous basaltic volcanism. The pre-Miocene model geotherms, based on conductive surface heat flows of 55 and 60 mW m(-2). (a) meet the range of lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary depths of 110-160 km known from seismology, (b) conform to results of thermomechanical models on the on.-in of the Dead Sea basin that started in Miocene time. and (c) are consistent with typical xenolith-derived geotherms for terranes of similar age and lithospheric thickness. Moho temperatures (at depths between 35 and 40 km) of the AS in pre-Miocene times were most likely in the order of 530-650 degrees C, with mantle heat flows averaging between 24 and 29 mW m(-2) Results contradict former views of the late Proterozoic/early Cambrian-stabilized AS being an anomalously cold terrane A "cold" thermal structure inferred from previously measured low surface heat flows (generally <= 45 mW m(-2)) is inconsistent with the thickness, composition, and petrophysical properties of the stable lithosphere of the shield.
The Aue-Schwarzenberg Granite Zone (ASGZ), in the western Erzgebirge of Germany, is composed of small, late- Variscan F-poor biotite and two-mica granites. The biotite granites (Aue granite suite, Beierfeld, Bernsbach) are weakly to mildly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.07-1.14; 70-76 wt% SiO2), display similar Sr-87/Sr-86 initial ratios (0.7065-0.7077; t = 325 Ma), and exhibit a narrow range in epsilon Nd-325 (-2.6 to -3.5). They are closely affiliated compositionally with the biotite granites in the distant, more voluminous Nejdek massif (Czech Republic). The two-mica granites (Schwarzenberg granite suite, Lauter) are Si-rich (74-77 wt% SiO2) and mildly to strongly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.17- 1.26). The granites from Schwarzenberg Lire distinctly higher in their Sr(i)ratios (0.709-0.713; t = 325 Ma) and possess lower values of epsilon Nd-325 (-4.9 to -5.2) relative to the biotite granites. The Lauter granites have a Nd-isotopic composition between -3.6 and -4.0 (t = 325 Ma). Mean Th-U-total Pb uraninite ages (Ma +/- 2 sigma) obtained for the granites from the Aue Suite (324.3 +/- 3. 1), Beierfeld (323.7 +/- 3.1), Bernsbach (320.7 +/- 2.9), Schwarzenberg (323.3 +/- 2.4), and the Kirchberg granite al Burkersdorf (322.7 +/- 3.5) indicate that magmatism in the ASGZ commenced in the Namurian and took place early within the major episode of granite formation in the Erzgebirge-Vogtland zone (327-318 Ma). Geochemical and mineralogical patterns of variably altered samples imply that the ASGZ granites are unlikely to have significantly contributed to the formation of spatially associated metalliferous ore deposits (Sn, W, Mo, Ph, Zn, Bi, Co, Ni), except for uranium. In particular the Aue granite suite should have served as major Source for U accumulated in the economically important post-granitic deposits of Schneeberg and Schlema-Alberoda.
"Hastite", the orthorhombic dimorph of CoSe2, formerly considered as a valid mineral species occurring in the Trogtal quarries, Harz Mountains, Germany, is discredited as being identical with ferroselite, orthorhombic FeSe2. The discreditation has been unanimously approved by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) (IMA No. 07-E). We also provide observations on the composition, homogeneity, and origin of trogtalite (cubic CoSe2) from its type locality.
Accessory minerals of the Caledonian Rumburk granite are investigated to gain insight into its magmatic and post-magmatic evolution history. Recent geothermometers calibrated for trace elements in rutile (Zr), zircon (Ti), and quartz (Ti) were used to determine mineral-formation temperatures, which are compared with T data obtained from melt and fluid-inclusion Studies on quartz. Improved electron-microprobe analytical conditions allowed distinguishing several generations of rutile. Submicron-sized rutile needles included in quartz crystallized at around 739 +/- 13 degrees C and, thus, are evidently magmatic. Simultaneous crystallization of the high-T rutile and quartz is the favoured concept compared with an exsolution model for the needles. Th-U-total Pb dating of xenotime-(Y) by electron microprobe yielded a bimodal age distribution of 494 +/- 8 Ma (2 sigma; n = 44) and 311 +/- 8 Ma (2 sigma; n = 48), which is missing in monazite-(Ce). The older age correlates with the early Ordovician granite emplacement age Suggested by earlier isotopic Studies. The younger Carboniferous age also may be geologically reasonable, because the granite experienced a minor tectonothermal overprint during the Variscan orogenesis. However, whether this event has caused the resetting of the isotopic system in the xenotime is uncertain. This also holds for the age of the partial breakdown of monazite and xenotime into reaction coronas composed of fluorapatite, allanite-(Ce), epidote +/- clinozoisite. This alteration assemblage was likely produced already during autometasomatic reworking of the solidifying magma in Ordovician time, but it cannot be excluded that it relates to a Carboniferous fluid imprint connected with late-Variscan processes.
Fault zones are the locations where motion of tectonic plates, often associated with earthquakes, is accommodated. Despite a rapid increase in the understanding of faults in the last decades, our knowledge of their geometry, petrophysical properties, and controlling processes remains incomplete. The central questions addressed here in our study of the Dead Sea Transform (DST) in the Middle East are as follows: (1) What are the structure and kinematics of a large fault zone? (2) What controls its structure and kinematics? (3) How does the DST compare to other plate boundary fault zones? The DST has accommodated a total of 105 km of left-lateral transform motion between the African and Arabian plates since early Miocene (similar to 20 Ma). The DST segment between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, called the Arava/Araba Fault (AF), is studied here using a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach from the mu m to the plate tectonic scale. We observe that under the DST a narrow, subvertical zone cuts through crust and lithosphere. First, from west to east the crustal thickness increases smoothly from 26 to 39 km, and a subhorizontal lower crustal reflector is detected east of the AF. Second, several faults exist in the upper crust in a 40 km wide zone centered on the AF, but none have kilometer-size zones of decreased seismic velocities or zones of high electrical conductivities in the upper crust expected for large damage zones. Third, the AF is the main branch of the DST system, even though it has accommodated only a part (up to 60 km) of the overall 105 km of sinistral plate motion. Fourth, the AF acts as a barrier to fluids to a depth of 4 km, and the lithology changes abruptly across it. Fifth, in the top few hundred meters of the AF a locally transpressional regime is observed in a 100-300 m wide zone of deformed and displaced material, bordered by subparallel faults forming a positive flower structure. Other segments of the AF have a transtensional character with small pull-aparts along them. The damage zones of the individual faults are only 5-20 m wide at this depth range. Sixth, two areas on the AF show mesoscale to microscale faulting and veining in limestone sequences with faulting depths between 2 and 5 km. Seventh, fluids in the AF are carried downward into the fault zone. Only a minor fraction of fluids is derived from ascending hydrothermal fluids. However, we found that on the kilometer scale the AF does not act as an important fluid conduit. Most of these findings are corroborated using thermomechanical modeling where shear deformation in the upper crust is localized in one or two major faults; at larger depth, shear deformation occurs in a 20-40 km wide zone with a mechanically weak decoupling zone extending subvertically through the entire lithosphere.
The mildly peraluminous granite of Seiffen, in the eastern Erzgebirge of Germany, is exposed by drillcores and associated with an abandoned Sri mine. The granite is of Stefanian age, with overlapping Th-U-total Pb monazite (302 +/- 4 Ma) and K-Ar siderophyllite ages (301 +/- 5 Ma). It is among the youngest granites in the Erzgebirge, emplaced in an extensional setting. The medium-grained, equigranular granite classifies as high-F, low-P Li-mica granite of A-type affinity. It is spatially associated with a high-Si rhyolitic microgranite, documenting the shallow intrusion level of this igneous association. Zircon, monazite-(Ce), and xenotime-(Y) constitute important radioactive accessory minerals in the granite, hosting the major proportions (> 80-90%) of the bulk-rock budgets of the REE, Y, and Th. A significant percentage of U (40-50%) may reside within unidentified phases or precipitated along grain boundaries. The most uncommon accessory phase is late-magmatic ytterbian xenotime-(Y) containing up to 11.2 wt% Yb2O3, in addition to 7.3 wt% Er2O3 and 7.9 wt% Dy2O3. The Seiffen granite (epsilon(Nd(300)) = -4.6) is geochemically evolved and rich in Sri (23-63 ppm) and W (11-14 ppm). It contains elevated to high concentrations of incompatible lithophile elements such as F, Li, Ga, Rb, Y, Nb, Cs, REE, Th, and U, thus having much in common chemically with subvolcanic ongonites. The most prominent compositional feature is the strong enrichment (in ppm) in Be (51-55) and Ta (23-28). The granite exhibits flat chondrite-normalized REE patterns (La-N/Lu-N = 1.35-1.48) and a moderate negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.12-0.13). Indications for alteration-induced, postmagmatic disturbances of initial elemental abundances are weak and mainly relate to the ore-forming elements Sri and U.
Fractional crystallization of peraluminous F- and H(2)O-rich granite magmas progressively enriches the remaining melt with volatiles. We show that, at saturation, the melt may separate into two immiscible conjugate melt fractions, one of the fractions shows increasing peraluminosity and the other increasing peralkalinity. These melt fractions also fractionate the incompatible elements to significantly different degrees. Coexisting melt fractions have differing chemical and physical properties and, due to their high density and viscosity contrasts, they will tend to separate readily from each other. Once separated, each melt fraction evolves independently in response to changing T/P/X conditions and further immiscibility events may occur, each generating its own conjugate pair of melt fractions. The strongly peralkaline melt fractions in particular are very reactive and commonly react until equilibrium is attained. Consequently, the peralkaline melt fraction is commonly preserved only in the isolated melt and mineral inclusions. We demonstrate that the differences between melt fractions that can be seen most clearly in differing melt inclusion compositions are also visible in the composition of the resulting ore-forming and accessory minerals, and are visible on scales from a few micrometers to hundreds of meters.
Reaction rims of titanite on ilmenite are described in samples from four terranes of amphibolite-facies metapelites and amphibolites namely the Tamil Nadu area, southern India; the Val Strona, area of the Ivrea-Verbano Zone, northern Italy, the Bamble Sector, southern Norway, and the northwestern Austroalpine Otztal Complex. The titanite rims, and hence the stability of titanite (CaTiSiO4O) and Al-OH titanite, i.e. vuaganatite (hypothetical end-member CaAlSiO4OH), are discussed in the light of fH(2)O- and fO(2)-buffered equilibria involving clinopyroxene, amphibole, biotite, ilmenite, magnetite, and quartz in the systems CaO-FeO/Fe2O3-TiO2-SiO2-H2O-O-2 (CFTSH) and CaO-FeO/Fe2O3-Al2O3- SiO2-H2O-O-2 (CFASH) present in each of the examples. Textural evidence suggests that titanite reaction rims on ilmenite in rocks from Tamil Nadu, Val Strona, and the Bamble Sector originated most likely due to hydration reactions such as clinopyroxene + ilmenite +quartz+ H2O = amphibole +titanite and oxidation reactions such as amphibole + ilmenite + O-2 = titanite + magnetite + quartz + H2O during amphibolite-facies metamorphism, or, as in the case of the Otztal Complex, during a subsequent greenschist-facies overprint. Overstepping of these reactions requires fH(2)O and fO(2) to be high for titanite formation, which is also in accordance with equilibria involving Al-OH titanite. This study shows that, in addition to P, T, bulk-rock composition and composition of the coexisting fluid, fO(2) and fH(2)O also play an important role in the formation of Al-bearing titanite during amphibolite- and greenschist-facies metamorphism.
A comprehensive survey of the accessory-mineral assemblages in Variscan granites of the German Erzgebirge and Pan-African granites from Jordan revealed the occurrence of intermediate solid solutions of the tetragonal thorite- xenotime-zircon-coffinite mineral group with partially novel compositions. These solid solutions preferentially formed in evolved and metasomatically altered, P-poor leucogranites of either I- or A-type affinity. Thorite from the Erzgebirge contained up to 18-8 Wt-% Y2O3, 16.1 wt.% ZrO2, and 23.3 Wt-% UO2. Xenotime and zircon have incorporated Th in abundances up to 36.3 wt.% and 41.8 wt.% ThO2, respectively. Extended compositional gradation with only minor gaps is confined to hydrated members of this mineral group, and is observed to exist between thorite and xenotime, thorite and coffinite, and Y-HREE-bearing thorite and zircon. Complex, hydrous solid solutions containing elevated abundances of three or more of the endmembers are subordinate. Previously reported intermediate solid solutions between anhydrous zircon and xenotime, and anhydrous zircon and thorite, are not observed and are in conflict with experimental work demonstrating very limited miscibility between anhydrous species of endmember composition. The majority of hydrous intermediate solid solutions in the Th-Y-Zr-U system are likely thermodynamically unstable. Instead, they are probably metastable responses to unusual physico-chemical conditions involving various parameters and conditions, the relative importance of which is incompletely known. Leaching and dissolution of preexisting accessory phases during interaction with F-bearing hydrous fluids enriched in Th, Y(HREE), Zr, and/or U, and common deposition of the various elements at disequilibrium (supersaturation) seems to play a key role, but other processes may be of similar importance. Experimental work involving hydrous conditions and complex systems composed of more than two endmembers are needed to shed light into the stability relations of the chemically uncommon compositions treated in this study.