Introduction & background
Bureya Massif Case Study:
Multi-disciplinary GLAM Mapping and Metallogeny
The following case study illustrates:
- The use of multi-disciplinary spatial data to identify and map the Bureya Lithospheric Mantle Domain (LMD) and Trans-Lithospheric Fault (TLF) network in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt
- The spatial influence these fundamental LMD boundaries and TLFs have on the spatial distribution of Au and Cu deposits developed in the area
- The influence of geodynamic history on metallogeny
- The crustal Bureya Massif and underlying Bureya LMD are part of the larger Amuria microcontinent (AmM)
- The AmM collided with the northern margin of the North China Craton in the Late Paleozoic and in the study area with the southern margin of the greater Siberian Craton (Stanovoy Granulite Belt) in the Early Cretaceous
Summary
Bureya Lithospheric Mantle Domain (LMD) and margin of Amuria microcontinent (AmM) recognised in multiple data. Archean crust immediately to the west, Nd model ages in the Bureya Massif, and high Vs in the centre of the Bureya LMD are consistent with an Archean heritage. Bureya LMD affected by multiple periods of subduction-related magmatism. Major Trans-Lithospheric Fault (TLF) corridors focused on LMD boundaries. Some TLFs crosscut LMDs. Gold and Copper-Gold deposits occur above regions of refertilised and metasomatised SCLM characterised by lower Vs. The largest deposits are closest to LMD boundaries and often localised along TLFs.
Bureya Massif Lithospheric Mantle Domains
Image: Proprietary seismic tomography at 100- 175 km depth (red is anomalously fast Vs)
Gold deposits (yellow), Copper-Gold deposits (green), and Gold placers (pale)
Note correlation of deposits with TLFs and LMD boundaries
Largest deposits occur closer to LMD boundaries
All primary deposits occur either in lower Vs regions or on the edge of the high Vs region
Geology and Crustal Elements
Hosts Precambrian, Paleozoic and Mesozoic crustal rocks.
Limited isotope data indicates minimum Paleoproteroic aged basement; Archean crust is confirmed immediately west of the Bureya LMD.
Mapped faults highlights high strain corridors on north edge (Mongol-Okhotsk Suture; includes ophiolites) and east edge.
LithoAtlas Crustal Elements are identified from a combination of published data, mapped geology and geophysics.
1. East Stanovoy Terrane (Ar-Pr basement; Cm2-K1 continental arc)
2. Uda-Murgul Arc (J3-K1 arc)
3. Tukuringa ophiolite belt (O-K1 ophiolitic melange)
4. Mongol-Okhotsk Suture (D-K1 tectonic melange)
5. Argun Terrane (Ar-Pr1 basement; late Pr3-Cm3 arc)
6. Dyaggachi Massif (Ar-Pr1 basement; Cm3-O2 & C-P arc)
7. Songliao Massif (Pr-Pz basement; J3-K1 continental backarc)
8. Songliao Basin (J3-K1 backarc)
9. Bureya Massif (Ar?-Pr1 basement; Pz platform; J-K1 continental backarc)
10. Dadzhal Terrane (C-T passive margin; J-K1 arc/forearc)
11. Jiamusi Massif (Ar-Pr2 basement; Pr3 arc; J-K1 arc)
Histories & tectonic settings of each Crustal Element are documented in the GLAM Prime Product.
