Vol 476, No 2 (2017)

Comparative analysis of the composition and formation conditions of the dunite–pyroxenite association of the Guli Pluton and ultramafic vulcanite (meimechite) showed the similarity of their initial melts and the same type of crystallization, demonstrating the cumulative origin of dunite.

New data on composition and age of Precambrian granites and volcanic rocks in the southern part of the Lyapin structure (Northern Urals) are considered. The geochemical features of the igneous rocks are similar to those of the rocks formed in both divergent and convergent environments. In the Late Precambrian (583–553 Ma), the investigated area is assumed to have been a part of the active margin above the mantle plume.

This work presents the geological structure and a description of the gold-ore occurrences and gold placers of the Un’ya-Bom ore-placer cluster of the Amur gold-bearing province. The host rocks are Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic black shales. Intrusive formations occur rarely. The sublatitudinal Un’ya Thrust is the principal ore-controlling structure. Paleozoic sandstones are thrust over Mesozoic flysch deposits along the Un’ya Thrust. The gold-ore occurrences are represented by quartz-vein zones. The ores are gold–quartz, low-sulfide. Ore minerals are arsenopyrite, scheelite, ferberite, galena, and native gold. High-Hg native gold was revealed in the ore occurrences and placers. The high Hg content in native gold is explained by the presence of the frontal part of the gold-bearing column located within the cluster; the rich placers were formed due to crushing of this column.

It is proved that dating high-grade metamorphism events through dating of migmatites is quite efficient. Our investigation has made it possible to identify two events of 2500 and 2700 Ma and to estimate the age of an igneous protolith for both tonalite gneiss, the most ancient in the Belomorian belt, and related metagabbroid. Based on the upper crossing of the concordia and the discordia, the zircon core age is estimated at 2796 ± 63 Ma; this age is slightly different from that of a growth rim of rhythmically zoned prismatic zircon (2816 ± 110 Ma). A linear approximation of all measured points yields an upper crossing of 2803 ± 55 Ma. The error of these estimates is high for quite understandable reasons, and yet it should be taken into account when analyzing the geodynamic development regimes of Neo-Archaean endogenic processes.

The penetration of fluid flow through cooling horizons resulted in the condensation of the gaseous phase in the course of chemical reactions of natural hydrocarbon synthesis (HS) owing to the occurrence of simple postmagmatic fluid compounds (H₂, CO₂, H₂S). In practice it is possible to use aerospace infrared remote sensing to search for hydrocarbon deposits genetically associated with cooling horizons.

This paper reports the first results of U–Pb SHRIMP dating of zircon inclusions in sapphire from the Nezametninskii placers in the north of Primorye. The obtained age of paragenesis of these minerals (12.2 ± 0.2 Ma) is almost consistent with the age of erupted alkali basalts in the region, thus evidencing their genetic relation. According to the geochemistry data on trace elements, the dated zircon was crystallized from an alkali basaltic magma or its later trachyte/phonolite derivatives.

Detailed characterization of Th–REE mineralization confined to terrigenous deposits of the Shatak complex is presented. For the first time the veinlet xenotime mineralization, unknown in the scientific literature, as well as diverse unidentified Th–REE compounds of variable composition were described in terrigenous deposits. It was concluded that permanent Th and REE admixtures and rare-earth minerals and thorite, respectively, as well as the occurrence of paragenetic intergrowths of Th and REE minerals of variable composition, are evidence that Th–REE mineralization crystallized as a result of the influence of the fluid phase on the sedimentary substrate upon magmatic melt intrusion into the frame rocks. The superimposed dynamothermal greenschist-facies metamorphism led to decay of metastable Th–REE phases without affecting significantly the redistribution of thorium and rare earth elements.

Microinclusions of ore minerals were found and studied in grains of native gold for characterization of the mineralogy of placer gold of the South Urals. One hundred ten unrounded and poorly rounded grains with a size of 1–2 mm from eight placer zones were studied. Microinclusions of ore minerals were detected in six placers of the Miass zone. The list of minerals includes sulfides, arsenides, Cu-bearing Au, and PGEs. All microinclusions show links to certain deposits of ore gold and chromite occurrences. It is suggested that the northern flanges of the Talovsky and Nurali massifs containing gold placers with PGEs require a search for PGE mineralization.

A new ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane, the Marun-Keu eclogite–peridotite–gneiss complex was established in the Polar Urals (Russia). Owing to the P–T parameters of formation of garnet peridotites obtained for the first time, it was established that they experienced UHP metamorphism with a peak in the diamond stability field (39 kbar, 830oC) due to subduction of rocks of the Marun-Keu complex to the mantle (a depth of more than 100 km). Relics of plagioclase peridotites preserved in central parts of large peridotite bodies and petrochemical data are evidence that Marun-Key garnet peridotites cannot be of mantle origin. A basic-ultrabasic intrusion, which formed in the upper crust, can be considered as their protolith. Later, rocks of the massif plunged to the mantle along the subduction zone and metamorphosed under high-P to ultrahigh-P conditions.

The results of experimental modeling of the conditions of crystallization of high-Ca chromium garnets in the system serpentine–chromite–Ca-Cr-bearing hydrous fluid at a pressure of 5 GPa and temperature of 1300°С are reported. The mineral association including quantitatively predominant high-Mg olivine and diopside-rich clinopyroxene, bright-green garnet, and newly formed chrome spinel was formed. Garnet mostly crystallized around primary chromite grains and was characterized by a high concentration of CaO and Cr₂O₃. According to the chemical composition, garnets obtained are close to the uvarovite–pyrope varieties, which enter the composition of relatively rare natural paragenesis of garnet wehrlite. The experimental data obtained clearly show that high-Ca chromium garnets are formed in the reaction of chromite-bearing peridotite and Ca-rich fluid at high P–T parameters.

The Earth’s free oscillations are recorded for the first time in variations of the geomagnetic field measured at the Earth’s surface. The Earth’s free oscillations in the frequency range from 0.3 to 4 mHz manifest in the spectra of geomagnetic variations in the form of clearly expressed quasi-harmonic peaks. It is shown that the spectral amplitudes of the main modes of the Earth’s free oscillations are not constant and change with a periodicity corresponding to a lunar (sideral) month. The data obtained indicate the influence of oscillations in the internal geospheres on variations in the terrestrial magnetic field. The results provide new opportunities to study the Earth’s free oscillations and to specify their multiplet components. In addition, they also have certain implications for further research into the internal structure of the Earth and geodynamic processes in internal geospheres, on the basis of magnetometric data.

An effective method for structuring a spatial region studied with respect to the probability of filling its individual components with disturbing masses is proposed. The use of new mathematical forms for representing the results of interpretation of an anomalous gravity field that are fundamentally different from those known is a typical feature of the method.

The results of numerical modelling of deformation of the Earth’s crust along the Tarim–Altai profile caused by the force of gravity and lateral compression using the approximate two-dimensional model of the elastoplastic transition are presented. The conditions of the formation of mountains and their roots were determined taking into account some geological and geophysical parameters.

Based on the records of KiK-net vertical arrays, models of soil behavior down to depths of ~100–200 m in the near-fault zones during the Tohoku earthquake are examined. In contrast to the regular pattern observed during strong earthquakes, soft soils have not broadly demonstrated nonlinear behavior, or a reduction (with the onset of strong motions) and recovery (after strong motions finished) of the shear modulus in soil layers. At the stations where anomalously high peak ground accelerations were recorded (PGA > 1g), the values of the shear modulus in soil layers increased with the onset of strong motions and reached a maximum when motions were the most intensive, which indicated hardening of soils. Soil behavior was close to linear, here. The values of the shear moduli decrease along with a decrease in intensity of strong ground motions, and at soft soil stations, this was accompanied by a stepwise decrease in the frequency of motion.

This is an overview of the latest data on the age of topographically expressed glacigenic formations of the Polar Urals obtained by international geological teams by modern dating techniques including optical luminescence, radiocarbon and cosmogenic beryllium in exposed boulders. The new dates combined with the results of geological mapping and remote sensing data is a basis for rejecting the concept of the Quaternary Uralian ice caps in favor of small alpine glaciers which developed south of the Kara ice sheet.

We distinguish the classes of Subpolar Mode Waters (SPMWs), calculate their long-term characteristics, and analyze their interannual and long-term variability based on data from the transatlantic section along 59.5° N measured in 2002–2016. The branches of the North Atlantic Current are horizontal boundaries of the SPMW classes. Modern cooling and freshening of SPMW cores are revealed due to the increased winter atmospheric circulation over the North Atlantic and decline of the Arctic ice cover. In 2010–2016, the potential temperature of the SPMW core in the Iceland Basin dropped by 2.12°C, while its salinity decreased by 0.23 psu.

The surname of the second author should read Grigoryeva