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This book presents a comprehensive coverage of the magmatic and crustal evolution of the Tibetan Plateau through time, based mainly on the recent data and observations of the authors. It provides extensive geochemical, isotopic and geochronological datasets to better constrain the geodynamic evolution of the highest and thickest orogenic plateau in the world. It is a unique and original contribution to our understanding of the geology and landscape of the “roof of the world” in an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. All chapters in the book are process-oriented and data-rich, and reflect the most recent knowledge and information on the Tibetan Plateau. All five authors of the book have worked extensively in Tibet and in the adjacent areas over the years. Their familiarity with both the geology of Tibet and all the research done there by different scientific teams during the last 30 years are a major driving force behind this book.

This open access book presents a new structural model of “multi-arc-basin-terrane system” based on the in-depth research of the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang region, especially several Paleo-Tethys ophiolitic mélange belts and sets of arc-basin systems, and a new orogenic model of “The Hengduan shan Mountains” based on penetrated research on spatial-temporal framework and orogenic models of different orogenic belts under large-scale strike-slip-shear-nappe structures evolution. The authors paid special attention on the coupling relation between orogeny and metallogenesis. The metallogenesis and dynamic process are probed under the crust–mantle interaction and material-energy exchange-transmission background and the tectonic units evolution. The ore genesis and distribution of deposits have been thoroughly analyzed, and the metallogenic theories of'multi-arc-basin-terrane'and'intracontinental tectonic transformation'in the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang region have been carriedout. This book also illustrates how to explore metallic deposits in the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang region by using the metallogenic regulations. Meanwhile, this book has high reference value for researchers working in the fields of basic geology, environmental geology, and energy geology.

This book is the first systematic treatise of available data and view-points obtained from geological and geochemical studies of the Mo deposits in Qinling Orogen, China. Qinling Orogen has a minimum reserve of 8.7 Mt Mo, ranking the largest molybdenum province both in China and the world. Incorporating all known Mo deposit types in the world, it presents extensive studies of Mo deposits of world-class and unusual types within tectonic settings. The Qinling Orogen was finally formed during continental collision between Yangtze and North China cratons, following the Triassic closure of the northernmost paleo-Tethys. It hosts 49 Mo deposits formed in seven mineralization events since 1850 Ma, with all the world-class deposits being formed during 160-105 Ma, coeval with collisional orogeny. These deposits are assigned to magmatic and metamorphic hydrothermal classes. The magmatic hydrothermal class includes porphyries, skarns, and intrusion-related veins (carbonatite, fluorite and quartz). The porphyry Mo systems in Qinling Orogen are predominated by Dabie-type formed in continental collision setting, followed by Endako- and Climax-types formed in continental arcs and rifts, respectively. The metamorphic hydrothermal Mo deposits are only reported in Qinling Orogen, and thus a new crustal continuum model for the orogenic class mineral systems is proposed. A scientific linkage between ore geology and fluid inclusions is introduced and verified both by theory and case studies. This is the first research book comprehensively displaying continental collision metallogeny. This literature will benefit both Western and Chinese mineral explorers and miners, as well as research scientists and students.

This book describes the mineralization process of barite-fluorite deposits in southeastern Sichuan, Yangtze Block, China. Mainly through systematic field geological surveys and detailed indoor research work, the typical barite-fluorite deposits in this area were analyzed using a variety of analysis methods such as single fluid inclusion LA-ICP-MS composition analysis, trace rare earth element analysis, H-O-S-Sr isotope analysis, F element content analysis, and Sm-Nd geochronological analysis. By in-depth analysis of the ore-forming environment, mineralization process and geological characteristics of barite-fluorite deposits, the following were determined: (1) the source of ore-forming fluids of barite-fluorite deposits and (2) the migration, concentration, enrichment, and evolution of ore-forming sources, exploring the formation mechanism of barite-fluorite deposits. Summarizing the mineralization regularity of the deposit in this area of China provides a new insight and basis forthe study of similar types of deposits in the world.

Meso- to Neoarchean is a critical transitional period for the formation and evolution of continental crust and the corresponding geodynamic mechanisms, during which the average composition of continental crust gradually shifted from Na-enriched to K-enriched. However, the ultimate source of K and its enrichment mechanism in continental crust are still enigmatic. Moreover, fierce controversies remain on the Precambrian subdivision and late Archean geodynamic models of the North China Craton (NCC). Archean basement terranes in the Eastern Hebei-Western Liaoning Provinces, northern NCC display characteristic lithological zonation similar to those developed in modern convergent plate margins, and from northwest to southeast can be subdivided into the MORB-type tholeiite belt, oceanic arc tectonic belt, and K-rich granitoid belt. This book reports systematic field geological, petrographic, structural, whole-rock geochemical, and zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopic data for the various late Neoarchean lithological assemblages of the K-rich granitoid belt. Their deformational characteristics and petrogenesis are discussed in detail, and integrated with their spatiotemporal relationships and metamorphic features, a late Neoarchean active continental margin setting with multi-stage trench retreats and subsequent arc-continent collision is proposed to account for the formation and evolution of the K-rich granitoid belt. It also throws light upon the ultimate source and enrichment mechanism of K in the late Archean continental crust by comparing K-rich granitoid belt with the adjacent oceanic arc tectonic belt.

This book provides a brief geology, tectonic structure and metallogeny of Mongolia, central part of the giant Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and broad overview of major metallic (copper, gold, rare metals and rare earths, iron, lead and zinc, silver and platinum group), non-metallic (phosphorite and fluorspar) and fuel (uranium and coal) mineral deposits and occurrences, covering their tectonic position, metallogeny and deposit types, geological characteristics and origin, including newly found deposits and occurrences based on authors research data and a large information obtained during geological exploration work. The book is intended for professional economic geologists, for earth science students and practicing geologists.

This classic textbook is an introduction to the systematics and the use of stable isotopes in geosciences. It is subdivided into three parts: i) theoretical and experimental principles, ii) fractionation processes of light and heavy elements, iii) the natural variations of geologically important reservoirs. Since the publication of the previous edition improvements in multi-collector ICP mass-spectrometry have increased the ability to measure isotope ratios with very high precision for many elements of the periodic table. The amount of published data has increased tremendously in the last years; thus, conclusions based on a limited database are now better constrained. In this new edition, therefore, 47 elements with resolvable natural variations in isotope composition are discussed. This increase of elements, together with advances in the calculation of equilibrium isotope fractionation using ab initio methods, has led to an unbelievable rise of publications, making substantial major revisions and extensions of the last edition necessary. Many new references have been added, which enable quick access to recent literature.

This book provides a comprehensive summary of research to date in the field of stable iron isotope geochemistry. Since research began in this field 20 years ago, the field has grown to become one of the major research fields in'non-traditional'stable isotope geochemistry. This book reviews all aspects of the field, from low-temperature to high-temperature processes, biological processes, and cosmochemical processes. It provides a detailed history and state-of-the art summary about analytical methods to determine Fe-isotope ratios and discusses analytical and sample prospects.

This thesis summarizes the metallogenetic mechanism of the Galinge skarn deposit based on integrated knowledge of tectonics, geochemistry, geochronology, petrology, mineralogy, thermodynamics and hydrothermal fluids. It also discusses the multistage growth characteristics of various skarn minerals in which the varying compositions reflect the evolution of the hydrothermal fluid. The multidisciplinary nature of this research sheds new light on reconstructing metallogenetic processes successfully. It outlines the main aspects of skarn zonation based on the dominant contents of the skarn minerals and the wall rock compositions. In addition, it focuses on volatile-rich minerals including tourmaline and hastingsite, highlighting the importance of the volatile component in the skarn deposit. Lastly, it describes the regional tectonic–magmatic evolutionary history to explain the metallogenic principles, which can be used to guide prospecting in the field.

The book summarizes the knowledge and experiences concerning the role of halogens during various geochemical processes, such as diagenesis, ore-formation, magma evolution, metasomatism, mineralization, and metamorphism in the crust and mantle of the Earth. It comprises the role of halogens in other terrestrial worlds like volatile-rich asteroids, Mars, and the ice moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Review chapters outline and expand upon the basis of our current understanding regarding how halogens contribute to the geochemical/geophysical evolution and stability of terrestrial worlds overall.

Extensive descriptions of a wide range of key or world-class mineral deposits of China are presented in the context of the country's general geology, tectonic units and mineral systems and their geodynamic evolution within the tectonic framework of the Asian continent. This comprehensive overview, incorporating the latest geological concepts, is the first such coverage written in English by a western expert, and will be of benefit to mineral explorers and miners, as well as to research scientists and students in institutions of higher education. In his compilation of this compendium of Chinese geology and mineral systems, Franco Pirajno draws on first-hand knowledge of China's geology and mineral deposits gained in numerous field visits and research projects with Chinese colleagues from various academic institutions over the past 18 years.First time that a western-based book on China's geology and mineral deposits is published Appropriate for use by the mineral exploration industry Modern English-language geological and mineral deposits information on China Most useful to Western (and Chinese) geoscientists

Fluid-aided mass transfer and subsequent mineral re-equilibration are the two defining features of metasomatism and must be present in order for metamorphism to occur. Coupled with igneous and tectonic processes, metasomatism has played a major role in the formation of the Earth's continental and oceanic crust and lithospheric mantle as well as in their evolution and subsequent stabilization. Metasomatic processes can include ore mineralization, metasomatically induced alteration of oceanic lithosphere, mass transport in and alteration of subducted oceanic crust and overlying mantle wedge, which has subsequent implications regarding mass transport, fluid flow, and volatile storage in the lithospheric mantle overall, as well as both regional and localized crustal metamorphism. Metasomatic alteration of accessory minerals such as zircon or monazite can allow for the dating of metasomatic events as well as give additional information regarding the chemistry of the fluids responsible. Lastly present day movement of fluids in both the lithospheric mantle and deep to mid crust can be observed utilizing geophysical resources such as electrical resistivity and seismic data. Such observations help to further clarify the picture of actual metasomatic processes as inferred from basic petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical data. The goal of this volume is to bring together a diverse group of geologists, each of whose specialities and long range experience regarding one or more aspects of metasomatism during geologic processes, should allow them to contribute to a series of review chapters, which outline the basis of our current understanding of how metasomatism influences and helps to control both the evolution and stability of the crust and lithospheric mantle.

The twelve chapters of this volume aim to provide a complete manual for using noble gases in terrestrial geochemistry, covering applications which range from high temperature processes deep in the Earth's interior to tracing climatic variations using noble gases trapped in ice cores, groundwaters and modern sediments. Other chapters cover noble gases in crustal (aqueous, CO2 and hydrocarbon) fluids and laboratory techniques for determining noble gas solubilities and diffusivities under geologically relevant conditions. Each chapter deals with the fundamentals of the analysis and interpretation of the data, detailing sampling and sampling strategies, techniques for analysis, sources of error and their estimation, including data treatment and data interpretation using recent case studies.

Granitic rocks are a major component of the continental crust and the many and complex problems of their origin that have confronted geologists for over 200 years still are presenting challenges today. Current ideas of granite formation involve lower crustal melting, segregation, ascent (as dykes or diapirs) and emplacement in the upper crust. In this book we suggest an alternative model for the origin of granite in terms of in-situ melting-intracrustal convection that physically determines the process from partial melting of mid-upper crustal rocks to formation of a convecting magma layer. We illustrate the model using geological, geochemical and geophysical studies from Australia, North and South America, Europe and China, and conclude that heat convection within a crustal partial melt layer is essential for the formation of granite magma and that without convection, partial melting of rocks produces migmatites rather than granites. Granite is layer-like within the crust, and shape and size of granite bodies reflect the geometric relationship between an irregular upper surface of the crystallised magma layer and depth of erosion. Repeated melting of the crust generates downward-younging granite sequences. Chemical and isotopic compositions of granites indicate differentiation within the magma rather than different deep sources. Of a number of proposed heat sources that can cause mid-upper crustal anatexis, large-scale crustal melting and formation of a granite magma layer is considered to be primarily related to plate convergence. A dynamic model with examples from the western Pacific continental margin in SE China and Tethys-Tibet is proposed to explain the relationship between plate convergence, granite and compressive deformation of the continental crust. Mineralisation related to granite formation, fault-block basins, formation of continental red beds and volcanism with examples from SE China, are also discussed in terms of the new model. In a final section, we introduce a new rock cycling model of the continental crust and the concept of Geochemical Fields of Elements, illustrating the unity between the microcosm and macrocosm of the natural world. Audience: This book will be of interest to scientists, researchers and students in geology, geophysics, geochemistry and economic geology