scholarly journals The Lavrion Mines: A Unique Site of Geological and Mineralogical Heritage

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Voudouris ◽  
Vasilios Melfos ◽  
Constantinos Mavrogonatos ◽  
Adonis Photiades ◽  
Eugenia Moraiti ◽  
...  

The Lavrion area corresponds to the western part of the Attic-Cycladic metamorphic belt, in the back-arc region of the active Hellenic subduction zone. Between the Eocene and the Miocene, metamorphic rocks (mainly marbles and schists) underwent several stages of metamorphism and deformation due to collision and collapse of the Cycladic belt. Exhumation during the Miocene was accommodated by the movement of a large-scale detachment fault system, which also enhanced emplacement of magmatic rocks, leading to the formation of the famous Lavrion silver deposits. The area around the mines shows the stacking of nappes, with ore deposition mainly localized within the marbles, at marble-schist contacts, below, within, or above the detachment. The Lavrion deposit comprises five genetically-related but different styles of mineralization, a feature never observed in another ore deposit elsewhere, containing the highest number of different elements of any known mining district. The local geology, tectonic, and magmatic activity were fundamental factors in determining how and when the mineralization formed. Other key factors, such as the rise and the fall of sea level, which resulted from climate change over the last million years, were also of major importance for the subsequent surface oxidation at Lavrion that created an unmatched diversity of secondary minerals. As a result, the Lavrion deposit contains 638 minerals of which Lavrion is type-locality for 23 of them, which is nearly 12% of all known species. Apart from being famous for its silver exploitation, this mining district contains more minerals than any other district on Earth. The unique geological, mineralogical, and educational (mining, archaeological, and environmental) features suggest that it is highly suitable to be developed as a future UNESCO Global Geopark.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-43
Author(s):  
Yuan Peng ◽  
Yongsheng Zhang ◽  
Eenyuan Xing ◽  
Linlin Wang

AbstractThe Zhongwunongshan Structural Belt (ZWSB) locates between the Olongbruk Microblock of North Qaidam and the South Qilian Block in China, and it has important implication for understanding the tectonic significance of North Qaidam. Nowadays, there are few discussion on the Caledonian tectonothermal events of the Zhongwunongshan Structural Belt, and there exist different opinions on provenance and tectonic environment of the Zhongwunongshan Group in the ZWSB and its adjacent North Qaidam. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the detrital zircon geochronological research was carried out on the Zhongwunongshan Group. The detrital zircon U-Pb dating results showed two major populations. The first was Neoproterozoic (966-725 Ma) with a ∈Hf(t) = −15.9 to 9.5, and the other was late Early Paleozoic (460-434Ma) with a ∈Hf(t) = −9.6 to −3.1. In combination with previous research, the dominated provenances were found to be the Neoproterozoic granitic gneiss of the Yuqia-Shaliuhe HP-UHP metamorphic belt and the late Early Paleozoic granite of the Tanjianshan ophiolite-volcanic arc belt in North Qaidam. The Zhongwunongshan Group was deposited in the back-arc sedimentary basin related to the Caledonian collisional orogeny during Middle Silurian-Early Devonian (434-407.9 Ma).


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Andrew Hazelton ◽  
Ghassan J. Alaka ◽  
Levi Cowan ◽  
Michael Fischer ◽  
Sundararaman Gopalakrishnan

The early stages of a tropical cyclone can be a challenge to forecast, as a storm consolidates and begins to grow based on the local and environmental conditions. A high-resolution ensemble of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) is used to study the early intensification of Hurricane Dorian, a catastrophic 2019 storm in which the early period proved challenging for forecasters. There was a clear connection in the ensemble between early storm track and intensity: stronger members moved more northeast initially, although this result did not have much impact on the long-term track. The ensemble results show several key factors determining the early evolution of Dorian. Large-scale divergence northeast of the tropical cyclone (TC) appeared to favor intensification, and this structure was present at model initialization. There was also greater moisture northeast of the TC for stronger members at initialization, favoring more intensification and downshear development of the circulation as these members evolved. This study highlights the complex interplay between synoptic and storm scale processes in the development and intensification of early-stage tropical cyclones.


Chemosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 269 ◽  
pp. 129387
Author(s):  
Qinhui Lu ◽  
Zhidong Xu ◽  
Xiaohang Xu ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Longchao Liang ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33
Author(s):  
Pavel Domalewski ◽  
Jan Baxa

Abstract The factors that were crucial for the construction of administrative buildings in the regional capitals of the Czech Republic are subject to examination in this article. One primary question is whether the development of office construction reflects the qualitative importance of the cities, or whether there are some other regularities in the spatial distribution of construction. To identify the key factors, controlled interviews with experts professionally involved in the construction of administrative buildings were carried out, and these data were then extended as part of a large-scale questionnaire survey with other experts on the issue. The results have confirmed the dominant position of the capital city of Prague in terms of its qualitative importance, as the remaining regional capitals have less than one-tenth of the volume of modern office building areas. The greatest differences in the construction of administrative buildings have been noted in Brno and Ostrava, despite the fact that they exhibit similar characteristics when considered in the light of respondent-determined factors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 733 ◽  
pp. 140-143
Author(s):  
Jin Hang Cai

Metamorphic rock burial hill reservoir of Beier rift in Hailaer Basin, with large scale reservoir and high output has complex fault system. The fault through going direction roughly is NEE direction, and has wide fault section and lateral quickly changed fault displacement. Metamorphic rock reservoir can be divided into the vertical weathered fracture zone, crack and dissolved pores and caves development belt and tight zone. Accumulation is controlled by hydrocarbon ability of source rock, contacting relationship of source rock and reservoir, oil storage ability of reservoir, and vertical and lateral hydrocarbon migration ability of fault and unconformity surface. And formed top surface weathering crust accumulation pattern which the hydrocarbon migrated laterally along the unconformity surface, and interior reservoir pattern of crack broken zone accumulation which hydrocarbon migrated vertically along fault.


Author(s):  
Sh. Qiu ◽  
N. A. Kasyanova

Background. In terms of oil and gas, the territory of the Chezhen depression has been studied insufficiently compared to the neighbouring same-range depressions. These depressions complicate the first-order Jiyang depression, geographically coinciding with the largest Shengli hydrocarbon field. In recent years, much geological and geophysical information about the oil geologyof the Chezhen depression has been accumulated, which allows its prospecting oil and gas potential to be assessed.Aim. To reveal regular features of the geological structure and location of oil deposits in the Chezhen depression in order to support the prospecting and exploration work within the Chezhen block of the Shengli field.Materials and methods. A comprehensive analysis of literature data and collected materials was conducted. A historical and geodynamic study of the evolution of the studied area according to literature data was carried out, along with an analysis of the most recent geological and geophysical information and exploration data based on the materials of the “Shengli AKOO Sinopek” oil company. The analysis was based on the data from 52 drilling wells and the results of seismic surveys performed in the central part of the Chezhen depression.Results. Specific features of the block geological structure of the area under study were established, which formed under the repeated influence of large-scale horizontal tectonic movements occurring at different periods of geological history. The role of the most recent fault system in the modern spatial distribution of oil deposits was determined.Conclusions. Our studies demonstrate a great prospecting potential of the Chezhen depression territory, where the discovery of new industrial oil deposits can be expected.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Bons ◽  
Tamara de Riese ◽  
Enrique Gomez-Rivas ◽  
Isaac Naaman ◽  
Till Sachau

<p>Fluids can circulate in all levels of the crust, as veins, ore deposits and chemical alterations and isotopic shifts indicate. It is furthermore generally accepted that faults and fractures play a central role as preferred fluid conduits. Fluid flow is, however, not only passively reacting to the presence of faults and fractures, but actively play a role in their creation, (re-) activation and sealing by mineral precipitates. This means that the interaction between fluid flow and fracturing is a two-way process, which is further controlled by tectonic activity (stress field), fluid sources and fluxes, as well as the availability of alternative fluid conduits, such as matrix porosity. Here we explore the interaction between matrix permeability and dynamic fracturing on the spatial and temporal distribution of fluid flow for upward fluid fluxes. Envisaged fluid sources can be dehydration reactions, release of igneous fluids, or release of fluids due to decompression or heating.</p><p> </p><p>Our 2D numerical cellular automaton-type simulations span the whole range from steady matrix-flow to highly dynamical flow through hydrofractures. Hydrofractures are initiated when matrix flow is insufficient to maintain fluid pressures below the failure threshold. When required fluid fluxes are high and/or matrix porosity low, flow is dominated by hydrofractures and the system exhibits self-organised critical phenomena. The size of fractures achieves a power-law distribution, as failure events may sometimes trigger avalanche-like amalgamation of hydrofractures. By far most hydrofracture events only lead to local fluid flow pulses within the source area. Conductive fracture networks do not develop if hydrofractures seal relatively quickly, which can be expected in deeper crustal levels. Only the larger events span the whole system and actually drain fluid from the system. We present the 10 square km hydrothermal Hidden Valley Mega-Breccia on the Paralana Fault System in South Australia as a possible example of large-scale fluid expulsion events. Although field evidence suggests that the breccia formed over a period of at least 150 Myrs, actual cumulative fluid duration may rather have been in the order of days only. This example illustrates the extreme dynamics that crustal-scale fluid flow in hydrofractures can achieve.</p>


Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo Bonincontro ◽  
Francesco Fraschetti ◽  
Claire Squarzoni ◽  
Laura Mazzocchetti ◽  
Emanuele Maccaferri ◽  
...  

Innovative nanofibrous membranes based on Pd/Au catalysts immobilized via electrospinning onto different polymers were engineered and tested in the selective oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in an aqueous phase. The type of polymer and the method used to insert the active phases in the membrane were demonstrated to have a significant effect on catalytic performance. The hydrophilicity and the glass transition temperature of the polymeric component are key factors for producing active and selective materials. Nylon-based membranes loaded with unsupported metal nanoparticles were demonstrated to be more efficient than polyacrylonitrile-based membranes, displaying good stability and leading to high yield in 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. These results underline the promising potential of large-scale applications of electrospinning for the preparation of catalytic nanofibrous membranes to be used in processes for the conversion of renewable molecules.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Meng Wang ◽  
Jia-wen Zhou ◽  
An-chi Shi ◽  
Jin-qi Han ◽  
Hai-bo Li

The stability of the surrounding rock masses of underground powerhouses is always emphasized during the construction period. With the general trends toward large-scale, complex geological conditions and the rapid construction progress of underground powerhouses, deformation and failure issues of the surrounding rock mass can emerge, putting the safety of construction and operation in jeopardy and causing enormous economic loss. To solve these problems, an understanding of the origins and key affecting factors is required. Based on domestic large-scale underground powerhouse cases in the past two decades, key factors affecting the deformation and failure of the surrounding rock mass are summarized in this paper. Among these factors, the two most fundamental factors are the rock mass properties and in situ stress, which impart tremendous impacts on surrounding rock mass stability in a number of cases. Excavation is a prerequisite of surrounding rock mass failure and support that is classified as part of the construction process and plays a pivotal role in preventing and arresting deformation and failure. Additionally, the layout and structure of the powerhouse are consequential. The interrelation and interaction of these factors are discussed at the end of this paper. The results can hopefully advance the understanding of the deformation and failure of surrounding rock masses and provide a reference for design and construction with respect to hydroelectric underground powerhouses.


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