The age of the oceanic accretionary wedge and onset of continental collision in the Sicilian Maghrebian Chain

New biostratigraphic data from the formations unconformably lying above the tectonic units resulting from the Flysch Basin Domain (FBD) in the Sicilian Maghrebids are here reported. The FBD constituted a southern branch of the western Tethys, separating during the Jurassic to Paleogene a Mesomediterranean Microplate from the African Plate.

The age of the youngest sediments involved in the nappes and that of the unconformable terrains deposited in thrust-top basins on these tectonic units, allow to define both the age of deformation of the oceanic realm and the onset of the continental collision. The deformation migrated from internal to external areas of FBD starting from the latest Burdigalian-Langhian to Serravallian. Therefore, the previously proposed Eocene-Oligocene mesoalpine deformation of the Maghrebian FBD cannot be supported. The continental collision started during the Serravallian and it was accomplished in the late Tortonian, when clastic deposits sealed the boundaries of the tectonic units originated from all the paleogeographic domains of the Maghrebian Chain.

The steps of the tectonic evolution in the Sicilian Maghrebids are now very well constrained and the proposed tectonic evolution may be extended to the whole Maghrebian Chain, as far as to the western Betic Cordilleras and to the southern Apennines, where most of the tectonic events show highly similar features and ages.     

Rare-earth elements in Oligo-Miocenic pelitic sediments from Lagonegro Basin,southern Apennines,Italy: implications for provenance and source area weathering

The Lagonegro Units are a part of the southern Apennines orogenic wedge. The age of the Lagonegro successions ranges from lower–middle Triassic to Oligo-Miocene. During late Cretaceous and Oligocene the deposition of calcareous-clastic sediments occurred interbedded with shales (Flysch Rosso Fm). During Oligocene and early Miocene, in the Mediterranean area, an important variation of the tectonic regime occurred, and siliciclastic sediments of the Numidian Basin unconformably lay on the Meso-Cenozoic units of the Lagonegro Basin. In the Lucanian Apennine, the Aquitanian–Langhian Numidian Flysch Fm overlies the Flysch rosso Fm. The shales of the Flysch rosso Fm have a peculiar geochemical fingerprint relative to typical shales of post-Archean age. The abundance of Ni and Cr is significantly higher and the HREE chondrite-normalized patterns are steep with a (Gd/Yb)_ch>2. A supply of material from the African Archean terranes could be the cause. The palaeo-weathering indices record changes at the source, reflecting variations in the tectonic regime. The oldest samples are derived from an environment in which steady-state weathering conditions prevailed, whereas the youngest samples are related to non-steady-state weathering conditions. This difference could record deformational events that affected the Mediterranean area during the Oligocene and early Miocene. The sample at the top of the studied log has very high silica content and an abundant coarse grain-sized fraction. This suggests that this sample belongs to the Numidian Flysch Fm. The geochemical proxies of this sample are different from those associated with samples from the Flysch rosso Fm, indicating that the source-area of the Numidian Flysch Fm did not include the Archean terranes.     

Paleogeographic and geodynamic Miocene evolution of the Tunisian Tell (Numidian and Post-Numidian Successions): bearing with the Maghrebian Chain

The Numidian and Post-Numidian stratigraphy of the Tunisian Tell has been updated based on 16 stratigraphic sections belonging to the Massylian sub-domain of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin and to the External Domain. The new data concern detailed litho- and biostratigraphy, gaps, synchronous marker levels, lateral correlations, tectonic contacts, etc. The successions studied show many diachronous and unconformity boundaries delimiting sedimentary depositional sequences related to some tectonic/sedimentary processes. Two main Miocene sedimentary successions (Numidian and Post-Numidian) are recognized overlying the Sub-Numidian Succession (pre-Early Aquitanian) by new integrated (planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton) chronostratigraphic analyses, allowing an update of the formations studied. The Miocene tectonic/sedimentary relationships and the timing of the deformation are summarized as follows: (1) the activation of a foredeep stage and a tectogenesis phase gives rise to an accretionary orogenic wedge during mainly the Early Miocene; (2) a late-orogenic phase is checked in the Late Burdigalian-Early Langhian characterized by a marine glauconitic terrigenous sedimentation; (3) a post-orogenic generalized phase is confirmed from the Middle Miocene on in shallow marine or continental sedimentation. These results show good correlation along the Maghrebian Chain and Betic Cordillera. Finally, a paleogeographic and geodynamic evolutionary model concerning the Miocene African Tunisian Margin is postulated.     

The Numidian Sequence between Guelma and Constantine (Eastern Tell,Algeria)*

The Numidian Sequence represents one of the main tectono-stratigraphic units involved in the geological evolution of the Maghrebian orogen during the Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene. Geo-structural aqalysis led to the reconstruction of tectonc-stratigraphic units and recognition of two main tectonic phases (Eocene and Lower Miocene). Sedimentological analysis of the studied sections has resulted in the distinction of arenaceous and conglomeratic facies generated by debris flows or high-density turbidity currents on a submarine slope, present within the pelitic-arenaceous and arenaceous-pelitic sequences which also contain slumped units in places. Previous and new micropalaeontological data indicate Late Oligocene-Early Burdigalian ages for the Numidian sequences of the Constantine Mountains. On the basis of petrographic study the Numidian rocks can be classified as poorly sorted quartzarenites containing siliciclastic matrix. The overall petrographic data indicate that the Continental intercalaire (Hoggar, Tassili and Fezzan) and Series Pharusienne (Hoggar and Eglab) are possible supply areas for the Numidian quartz.     

Late Oligocene-Miocene syn-/-late-orogenic successions in Western and Central Mediterranean Chains from the Betic Cordillera to the Southern Apennines*

The identification of syn- and late-orogenic flysch deposits, extending from the Betic Cordillera to the Southern Apennines, assists in the reconstruction of the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the perimediterranean chains. A microplate was located between the European and African Plates during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, bordered northwards by the Piemontese Ocean and southwards by another (North Africa ‘Flysch’ Basin or Maghrebian) Ocean. The Piemontese Ocean and the northern margin of the microplate were structured from the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene to create an Eo-alpine Chain. The southern margin of the microplate was deformed in the Aquitanian, when the internal areas of the Maghrebian Ocean were characterized by syn-orogenic flysch deposits. This episode culminated with metamorphism (25–22 Ma) and nappe emplacement, which destroyed the former palaeogeography and created an orogenic belt (AlKaPeCa). Afterwards, a lower Burdigalian late-orogenic cycle started in the deformed area, which as a result of the opening of the Algero-Provençal Basin, caused the fragmentation of the AlKaPeCa, its thrusting on the ‘Flysch’ Basin and the collision with the North Africa and South Iberia Margins. These latter were folded and thrusted, the ‘Flysch’ Units pushed over the External Domain and also back-thrusted. Langhian late-orogenic deposits suture the new tectonic features. Finally, the whole orogen was thrust onto the foredeep during the Middle–Late Miocene.     

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages in the Rif Belt (northern Morocco): Paleogeographic implications

Detrital zircon U-Pb age distributions in Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks from the External Rif and Maghrebian Flysch Complex (including the so-called Mauretanian internal flysch units) are very similar, strongly suggesting that the External Rif and the entire Maghrebian Flysch Complex were part of the same NW African paleomargin. These patterns include scarce Paleozoic zircon grains that show influence from the Sehoul Block. Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic grains are abundant with a dominant Ediacaran zircon population at ca. 590 Ma, which could have been sourced from the Variscan Moroccan Mesetas, the northern components of the West African Craton, or from Triassic sediments from the Central High Atlas and Argana basins. Mesoproterozoic zircon ages between 1.1 and 1.6 Ga were also observed (15% in the combined age spectra), the nearest sources for these being in the central part of the West African Craton. Transport of the Mesoproterozoic grains to the NW African paleomargin requires northward-directed fluvial systems parallel to the Central Atlantic continental margin of Africa. In contrast, samples from the Internal Rif or Alborán Domain are different to those from the External Rif and Maghrebian Flysch Complex, especially in the scarcity of Mesoproterozoic zircons, suggesting that the Alborán Domain was not a source area for zircons found in the NW African paleomargin.     

Lower Oligocene thrust-system in the epi-Ligurian succession: evidence from the Enza Valley (northern Apennines,Italy)

Within the lower part (Upper Eocene-Oligocene) of the epi-Ligurian succession, outcropping in the Emilian side of the northern Apennines (Enza Valley), duplications by thrust tectonics were recognized through the systematic integration of field geology with calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. This thrust system, derived from the overthrusting of two thrust-sheets over a footwall, is unconformably overlain by a Rupelian succession. The thrust structure of the Enza Valley, affected by a subsequent wide overturned syncline together vith the unconformable succession, shows a remarkable Lower Oligocene contractional tectonics, previously not recognized in the northern Apennines.The comparison of this thrust system with other outcropping areas of the epi-Ligurian succession makes probable the wide-spread occurrence of the Lower Oligocene tectonics in the uppermost structural levels of the chain (epi-Ligurian domain).In a regional tectonic framework, the Rupelian thrust tectonics affecting the epi-Ligurian succession can be related to the Lower Oligocene closure of the innermost portion of the Subligurian basin (Aveto-Petrignacola Formation) due to the NE-verging overthrusting of the External Ligurian Units. In this context the unconformable succession of the Enza Valley seems correlable with the basal portion of the Subligurian Eratica Sandstone (Rupelian-Chattian) which unconformably overlies a deformed substratum (Mesoalpine Phase).     

The Ligurian Helminthoid flysch units of the Emilian Apennines: stratigraphic and petrographic features,paleogeographic restoration and structural evolution

Abstract

This work deals with the Cretaceous-Tertiary Helminthoid flysch successions of the Emilian Apennines and related basal complexes (Mt. Caio, Val Baganza, Solignano, Mt. Venere-Monghidoro and Mt. Cassio Units): it is based on an integrated approach which included stratigraphic, petrographic and structural observations. Detailed stratigraphic sections measured in the various successions evidenced the specific features of the different flysch formations. The main framework composition analysis of the arenites pointed out a partly ‘oceanic’ alimentation for the Mt. Caio Flysch Fm; the Mt. Venere-Monghidoro, and Mt. Cassio Flysch Fms have been alimented exclusively by a terrigenous detritus mainly derived from continental basement source areas. The heavy mineral assemblage of the Mt. Caio Flysch Fm is characterized by picotite, that of the Mt. Venere-Monghidoro, Solignano and Mt. Cassio Flysch Fms commonly contains straurolite, garnet and chloritoid, generally considered to be typical products of the Adriatic continental margin. The calcareous nannofossils biostratigraphy indicated that the flysch sedimentation started during the Late Campanian and ended between the Paleocene (Mt. Cassio Flysch Fm and Mt. Venere-Monghidoro Fms) and the Middle Eocene (Mt. Caio Flysch Fm). We propose a schematic paleogeographic restoration for the External Ligurian Domain which implies a more internal position for the Mt. Caio succession and a more external one for the Mt. Venere-Monghidoro and Mt. Cassio successions. The Helminthoid flyschs sedimented after and during deformation and subduction phases in perched and fore-arc basins partly overlying the marginal part of the Adriatic plate. The External Ligurian nappes’ stacking consists, in the study area, from the bottom, of the following units: Caio Unit, Val Baganza Ophiolitic Unit, Monghidoro Unit, Cassio Unit. This pile of thrust-nappes, sealed by the Epiligurian succession, has been already realized before Late Eocene. In our opinion it was generated by a frontal west-verging frontal accretion process (offscraping), which let the flysch successions remain, in this phase, quite undeformed. This westverging thrusting phase, starting from the Middle-Late Eocene, has been followed by an important folding event which generated striking hectometric and kilometric ‘Apenninic’ reverse folds, sometimes associated with NE-verging thrust surfaces. The Oligocene and post-Oligocene evolution is characterized by a block-translation of the Ligurian staking over the Subligurian, Tuscan and Umbrian Domains, associated with a new generation of minor thrusts and thrust related Apenninic folds. © 2000 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

The External Tanger Unit (Intrarif sub-Domain,External Rifian Zones,Morocco): an interdisciplinary study

The External Tanger Unit represents one of the most complete Cretaceous-Miocene successions in the central areas of the Internal Intrarif sub-Domain (External Rif Zones, Morocco). An interdisciplinary study has been carried out to propose a new characterization of this unit which would allow a better comprehension of the confused and complex relationships among different units of the same sub-domain. The results achieved can be summarized as follows: (1) redefinition of the stratigraphic (litho-, bio-, and chrono-) record and introduction of a new, informal lithostratigraphic terminology; (2) recognition of two main depositional sequences (lower-middle Eocene p.p. and lower Oligocene p.p.-lower Miocene p.p.) separated by extended gaps (latest Cretaceous-early Eocene p.p. and middle Eocene p.p.-early Oligocene p.p.); (3) reconstruction of the evolution of the sedimentary realm, and of the relationships between tectonics and sedimentation; and (4) comparison between the upper Cretaceous-Miocene stratigraphic record and tectonic events of the Intrarif, which is located in the western external portion of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin, and the equivalent sedimentary record of the eastern portion of this basin in the Tunisian Tell. More in general, our results allowed (i) a first reconstruction of the Cretaceous-Miocene main tectono-sedimentary events; (ii) a more detailed location of the sedimentary suite in the external African Margin in the context of a wider palaeogeographic framework; and (iii) the definition of the main stages of the geological evolution of the area.     

The Lower Miocene volcaniclastic sedimentation in the Sicilian sector of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin: geodynamic implications

Volcaniclastic debris-rich formations, characterising the Troina–Tusa Unit in the Sicilian Maghrebian Chain, are examined. The Troina–Tusa Unit terrains sedimented in the Maghrebian Flysch Basin, which, from Jurassic to Early Miocene, constituted the southernmost branch of the Western Tethys, located between Africa and the Mesomediterranean Terrane margins. New field, biostratigraphic and petrographic data enable a reconstruction of the palaeogeographic and structural evolution of the Flysch Basin immediately before its deformation. All the studied formations transpired to be Burdigalian in age. The sandstone compositions, showing different source areas (magmatic arc, recycled orogen and continental block), indicate a provenance for the clastic material from a crystalline basement with an active volcanic arc, replaced by a remnant volcanic arc, which was rapidly completely eroded. The source area that has been considered is Sardinia, where Upper Oligocene–Aquitanian calc-alkaline volcanites are widespread, but the sedimentological characteristics and the Burdigalian age do not fit with this provenance. The Burdigalian calc-alkaline arc should be located on the internal side of the Troina–Tusa Basin, above the already stacked Peloritanian units. A migration of the volcanic activity, connected with the subduction plain roll-back, can be envisaged from the Sardinia Block to the Peloritanian Chain, this latter still docked to the Sardinia–Corsica massif.     

Sedimentary provenance of the Hengyang and Mayang basins,SE China,and implications for the Mesozoic topographic change in South China Craton: Evidence from detrital zircon geochronology

Detrital zircon U–Pb data from sedimentary rocks in the Hengyang and Mayang basins, SE China reveal a change in basin provenance during or after Early Cretaceous. The results imply a provenance of the sediment from the North China Craton and Dabie Orogen for the Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic sandstones and from the Indosinian granitic plutons in the South China Craton for the Lower Cretaceous sandstones. The 90–120 Ma age group in the Upper Cretaceous sandstones in the Hengyang Basin is correlated with Cretaceous volcanism along the southeastern margin of South China, suggesting a coastal mountain belt have existed during the Late Cretaceous. The sediment provenance of the basins and topographic evolution revealed by the geochronological data in this study are consistent with a Mesozoic tectonic setting from Early Mesozoic intra-continental compression through late Mesozoic Pacific Plate subduction in SE China.     

The Lower Miocene volcaniclastic sedimentation in the Sicilian sector of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin: geodynamic implications

Abstract

Volcaniclastic debris-rich formations, characterising the Troina-Tusa Unit in the Sicilian Maghrebian Chain, are examined. The Troina-Tusa Unit terrains sedimented in the Maghrebian Flysch Basin, which, from Jurassic to Early Miocene, constituted the southernmost branch of the Western Tethys, located between Africa and the Mesomediterranean Terrane margins. New field, biostratigraphic and pétrographie data enable a reconstruction of the palaeogeographic and structural evolution of the Flysch Basin immediately before its deformation. All the studied formations transpired to be Burdigalian in age. The sandstone compositions, showing different source areas (magmatic arc, recycled orogen and continental block), indicate a provenance for the clastic material from a crystalline basement with an active volcanic arc, replaced by a remnant volcanic arc, which was rapidly completely eroded. The source area that has been considered is Sardinia, where Upper Oligocene -Aquitanian calc-alkaline volcanites are widespread, but the sedimentological characteristics and the Burdigalian age do not fit with this provenance. The Burdigalian calc-alkaline arc should be located on the internal side of the Troina-Tusa Basin, above the already stacked Peloritanian units. A migration of the volcanic activity, connected with the subduction plain roll-back, can be envisaged from the Sardinia Block to the Peloritanian Chain, this latter still docked to the Sardinia-Corsica massif. © 2002 Editions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.     

Lower Palaeozoic unconformities in an intracratonic platform setting: glacial erosion versus tectonics in the eastern Murzuq Basin (southern Libya)

The stratigraphic record of the eastern Murzuq Basin has been importantly influenced by deformation resulting in angular and/or deeply erosional unconformities, though the overall context is intracratonic. Major transgressive events and the Ordovician glaciation are nevertheless documented, allowing the delineation of tectonic-, eustasy- or climate-driven unconformities. Lower Palaeozoic key events and related unconformities that characterize the North Gondwana platform have therefore a signature in the eastern Murzuq Basin. The basement/cover unconformity, also known as the infra-Tassilian surface, truncates all the deformed and metamorphosed Lower Cambrian and older rocks. Above is a ?Middle Cambrian to Lower Ordovician megasequence (Murizidié and Hasawnah Fms.), which is in turn truncated by an intra-Ordovician, angular unconformity. This megasequence is unconformably overlain by a Middle Ordovician (Hawaz Fm.) to Silurian (Tanzzuft and Akakus Fms) megasequence, which includes the Upper Ordovician glaciogenic unit (Mamuniyat Fm.), bounded at the base by a polygenic glacial erosion surface showing corrugated glacial lineations, tillites, and glaciotectonic structures. The Middle Ordovician to Silurian megasequence is finally truncated by a base-Devonian, angular unconformity overlain by fluvial sandstones. Regarding the possibility that those fluvial deposits may be as younger as Late Devonian in the eastern Murzuq Basin based on palaeoflora, the so-called Caledonian unconformity might be here a much younger (mid-Eifelian?) surface, and the occurrence of the Lower Devonian “Tadrart Fm.” is questioned. The Upper Ordovician glacial erosion surface, which is sometimes referred to as the Taconic unconformity, usually truncates Middle Ordovician strata in the Murzuq Basin but reaches significantly deeper stratigraphic levels in places that have been previously involved in the intra-Ordovician deformation event. In the Murizidié (southeastern Murzuq Basin), the infra-Tassilian surface, the intra-Ordovician unconformity, and the Upper Ordovician glacial erosion surface amalgamate together. Here, an estimate of the glacial erosion depth cannot be derived from the stratigraphic hiatus beneath the glacial incision, the main part of which relate to the intra-Ordovician tectonic event. The Upper Ordovician climate-related glacial erosion surface is not a valid unconformity for a sequence hierarchy framework of the Lower Palaeozoic, although it presents most of the physical attributes of tectonic-driven unconformities.     

Source-area controls on the composition of beach and fluvial sands on the southern side of the Gibraltar Strait and Western Alboran Sea (Flysch Basin, Internal and External, Domains, Northern Rif Chain)

The southern side of Gibraltar and the Western Alboran Sea of the northern Rif coasts and rivers provide a natural field laboratory for sampling modern sand at different scales: small catchment basins (first order) and rivers draining mountain belts (second order). The Rifian chain represents a deformed and uplifted thrust-belt and related forelands composed of Palaeozoic nappes, metamorphic and plutonic basement, and their sedimentary Mesozoic and Cenozoic siliciclastic and carbonate cover, respectively. The present physiography of the Rif Chain is shaped by a rugged mountainous relief drained by different scale catchment basins that supply the nearby coastal and marine deep-sea environments. The analysis of the composition of modern fluvial and beach sands is useful for the interpretation of transported sediments by surface processes from the continent toward coasts and later to deep-water environments.Modern beach and fluvial sands of the southern side of Gibraltar and the Western Alboran Sea display three distinct petrologic littoral provinces, from the east to the west and from the north to the south, respectively, designated as: (i) the Tangier–Bel Younech Littoral Province with 90% of sand derived from erosion of Flysch Nappes (Flysch Basin Domain); (ii) the Bel Younech–Sebta Littoral Province with 64% of sand fed mainly by the metamorphic Units of Upper Sebtides and (iii) the Sebta–Ras Mazari Littoral Province with 74% of sand supplied from the epimetamorphic Palaeozoic Ghomaride Nappes and Alpine cover rather than Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary successions of the “Dorsale Calcaire” Units. Comparison of detrital modes of fluvial and coastal marine environments highlights their dispersal pathways and drainage patterns of actualistic sand petrofacies.     

An outline of the geology of the Afghan Pamirs

In the Great Afghan Pamir (Pamir-e Kaland) the following formations can be distinguished, from bottom to top: Wakhan Fm. (3000–4000 m thick anchimetamorphic slates and sandstones with frequent intercalations of quartzites and rare beds of crystalline limestones; conodonts of Lower Triassic); Qal'a-e Panja Tonalite (epimetamorphic, cataclastic); Qal'a-e Ust Gneiss (meta- and orthogneisses); Issik Granodiorite (batholite of the Afghan Pamirs, equivalent to Baba Tangi-Lunkho Granodiorite; xenoliths, flow structures and diaphtoritic portions; Upper Jurassic to Eocene). The tectonics are determined by the Peripheric Southern Fault of the Pamirs and the Wakhan Fault, showing vertical dislocation up to 1000 m and sinistral thrusting in connection with the Western Himalayan Syntaxis. Late Variscan and Alpine deformations and an intensive middle Alpine metamorphism can be observed. Interpretations of satellite pictures lead to an insertion of the regional tectonic features into the model of plate tectonics of the Himalayan arc.     

哀牢山构造带两侧上志留统-下泥盆统碎屑锆石年代学:物源及其构造意义

哀牢山古特提斯洋的打开时限及其缝合带的具体位置对理解哀牢山古特提斯洋构造演化具有非常重要的意义。本文采用碎屑锆石年代学方法,分析了哀牢山构造带及其两侧不同时期沉积物源的特征及其变化,解译了其物源差别所指示的哀牢山古特提斯洋盆打开时限以及缝合带的构造位置。碎屑锆石年代学显示,哀牢山构造带两侧上志留统碎屑锆石都记录一个~450 Ma的最年轻的峰值和一个格林威尔期造山事件的年龄群(1100~800 Ma),以及一个2600~2400 Ma的次峰;不同于上志留统,构造带东侧下泥盆统碎屑锆石并未出现年轻的~450 Ma峰值年龄信息,西侧U-Pb年龄分布模式与上志留统一致,记录~450 Ma峰值年龄信息,而且构造带两侧下泥盆统碎屑锆石的2600~2400 Ma的峰值明显要强于上志留统。区域上发表的碎屑锆石年代学资料,也揭示相同的年龄峰值。因此,综合区域上的其他地质资料,我们认为哀牢山古特提斯洋盆的打开时限应该在晚志留世-早泥盆世,哀牢山断裂带代表了哀牢山洋盆闭合的位置。     

Sedimentary response to the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic

With the aim of constraining the influence of the surrounding plates on the Late Paleozoic–Mesozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton (NCC), we undertook new U–Pb and Hf isotope data for detrital zircons obtained from ten samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic sediments in the Luoyang Basin and Dengfeng area. Samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic strata were obtained from the Taiyuan, Xiashihezi, Shangshihezi, Shiqianfeng, Ermaying, Shangyoufangzhuang, Upper Jurassic unnamed, and Lower Cretaceous unnamed formations (from oldest to youngest). On the basis of the youngest zircon ages, combined with the age-diagnostic fossils, and volcanic interlayer, we propose that the Taiyuan Formation (youngest zircon age of 439 Ma) formed during the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Xiashihezi Formation (276 Ma) during the Early Permian, the Shangshihezi (376 Ma) and Shiqianfeng (279 Ma) formations during the Middle–Late Permian, the Ermaying Group (232 Ma) and Shangyoufangzhuang Formation (230 and 210 Ma) during the Late Triassic, the Jurassic unnamed formation (154 Ma) during the Late Jurassic, and the Cretaceous unnamed formation (158 Ma) during the Early Cretaceous. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that: (1) Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones were sourced from the Northern Qinling Orogen (NQO); (2) Lower Permian sandstones were formed mainly from material derived from the Yinshan–Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YYOB) on the northern margin of the NCC with only minor material from the NQO; (3) Middle–Upper Permian sandstones were derived primarily from the NQO, with only a small contribution from the YYOB; (4) Upper Triassic sandstones were sourced mainly from the YYOB and contain only minor amounts of material from the NQO; (5) Upper Jurassic sandstones were derived from material sourced from the NQO; and (6) Lower Cretaceous conglomerate was formed mainly from recycled earlier detritus.The provenance shift in the Upper Carboniferous–Mesozoic sediments within the study area indicates that the YYOB was strongly uplifted twice, first in relation to subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate beneath the northern margin of the NCC during the Early Permian, and subsequently in relation to collision between the southern Mongolian Plate and the northern margin of the NCC during the Late Triassic. The three episodes of tectonic uplift of the NQO were probably related to collision between the North and South Qinling terranes, northward subduction of the Mianlue Ocean Plate, and collision between the Yangtze Craton and the southern margin of the NCC during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian, Middle–Late Permian, and Late Jurassic, respectively. The southern margin of the central NCC was rapidly uplifted and eroded during the Early Cretaceous.     

Petrography and geochemistry of the Middle Miocene Gebel El Rusas sandstones,Eastern Desert,Egypt: Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Petrography and bulk rock geochemistry of the Middle Miocene sandstones of the lower and upper members of Gebel El Rusas Formation along the Egyptian Red Sea Coastal plain, have been investigated to determine the provenance, tectonic setting, and weathering condition of this formation. The Lower Member is formed mainly of sandstones and conglomerates with clay interbeds. The Upper Member is more calcareous and formed mainly of sandstones and limestones with marls and clays intercalations. Petrographically, the Lower Member sandstones are mostly immature and classified as arkoses with an average framework composition of \(\hbox {Q}_{66}\hbox {F}_{29}\hbox {R}_{5}\), and the Upper Member sandstones are partly submature (more quartzose, less feldspathic) and classified as subarkoses with an average framework composition of \(\hbox {Q}_{80}\hbox {F}_{17}\hbox {R}_{3}\). The Gebel El Rusas sandstones are enriched in Sr, Ba, Zr and Rb and depleted in Co and U, as compared to UCC. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values suggest moderate weathering conditions. The geochemistry results revealed that the Gebel El Rusas sandstones were derived from felsic-granitic source rocks and deposited in a passive margin of a synrift basin. The inferred tectonic setting for Middle Miocene Gebel El Rusas sandstones in the study area is consistent with the regional geology of the Eastern Desert of Egypt during Middle Miocene.     

Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the southern branch of the Western Tethys (Maghrebian Flysch Basin and Lucanian Ocean): consequences for Western Mediterranean geodynamics

The evolution of the oceanic Maghrebian Flysch Basin and its continuation in the Southern Apennines was studied by reconstructing mainly representative stratigraphic successions. In all sectors a common evolution has been identified. Rifting and drifting phases are indicated by remnants of oceanic crust, Jurassic limestones, Cretaceous–Palaeogene turbiditic and pelagic deposits. The pre-orogenic sedimentation was mainly controlled by extensional tectonics and sea-level changes. The occurrence of a generalized foredeep stage since the Early Miocene is testified by thick siliciclastic and volcaniclastic syn-orogenic flysch successions. The deformation of the oceanic areas began in the Burdigalian and the resulting nappes were stacked in the growing chains. During the Middle Miocene, piggy-back basins developed and the building of the chains was accomplished in the Late Tortonian. Areal distribution and ages of flysch deposits represent an important tool for the study of the diachronous growth of the accretionary wedges.     

Preservation of aeolian genetic units by lava flows in the Lower Cretaceous of the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil

The Lower Cretaceous geological record of the intracratonic Paraná Basin in southern Brazil comprises a thick succession of aeolian sandstones and volcanic rocks. The intercalation between aeolian sandstone and volcanic floods allowed the preservation of distinct aeolian genetic units. Each genetic unit represents an accumulation episode, bounded by supersurfaces, that coincides with the base of lava flood events. The entire package can be subdivided into a Lower Genetic Unit, which corresponds to aeolian sandstones preserved below the initial lava flows (Botucatu Formation), and an upper set of genetic units, which comprises interlayered aeolian deposits and lava floods (Serra Geral Formation). The Lower Genetic Unit is up to 100 m thick. Its base is composed of ephemeral stream and aeolian sand sheet deposits that are overlain by cross‐bedded sandstones whose origin is ascribed to simple, locally composite, crescentic and complex linear aeolian dunes. Aeolian accumulation of the lower unit was possible as a result of the existence of a wide topographic basin, which caused wind deceleration, and a large sand availability that promoted a positive net sediment flux. The Upper Genetic Units comprise isolated sand bodies that occur in two different styles: (1) thin lenses (<3 m thick) formed by aeolian sand sheets; and (2) thick sand lenses (3–15 m) comprising cross‐bedded cosets generated by migration and climbing of simple to locally composite crescentic aeolian dunes. Accumulation of the aeolian strata was associated with wind deceleration within depressions on the irregular upper surface of the lava floods. The interruption of sedimentation in the Lower and Upper Genetic Units, and related development of supersurfaces, occurred as a result of widespread effusions of basaltic lava. Preservation of both wind‐rippled topset deposits of the aeolian dunes and pahoehoe lava imprints indicates that lava floods covered active aeolian dunes and, hence, protected the aeolian deposits from erosion, thus preserving the genetic units.