The continental Asia is mainly composed of three major tectonic regimes, the Tethys, Paleo Asian Ocean, and West Pacific. It underwent multi-stage plate convergences, ocean-continent transformations, and subductions, collisions and/or collages, and post collisional (orogenic) extensions in Phanerozoic. Tectonic evolution of the Asia brings up a unique fault system and tectonic geomorphological features in the mainland China. Also, it provides a geodynamic background for the formation and evolution of metallogeneses and mineral systems, resulting in nonuniform distribution of tectono-metallogenic systems and metallogenic belts. The spatiotemporal distribution of mineral deposits in China and adjacent areas exhibits periodic variation under controlling of the full life Wilson cycle and tectonic evolution, forming the plate convergence-related mineral system in East Asia. Porphyry Cu deposits are mainly related to compressional systems in Paleozoic and early Mesozoic, and more closely related to post-collision extensional settings in late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Orogenic Au deposits mainly formed in post-orogeny extensional setting. Alkaline rock related rare earth element deposits formed mainly at margins of the North China and Yangtze cratons. Granite-pegmatite Li and other rare metal deposits formed mainly in early Mesozoic, related to Indosinian post-orogeny extension. Tectono-metallogenic systems provide important basis for the prospecting of mineral resources.

Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Zn-Pb deposits predominantly form within both orogenic forelands and fold-and-thrust belts, yet the mineralization process within the latter tectonic setting remains inadequately understood. This study, through a comprehensive review of MVT deposits across global fold-and-thrust belts, introduces a novel model elucidating the mineralization process in the context of tectonic belt evolution. It is demonstrated that during the stage I, regional compression is introduced by early stages of plate convergence, causing the folding and thrusting and creating structural or lithological traps such as evaporite diapirs and unconformity-related carbonate dissolution-collapse structures. Thereafter, in stage II, hydrocarbons begin to migrate and accumulate within these traps, where reduced sulfur is generated through thermochemical or bacterial sulfate reduction concurrent with or preceding Zn-Pb mineralization. In the subsequent stage III, as plate convergence persists, the regional stress transitions from compression to transpression or extension. Under these conditions, steeply-dipping extensional faults are generated, facilitating the ascent of metalliferous brines into early-formed structural or lithological traps. Precipitation of Zn and Pb sulfides occurs through the mixing of Zn-Pb-transporting fluids with pre-existing reduced sulfur or by interaction with hydrocarbons.

Field work focused on the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality, Perm region, Urals, Russia, which contains a rich assemblage of diverse fossil organisms including higher plants (equisetophytes, pteridosperms, ginkgophytes, conifers, vojnovskyans) represented by stems, leaves and reproductive organs; invertebrates (mollusks, arthropods), and tetrapods (temnospondyl amphibians, seymouriamorphs, cotylosaurs, synapsids, diapsids), as well as bony fishes. General characteristics of the taxonomical composition of the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality are given. A new peltaspermalean pteridosperm taxon,Compsopteris longipinnata sp. nov., and a voltzialean conifer Archaeovoltzia kuedensis sp. nov. are described. General considerations on the paleoecologic and paleogeographic conditions of the Kuedinskie Kluchiki locality origin are given.

Hydrous Cr-bearing uvarovite garnets are rare in natural occurrences and belong to the ugrandite series and exist in binary solid solutions with grossular and andradite garnets. Here, we report the occurrence of hydrous uvarovite garnet having Cr₂O₃ upto 19.66 wt% and CaO of 32.12–35.14 wt% in the serpentinized mantle peridotites of Naga Hills Ophiolite (NHO), India. They occur in association with low-Cr diopsides. They are enriched in LILE (Ba, Sr), LREEs, with fractionating LREE-MREE [avg. (La/Sm)_N = 2.16] with flat MREE/HREE patterns [avg. (Sm/Yb)_N = 0.95]. Raman spectra indicate the presence of hydroxyl (OH^–) peaks from 3500 to 3700 cm^–1. Relative abundances in fluid mobile elements and their close association with clinopyroxenes are suggestive of the formation of uvarovite garnets through low temperature metasomatic alteration of low-Cr diopsides by hydrothermal slab fluids. The high LREE concentration and absence of Eu anomaly in the garnet further attest to alkaline nature of the transporting slab dehydrated fluid rather the involvement of low-pH solution. The chemical characteristics of the hydroxyl bearing uvarovite hosted by the mantle peridotite of NHO deviate from the classical features of uvarovite garnet, and their origin is attributed to the fluid-induced metasomatism of the sub arc mantle wedge in a suprasubduction zone regime.

Magmatic periodicity is recognized in continental arcs worldwide, but the mechanism responsible for punctuated arc magmatism is controversial. Continental arcs in the Trans-Himalayan orogenic system display episodic magmatism and the most voluminous flare-up in this system was in early Eocene during the transition from subduction to collision. The close association of the flare-up with collision is intriguing. Our study employs zircon Lu-Hf and bulk rock Sr-Nd isotopes, along with mineral geochemistry, to track the melt sources of the Nymo intrusive complex and the role of mantle magma during the early Eocene flare-up of the Gangdese arc, Tibet. The Nymo intrusive complex is composed of gabbronorite, diorite, quartz diorite, and granodiorite which define an arc-related calc-alkaline suite. Zircon U-Pb ages reveal that the complex was emplaced between ∼50–47 Ma. Zircon Hf isotopes yield ϵ_Hf(t) values of 8.2–13.1, while whole-rock Sr and Nd isotopes yield ϵ_Nd(t) values of 2.7–6.5 indicative of magmatism dominated by melting of a juvenile mantle source with only minor crustal assimilation (∼15%–25%) as indicated by assimilation and fractional crystallization modeling. Together with published data, the early Eocene magmatic flare-up was likely triggered by slab breakoff of subducted oceanic lithosphere at depths shallower than the overriding plate. The early Eocene magmatic flare-up may have contributed to crustal thickening of the Gangdese arc. This study provides important insights into the magmatic flare-up and its significant role in the generation of large batholiths during the transition from subduction to collision.

In the Alpine Corsica (France), the Santa Lucia Nappe represents a peculiar unit preserving the unique relicts of Paleozoic lower to medium continental crust. It consists of composite basement affected by Permian granulite facies metamorphic conditions unconformably covered by a Late Cretaceous clastic sequence (Tomboni Conglomerate and Tralonca Flysch) affected by polyphase deformation and low-grade-metamorphism. In this work, we present a new reconstruction of the deformation events registered by the Tralonca Flysch during the Alpine orogeny. The D1 phase was testified by rare isoclinal folds. The D2 phase produced a continuous foliation and a map-scale sheath-fold with a top-to-W sense of shear. The D3 phase produced E-verging non-cylindrical folds and S3 crenulation cleavage that is not associated to metamorphic blastesis. We present the first temperature-pressure-deformation (P-T-d) path for the Tralonca Flysch, demonstrating that the Santa Lucia Nappe underwent accretion and then first stage exhumation in the Alpine wedge during the D1 phase with pressure and temperature peaks both occurred under blueschist metamorphic conditions. The D2 phase occurred at lower pressure-temperature conditions during a second stage exhumation. This pressure-temperature-deformation path is comparable with those of the Lower Units (i.e., the subducted continental units of Alpine Corsica) suggesting a common geodynamic history.

In the internal parts of the Zagros collision zone, several deformation phases have been superimposed. The early deformation phase caused the development of a penetrative foliation. The late-stage deformation phase was preferentially accommodated within shear zones and caused the generation of shear bands, implying a non-coaxial component of deformation, the end of this stage deformation was marked by the development of kink-bands. In the vicinity of Zagros suture zone, the kink angle increased from 40° to 60°, and the kink-bands was converted to chevron folds. In this region, the external (α) and internal (β) angular ratio is α/β ≠ 1 and kink angle increased, and deformation occurred with 10% to 30% volume loss. Farther from the suture zone in the east,α/β = 1; and total volume was constant or increased by 5% to 10%. Kink-bands kinematic analysis in the study area revealed this structures were sensitive to deformation conditions and components such that, with decreasing distance to the Zagros suture zone, shearing and rotation increased, a high kinematic vorticity dominated, and volume loss occurred during deformation.

In intracratnoic basins, the effect of strike-slip faults on sedimentary microfacies is generally underestimated due to their small scale. Based on the integration of core, well logs, and three-dimensional seismic data, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the Permian carbonate platform and strike-slip faults in the southwestern Kaijiang-Liangping trough of the Sichuan Basin. The relationship between strike-slip faults and Permian carbonate microfacies is investigated. The results reveals the existence of a NW-trending strike-slip fault zone along the platform margin, exhibiting clear segmentation. The western side of the study area exhibits a rimmed platform margin characterized by type I reefs, which corresponds to the presence of a large-scale strike-slip fault zone. In contrast, the eastern side is characterized by a no-rimmed and weak rimmed platform margin, accompanied by type II reefs, which align with smaller strike-slip fault zones. It was found that the strike-slip fault had some effects on the platform and reef-shoal complex of the Permain Changxing Formation. First, the platform was divided by strike-slip fault into three segments to show rimmed, week rimmed and no-rimmed platform. Second, reef-shoal complex devolped along the faulted high position in the strike-slip fault zone, and separated by faulted depression. Third, strike-slip faults can offset or migrated the reef-shoal complex and platform margin. Additionally, the thickness of the platform margin varies across strike-slip fault zone, which is related to the activity of strike-slip faults. The strike-slip faults affect the microfacies by controlling the pre-depositional paleotopography. This case suggests that the strike-slip faults play a crucial role in the diversity and distribution of carbonate microfacies in the intracratonic basin.

Basalts from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian are extensively developed in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet. Studying the petrogenesis of these rocks may have implications for the late Paleozoic arc magmatism along the central Lhasa subterrane uncovering more of the evolution of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean and its dynamic mechanism. Basalt samples from the Luobadui Formation in the Leqingla area, NW of Linzhou City in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet exhibit arc-like geochemical signatures in a subduction-zone tectonic setting characterized by high Al₂O₃ and low TiO₂ contents, fractionated REE patterns with low Nb/La ratios and high LREE concentrations, and negative HFSE anomalies. Based on their higher Th/Ce, Nb/Zr, and lower Ba/Th, Pb/Nd ratios, slightly negative to positive ϵ_Nd(t) values, and the relatively high Sr-Pb isotopic compositions, these samples were probably derived from partial melting of a depleted mantle source of garnet + spinel lherzolite, metasomatized by subducted sediments around 297 Ma. Modeling of the trace elements indicates that these basalts experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and minor plagioclase during magma ascent and eruption. It is proposed that these Late Carboniferous–Early Permian basalts are associated with the northward subduction of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean seafloor along the southern margin of the central Lhasa subterrane.

The Jianbeigou gold deposit is a typical lode gold deposit in the Qinling metallogenic belt, located on the southern margin of the North China Craton. Three stages of the hydrothermal process can be distinguished, including the quartz ± pyrite, quartz-polymetallic sulfide, and quartz-carbonate ± pyrite stages. From the early to late stages, the homogenization temperatures of primary fluid inclusions are 281–362°C, 227–331°C, and 149–261°C, respectively. The corresponding salinities estimated for these fluids are 3.9–9.9 wt%, 0.4–9.4 wt%, and 0.7–7.2 wt% NaCl equiv. Combined with laser Raman spectroscopy data, the ore-forming fluid belongs to a H₂O-CO₂-NaCl ± CH₄ system with medium–low temperature and salinity. The δ¹⁸O_fluid and δD values for the quartz veins are –1.0‰ to 6.0‰ and –105‰ to –84‰, respectively, which indicates that the ore-forming fluid is of mixed source, mainly derived from magma, with a contribution from meteoric water. Pyrite has been identified into three generations based on mineral paragenetic sequencing, including Py1, Py2, and Py3. The pyrites have δ³⁴S sulfur isotopic compositions from three stages between 3.7‰ and 8.4‰, indicating that sulfur mainly originated from magma. Te, Bi, Sb, and Cu contents in pyrite were all high and showed a strong correlation with Au concentrations. Native gold and the Au-Ag-Bi telluride minerals were formed concurrently, and the As concentration was low and decoupled from the Au content. Therefore, Te, Bi, Sb and other low-melting point chalcophile elements play an important role for gold mineralization in arsenic-deficient ore-forming fluid. Combined with the geological setting, evolution of pyrite, and ore-fluids geochemistry, we propose that the Jianbeigou deposit can be classified as a magmatic–hydrothermal lode gold deposit. Gold mineralization on the southern margin of the North China Craton is related to Early Cretaceous magmatism and formed in an extensional setting.

The Mibei gold deposit, located in the southwestern part of the Xuefengshan uplift zone, the middle section of the Jiangnan orogenic belt in southern China, has estimated gold resources of approximately seven tons. This deposit is primarily a quartz vein-type gold deposit, with ore bodies occurring mainly within Neoproterozoic metasediments. The main metallic minerals in the ore are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite. In this study, the petrography and microthermometry of ore-forming fluid inclusions, oxygen isotopes of gold-bearing quartz, and sulfur isotopes of gold-bearing sulfides and arsenopyrite were analyzed. Three types of fluid inclusions were identified: type Ia three-phase inclusions comprising vapor and two phases of liquids (V_CO2 + L_CO2 + L_H2O), type Ib two-phase liquids (L_CO2 + L_H2O), type II two-phase vapor-rich inclusions (V/V + L > 50%), and type III pure liquid inclusions. Type I inclusions were heated uniformly to the liquid phase, type II inclusions were heated uniformly to the gas phase, and type III inclusions were heated without change. In general, the temperature range of homogenization to liquid phase of fluid inclusions in the Mibei gold deposit is 204–227°C. The salinity of the inclusion ranges from 4.6 to 12.2 wt% NaCl equiv. The δ¹⁸O_SMOW of gold-bearing quartz varies from 16.9‰ to 17.5‰. The δ¹⁸O_H2O of gold-bearing quartz are varied from 6.5‰ to 7.5‰. The δ³⁴S values of gold-bearing pyrite range from 1.7‰ to 6.8‰. The δ³⁴S values of gold-bearing arsenopyrite range from 5.6‰ to 5.9‰. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite from wall rocks slate range from 6.4‰ to 11.6‰. This evidence implies that the ore-forming fluids of the Mibei gold deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal processes, mixing with minor S from the surrounding metasediments. Combined with the evolution of the Jiangnan orogenic belt, due to the magmatic and tectonic activities of the Xuefengshan uplift during the Caledonian period, the fault seal mechanism controlled the ore-forming process. Overall, the Mibei gold deposit is more akin to a magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposit.

Mineralogical and geochemical studies have been undertaken on the Triassic to Lower Jurassic Adigrat Sandstone of the Blue Nile Basin of central Ethiopia to infer its source rock type, paleoweathering, and paleoclimatic history. The Adigrat Sandstone occurs at the basal section of the Mesozoic sedimentary formation and unconformably overlays the Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic crystalline rocks, or locally, the Karroo sediments in the northern Blue Nile Basin. A mineralogical study reveals that quartz (Q), feldspars (F), and lithic fragments (L) are the framework grains of the sandstone. On the QFL diagram, the plot of the modal composition of the sandstone mainly falls within the feldspathic arenite and quartzose arenite fields. The geochemical data of the lower section of the sandstone mainly falls within the arkose and subarkose fields, whereas the upper section data falls within the quartzose and sublithic arenite fields. Mineralogical and geochemical weathering indices indicate that the provenances of the Adigrat Sandstone were exposed to pronounced weathering intensity, where the lower part of the sandstone was controlled by arid to semi-arid conditions, whereas the upper section was linked to humid to semi-humid (tropical to subtropical) climatic conditions. Mineralogical and geochemical data also indicate that mafic to intermediate basement rocks were the primary source rocks of the sediment. Perhaps the sediment was assumed to have been reworked by multi-cyclic sedimentary processes. The discriminant function diagram, the REE pattern, La/Th vs. La/Yb, and the Th–Hf–Co plot are consistent. A comparison of provenance studies for the Adigrat Sandstone in the Blue Nile Basin and the Mekele outlier of northern Ethiopia indicates that the sediment of the former is highly sorted, experienced higher weathering intensity, and compositionally derived from mafic to intermediate crystalline rocks. On the other hand, the sediment of the latter is essentially a weathering product of felsic rocks.

This study investigated the calcareous nannofossil assemblages in detail from the early Miocene aged Lice Formation outcropping in the Kahramanmaraş basin. The biostratigraphy of calcareous nannofossils was outlined and paleoenvironmental features determined. In 81 samples taken from three measured sections in the region, 17 calcareous nannofossil genus and 48 nannofossil species were identified. These calcareous nannofossil genus and species identified the Lice Formation as being in the CNM4 nannofossil biozone. The abundance and diversity of early Miocene calcareous nannofossil species varied in the measured sections, with the samples generally moderate-poor, apart from a few samples. The relative abundance of individuals of Cyclicargolithus floridanus,Coccolithus pelagicus,Reticulofenestra hagii and Sphenolithus moriformis species, with paleoecological importance identified in the study region, indicate that in early Miocene times, the basin in which the Lice Formation deposited was meso-eutrophic with excess nutrient input, temperate and generally stable shallow marine conditions.

Numerous new records of Ferganiella, Podozamites, and Schidolepium, including a new species,Ferganiella ivantsovii sp. nov., are described from the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) Middle Subformation of the Prisayan Formation from the Euro-Sinian paleofloristic region in the Irkutsk Basin, Eastern Siberia, Russia. An analysis of the paleogeographic distribution of Ferganiella and Podozamites shows that both genera were the most diverse and numerous in the East Asian province of the Euro-Sinian region and in the Northern Chinese province of the Siberian region during the Early and Middle Jurassic. These phytochoria were located in the subtropical and temperate subtropical climate zones, which allows us to consider Ferganiella and Podozamites as thermophilic plants, which are important indicators of the Early Toarcian climatic optimum. Their abundance in the Irkutsk Basin thus may indicate Early Toarcian warming; further abundant Schidolepium cones, which produced Araucariacites pollen, typical for Euro-Sinian flora complement the scenario. Thus, the new finds are the first macrofloristic indicators of the Toarcian climatic optimum in the Irkutsk Basin.

The reconstruction of paleo-elevation serves a dual purpose to enhance our comprehension of geodynamic processes affecting terrestrial landforms and to contribute significantly to the interpretation of atmospheric circulation and biodiversity. The oxygen (δ¹⁸O_w) and deuterium (δD_w) isotopes in atmospheric precipitation are systematically depleted with the increase of altitude, which are typical and widely applicated paleo-altimeters. The utilization of hydrogen isotope of hydrous silicate minerals within the shear zone system, volcanic glass, and plant leaf wax alkanes offers valuable insights for addressing evaporation and diagenesis. In this paper, we review the principle, application conditions, and influencing factors of the hydrogen isotope paleo-altimeter. In addition, we discuss the feasibility of utilizing this technique for quantitatively estimating the paleo-elevation of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, where multiple shear zones extend over hundred kilometers parallel to the topographic gradient.

Inertinite-rich coal is widely distributed in the Ordos Basin, represented by the No. 2 coal seam of the Middle Jurassic Yan’an Formation. This paper combined coal petrology and geochemistry to analyze the origin of inertinite, changes in the coal-forming environment and control characteristics of wildfire. Research has shown that there are two forms of inertinite sources in the study area. Alongside typical fusinization, wildfire events also play a substantial role in inertinite formation. There are significant fluctuations in the coal-forming environment of samples at different depths. Coal samples were formed in dry forest swamp with low water levels and strong oxidation, which have a high inertinite content, and the samples formed in wet forest swamp and limnic showed low inertinite content. Conversely, the inertinite content of different origins does not fully correspond to the depositional environment characterized by dryness and oxidation. Nonpyrogenic inertinites were significantly influenced by climatic conditions, while pyrofusinite was not entirely controlled by climatic conditions but rather directly impacted by wildfire events. The high oxygen level was the main factor causing widespread wildfire events. Overall, the combination of wildfire activity and oxidation generates a high content of inertinite in the Middle Jurassic coal of the Ordos Basin.

The deep Lower Jurassic Ahe Formation (J₁a) in the Dibei–Tuzi area of the Kuqa Depression has not been extensively explored because of the complex distribution of fractures. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the natural fracture distribution and structural style. The J₁a fractures in this area were mainly high-angle shear fractures. A backward thrust structure (BTS) is favorable for gas migration and accumulation, probably because natural fractures are more developed in the middle and upper parts of a thick competent layer. The opposing thrust structure (OTS) was strongly compressed, and the natural fractures in the middle and lower parts of the thick competent layer around the fault were more intense. The vertical fracture distribution in the thick competent layers of an imbricate-thrust structure (ITS) differs from that of BTS and OTS. The intensity of the fractures in the ITS anticline is similar to that in the BTS. Fracture density in monoclinic strata in a ITS is controlled by faulting. Overall, the structural style controls the configuration of faults and anticlines, and the stress on the competent layers, which significantly affects deep gas reservoir fractures. The enrichment of deep tight sandstone gas is likely controlled by two closely spaced faults and a fault-related anticline.

The Ziyoutun Cu-Au district is located in the Jizhong–Yanbian Metallogenic Belt and possesses excellent prospects. However, the thick regolith and complex tectonic settings present challenges in terms of detecting and decomposition of weak geochemical anomalies. To address this challenge, we initially conducted a comprehensive analysis of 1:10, 000-scale soil geochemical data. This analysis included multivariate statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis, R-mode cluster analysis, Q–Q plots and factor analysis. Subsequently, we decomposed the geochemical anomalies, identifying weak anomalies using spectrum-area modeling and local singularity analysis. The results indicate that the assemblage of Au-Cu-Bi-As-Sb represents the mineralization at Ziyoutun. In comparison to conventional methods, spectrum-area modeling and local singularity analysis outperform in terms of identification of anomalies. Ultimately, we considered four specific target areas (AP01, AP02, AP03 and AP04) for future exploration, based on geochemical anomalies and favorable geological factors. Within AP01 and AP02, the geochemical anomalies suggest potential mineralization at depth, whereas in AP03 and AP04 the surface anomalies require additional geological investigation. Consequently, we recommend conducting drilling, following more extensive surface fieldwork, at the first two targets and verifying surface anomalies in the last two targets. We anticipate these findings will significantly enhance future exploration in Ziyoutun.