大陆碰撞和超高压变质研究:进展和展望

在原岩为大陆地壳的高级变质岩中发现柯石英和金刚石这类超高压标志矿物,使人们认识到低密度大陆地壳曾经俯冲到大于80 km的地幔深部,是20世纪末大陆动力学研究的最大进展,因此革新了板块构造理论.大陆碰撞和超高压变质研究已成为21世纪发展板块构造理论的前沿和核心课题.大别-苏鲁造山带出露有世界上最大的超高压变质构造单元,中国科学家以此为基地,在大陆碰撞和超高压变质的一些重要领域取得了国际上有影响力的系列成果.这些包括大陆地壳俯冲的深度和规模、大陆深俯冲过程的时间序列、大陆碰撞过程中的流体活动、深俯冲陆壳的流变学特征等.本文评述了大陆地壳经历深俯冲的矿物学记录,概括了近年来大别-苏鲁造山带研究的突出进展,从四个方面对大陆碰撞和超高压变质研究进行了展望:①超高压变质带的构造-变质演化,②大陆碰撞过程中的流体活动,③大陆碰撞带数值模型,④超高压变质矿物微区分析的新技术.     

大陆深俯冲作用研究引起的新思维

变质沉积岩中柯石英的发现表明,低密度的大陆地壳物质可被俯冲到地幔深处,并由此引发对大陆深俯冲作用的研究热潮.大陆壳可被俯冲到300 km深处,还能更深吗?在超高压变质环境中有水介入,但其活动又受到限制,水在深部的活动形式与规模究竟怎样?在碰撞造山带中,100 km深度以下的超高压变质岩石是在何种动力学过程与机制主导下折返至地表的?这些新思维最终会引导人们逐步形成和完善新的地球观.     

学术动态

中国西部大陆深俯冲作用的探究”取得重要进展近日 ,科技部组织专家组对“国家重点基础研究发展规划”(“973计划”)项目“大陆深俯冲作用”及其二级课题进行了中期评估。由我校牵头的“中国西部大陆深俯冲作用的探究”课题受到专家组的一致好评。“国家重点基础研究发展规划”“大陆深俯冲作用”项目由 1 1个二级子课题组成 ,“中国西部大陆深俯冲作用的探究”是其中第 8个子课题。该课题由我校牵头与北京大学共同承担 ,课题负责人由我校孙勇教授和北京大学张立飞教授担任。该课题也是我校历史上承担的级别最高的“973计划”课题。经过课题组两年来的不懈努力 ,研究工作取得了重大进展 ,首次在中国西部的阿尔金和西天山等地发现了不同类型的超高压变质岩石 ,确定了柴北缘超高压变质岩石的存在 ,明确指出中国西部的阿尔金 -柴北缘和西南天山为继大别 -苏鲁之后又一个高压 -超高压变质地体。依据岩石学、矿物学和地球化学研究 ,指出阿尔金造山带的 3类超高压变质岩是大陆地壳深俯冲作用的产物 ,尤其是超高压中基性片麻岩的石榴石中单斜辉石和金红石出溶叶片的发现 ,表明大陆岩石俯冲到大于 1 50 km的地幔深度。建立了阿尔金 -柴北缘代表性超高压变质...     

大别山榴辉岩研究概述

榴辉岩作为典型的超高压变质岩,是研究碰撞造山带演化过程及地球深部变质作用的物质基础。该文阐述了我国大别山造山带榴辉岩的研究意义,大别山的地质背景以及榴辉岩的特征及产出特点。总结了大别山榴辉岩的同位素地球化学（包括碳、氢氧和稀有气体同位素）和稀土元素地球化学特征,并提出了一些在大别山榴辉岩的研究中尚有争论的问题,如榴辉岩原岩的成因及来源、榴辉岩形成过程中板块的俯冲深度、超高压变质过程中稀土元素的稳定性等。这些问题的解决还有赖于对大别地区的超高压变质岩做进一步的岩石地球化学及微量元素地球化学的研究。     

变质沉积岩中发现斯石英存在的证据：陆壳深俯冲所返的深度可超过350km

超高压变质及其引伸的大陆深俯冲作用是数十年来国际固体地球科学研究中思想最活跃、竞争最激烈的研究领域之一,按照传统的板块构造学说,在板块边界消减俯冲带上,大陆地壳因其密度低,不可能俯冲到高密度的地幔中去,然而,1984年法国科学家Chopin和Smith分别在西阿尔卑斯和挪威变沉积岩中发现了柯石英,随后前苏联和我国学者分别在哈萨克斯坦变沉积岩和中国大别榴辉岩中发现微粒金刚石,证明低密度的陆壳岩石可被俯冲到大于80—120km的地幔深度,然后再折返到地表．这些发现改变了传统的地球动力学观念,很快在国际上引发了一场超高压和大陆深俯冲作用研究热潮。     

变质沉积岩中发现斯石英存在的证据:陆壳深俯冲/折返的深度可超过350km

超高压变质及其引伸的大陆深俯冲作用是数十年来国际固体地球科学研究中思想最活跃、竞争最激烈的研究领域之一.按照传统的板块构造学说,在板块边界消减俯冲带上,大陆地壳因其密度低,不可能俯冲到高密度的地幔中去.     

“大陆的俯冲、拆离和减薄作用学术讨论会”在我校召开

由我校和中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所共同举办的“大陆的俯冲、拆离和减薄作用学术讨论会”日前在我校召开。来自国家自然科学基金委、科技部、中国科学院、中国地质科学院、国家地震局、北京大学、中国科技大学、中国地质大学等单位的 12 0多位专家、学者出席了本次学术大会。此次会议将国家重点基础研究发展规划 (973)项目“大陆深俯冲作用”和中科院知识创新项目“华北东部盆山系统与战略资源预测”有机结合 ,围绕“超高压岩石的变质作用、流体演化和地球化学”、“大陆碰撞、伸展和抬升的构造过程”、“碰撞后过程、岩石圈减薄与岩…     

新疆西南天山超高压榴辉岩、蓝片岩地球化学特征及大地构造意义

新疆西南天山高压-超高压(HP-UHP)变质带为一NEE-SWW向延伸的古俯冲增生杂岩体,其4个岩石组合对应于两个不同的构造环境.榴辉岩组合Ec1为变碱性玄武岩,地球化学特征与洋岛玄武岩(OIB)一致;Ec2微量元素成分特征类似富集型大洋中脊玄武岩(EMORB);蓝片岩组合Bs1微量元素则显示NMORB特征,上述组合应形成于海山环境.岩石中普遍发育的碳酸盐矿物以及绿辉石石英岩条纹/团块应源于上叠在玄武岩质海山之上的沉积物.Bs2则显示CAB地球化学特征.海山及其携带的远洋沉积物倾没于俯冲带内,在此过程中侵蚀并裹挟发育于活动大陆边缘的CAB物质或其再沉积产物和海沟沉积物,一起遭受高压至超高压变质作用后折返.各岩石组合空间上的交叠并置显示昭苏高压-超高压变质带是在洋壳俯冲过程中,海山玄武岩、火山弧玄武岩、深海和海沟沉积物经构造混杂交叠形成的俯冲增生杂岩体.     

西南天山榴辉岩的显微构造及其变形机制探讨

岩石、矿物的显微构造是岩石变形、变质等各种地质作用最直观的记录。新疆西南天山高压变质带中榴辉岩的显微构造研究,对认识其在地壳深俯冲过程中的岩石、矿物变形机制有十分重要的意义。西南天山榴辉岩的显微构造研究发现:绿辉石的动态重结晶亚晶粒化和颗粒边界迁移、云母的扭折和波状消光、方解石的机械双晶等显微变形现象,表明动态恢复作用、位错滑移和位错攀移为主的晶质塑性变形机制是榴辉岩的主要变形机制;石榴子石呈无变形刚性特征,具有变斑晶包迹结构,说明固态物质扩散迁移是榴辉岩的另一个重要变形机制;石榴子石多具有良好的晶型,说明石榴子石是在静变质状态下稳态生长而成,这与大别—苏鲁高压—超高压变质带有明显区别。因此,笔者认为位错蠕变、动态重结晶主导的晶质塑性变形和固态物质扩散迁移组合的显微构造变形现象,是西南天山高压—超高压变质榴辉岩的显微构造组合特征。这样的组合特征可能代表了洋壳深俯冲经历高压—超高压变质作用榴辉岩变形机制。     

俯冲带变质脱水作用与流体性质

俯冲带不仅是全球最大的物质循环的枢纽,还是地球内部流体活动最为强烈的场所之一。在板片俯冲过程中,经洋底蚀变的洋壳、上覆沉积物和下伏蛇纹石化岩石圈地幔随着温压的升高发生变质脱水反应形成俯冲带流体。脱水过程主要受俯冲板片中含水矿物的稳定性控制,而其流体效应主要受控于俯冲带热结构等因素。俯冲带流体按其含水和溶质比例可分为富水流体、超临界流体和含水熔体等不同类型,流体不仅可以携带传统的LILE,还可以携带HREE、HFSE、金属元素和重要挥发分(如C、N和S等)进行迁移,在制约俯冲板片-岛弧物质循环方面起着重要作用。本研究在回顾俯冲板片的脱水机制、流体作用及其地球化学行为的基础上,对俯冲带流体的研究前景进行了展望。     

A perspective view on ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and continental collision in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt

The study of continental deep-subduction has been one of the forefront and core subjects to advance the plate tectonics theory in the twenty-first century. The Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt in China crops out the largest lithotectonic unit containing ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the world. Much of our understanding of the world＇s most enigmatic processes in continental deep-subduction zones has been deduced from various records in the Dabie-Sulu rocks. By taking these rocks as the natural laboratory, earth scientists have made seminal contributions to understanding of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and continental collision. This paper outlines twelve aspects of outstanding progress, including spatial distribution of the UHP metamorphic rocks, timing of the UHP metamorphism, timescale of the UHP metamorphism, the protolith nature of deeply subducted continental crust, subduction erosion and crustal detachment during continental collision, the possible depths of continental subduction, fluid activity in the continental deep-subduction zone, partial melting during continental collision, element mobility in continental deep-subduction zone, recycling of subducted continental crust, geodynamic mechanism of postcollisional magmatism, and lithospheric architecture of collision orogen. Some intriguing questions and directions are also proposed for future studies.     

25 years of continental deep subduction

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of coesite in metamorphic rocks of supracrustal origin. This initiated a revolution of the plate tectonics theory due to intensive studies of ultrahigh pressure metamorphism and continental deep subduction. The occurrence of coesite was first reported in 1984 by two French scientists, C. Chopin and D.C. Smith,     

The geological characteristics of oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belts and their tectonic implications: Case studies from Southwest Tianshan and North Qaidam in NW China

The geological characteristics of ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） metamorphic belts formed by deep subduction of oceanic crust are summarized in this paper. Oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belt is characterized by its protolithlc assemblage of typical oceanic crust, the peak metamorphic temperature 〈600℃, P-T path undergoing blueschist facies during prograde and retrograde metamorphic evolution, reepectively, with low geothermal gradient of cold subduction. The further study of oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belt is very significant for constructing metamorphic reaction series of cold subduction zone, for understanding how aqueous fluids were transported into deep mantle and for classifying the types of UHP metamorphism in cold subduction zone. The uplift and exhumation mechanism of oceanic UHP metamorphic rocks is one of the most challenging problems in the study of UHP metamorphism, which is very important for understanding the geodynamic mechanism of solid Earth. As a traveler eubducted into the mantle depth end then uplifted to the surface, oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belts witness the bulk process from the subduction to exhumation and is an ideal target to study the geochemical behavior end cycling of elements in subduction zones. The tectonic evolution of one convergent orogenic belt can be usually divided into two stages of oceanic subduction and followed continental subduction and collision, and the two best-established examples of orogenic belts are Alpa and Himalaya. Therefore, the study of oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belt is the frontier of the current plate tectonic theory. As two case studies, the current status and existing problems of oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belts in Southwest Tianshan and North Qaidam, NW China, are reviewed in this paper.     

Exsolution microstructures in ultrahigh-pressure rocks: Progress, controversies and challenges

Exsolution microstructures in minerals of rocks from orogenic belts played an important role in recognition of ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） metamorphism in their host rocks by defining the subduction depth and improving our understanding of the dynamics during the subduction and exhumation of UHP rocks. However, it is a challenging scientific topic to distinguish the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ from the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ and decipher their geological implications. This paper describes the subtle differences between the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ and the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ and summarizes the progress in studies of exolution microstructures from UHP rocks and mantle rocks of ultra-deep origin. We emphasize distinguishing the ＇exsolution microstructures＇ from the ＇non-exsolution microstructures＇ based on their geometric topotaxy and chemistry. In order to decipher correctly the exsolution microstructures, it is crucial to understand the changes of chemistry and habits of host minerals with pressure and temperature, Therefore, it is important to combine observations of exsolution microstructure in natural rocks with experimental results at high pressure and temperature and results of micro-scale analyses. Such studies will improve our understanding of the UHP metamorphism and cast new lights on solid geoscience issues such as deep subduction of continental crusts and crust-mantle interactions.     

The Dabie-Sulu UHP rocks belt: review and prospect

The new results in the studies of the Dabie-Sulu UHP rocks belt during the past 5 years were summarized and discussed. The discussion included the following key points: ( i ) UHP eclogite has two kinds of country rocks, with one being UHP eclogite facies rocks and the other non-UHP granitic gneiss. ( ii ) The FeTiO₃ in olivine indicated exsolution at depth of 300–400 km. However, the key point is to prove the peridotite in which the FeTlO₃ in olivine was found once had been subducted down that depth. ( iii ) UHP hydrous phase evidenced that fluids had taken part in the UHP metamorphism, while the meter-scale inhomogeneous distribution of O-, C-isotope indicated no fluid activity in the deep subduction environment. ( IV ) No agreement has been arrived on many problems related to the tectonic background of the UHP rocks, such as “whether or not ophiolitic rocks there exist now?”, “when did UHP metamorphism proceed?”, “what is the subdution polarity?”, etc. ( V ) How did the UHP rocks exhume from mantle depth? The future studies will focus on the following three subjects: ( i ) thermal dynamics of the UHP metamorphism, ( ii ) relationship between UHP metamorphism and collision orogeny, as well as their geodynamics, and ( iii ) interactions between crust and mantle, and between continental lithosphere and asthenosphere during the collision orogenic process, as well as their constraints to the evolution of continental lithosphere.     

Developing the plate tectonics from oceanic subduction to continental collision

The studies of continental deep subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism have not only promoted the development of solid earth science in China, but also provided an excellent opportunity to advance the plate tectonics theory. In view of the nature of subducted crust, two types of subduction and collision have been respectively recognized in nature. On one hand, the crustal subduction occurs due to underflow of either oceanic crust （Pacific type） or continental crust （Alpine type）. On the other hand, the continental collision proceeds by arc-continent collision （Himalaya-Tibet type） or continent-continent collision （Dabie-Sulu type）. The key issues in the future study of continental dynamics are the chemical changes and differential exhumation in continental deep subduction zones, and the temporal-spatial transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction.     

Fluid inclusions evidence for differential exhumation of ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks in the Sulu terrane

Since the discovery of coesite and diamond inclusions in eclogites from the Dabie-Sulu orogen, east-central China[1―3], this largest ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamor- phic terrane in the world has attracted extensive scientific interests. A number of hydrous minerals such as zoisite, phengite, magnesite and talc have been found in the UHP rocks, showing that fluids have played an important role in this type of extreme metamorphic evolution[4―8]. Sev-eral techniques have been applied to th…     

Fluid activity during exhumation of deep-subducted continental plate

It is well known that a great deal of fluid wasreleased during subduction of oceanic crust, resulting in arcmagmatism, quartz veining and metamorphic mineralizationof syn-subduction. In contrast, the process of continentalsubduction is characterized by the relative lack of fluid andthus no arc magmatism has been found so far. During exhu-mation of deep-subducted continental crust, nevertheless,significant amounts of aqueous fluid became available fromthe decomposition of hydrous minerals, the decrepitation ofprimary fluid inclusions, and the exsolution of structuralhydroxyls. This kind of metamorphic fluid has recently at-tracted widespread interests and thus been one of the mostimportant targets in deciphering the geological processesconcerning metamorphism, magmatism and mineralizationin collisional orogens. A large number of studies inlvolvingstable isotopes, fluid inclusions and petrological phase rela-tionships have been accomplished in past a few years withrespect to the mobility and amount of met     

Geological record of fluid flow and seismogenesis along an erosive subducting plate boundary

Tectonic erosion of the overriding plate by the downgoing slab is believed to occur at half the Earth's subduction zones. In situ investigation of the geological processes at active erosive margins is extremely difficult owing to the deep marine environment and the net loss of forearc crust to deeper levels in the subduction zone. Until now, a fossil erosive subduction channel-the shear zone marking the plate boundary-has not been recognized in the field, so that seismic observations have provided the only information on plate boundary processes at erosive margins. Here we show that a fossil erosive margin is preserved in the Northern Apennines of Italy. It formed during the Tertiary transition from oceanic subduction to continental collision, and was preserved by the late deactivation and fossilization of the plate boundary. The outcropping erosive subduction channel is approximately 500 m thick. It is representative of the first 5 km of depth, with its deeper portions reaching approximately 150 degrees C. The fossil zone records several surprises. Two décollements were simultaneously active at the top and base of the subduction channel. Both deeper basal erosion and near-surface frontal erosion occurred. At shallow depths extension was a key deformation component within this erosive convergent plate boundary, and slip occurred without an observable fluid pressure cycle. At depths greater than about 3 km a fluid cycle is clearly shown by the development of veins and the alternation of fast (co-seismic) and slow (inter-seismic) slip. In the deepest portions of the outcropping subduction channel, extension is finally overprinted by compressional structures. In modern subduction zones the onset of seismic activity is believed to occur at approximately 150 degrees C, but in the fossil channel the onset occurred at cooler palaeo-temperatures.     

Geochemical characteristics and tectonic implications of HP-UHP eclogites and blueschists in southwestern Tianshan, China

Four rock assemblages in correspondence with two different tectonic settings have been recognized in the NEE-SWW extending HP-UHP metamorphic belt in southwestern Tianshan, northwest China. Eclogite assemblage EC1 is geochemically akin to alkaline within-plate oceanic island basalt (OIB). EC2 shows affinity to enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt (EMORB). Rare earth element (REE) and other immobile trace element characteristics of blueschist assemblage BS1 resemble those of normal mid-oceanic ridge basalt (NMORB). These three assemblages are likely formed on a seamount setting, and the prevalent presence of carbonate minerals and omphacite quartzite stripes/gobbets suggests ancient pelagic sediments including marls are probably developed upon the basaltic seamount. Whereas the geochemical characteristics of BS2 assemblage are of volcanic arc basalt-type. The seamount with the pelagic sediments on it is brought into the subduction zone, and volcanic arc basalts formed on the active continental margin and trench sediments are eroded and enwrapped in the subducting mass, they are altogether subjected to high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism and subsequent exhumation towards surface. The HP-UHP metamorphic belt is thus interpreted as a subduction-accretionary complex formed by tectonic juxtaposition and imbrication of seamount, seafloor, trench and volcanic arc sequences during oceanic crust subduction.