Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Kun Zhou, Yi-Xiang Chen, Yong-Fei Zheng
Summary: In this study, the effects of source composition and melting conditions on the composition of syn-exhumation granitic rocks were investigated using zircon and titanite U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry. The results show that the Weihai granites are derived from decompressional melting of the lower crustal slice at greater depth, while those from the Lanshan area are derived from decompressional melting of the upper crustal slice at relatively shallower depth.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Franz Neubauer, Yongjiang Liu, Yunpeng Dong, Ruihong Chang, Johann Genser, Sihua Yuan
Summary: This study summarizes the evolutionary history of the Austroalpine and Southalpine basement units in the Southern Alps and emphasizes their crucial role in the Alpine-Mediterranean mountain belts. It involves various geological processes like plate collision, ophiolite formation, magmatic activity, and rifting.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Manlan Niu, Qianru Cai, Xiucai Li, Chris Yakymchuk, Qi Wu, Xiaoyu Yuan, Yi Sun
Summary: This study investigates the tectonic evolution of the South Qilian Ocean in the North Qaidam tectonic belt through analyzing two groups of intermediate-mafic rocks. The results reveal the crucial roles of decompression melting and heat flow in the generation of magmas during the transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Brian Oller, James M. D. Day, Neal W. W. Driscoll, Peter F. F. Lonsdale
Summary: Through analyzing mantle peridotite xenoliths from the Ferrel Seamount off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico, this study suggests that tectonic isolation of an oceanic plate may lead to the formation of non-cratonic continental lithospheric mantle, providing a possible explanation for the link between oceanic lithosphere and non-cratonic CLM.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Wei Wei, Wei Lin, Yan Chen, Michel Faure, Wenbin Ji, Quanlin Hou, Quanren Yan, Qingchen Wang
Summary: The magmatic tempo in an active plate margin is influenced by the tectonic evolution of underlain subduction slabs. This study reveals that the collision between the Dangerous Grounds-West Philippines Block and the South China Block (SCB) caused a shortening regime, leading to a decrease in magmatic activity in the CNB. It demonstrates the importance of tectonic processes in controlling magmatism in continental margin.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yi Zou, Ross N. Mitchell, Xu Chu, Michael Brown, Jilian Jiang, Qiuli Li, Lei Zhao, Mingguo Zhai
Summary: The thermal state of the mantle affects lithospheric dynamics and Earth's surface evolution. Geodynamic simulations suggest that aggregated continents may lead to mantle warming and weaker continental lithosphere, resulting in lower-relief orogens during the mid-Proterozoic period. This weakened lithosphere reduced erosion, limited nutrient delivery to the oceans, hindered oxygen accumulation, and stalled surface evolution.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xingtao Kuang, Xi Xu, Hongwei Duan, Baobao Cao, Fangxin Ning, Mengchu Xiao, Song Han, Daoqing Zhou, Baodi Wang
Summary: The Beidashan-Langshan arcuate tectonic belt in the Alxa tectonic belt (ATB) has a significant impact on the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, the formation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), and the growth of continental crust. New gravity and magnetic surveys reveal a high-amplitude magnetic anomaly zone distributed across the Quagan Qulu ophiolite belt in the ATB. This magnetic anomaly zone may have originated from a crustal mafic pluton derived from the Late Paleozoic-Triassic Paleo-Asian Ocean. The irregular continental margins, such as the Beidashan-Langshan arcuate tectonic belt, can contribute to the lateral growth of continental crust and serve as an important means of continental accretion in the CAOB.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
S. Ghignone, M. Sudo, G. Balestro, A. Borghi, M. Gattiglio, S. Ferrero, V van Schijndel
Summary: A multidisciplinary approach to studying collisional orogenic belts in the Western Alps has revealed different foliations and cleavages developed at different metamorphic conditions during four tectonometamorphic phases, suggesting new tectonic implications for the exhumation of meta-ophiolites in this region.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Maria Di Rosa, E. Sanita, C. Frassi, J. M. Lardeaux, M. Corsini, M. Marroni, L. Pandolfi
Summary: This study presents the first P-T-d-t path for the Alpine Corsica's Lower Units, specifically the Tenda Massif representing fragments of the European continental margin involved in the east-dipping Alpine subduction. New thermobarometric data and 40Ar/39Ar dating of syn-kinematic muscovite were used to determine the P-T conditions and age of metamorphism of the Venaco Unit in Alpine Corsica's southernmost sector. The results show that the Venaco Unit reached its maximum pressure at approximately 33 km depth, and was later exhumed to a shallower level at around 26 km depth during the Priabonian period, suggesting fast exhumation unlike the stationary Tenda Massif.
GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ying Song, Jianye Ren, Keyu Liu, Dawei Lyu, Xinjie Feng, Yuan Liu, Andrei Stepashko
Summary: By studying the sedimentary sequences in the Songliao Basin, China, we can understand the evolution of this extensional basin from the syn-rift to subsequent post-rift stages. During this transition, the sediment dispersal pattern shifted from a local intraregional pattern to a transcontinental pattern, resulting in a complex mixture of sediment sources. These findings are important for understanding the evolution of other continental rift basins.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Guo-Chao Sun, Li-Qun Dai, Zi-Fu Zhao, Ren-Xu Chen, Fang Huang
Summary: Syn-exhumation and post-collisional mafic magmatic rocks in continental collision orogens provide valuable insights into the nature of orogenic lithospheric mantle and crust-mantle interaction.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zhiyuan He, Bo Wang, Wenbo Su, Stijn Glorie, Xinghua Ni, Jiashuo Liu, Dongxu Cai, Linglin Zhong, Johan De Grave
Summary: This study presents new apatite fission track (AFT) data from the northern and southern margins of the Yili block, and explores its thermo-tectonic history. The results indicate that the northern and southern parts of the Yili block experienced different Mesozoic thermo-tectonic evolution, with the northern part undergoing basement cooling before the Cretaceous. The study suggests that the intra-continental reactivation of the North Tianshan and Nalati faults did not lead to significant regional exhumation during the Meso-Cenozoic.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
E. Ryan, S. Papeschi, G. Viola, G. Musumeci, F. Mazzarini, E. Torgersen, B. E. Sorensen, M. Ganerod
Summary: The E-vergent Northern Apennines were formed by the convergence and subduction of Adria beneath Europe during the Oligocene-Miocene period. Post-orogenic extension played a crucial role in the exhumation of the belt's inner domain high-pressure/low-temperature rock units. The Acquadolce Subunit in the Eastern Elba nappe stack experienced early syn-orogenic exhumation from blueschist- to greenschist-facies conditions through a combination of W-directed extension and E-directed thrusting.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xiucai Li, Manlan Niu, Zhen Yan, Chris Yakymchuk, Changlei Fu, Chen Li, Yi Sun, Qi Wu, Jiahao He
Summary: The North Qaidam tectonic belt is characterized by the formation of high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure eclogite due to deep subduction of the continental lithosphere. This study demonstrates that mafic intrusions in the North Wulan metamorphic complex were sourced from ancient subcontinental mantle modified by subducted oceanic slab-derived components. The interaction between subcontinental lithospheric mantle peridotite and subducted components led to the formation of continental arc mafic magmas in the North Qaidam tectonic belt.
Article
Geology
Rodrigo S. Marimon, Rudolph A. J. Trouw, Elton L. Dantas, Andre Ribeiro, Priscila Santos, Klaus Kuster, Rodrigo Vinagre
Summary: The Southern Brasilia Orogen is a well-studied and complete orogen of West Gondwana, showcasing the complex origins and structures of collisional orogens. Through newly obtained isotopic data and previous analyses, insights into the collision between passive and active margins have been revealed, providing new perspectives on the location of the suture zone in orogens.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Genevieve L. Coffey, Heather M. Savage, Pratigya J. Polissar, Francesca Meneghini, Matt J. Ikari, Ake Fagereng, Julia K. Morgan, Maomao Wang
Summary: The study investigated whether the Papaku fault can host seismic slip at shallow depths, finding four zones of localized high temperature near the top of the fault interpreted to be zones of localized seismic slip. Thermal modeling shows that the most likely maximum displacement on the shallow Papaku fault during each event was 14-17 m.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Heather M. Savage, Srisharan Shreedharan, Ake Fagereng, Julia K. Morgan, Francesca Meneghini, Maomao Wang, David D. McNamara, Laura M. Wallace, Demian M. Saffer, Philip M. Barnes, Katerina E. Petronotis, Leah J. LeVay
Summary: Drilling an active thrust splay fault revealed asymmetric fracture density in the damage zone, influenced by different deformation histories and dynamic stress between hanging wall and footwall. Damage asymmetry is common in subduction zones and affects fault properties such as fluid flow and stability. Subduction zone faults demonstrate similar damage-displacement scaling as continental faults.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Andrea Festa, Francesca Meneghini, Gianni Balestro, Luca Pandolfi, Paola Tartarotti, Yildirim Dilek, Michele Marroni
Summary: The chaotic rock units in the Northern Apennines and Western Alps, representing Jurassic ophiolites, were influenced by tectonic deformation and high-pressure metamorphism during formation, leading to debates on their lithostratigraphic position. A comparative analysis of these units revealed the nature of processes involved in their formation and suggested that they can be used as proxies for identifying metamorphosed counterparts. The sedimentological processes associated with slow-spreading MOR tectonics and accretionary prism development were found to contribute to sediment budgets, indicating uniform and synchronous processes in the formation of Jurassic oceanic lithosphere in the LPOB.
JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geography
Edoardo Sanita, Jean-Marc Lardeaux, Michele Marroni, Guido Gosso, Luca Pandolfi
Summary: This study highlights the finite strain pattern recorded in Marguareis Unit through accurate geological mapping and structural analysis. The superposed tectonic structures developed during the Alpine collision are exceptionally well preserved in the area of interest. The structural frame of the Marguareis Unit results from superposition of fourfold systems, later segmented by brittle faults without significant displacements.
Article
Geology
Chiara Frassi, Maria Di Rosa, Federico Farina, Luca Pandolfi, Michele Marroni
Summary: This study provides a detailed analysis of a belt of metamorphic continental units in Corsica Island, France. The study reconstructs the tectono-metamorphic history of one of these units and suggests that it was accreted at a depth of 40 km before being exhumed to the Earth's surface. The findings contribute to understanding the processes of continental subduction and exhumation.
INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGY REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Luca Pandolfi, Edoardo Barbero, Michele Marroni, Morteza Delavari, Asghar Dolati, Maria Di Rosa, Chiara Frassi, Antonio Langone, Federico Farina, Christopher S. MacDonald, Emilio Saccani
Summary: This study focuses on the geological structural features of the Makran area, discussing the origin and evolutionary history of related rocks. It highlights the significance of the Bajgan Complex and provides explanations for its formation period.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Ellero, Chiara Frassi, Mehmet Cemal Goncuoglu, Marco Lezzerini, Michele Marroni, Giuseppe Ottria, Luca Pandolfi, Kaan Sayit, Marco Tamponi
Summary: The study utilized a multidisciplinary approach combining geological-structural analyses and clay mineral transformations to investigate the tectono-metamorphic evolution of low- and very low-grade units in northern Turkey. The mineralogical study and structural analysis helped distinguish three tectono-metamorphic units and revealed a polyphase tectonic-metamorphic evolution in the region. Contemporary analyses and comparison between structural and mineralogical data proved to be a powerful tool to investigate the metamorphic environments and improve geological mapping in the field.
JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Edoardo Sanita, Maria Di Rosa, Jean Marc Lardeaux, Michele Marroni, Luca Pandolfi
Summary: This study quantifies for the first time the metamorphic peak conditions of the Marguareis Unit and finds that it recorded high-pressure and low-temperature conditions during the Alpine collision.
Article
Geology
Gabriele Cruciani, Lorenzo Dulcetta, Marcello Franceschelli, Chiara Frassi, Giovanni Musumeci
Summary: The Mt. Filau Orthogneiss is a part of the Sulcis Metamorphic Complex and shows signs of metamorphic peak and partial melting. The P-T conditions suggest the presence of a thermal anomaly in the foreland zone, possibly caused by the tectonic activity of the Tuerredda ductile shear zone.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riccardo Petrini, Lisa Ghezzi, Simone Arrighi, Lisa Genovesi, Chiara Frassi, Luca Pandolfi
Summary: Trace elements, such as Cu, Zn, and Cd, were found to be the main contaminants in the surface soil of the Fornaci di Barga urban area in Italy, which is impacted by long-lasting metallurgical activity. However, groundwater did not show evidence of trace metal contamination. Risk assessment revealed that children are at risk of cadmium exposure through soil ingestion and dermal contact. The results highlight a possible link between space clusters of diseases and metal concentration in soil.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geography
Edoardo Sanita, Maria Di Rosa, Jean-Marc Lardeaux, Michele Marroni, Luca Pandolfi
Summary: We present a study on the structural architecture of a key area in the Western Ligurian Alps, where a stack of oceanic and continental units with low to very low-grade metamorphism is exposed. Through integration of stratigraphic, structural and metamorphic data, we have generated a high-resolution 1:12,500 geological map. Our analysis reveals the large-scale superposition of fold and thrust systems extending over an area of more than 50 km². These findings provide valuable insights into the tectonic evolution of the Southwestern Alps and underscore the shallow crustal coupling between continental and oceanic units during top-to-the-southwest thrusting.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Maria Di Rosa, E. Sanita, C. Frassi, J. M. Lardeaux, M. Corsini, M. Marroni, L. Pandolfi
Summary: This study presents the first P-T-d-t path for the Alpine Corsica's Lower Units, specifically the Tenda Massif representing fragments of the European continental margin involved in the east-dipping Alpine subduction. New thermobarometric data and 40Ar/39Ar dating of syn-kinematic muscovite were used to determine the P-T conditions and age of metamorphism of the Venaco Unit in Alpine Corsica's southernmost sector. The results show that the Venaco Unit reached its maximum pressure at approximately 33 km depth, and was later exhumed to a shallower level at around 26 km depth during the Priabonian period, suggesting fast exhumation unlike the stationary Tenda Massif.
GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Chiara Frassi, Alessia Amorfini, Antonio Bartelletti, Giuseppe Ottria
Summary: Popularizing endogenic geological processes and structural geology in geosites is crucial for understanding the deep Earth activities and their influence on landforms. This study presents three geosites in the Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark, Italy, highlighting their geoheritage values and using simplified language and graphic panels to aid comprehension. The selected structures represent different deformation regimes and depths, showcasing the boundary between metamorphic and non-metamorphic rocks, a natural arch, and folding examples.
Article
Geology
Chiara Frassi, Gianfranco Chighine, Daniela Mauro, Cristian Biagioni, Federica Zaccarini, Michele Marroni
Summary: The occurrence of pervasive crystallization of antigorite associated with brittle tectonics is described for the first time in the External Ligurian peridotites of Northern Apennine (Italy). This study suggests that the crystallization of antigorite is related to the source area of the Ocean-Continent Transition Zone and likely developed during the late stage of the rifting phase when subcontinental mantle was exposed and intruded by gabbro bodies and basaltic dykes.
Article
Geology
Kaan Sayit, M. Cemal Goncuoglu, Alessandro Ellero, Giuseppe Ottria, Chiara Frassi, Michele Marroni, Luca Pandolfi
Summary: In the southern Central Pontides in northern Turkey, Late Cretaceous magmatic units, including the Yerkuyu Unit and the Tafano Unit, with different tectono-magmatic characteristics, are discovered through the study of the North Anatolian Shear Zone. It is inferred that the subduction of the Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan branch of the Neotethys Ocean resulted in different types of magmatism.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Huichuan Liu, Alan R. Hastie, Chiara Maria Petrone
Summary: This study conducted isotope analyses on two ocean island basalt (OIB)-associated enriched mafic intrusions in the Yunnan-Burma region, and found that these rocks may have originated from the subduction recycling of marine sediments and altered oceanic crust.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
L. Notini, M. Scambelluri, A. Tommasi, A. Zanetti, F. Ferri, A. Rodriguez-Vargas, E. Rampone
Summary: This study provides important petrologic information on the mantle wedge above an active subduction zone in Southern Colombia. The researchers analyzed a unique suite of rock samples and found evidence of hydration, metasomatism, and partial melting in the mantle wedge. They also observed variations in lithotypes, textures, and mineral abundance, indicating different interactions with melts and fluids. This study sheds light on the complex petrological processes occurring in the mantle wedge and contributes to our understanding of subduction zone dynamics.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Sourav Bhattacharjee, Aniket Chakrabarty, Roger H. Mitchell, Suresh Chandra Patel, Evgeniy N. Kozlov, Ekaterina N. Fomina, Monojit Dey, Supratim Pal
Summary: The Hogenakkal complex in India consists of silicate-rich and silicate-poor carbonatites and clinopyroxenites. The formation of carbonatite is influenced by silicate minerals. The carbohydrothermal mineralization in the carbonatites is induced by magma-derived fluids and interactions with the surrounding rocks.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jia-Min Wang, Kyle Patrick Larson, Jin-Jiang Zhang, Liang Zhao, Fu-Yuan Wu
Summary: The role of collisional belts in the global carbon budget is controversial. This study reveals a previously unrecognized carbon source in the collisional orogen of the Himalayas, where metamorphism of carbonate-bearing rocks in the hanging wall resulted in significant CO2 degassing.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Joseph Martial Akame, Elson Paiva Oliveira, Vinciane Debaille, Marc Poujol, Bernhard Schulz, Dieudonnee Bisso, Fabien Humbert, Serge Parfait Koah Na Lebogo, Philmont Zo'o Zame
Summary: Archean granitoids play key roles in the crustal evolution and can provide important insights into early geologic processes.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xiguang Huang, Jun He, Jingxin Zhao, Jingzhao Dou, Weiyong Li, Aimin Hu, Ge Liu, Yiru Ji, Fukun Chen, Shuangqing Li
Summary: This study investigates the zircon ages and whole-rock geochemical data of Late Paleozoic magmatic rocks in the Western Yunnan Tethyan belt to identify the origin and mechanism of mantle melting. The results suggest that these magmatic rocks may originate from different mantle domains that were metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and sediment-derived melts.