Estudo da estrutura subsuperficial da província Borborema com correlação de ruído sísmico

Ambient seismic noise has traditionally been considered as an unwanted perturbation in seismic data acquisition that "contaminates" the clean recording of earthquakes. Over the last decade, however, it has been demonstrated that consistent information about the subsurface structure can be extracted from cross-correlation of ambient seismic noise. In this context, the rules are reversed: the ambient seismic noise becomes the desired seismic signal, while earthquakes become the unwanted perturbation that needs to be removed. At periods lower than 30 s, the spectrum of ambient seismic noise is dominated by microseism, which originates from distant atmospheric perturbations over the oceans. The microsseism is the most continuous seismic signal and can be classified as primary – when observed in the range 10-20 s – and secondary – when observed in the range 5-10 s. The Green‘s function of the propagating medium between two receivers (seismic stations) can be reconstructed by cross-correlating seismic noise simultaneously recorded at the receivers. The reconstruction of the Green‘s function is generally proportional to the surface-wave portion of the seismic wavefield, as microsseismic energy travels mostly as surface-waves. In this work, 194 Green‘s functions obtained from stacking of one month of daily cross-correlations of ambient seismic noise recorded in the vertical component of several pairs of broadband seismic stations in Northeast Brazil are presented. The daily cross-correlations were stacked using a timefrequency, phase-weighted scheme that enhances weak coherent signals by reducing incoherent noise. The cross-correlations show that, as expected, the emerged signal is dominated by Rayleigh waves, with dispersion velocities being reliably measured for periods ranging between 5 and 20 s. Both permanent stations from a monitoring seismic network and temporary stations from past passive experiments in the region are considered, resulting in a combined network of 33 stations separated by distances between 60 and 1311 km, approximately. The Rayleigh-wave, dispersion velocity measurements are then used to develop tomographic images of group velocity variation for the Borborema Province of Northeast Brazil. The tomographic maps allow to satisfactorily map buried structural features in the region. At short periods (~5 s) the images reflect shallow crustal structure, clearly delineating intra-continental and marginal sedimentary basins, as well as portions of important shear zones traversing the Borborema Province. At longer periods (10 – 20 s) the images are sensitive to deeper structure in the upper crust, and most of the shallower anomalies fade away. Interestingly, some of them do persist. The deep anomalies do not correlate with either the location of Cenozoic volcanism and uplift - which marked the evolution of the Borborema Province in the Cenozoic - or available maps of surface heat-flow, and the origin of the deep anomalies remains enigmatic.

Mapeamento 3D de descontinuidades sísmicas na província Borborema com funções de receptor

The crustal architecture of the Borborema Province was investigated through migration and stacking of receiver functions (phase-weighted-stack). The stacks were developed from teleseismic

Síntese, estrutura e propriedades de polímeros de coordenação à base de íons lantanídeos e ácidos benzenodicarboxílicos

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are hybrids materials, often crystalline, consisting of metal or metal clusters, connected by polytopic organic ligands repetitively, leading to structures, usually porous. In this work, MOFs based on lanthanide ions (La3+ and Gd3+) and dicarboxylate type of ligands (isophthalic and terephthalic acids), were synthesized by hydrothermal, solvothermal and hydro(solvo)thermal methods. The effects of the synthetic route as well as the type of heating, conventional or by microwave, on the structure and properties of MOFs were studied. The powder samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the addition of an organic or inorganic base is needed to promote the deprotonation of the ligand, since in the samples prepared by the hydrothermal method, without the use of a base, no formation of the metalorganic framework was observed. On the other hand, the presence of DMF as solvent or cosolvent, afforded the deprotonation of the ligand with the consequent formation of MOFs. At least two different crystalline structures were identified for the samples prepared with terephthalic acid. These samples are isostructural with those reported for phases Eu(1,3-BDC)DMF, Eu2(1,4-BDC)3 (DMF)2 and Tb(1,4-BDC)H2O. The presence of water in the reaction medium in the hydro(solvo)thermal method, provoked the growth of the structure different from that observed in the absence of water. This can be explained by the difference in the coordination mode of water and DMF to lanthanide ions. Although not identified by XRD, the samples prepared with isophthalic acid, also present metalorganic structures, which was confirmed by the presence of the characteristic displacement of the carbonyl group band in their infrared spectra, compared to the spectrum of the pure ligand. This shift was also observed in the samples prepared with terephthalic acid. Thermal analisys shows that the metal organic frameworks do not collapse occurs at a temperature below 430°C.The analysis of scanning electron microscopy suggests that the morphology of powders is highly dependent on the type of heating used, conventional or by microwave.

Evolução dos sistemas de falhas de borda do Rifte Potiguar com base em curvas de crescimento de falhas

The discussion about rift evolution in the Brazilian Equatorial margin during the South America-Africa breakup in the Jurassic/Cretaceous has been focused in many researches. But rift evolution based on development and growth of faults has not been well explored. In this sense, we investigated the Cretaceous Potiguar Basin in the Equatorial margin of Brazil to understand the geometry of major faults and the influence of crustal heterogeneity and preexisting structural fabric in the evolution of the basin internal architecture. Previous studies pointed out that the rift is an asymmetrical half-graben elongated along the NE-SW direction. We used 2D seismic, well logs and 3D gravity modeling to analyze four major border fault segments and determine their maximum displacement (Dmax) and length (L) ratio in the Potiguar Rift. We constrained the 3D gravity modeling with well data and the interpretation of seismic sections. The difference of the fault displacement measured in the gravity model is in the order of 10% compared to seismic and well data. The fault-growth curves allowed us to divide the faulted rift border into four main fault segments, which provide roughly similar Dmax/L ratios. Fault-growth curves suggest that a regional uniform tectonic mechanism influenced growth of the rift fault segments. The variation of the displacements along the fault segments indicates that the fault segments were formed independently during rift initiation and were linked by hard and soft linkages. The latter formed relay ramps. In the interconnection zones the Dmax/L ratios are highest due to interference of fault segment motions. We divided the evolution of the Potiguar Rift into five stages based on these ratios and correlated them with the major tectonic stages of the breakup between South America and Africa in Early Cretaceous.

Evolução dos sistemas de falhas de borda do Rifte Potiguar com base em curvas de crescimento de falhas

The discussion about rift evolution in the Brazilian Equatorial margin during the South America-Africa breakup in the Jurassic/Cretaceous has been focused in many researches. But rift evolution based on development and growth of faults has not been well explored. In this sense, we investigated the Cretaceous Potiguar Basin in the Equatorial margin of Brazil to understand the geometry of major faults and the influence of crustal heterogeneity and preexisting structural fabric in the evolution of the basin internal architecture. Previous studies pointed out that the rift is an asymmetrical half-graben elongated along the NE-SW direction. We used 2D seismic, well logs and 3D gravity modeling to analyze four major border fault segments and determine their maximum displacement (Dmax) and length (L) ratio in the Potiguar Rift. We constrained the 3D gravity modeling with well data and the interpretation of seismic sections. The difference of the fault displacement measured in the gravity model is in the order of 10% compared to seismic and well data. The fault-growth curves allowed us to divide the faulted rift border into four main fault segments, which provide roughly similar Dmax/L ratios. Fault-growth curves suggest that a regional uniform tectonic mechanism influenced growth of the rift fault segments. The variation of the displacements along the fault segments indicates that the fault segments were formed independently during rift initiation and were linked by hard and soft linkages. The latter formed relay ramps. In the interconnection zones the Dmax/L ratios are highest due to interference of fault segment motions. We divided the evolution of the Potiguar Rift into five stages based on these ratios and correlated them with the major tectonic stages of the breakup between South America and Africa in Early Cretaceous.

Petrologia e geocronologia U-Pb do plúton granítico Serra da Rajada, porção central do domínio Rio Piranhas - Seridó, Província Borborema, NE do Brasil

The ediacaran plutonic activity related to the Brasilian/Pan-African orogeny is one of the most important geological features in the Borborema Province, represented along its extension by numerous batholiths, stocks, and dikes.The object of this study, the Serra Rajada Granitic Pluton (SRGP), located in the central portion of the Piranhas-Seridó River Domain is an example of this activity. This pluton has been the subject of cartographic, petrographic, geochronological and lithogeochemical studies and its rocks were characterized by two facies. First, the granitic facies were described as monzogranites consisting of K-feldspar, plagioclase (oligoclase - An23-24%), quartz and biotite (main mafic) and opaque minerals such as titanite, allanite, apatite, and zircon as accessories. Alteration minerals are chlorite, white mica and carbonate. Second, the dioritic facies consist of rocks formed by quartz diorite containing plagioclase (dominant mineral phase), quartz and K-feldspar. Biotite and amphibole are the dominant mafic minerals; and titanite, opaque minerals, allanite, zircon and apatite are the accessories. However, previous geological mapping work in the region also identified the presence of other lithostratigraphic units. These were described as gneisses and migmatites with undifferentiated amphibolite lenses related to the Caicó Complex (Paleoproterozoic) and metasedimentary rocks of the Seridó Group (Neoproterozoic) composed of paragneiss with calc-silicate lenses, muscovite quartzite and biotite schist (respectively, the Jucurutu formations, Equador and Seridó), the host rocks for the SRGP rocks. Leucomicrogranite and pegmatite dikes have also been identified, both related to the end of the Ediacaran magmatism and colluvial- eluvial and alluvial deposits related to Neogene and Quaternary, respectively. Lithogeochemical data on the SRGP granite facies, highlighted quite evolved rocks (SiO2 69% to 75%), rich in alkalis (Na2O+K2O ≥ 8.0%), depleted of MgO (≤ 0.45%), CaO (≤ 1.42%) and TiO2 (≤ 0.36%) and moderate levels of Fe2O3t (2.16 to 3.53%). They display transitional nature between metaluminous and peraluminous (predominance of the latter) with sub-alkaline/monzonitic (High K calcium-alkali) affinity. Harker diagrams show negative correlations for Fe2O3t, MgO, and CaO, indicating mafic and plagioclase fractionation. REE spectrum shows enrichment of LREE relative to heavy REE (LaN/YbN = 23.70 to 10.13), with negative anomaly in the Eu (Eu/Eu* = 0.70 to 0.23), suggesting fractionation or accumulation in the feldspars source (plagioclase). Data integration allows to correlate the SRGP rocks with those described as Calcium-Alkaline Suite of equigranular High K. The crystallization conditions of the SRGP rocks were determined from the integration of petrographic and lithogeochemical data. These data indicated intermediate to high conditions of ƒO2 (mineral paragenesis titanite + magnetite + quartz), parent magma saturated in H2O (early biotite crystallization), tardi-magmatic processes of fluids rich in ƒCO2, H2O and O2 causing part of the mineral assembly to change (plagioclase carbonation and saussuritization, biotite chloritization and opaques Sphenitization). Thermobarometrical conditions were estimated based on geochemical parameters (Zr and P2O5) and CIPW normative minerals, with results showing the liquidus minimum temperature of about800°C and the solidus temperature of approximately 700°C. The final/minimum crystallization pressure are suggested to be between 3 and 5 Kbar. The presence of zoned minerals (plagioclase and allanite) associated with lithogeochemical data in bi-log diagrams for Rb vs. Ba and Rb vs. Sr suggest the role of fractional crystallization as the dominant process in the magmatic evolution of SRGP. U-Pb Geochronological and Sm-Nd isotope studies indicated, respectively, the crystallization age of biotite monzogranite as 557 ± 13 Ma, with TDM model age of 2.36 Ga, and εNd value of -20.10 to the crystallization age, allowing to infer paleoproterozoic crustal source for the magma.

Petrologia e geocronologia U-Pb do plúton granítico Serra da Rajada, porção central do domínio Rio Piranhas - Seridó, Província Borborema, NE do Brasil

The ediacaran plutonic activity related to the Brasilian/Pan-African orogeny is one of the most important geological features in the Borborema Province, represented along its extension by numerous batholiths, stocks, and dikes.The object of this study, the Serra Rajada Granitic Pluton (SRGP), located in the central portion of the Piranhas-Seridó River Domain is an example of this activity. This pluton has been the subject of cartographic, petrographic, geochronological and lithogeochemical studies and its rocks were characterized by two facies. First, the granitic facies were described as monzogranites consisting of K-feldspar, plagioclase (oligoclase - An23-24%), quartz and biotite (main mafic) and opaque minerals such as titanite, allanite, apatite, and zircon as accessories. Alteration minerals are chlorite, white mica and carbonate. Second, the dioritic facies consist of rocks formed by quartz diorite containing plagioclase (dominant mineral phase), quartz and K-feldspar. Biotite and amphibole are the dominant mafic minerals; and titanite, opaque minerals, allanite, zircon and apatite are the accessories. However, previous geological mapping work in the region also identified the presence of other lithostratigraphic units. These were described as gneisses and migmatites with undifferentiated amphibolite lenses related to the Caicó Complex (Paleoproterozoic) and metasedimentary rocks of the Seridó Group (Neoproterozoic) composed of paragneiss with calc-silicate lenses, muscovite quartzite and biotite schist (respectively, the Jucurutu formations, Equador and Seridó), the host rocks for the SRGP rocks. Leucomicrogranite and pegmatite dikes have also been identified, both related to the end of the Ediacaran magmatism and colluvial- eluvial and alluvial deposits related to Neogene and Quaternary, respectively. Lithogeochemical data on the SRGP granite facies, highlighted quite evolved rocks (SiO2 69% to 75%), rich in alkalis (Na2O+K2O ≥ 8.0%), depleted of MgO (≤ 0.45%), CaO (≤ 1.42%) and TiO2 (≤ 0.36%) and moderate levels of Fe2O3t (2.16 to 3.53%). They display transitional nature between metaluminous and peraluminous (predominance of the latter) with sub-alkaline/monzonitic (High K calcium-alkali) affinity. Harker diagrams show negative correlations for Fe2O3t, MgO, and CaO, indicating mafic and plagioclase fractionation. REE spectrum shows enrichment of LREE relative to heavy REE (LaN/YbN = 23.70 to 10.13), with negative anomaly in the Eu (Eu/Eu* = 0.70 to 0.23), suggesting fractionation or accumulation in the feldspars source (plagioclase). Data integration allows to correlate the SRGP rocks with those described as Calcium-Alkaline Suite of equigranular High K. The crystallization conditions of the SRGP rocks were determined from the integration of petrographic and lithogeochemical data. These data indicated intermediate to high conditions of ƒO2 (mineral paragenesis titanite + magnetite + quartz), parent magma saturated in H2O (early biotite crystallization), tardi-magmatic processes of fluids rich in ƒCO2, H2O and O2 causing part of the mineral assembly to change (plagioclase carbonation and saussuritization, biotite chloritization and opaques Sphenitization). Thermobarometrical conditions were estimated based on geochemical parameters (Zr and P2O5) and CIPW normative minerals, with results showing the liquidus minimum temperature of about800°C and the solidus temperature of approximately 700°C. The final/minimum crystallization pressure are suggested to be between 3 and 5 Kbar. The presence of zoned minerals (plagioclase and allanite) associated with lithogeochemical data in bi-log diagrams for Rb vs. Ba and Rb vs. Sr suggest the role of fractional crystallization as the dominant process in the magmatic evolution of SRGP. U-Pb Geochronological and Sm-Nd isotope studies indicated, respectively, the crystallization age of biotite monzogranite as 557 ± 13 Ma, with TDM model age of 2.36 Ga, and εNd value of -20.10 to the crystallization age, allowing to infer paleoproterozoic crustal source for the magma.

Utilização de sismos regionais para a determinação de um modelo 1D de velocidades da onda P na Província Borborema - NE do Brasil

In this work it was performed a study to obtain parameters for an 1D regional velocity model for the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. It was used earthquakes occurred between 2001 and 2013 with magnitude greater than 2.9 mb either from epicentres determined from local seismic networks or by back azimuth determination, when possible. We chose seven events which occurred in the main seismic areas in the Borborema Province. The selected events were recorded in up to 74 seismic stations from the following networks: RSISNE, INCT-ET, João Câmara – RN, São Rafael – RN, Caruaru - PE, São Caetano - PE, Castanhão - CE, Santana do Acarau - CE, Taipu – RN e Sobral – CE, and the RCBR (IRIS/USGS—GSN). For the determination of the model parameters were inverted via a travel-time table and its fit. These model parameters were compared with other known model (global and regional) and have improved the epicentral determination. This final set of parameters model, we called MBB is laterally homogeneous with an upper crust at 11,45 km depth and total crustal thickness of 33,9 km. The P-wave velocity in the upper crust was estimated at 6.0 km/s and 6.64 km/s for it lower part. The P-wave velocity in the upper mantle we estimated at 8.21 km/s with an VP/VS ratio of approximately 1.74.

Utilização de sismos regionais para a determinação de um modelo 1D de velocidades da onda P na Província Borborema - NE do Brasil

In this work it was performed a study to obtain parameters for an 1D regional velocity model for the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. It was used earthquakes occurred between 2001 and 2013 with magnitude greater than 2.9 mb either from epicentres determined from local seismic networks or by back azimuth determination, when possible. We chose seven events which occurred in the main seismic areas in the Borborema Province. The selected events were recorded in up to 74 seismic stations from the following networks: RSISNE, INCT-ET, João Câmara – RN, São Rafael – RN, Caruaru - PE, São Caetano - PE, Castanhão - CE, Santana do Acarau - CE, Taipu – RN e Sobral – CE, and the RCBR (IRIS/USGS—GSN). For the determination of the model parameters were inverted via a travel-time table and its fit. These model parameters were compared with other known model (global and regional) and have improved the epicentral determination. This final set of parameters model, we called MBB is laterally homogeneous with an upper crust at 11,45 km depth and total crustal thickness of 33,9 km. The P-wave velocity in the upper crust was estimated at 6.0 km/s and 6.64 km/s for it lower part. The P-wave velocity in the upper mantle we estimated at 8.21 km/s with an VP/VS ratio of approximately 1.74.

Petrologia e geoquímica do magmatismo ediacarano Serra do Caramuru, Rio Grande do Norte, NE do Brasil

The Serra do Caramuru and Tapuio stocks, located in the extreme NE of Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain (RN), are representative of the Ediacaran-Cambrian magmatism, an important magmatic feature of the Brasilian / Panafrican orogeny of the Borborema Province. These bodies are lithologically similar, intrusive in paleoproterozoic gneiss embasement, being separated by a thin belt of mylonitic orthogneiss. The field relations show a magmatic stratigraphy initiated by dioritic facies that coexists with the porphyritic granitic and equigranular granitic I facies, and less frequently with equigranular granitic II facies. These rocks are crosscut by late granitic dykes and sheets with NE-SW / NNE-SSW orientation. The dioritic facies (diorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorites, tonalite and granodiorite) is leucocratic to melanocratic, rich in biotite and hornblende. The granitic facies are hololeucocratic to leucocratic, and have biotite ± hornblende. Petrographic and geochemical (whole rock) data, especially from Serra do Caramuru pluton, suggest fractionation of zircon, apatite, clinopyroxene (in diorites), opaque minerals, titanite, biotite, hornblende, allanite, plagioclase, microcline and garnet (in dykes). The behavior of trace elements such as Zr, La and Yb indicates that the dioritic magma does not constitute the parental magma for the granitic facies. On the other hand, the granitic facies seems to be cogenetic to each other, displaying differentiation trends and very similar rare earth elements (REE) spectra [12.3≤(La/Yb)N≤190.8; Eu/Eu*=0.30-0.68]. Field relationships and REE patterns [6.96≤(La/Yb)N≤277.8; Eu/Eu*=0.18-0.58] demonstrate that the granitic dykes and sheets are not cogenetically related to the Serra do Caramuru magmatism. The dioritic facies is metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.88-0.74) and shoshonitic, whereas the granitic ones are metaluminous to peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.08-0.93) and high potassium calc-alkaline. Dykes and sheets are strictly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.01-1.04). Binary diagrams relating compatible and incompatible trace elements and microtextures indicate the fractional crystallization as the dominant mechanism of magmatic evolution of the various facies. The Serra do Caramuru and Tapuio stocks have well preserved magmatic fabric, do not show metamorphic minerals and are structurally isotropic, showing crosscutting contact with the ductile fabric of the basement. These observations lead to interpretate a stage of relative tectonic stability, consistent with the orogenic relaxation period of the Brasiliano / Pan-African orogeny. Chemical plots involving oxides and trace elements indicate late to post-collisional emplacement. In this context, the assumed better mechanism to describe the stocks emplacement within an extensional T Riedel joint, with ENE-WSW extensional vector. The U-Pb zircon age of 553 ± 10 Ma allows correlating the Serra do Caramuru magmatism to the group of post-collisional bodies, equigranular high potassium calc-alkaline granites of the NE of Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain.

Petrologia e geoquímica do magmatismo ediacarano Serra do Caramuru, Rio Grande do Norte, NE do Brasil

The Serra do Caramuru and Tapuio stocks, located in the extreme NE of Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain (RN), are representative of the Ediacaran-Cambrian magmatism, an important magmatic feature of the Brasilian / Panafrican orogeny of the Borborema Province. These bodies are lithologically similar, intrusive in paleoproterozoic gneiss embasement, being separated by a thin belt of mylonitic orthogneiss. The field relations show a magmatic stratigraphy initiated by dioritic facies that coexists with the porphyritic granitic and equigranular granitic I facies, and less frequently with equigranular granitic II facies. These rocks are crosscut by late granitic dykes and sheets with NE-SW / NNE-SSW orientation. The dioritic facies (diorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorites, tonalite and granodiorite) is leucocratic to melanocratic, rich in biotite and hornblende. The granitic facies are hololeucocratic to leucocratic, and have biotite ± hornblende. Petrographic and geochemical (whole rock) data, especially from Serra do Caramuru pluton, suggest fractionation of zircon, apatite, clinopyroxene (in diorites), opaque minerals, titanite, biotite, hornblende, allanite, plagioclase, microcline and garnet (in dykes). The behavior of trace elements such as Zr, La and Yb indicates that the dioritic magma does not constitute the parental magma for the granitic facies. On the other hand, the granitic facies seems to be cogenetic to each other, displaying differentiation trends and very similar rare earth elements (REE) spectra [12.3≤(La/Yb)N≤190.8; Eu/Eu*=0.30-0.68]. Field relationships and REE patterns [6.96≤(La/Yb)N≤277.8; Eu/Eu*=0.18-0.58] demonstrate that the granitic dykes and sheets are not cogenetically related to the Serra do Caramuru magmatism. The dioritic facies is metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.88-0.74) and shoshonitic, whereas the granitic ones are metaluminous to peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.08-0.93) and high potassium calc-alkaline. Dykes and sheets are strictly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.01-1.04). Binary diagrams relating compatible and incompatible trace elements and microtextures indicate the fractional crystallization as the dominant mechanism of magmatic evolution of the various facies. The Serra do Caramuru and Tapuio stocks have well preserved magmatic fabric, do not show metamorphic minerals and are structurally isotropic, showing crosscutting contact with the ductile fabric of the basement. These observations lead to interpretate a stage of relative tectonic stability, consistent with the orogenic relaxation period of the Brasiliano / Pan-African orogeny. Chemical plots involving oxides and trace elements indicate late to post-collisional emplacement. In this context, the assumed better mechanism to describe the stocks emplacement within an extensional T Riedel joint, with ENE-WSW extensional vector. The U-Pb zircon age of 553 ± 10 Ma allows correlating the Serra do Caramuru magmatism to the group of post-collisional bodies, equigranular high potassium calc-alkaline granites of the NE of Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain.

Role of metalliferous mudstones and graphitic shales in the location, genesis, and paleoenvironment

The Cambrian Tally Pond volcanic belt in central Newfoundland contains numerous volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, prospects, and showings that are locally associated with metalliferous mudstones and/or graphitic shales. Deposits in the belt are bimodal felsic-type VMS that are both base metal- (e.g., Duck Pond, Boundary) and precious metal-enriched (e.g., Lemarchant). At the Lemarchant deposit metalliferous mudstones are genetically and spatially associated with mineralization, whereas the relationship of other mudstones and shales to massive sulphide mineralization is more intricate and remains not fully understood. Metalliferous mudstones represent a hiatus in the volcanic activity where the deposition of hydrothermal products dominated over the abiogenic background sedimentation and/or dilution by volcaniclastic-epiclastic material. Lithogeochemical signatures allow one to distinguish between predominantly hydrothermally or detritally (i.e., non-hydrothermal) derived material. Metalliferous mudstones with a significant hydrothermal component, like those at Lemarchant, have elevated Fe/Al and base-metal contents, compared to detrital shales, and shale-normalized negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies, indicative of deposition from high temperature (>250°C) hydrothermal fluids within an oxygenated water column. Mudstones and shales sampled from other locations in the Tally Pond volcanic belt have more variable signatures ranging from hydrothermal (signatures as above) to non-hydrothermal (no positive Eu-anomalies, flat REE patterns), with some that have mixed (hydrothermal and detrital) signatures. Both S and Pb isotopic compositions indicate that proximal sulphides hosted in mudstones immediately associated with massive sulphide mineralization within the Lemarchant deposit contain a higher proportion of sulphur derived from hydrothermal sources and processes, and have more juvenile lead contributions, when compared to sulphides distal (not associated with massive sulphides) from mineralization. Lead and Nd isotopic compositions of both whole rock and minerals in the Lemarchant mudstones indicate involvement of underlying crustal basement during massive sulphide formation and throughout the evolution of the Tally Pond belt. Metalliferous mudstones precipitated early in the massive sulphide depositional history, but also have undergone syn- and post-ore-forming processes and have a larger lateral extent than the mineralization. Using lithogeochemistry, whole rock and in situ stable and radiogenic isotopes it is possible to distinguish prospective vent proximal (immediately associated with massive sulphide mineralization) from less prospective distal (not associated with massive sulphides) depositional environments and to reconstruct the paleotectonic setting on a deposit- to regional-scale for the Lemarchant deposit and other mudstone-associated prospects in the Tally Pond volcanic belt.

Downhole logging of the AND-2A borehole, Victoria Land Basin, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Under the framework of the ANDRILL Southern McMurdo Sound (SMS) Project successful downhole experiments were conducted in the 1138.54 metre (m)-deep AND-2A borehole. Wireline logs successfully recorded were: magnetic susceptibility, spectral gamma ray, sonic velocity, borehole televiewer, neutron porosity, density, calliper, geochemistry, temperature and dipmeter. A resistivity tool and its backup both failed to operate, thus resistivity data were not collected. Due to hole conditions, logs were collected in several passes from the total depth at ~1138 metres below sea floor (mbsf) to ~230 mbsf, except for some intervals that were either inaccessible due to bridging or were shielded by the drill string. Furthermore, a Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) was created from ~1000 mbsf up to the sea floor. The first hydraulic fracturing stress measurements in Antarctica were conducted in the interval 1000-1138 mbsf. This extensive data set will allow the SMS Science Team to reach some of the ambitious objectives of the SMS Project. Valuable contributions can be expected for the following topics: cyclicity and climate change, heat flux and fluid flow, seismic stratigraphy in the Victoria Land Basin, and structure and state of the modern crustal stress field.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from COCOTOW Expedition stations in the intersection of the Siqueiros Transform Fault and the East Pacific Rise

A near-bottom geological and geophysical survey was conducted at the western intersection of the Siqueiros Transform Fault and the East Pacific Rise. Transform-fault shear appears to distort the east flank of the rise crest in an area north of the fracture zone. In ward-facing scarps trend 335° and do not parallel the regional axis of spreading. Small-scale scarps reveal a hummocky bathymetry. The center of spreading is not a central peak but rather a 20-40 m deep, 1 km wide valley superimposed upon an 8 km wide ridge-crest horst. Small-scale topography indicates widespread volcanic flows within the valley. Two 0.75 km wide blocks flank the central valley. Fault scarps are more dominant on the western flank. Their alignment shifts from directions intermediate to parallel to the regional axis of spreading (355°). A median ridge within the fracture zone has a fault-block topography similar to that of the East Pacific Rise to the north. Dominant eastward-facing scarps trending 335° are on the west flank. A central depression, 1 km wide and 30 m deep, separates the dominantly fault-block regime of the west from the smoother topography of the east flank. This ridge originated by uplift due to faulting as well as by volcanism. Detailed mapping was concentrated in a perched basin (Dante's Hole) at the intersection of the rise crest and the fracture zone. Structural features suggest that Dante's Hole is an area subject to extreme shear and tensional drag resulting from transition between non-rigid and rigid crustal behavior. Normal E-W crustal spreading is probably taking place well within the northern confines of the basin. Possible residual spreading of this isolated rise crest coupled with shear drag within the transform fault could explain the structural isolation of Dante's Hole from the remainder of the Siqueiros Transform Fault.

(Table 3) Isotopic composition of pyrite sulfur and carbonate carbon in carbonate nodules and host sediments from Core DM9-666, Gulf of California

Isotopic-geochemical study revealed presence of mantle He (3He/4He up to 223x10**-8) in gases from mud volcanoes of Eastern Georgia. This fact confirms that the Middle Kura basin fill encloses an intrusive body previously distinguished from geophysical data. Wide variations of carbon isotopic composition d13C in CH4 and CO2 and chemical composition of gas and water at temporally constant 3He/4He ratio indicate their relation with crustal processes. Unusual direct correlations of 3He/4He ratio with concentrations of He and CH4 and 40Ar/36Ar ratio can be explained by generation of gas in the Cenozoic sequence of the Middle Kura basin.