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Deformation in intraplate domains is usually considered as a consequence of tectonic events at plate boundaries. Nevertheless, the occurrence of intraplate earthquakes such as the recent Le Teil event in the south of France along the Cévennes Fault System (CFS), on 11 November 2019, Mw = 4.9, questions whether this far-field deformation only occurs during tectonic pulses at plate boundaries, or if it corresponds to low-intensity but regional continuous deformation through time. To address this question, we have coupled U–Pb geochronology of fault-related calcites with structural analysis along a major fault system (the CFS) in the South-East Basin, France. We evidence (1) an Albian activity of the CFS and (2) a continuous compressional activity of the CFS and satellite structures during the whole Eocene and probably during the Late Cretaceous – Palaeocene, including periods (e.g. Lutetian) usually considered as phases of tectonic quiescence. We thus demonstrate that the tectonic reactivation of this intraplate fault system is not restricted to periods of high rates of deformation at plate boundaries.

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are unusual volcanic events in which massive amounts of melt (∼106 km3) erupt in relatively short time periods (<106 years). Most LIP magmas have undergone extensive fractional crystallization and crustal contamination, but the crustal magmatic plumbing systems and the processes triggering eruptions are poorly understood. We present new major and trace element and radiogenic isotope data for 43 individual lava flows from a continuous 1,200 m thick stratigraphic profile through the upper, most voluminous part of the Deccan LIP (Bushe to Mahabaleshwar Formations). Eruption rates for this section are constrained by published paleomagnetic directions and absolute U‐Pb ages for zircons from weathered flow tops exposed in the profile. We find four magmatic sequences each lasting ∼104–∼105 years during which major and trace element compositions change systematically, followed by an abrupt change in geochemistry at the start of a new sequence. Within each sequence, the MgO content and proportion of crustal contamination decrease progressively, indicating a continuous replenishment of the associated magma reservoirs with less contaminated but more evolved melts. These geochemical signatures are best explained by repeated episodes of melt recharge, mixing, and eruption of variably evolved magmas originating from relatively small magma reservoir located in different crustal levels. Plain Language Summary Volcanism occurs predominantly at plate boundaries, either at mid‐ocean ridges or subduction zones, where most mantle melts are produced. However, the Earth's history is punctuated by volcanic events which are not related to plate boundary processes and during which large amounts of melt erupt (∼106 km3) in relatively short periods of time (<106 years). These Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are associated with the activity of mantle plumes and eruption rates during their main stages are significantly higher than those of today's largest magmatic systems. However, since no LIP is currently active, the architecture of the associated plumbing systems is relatively unknown. In order to understand the magmatic processes during the emplacement of a LIP, we generated geochemical data from a continuous stratigraphic profile covering the most voluminous stage of the ∼66 Ma Deccan LIP. By combining these new data with published paleomagnetic directions and absolute U‐Pb ages for zircons, we found four eruption sequences each lasting ∼104–∼105 years. During these sequences, geochemical compositions change systematically, which is best explained by repeated episodes of melt recharge, mixing, and eruption of variably evolved magmas originating from relatively small magma reservoirs located at different crustal levels. Key Points Four recharge‐crystallization‐eruption sequences fed the most voluminous Deccan lava Magmatic plumbing system with interconnected small‐ to medium‐sized magma reservoirs Complex emplacement history including multiple stages of ascent, mixing, and storage

Most of metropolitan France and conterminous Western Europe is currently located within the Eurasia intraplate domain, far from major plate boundaries (the Atlantic ridge and Nubia – Eurasia convergence zone). As in other intraplate regions, present-day deformation and seismicity rates are very slow, resulting in limited data and strong uncertainties on the ongoing seismotectonics and seismic hazards. In the last two decades, new geological, seismological and geodetic data and research have brought to light unexpected deformation patterns in metropolitan France, such as orogen-normal extension ca. 0.5 mm yr −1 in the Pyrenees and Western Alps that cannot be associated with their mountain-building history. Elsewhere, present-day deformation and seismicity data provide a partial picture that points to mostly extensive to strike-slip deformation regimes (except in the Western Alps foreland). A review of the numerous studies and observations shows that plate tectonics (plate motion, mantle convection) are not the sole, nor likely the primary driver of present-day deformation and seismicity and that additional processes must be considered, such as topography potential energy, erosion or glacial isostatic adjustment since the last glaciation. The exact role of each process probably varies from one region to another and remains to be characterized. In addition, structural inheritance (crust or mantle weakening from past tectonic events) can play a strong role in deformation localization and amplification up to factors of 5–20, which could explain some of the spatial variability in seismicity. On the basis of this review, we identify three research directions that should be developed to better characterize the seismicity, deformation rates and related processes in metropolitan France: macroseismic and historical seismicity, especially regarding moment magnitude estimations; geodetic deformation, including in regions of low seismicity where the ratio of seismic to aseismic deformation remains a key unknown; an integrated and consistent seismotectonic framework comprising numerical models, geological, seismological and geodetic data. The latter has the potential for significant improvements in the characterization of seismicity and seismic hazard in metropolitan France but also Western Europe. La majeure partie de la France métropolitaine et de l’Europe occidentale voisine est actuellement située dans le domaine intraplaque Eurasie, loin des principales limites de plaques (la dorsale atlantique et la zone de convergence Nubie – Eurasie). Comme dans les autres régions intraplaques, les taux de déformation et de sismicité actuels sont très lents, résultant dans de fortes limites et incertitudes sur la sismotectonique actuelle et les aléas sismiques. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, de nouvelles données et recherches géologiques, sismologiques et géodésiques ont mis en évidence des modes de déformation inattendus en France métropolitaine, comme l’extension ca. 0,5 mm a −1 perpendiculaire à la chaîne dans les Pyrénées et les Alpes occidentales qui ne peut pas être associée à l’histoire de formation des montagnes. Ailleurs, les données actuelles sur la déformation et la sismicité fournissent une image partielle qui indique des régimes de déformation généralement en extension ou décrochement (sauf dans l’avant-pays des Alpes occidentales). Une revue des nombreuses études et observations montre que la tectonique des plaques (mouvement des plaques, convection du manteau) n’est pas le seul, ni probablement le principal moteur de la déformation actuelle et de la sismicité, et que des processus supplémentaires doivent être envisagés, tels que l’énergie potentielle de la topographie, l’érosion ou le réajustement isostatique glaciaire depuis la dernière glaciation. Le rôle exact de chaque processus varie probablement d’une région à l’autre et reste à caractériser. De plus, l’héritage structural (affaiblissement de la croûte / du manteau à la suite d’événements tectoniques passés) peut jouer un rôle important dans la localisation et l’amplification de la déformation jusqu’à des facteurs de 5–20, ce qui pourrait expliquer une partie de la variabilité spatiale de la sismicité. Sur la base de cette revue, nous identifions trois axes de recherche qui devraient être développés pour mieux caractériser la sismicité, les taux de déformation et les processus associés en France métropolitaine : la sismicité macrosismique et historique, notamment en ce qui concerne les estimations des magnitudes de moment ; la déformation géodésique, y compris dans les régions de faible sismicité où le rapport de la déformation sismique à asismique reste un paramètre majeur inconnu ; un cadre sismotectonique intégré et cohérent comprenant modèles numériques et données géologiques, sismologiques et géodésiques. Ce dernier a le potentiel pour des améliorations significatives dans la caractérisation de la sismicité et des aléas sismiques en France métropolitaine mais aussi en Europe occidentale.

In Western Europe, the deformations related to the opening of the Bay of Biscay and the formation of the Pyrenean belt are well described in the southern part of the Aquitaine Basin, but little is known about the impact of these geodynamic events towards the Northern Aquitaine Platform. In this paper, we combine field observation with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery and calcite U-Pb geochronology to determine precisely the tectonic evolution in the Vendée Coastal domain. We evidence two main tectonic events: (1) At the transition between the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, WNW-ESE striking normal faults formed horsts and grabens at the onset of the opening of the Bay of Biscay. The reactivation of Variscan faults during this tectonic event is consistent with oblique extension. This event triggered ascending fluid flows that mix with Basin fluids responsible for barite-pyrite-quartz mineralizations near the unconformity. (2) During the Late Cretaceous, fractures, wide-open folds, veins, and joints are consistent with the N-S shortening direction during the earliest stages of the Pyrenenan compression. In both cases, the Northern Aquitaine Platform records the early stages of the main regional tectonic events in a far-field position. In the northern Aquitaine Basin, as in many other places in Europe, the tectonic study of sedimentary platforms located far from the plate boundaries provides new constraints on the early diffuse deformation process that predate the main tectonic phases.

The August 23 , 2011 MW 5.8 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake, the largest magnitude event recorded in the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, caused widespread damage and generated a lengthy and well-recorded aftershock sequence. Over 1600 aftershocks, recorded using a dense network of seismometers in the 4 months following the mainshock, offer an important opportunity to study the fault structure responsible for the postmainshock seismicity and hence to infer details about the mainshock rupture. In this study, the relative locations of well-recorded aftershocks were calculated to generate a high-resolution model of the fault structures on which the aftershocks took place. Moment-tensor inversions of the P and S amplitudes of dozens of the aftershocks at various locations in the aftershock zone were used to generate focal mechanisms for events on the different fault structures that were imaged by the relative location analysis. These focal mechanisms reveal both normal and thrust faulting on the fault structures. Results from these two analyses map the structures responsible for the aftershock sequence with high spatial resolution. The fault structures responsible for the aftershocks consist of two primary planes, one smaller planar feature, and some off-fault seismicity near the intersection of the two primary planes. The fault planes imaged in this study all appear to be part of the Quail Fault Zone.

Five celestine crystals were sampled from the (palaeo)surface intervening between the late Miocene to Pleistocene basaltic sequences of the Jabal Eghei (Nuqay) volcanic province in southern Libya and then characterised by applying a combination of the SEM-WDS, ICP/OES, PXRD and IR methods. Colour variations and related minerogenetic frameworks were also investigated. Three samples have greenish-blue-to-blue colour (480.4-482.5 nm), whereas the other two samples have blue-green colour (cyan; 489.1-494.1 nm). The colour purity ranges from 1.36-7.16. Their composition is similar, end-member celestine, in which only 1.6-4.1 at.% of Sr2+ content was substituted by Pb2+ (0.7-0.9 at.%), Ba2+ (0.5-0.7 at.%) and Ca2+ (0.2-0.8 at.%). Three samples contained vacancies, from 1.0 to 1.9 at.%. The content of other chemical elements is minor. The resulting unit-cell parameters have the ranges: a0 = 8.3578(9)-8.3705(6) Å; b0 = 5.3510(5)-5.3568(4) Å; c0 = 6.8683(7)-6.8767(2) Å and V0 = 307.17(5)-308.34(4) Å3. The PXRD and IR results are mainly in accordance with the SEM-WDS results, with a high level of correlation. However, a few discrepancies were found, producing several possible interpretations, the primary cause being a slight unit-cell axial anisotropy i.e. thermal expansion. As a consequence these results yield a new geothermometric tool that is based on the unit-cell axial anisotropy. The celestines investigated were formed during a Miocene intraplate volcanism with basaltic magmas, and associated brines lifted by the structural conduits (normal faults crosscutting the Sirt basin). The Sr-bearing fluids then poured into and over the faulted and fractured lagoon-type gypsum, anhydrite Eocene sediments. The celestine mineralisation formed within a ∼368-430 K (∼95-157°C) temperature range. The celestine formed at slightly elevated temperature and pressure conditions, close to the shallow subsurface environment (over 250 bars).

North-East India, at the eastern extremity of the Himalaya, is one of the most rapidly deforming intraplate regions. The tectonics of this region is shaped by oblique convergence between two nearly perpendicular plate boundaries of the Eastern Himalaya and the Indo-Burman convergence zone. This region of distributed deformation is associated with intraplate strike-slip and oblique-slip earthquakes. We model the source mechanisms of six recent moderate-to-strong intraplate earthquakes (5.0≤ Mw ≤6.7) using teleseismic P- and SH-waveform inversion and use source directivity and rupture back-projection, for the largest event, to isolate the fault plane. We combine these mechanisms with previous earthquake source studies, GPS-geodetic-velocity vectors, and GPS-derived strain-rate field, to build a kinematic model. Majority of the earthquakes have strike-slip to oblique-slip (thrust) motion and originate in the middle-to-lower crust. These reveal that the entire NE-Indian crust is seismogenic. The oblique-thrust earthquakes occur due to high in-plane compressive stresses in the flexed Indian Plate. The region north of the Dawki Fault, in the vicinity of the Kopili and Dhubri-Chungthang Fault Zones, deforms through dextral strike-slip faulting and anticlockwise rotation of blocks along NW-SE trending transverse structures. The transitional crust of the Bengal Basin has several NE-SW trending paleo-rifts which are reactivated as sinistral strike-slip faults and the intervening blocks undergo clockwise rotation. The oblique convergence between the Indian and Eurasian Plates is partitioned into dextral and sinistral strike-slip motions across NE-India. The GPS velocity vectors and the strain-rate field indicate that the region north of the Dawki Fault has strong coupling between the surface deformation and the earthquake faulting. However, in the region south of the Dawki Fault, the coupling is weaker. The strike-slip earthquakes beneath Indo-Burma probably occur due to a complex interplay between the trench-normal slab-pull forces and lateral-shear forces set up by the strike-parallel components of the interplate-coupling resistance and the mantle-drag forces.

Concentrations of H2O, F, Cl, C, P, and S have been measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in experimentally produced peridotite phases (including clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, garnet, amphibole, and mica) and coexisting basanitic glasses. Because only two experiments produced glasses on quenching (with the melt phase in others reverting to felt-like crystallite masses) H2O concentrations in melts were also separately determined from mass-balance relationships and by assuming constant H2O/La in melts and starting materials. The resulting values were used to calculate mineral/melt partition coefficients (D values) for H2O [whereDH2Ocrystal/melt = (mass fraction of H2O in crystal)/(mass fraction of H2O in melt)] for conditions of 1025-1190 °C and 1.0-3.5 GPa. These gave 0.0064-0.0164 for clinopyroxene, 0.0046-0.0142 for orthopyroxene, 0.0015-0.0016 for olivine, and 0.0016-0.0022 for garnet. Although less information was obtained for the other volatiles, F was found to be significantly more compatible than H2O during peridotite melting, whereas Cl is significantly less compatible. S also has small but appreciable solubilities in amphiboles and micas, but not in pyroxenes or olivine. The solubility of C in silicate minerals appears to be negligible, although C was present in coexisting melts (∼0.5 wt% as CO2) and as residual graphite during experiments. The D values for H2O in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene are positively correlated with ivAl but negatively correlated with the H2O concentrations of melts (when considered as wt%). These relationships are consistent with the broad trends of previously published partitioning data. Although some of the concentration dependence can be related to cross-correlation between ivAl in pyroxenes and H2O concentrations in melts (via the latter's control of liquidus temperatures) this relationship is too inconsistent to be a complete explanation. A concentration dependence for DH2Omineral/melt can also be independently predicted from speciation models for H2O in silicate melts. Thus it is likely that DH2Opyx/melt is influenced by both ivAl and the absolute concentration of H2O in melts. DH2O/DCe for clinopyroxene is inversely correlated with M2 site radii. Because the latter decrease with increasing pressure and temperature, relatively hot and/or deeply derived melts should be enriched in Ce relative to H2O when compared to melts from cooler and shallower mantle sources. Conversely, melts from H2O-rich settings (e.g., subduction zones) should have higher H2O/Ce than their source rocks. When combined with previously obtained partitioning data for non-volatile elements (from the same experiments), our data are consistent with the enrichment of intraplate basalt sources in both volatile and non-volatile incompatible elements by small-degree melts derived from local mid-ocean ridge basalt sources. In this way, volatiles can be seen to play an active role (via their promotion of partial-melting and metasomatic processes) in the auto-regulation of incompatible element concentrations in the depleted upper mantle.

Efforts to map the vertical distribution of mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks in the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle have long been hampered by the lack of precise geobarometers for the appropriate mineral assemblages. The average P (avP) method (Powell and Holland 1994) is a multiple-reaction approach that uses a least-squares minimization to average the pressures derived from individual mineral equilibria, taking into account both their uncertainties and correlations. We applied average P to a carefully selected database of published phase-equilibrium experiments in dry to H2O-saturated, andesitic to basaltic and peridotitic systems at P = 0.6-9.3 kbar, T = 940-1240 °C, with log fO2 from NNO-2.6 to NNO+3.6 log units (where NNO is nickel-nickel oxide buffer). We made minor modifications to the thermodynamic models of clinopyroxene, spinel, and olivine to improve the accuracy and precision of the results given by the avP method. Tests on the experimental database, using the modified thermodynamic models and spinel + clinopyroxene + olivine + plagioclase equilibria, showed that average P can reproduce the experimental P, within the calculated 1σ uncertainties (0.9-2.6 kbar; 1.6 kbar on average), for 67% of the database. No systematic deviations of the calculated pressure (P) with temperature (T) or mineral compositions are observed. Given the large compositional range of the experimental database, these results suggest that the method can be applied to any gabbroic, pyroxenitic, or peridotitic rocks that contain the appropriate phase assemblage clinopyroxene + olivine + plagioclase ± spinel. For assemblages equilibrated at P < 5 kbar, the calculated P shows a slight dependence on T, which therefore needs to be well constrained to keep the overall P uncertainties as low as possible. T can be estimated using either available independently calibrated geothermometers or a simple calculation routine suggested in this work. Application of average P to gabbroic xenoliths from Dominica, Lesser Antilles, and to gabbroic and peridotitic xenoliths from Wikieup, Arizona, demonstrates the ability of the method to produce precise P estimates for natural assemblages equilibrated at both mid- and lower crustal conditions, respectively. Depending on the errors on mineral composition, appropriateness of the T estimate, and attainment of equilibrium of the assemblage, P uncertainty for natural rocks is ≤1.0 kbar. Such a level of precision can help to discriminate between rival petrogenetic processes in subduction zone, intra-plate, and mid-oceanic ridge settings.