祁连山构造地貌特征:青藏高原东北缘晚新生代构造变形和地貌演化过程的启示

祁连山地区作为青藏高原向北东方向扩展生长的前缘地区之一,对构造地貌发育特征及其控制因素研究是理解青藏高原东北缘晚新生代构造变形过程的重要内容之一.通过地形坡度、起伏度以及河流纵剖面分析,研究揭示出祁连山高坡度、高陡度的造山带边缘山系及高海拔、低起伏山间盆地发育地貌特征.结合区域隆升、侵蚀速率研究表明,祁连山山脉边缘部分...     

基于宇宙成因核素10Be的青藏高原东南部地区末次间冰期以来地表岩石侵蚀速率研究

地表侵蚀速率是衡量地貌演变的一个重要因子。本研究利用原地生成宇宙成因核素10Be对青藏高原东南部地区地表岩石侵蚀速率进行了首次测定。结果显示,自末次间冰期以来,青藏高原东南部地区的地表岩石侵蚀速率不超过60 mm/ka,平均侵蚀速率值约为27.1±10.2 mm/ka,这一结果与其他高海拔地区基岩侵蚀速率值一致。高原东南部地区地表岩石侵蚀率同时受构造活动和气候尤其降水量等因素的制约。与高原内部干旱、半干旱地区相比,青藏高原东南部地区的侵蚀速率偏大,但均在同一个数量级范围内。高原东南部地区较高原内部干旱区侵蚀速率大的原因主要是由于降水量的差异所致。     

北祁连山和东昆仑山的地貌特征对比及其对构造抬升的指示意义

东昆仑山和北祁连山是青藏高原东北部的两条重要边界山脉,其构造活动特征是理解高原形成与扩展的关键基础。目前研究认为,北祁连山第四纪以来构造抬升活跃,而东昆仑山北坡第四纪以来构造抬升是否活跃还存在争议。针对这一问题,我们从地貌指标的角度出发,以两地地貌形态特征为主要研究对象,通过提取形态特征指标：面积-高程积分、山前弯曲度、河流陡峭指数、裂点以及河流纵剖面形态,对东昆仑山北坡和北祁连山北坡进行对比分析。结果显示,东昆仑山北坡的面积-高程积分以及河流陡峭指数均小于祁连山北坡,山前弯曲度大于祁连山北坡。两地河流纵剖面形态也有较大差别,具体表现为东昆仑山北坡流域的河流纵剖面形态多为平滑下凹形态且鲜有裂点,而祁连山北坡流域的河流纵剖面形态较平直且裂点较多。且通过对裂点成因的讨论,东昆仑山北坡河流的裂点是由岩石抗侵蚀能力差异导致的,而非构造成因的裂点。所有证据都表明构造活动可能是导致两山脉之间地貌指数差异的主要因素。此外,两个区域的河流阶地特征和流域侵蚀速率特征也表明,东昆仑山北坡的逆冲断裂现已处于不活跃状态,指示北祁连山是高原东北部正在活动的主要边界。     

初探玉门砾岩沉积速率时空变化对气候-构造相互作用的意义

气候-构造相互作用是目前固体地球和全球变化中最前沿的核心科学问题,地表侵蚀是气候-构造之间的桥梁纽带,地层沉积速率则是地表侵蚀强弱的直接响应.祁连山北缘-河西走廊在约4～2Ma期间沉积了一套粗粒相磨拉石-玉门砾岩,是研究气候-构造相互作用的一个理想产物,目前其气候或构造的主要成因存在争议.本文尝试阐述祁连山北缘-河西走...     

帕米尔东北部木吉断层晚第四纪运动性质和滑动速率的约束

帕米尔造山带是印度-欧亚大陆会聚带的西构造结。木吉断层作为中-西帕米尔与东帕米尔的最北部边界转换断层,其运动性质和滑动速率的准确限定对于理解帕米尔现今应力状态和运动学特征等具有重要意义。本文以木吉断层东段布拉克村北位错特征显著的冰碛台地(39.2020°N,74.3910°E)为研究对象,基于高分辨率卫星影像解译、野外地质地貌调查、差分GPS测量和冰川漂砾宇宙成因核素10Be暴露测年,获得布拉克北冰碛台地形成(16.8±3.5 ka)以来木吉断层的累积右旋位错量、垂直位错量、南北向拉张量以及最小速率分别为约190 m、105±12 m、34±12 m和11.3±2.4 mm/a、6.3±1.5 mm/a、2.0±0.8 mm/a;三者的比值约为6:3:1,水平向的总滑动速率为11.5±2.3 mm/a。与位于断层中部近乎纯走滑的阿克萨依处相比,木吉断层在布拉克北以右旋走滑为主的同时,具有明显的正断分量。断层在布拉克北的水平向总滑动速率11.5±2.3 mm/a与阿克萨依处右旋走滑速率的最大值(9.4±0.9 mm/a)大致相当;因此尽管断层沿走向的运动性质发生了显著变化,其水平向滑动速率大致保持恒定。     

祁连山洪水坝河流域地貌特征及其构造指示意义

晚新生代以来,伴随祁连山强烈隆起而塑造的水系流域地貌,其典型特征指示了该区域的最新构造活动.以发源于祁连山中部的洪水坝河为研究对象,利用GIS空间分析工具,提取了整体流域与5个亚流域的河网分支比、地势起伏、平均高程等地貌参数,并对整个流域地形做坡谱分析,获得了洪水坝河水系流域地貌特征.研究表明,洪水坝河流域整体地形起伏大、坡度陡、水系发育程度低,并且流域内部从南向北,河网分支比和地势起伏显著增大.在分析地层岩性和冰川作用等相关因素的基础上,认为这种变化表明流域所受构造活动的影响从南向北显著增强:南部受构造活动的影响微弱,地势平坦,可能是残存的古侵蚀面,亦或是受山间盆地的沉积作用影响;中部区域由于被昌马断裂东段切穿,断裂带附近区域较弱的抗侵蚀能力与河流的快速下切共同造成了地势起伏的增加;北部区域受佛洞庙-红崖子断裂西段逆冲活动的影响,坡度及地势起伏大幅增加,表现为地势起伏骤增和强烈的河流下切等地貌特征.上述地貌分析研究,为认识和理解祁连山造山带地貌演化以及控制因素提供了基础数据和思路.     

数字高程模型在地表过程研究中的应用

数字高程模型(DEM)是人们研究地表过程、构造地貌的一种行之有效的方法和手段。DEM是地形表面的数字表达,易于三维可视化和统计分析。DEM作为一种空间数据,可以进行各种空间分析,编制平均高程图、山顶面图、谷地面图、局部地形图、平均坡度图和剖面图,从而有效地显示地形特征,预测地表侵蚀量和地形发展趋势。特定盆地充填面的DEM分析是探讨特定地质时期(新生代)以来地表由沉积转入侵蚀、沉积之后隆升过程、隆升速率和剥蚀量、剥蚀速率等地表过程的有效手段,它与大地构造、深部地球物理相结合,可以揭示隆升机制和大陆动力学背景。低起伏侵蚀面的DEM分析有利于定量揭示山脉夷平面分布,结合基岩地质等其他资料综合分析,可揭示侵蚀面的成因,揭示大地构造与地表过程相互关系是未来研究的主要目标之一。     

祁连山北缘—河西走廊地区大地形变与地震的关系

河西走廊—祁连山北缘地区地处青藏高原北缘,受印度板块与欧亚板块中生代末—新生代早期的碰撞及持续至今的向北推挤作用的远程效应的影响,该地区是现今的地壳活动地区,其中地壳形变是最主要的表现形式。地壳形变监测显示,隆起区垂直位移速率最大可达15mm/a,沉降区最大位移速率为-15mm/a。祁连山和河西走廊的相对隆升变化与该区地震具有密切的关系,河西走廊相对下降、祁连山相对隆升的后期是地震多发时期,河西走廊相对隆升、祁连山相对下降的后期是地震少发时期,这与该区处于挤压体制下的区域构造背景密切相关。GPS水平位移监测显示,河西走廊—祁连山北缘地区全区都一致向东位移,且位移速率非常大,大者大于10mm/a;位移速率具有南部大于北部、东部大于西部的特点,水平位移速率变化与现代活动断裂具有非常密切的关系,并以主要断裂构造为区带的边界;水平位移速率矢量与2002年玉门地震的震源机制解所显示的沿地震破裂面发生的滑动方向非常一致。     

中国阿尔泰山流域侵蚀速率及其控制因素

流域侵蚀速率的时空变化对于理解活动造山带的地貌演化具有重要意义。以阿尔泰山8个山地流域为研究对象,利用1964—2011年的水文数据,采用河流输沙量法估算了年代际山地流域侵蚀速率。首先确定悬移质、推移质和溶解质对河流输沙量的贡献,然后计算各流域的年代际侵蚀速率,并结合已有研究结果,探讨了阿尔泰山流域侵蚀速率的时空特征及其控制因素。结果表明：阿尔泰山8个山地流域的平均侵蚀速率为0.03 mm·a^-1,其中乌伦古河山地流域侵蚀速率最小（0.01 mm·a^-1）,额尔齐斯河支流克兰河山地流域侵蚀速率最大（0.05 mm·a^-1）。进一步对侵蚀速率与气候、地形、岩性、构造和植被等因素进行相关分析,发现流域侵蚀速率与地形因子（流域面积、地形起伏度）和气候因子（径流深度、平均温度）的相关性较强,表明这些因素可能对阿尔泰山山地流域侵蚀起主要影响。与阿尔泰山百万年尺度的剥蚀速率（0.07~0.3 mm·a^-1）相比,研究时段内的流域侵蚀速率偏低,这表明中亚地区晚新生代持续的干旱气候可能制约了阿尔泰山地表侵蚀。     

鄂尔多斯西南缘陇县-岐山断层构造地貌特征定量分析

陇县-岐山断层位于青藏高原东北缘、鄂尔多斯地块及渭河盆地三者结合部位,既是青藏高原北东向扩展的前锋,也是海原-六盘山断裂带与秦岭断裂系之间构造转换的桥梁与纽带。深入地认识其构造地貌特征、活动特性及动力学机制,有助于进一步揭示青藏高原北东向扩展机制及构造转换特征。基于30m分辨率ASTER-GDEM数据,利用定量构造地貌参数分析构造地貌特征及构造活动性差异,根据经验公式估算其垂直滑动速率,并结合断层运动学特征探讨了构造地貌演化的动力机制。根据断层山前带的线性特征,断层自西北向东南可以划分为7个次级段落,48个流域及31个山前面的地貌参数及估算的垂直滑动速率显示出断层东南部构造抬升强于西北部。综合分析认为,陇县-岐山断层受青藏高原北东向扩展的远程影响,西北部以左行走滑运动为主;东南部受渭北隆起影响以构造抬升运动为主,且向西北方向翘倾。     

中国黄土10Be研究进展

８０年代中期，中国和瑞士科技工作者开始联合进行黄土＾１０Ｂｅ研究。建立了黄土＾１０ＢｅＡＭＳ测量的理想流程，发现了＾１０Ｂｅ在黄土地层良好保存性等重要地球化学行为特征，确认了黄土＾１０Ｂｅ研究具有重要意义。对洛川黄土部面０．４－１３８ｍ段６００多个样品进行了＾１０Ｂｅ测定，建立了２．５Ｍａ以来大陆堆积物同位素记录曲线。     

Active Characteristics and Paleoearthquakes in the West Kalpin Nappe Since the Holocene,SW Tianshan Mountain

the Kalpin nappe is an important multiple thrust system. It is important to study the Cenozoic tectonic of the Tianshan Mountain. Holocene active characteristics and paleoearthquake of the Kalpin nappe can be used to evaluate the neotectonic of this area. In this paper, we accurately measured the fault scarp in the front of three thrust-fold faults and analyzed paleoearthquake events in the trenches of the Kalpin nappe. Using the ¹⁰Be exposure age, we obtained those geomorphic surface ages and paleoearthquake times. The result showed that the slip rates of the west Kalpintag fault, aozitag fault and the tuoketag fault were 1.45(+1.68/-0.44) mm/a, 0.81(+0.35/-0.19) mm/a and (0.3±0.05) mm/a, respectively since the Holocene. The slip rate indicated that the increased activity transferred from back-row fault to front-row fault and accorded with the piggy-back propagation model in the Tianshan Mountain. Displacements and recurrence intervals of paleoearthquakes was similar to the slip rate characteristics. It also showed paleoearthquakes in the front row fault were stronger than paleoearthquakes of the back row fault. The strong paleoearthquake which caused the highest surface rupture happened in the Kalpintag fault. The interval of paleoearthquakes was about 4 ka and the displacement of every paleoearthquake was about 3 m in the west Kalpintag fault; the interval of paleoearthquakes was about 2 ka and the displacement of every paleoearthquake was about 1m in the aozitag fault; the tuoketag fault ruptured only one paleoearthquake since 7 ka. The Piqiang tear fault was the tectonic result of different shortening rate between the west Kalpin system and the east Kalpin system. The shortening rate of west Kalpin system was obviously stronger than the east Kalpin system. The huge separation distance was near 20 km between the east and the west back-row fault. Because the slip rate of system transferred to the front-row fault in the piggy-back propagation model, the separation distance (~4 km) between the east and the west front-row fault was increasing.     

Late Quaternary Slip Rate of the Xiugou Segment,Eastern Kunlun Fault Zone

The Eastern Kunlun fault zone (EKLF) is a large left-lateral strike-slip fault, whose slip rate is meaningful to seismic hazard assessment and geodynamics of the Tibetan Plateau. Previous studies suggested that the late Quaternary average slip rate was stable and uniform (10~13 mm/a) in the central and western segment of the EKLF. But there were a few researches of accurate slip rate in the central segment on the EKLF. Therefore, we focused on an offset and well preserved alluvial fan from Xiugou basin, located in the east of Xidatan-Dongdatan, to make it clear. Moreover, we used high-resolution satellite images and digital elevation model extracted from SPOT7 stereo image pairs to restore the offset alluvial fan, and combined terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides method, including 13 quartz-rich samples from this fan surface, 1 quartz-rich sample from the main active channel bed and 1 ¹⁰Be depth profile from this fan edge to eliminate the ¹⁰Be concentration of inheritance accurately, with 1 optically stimulated luminescence sample to obtain the reliable age of this alluvial fan together. Referring to field observations, this alluvial fan was offset left-laterally by (1 862±103) m, and its age is (76.55±3.20)~(106.37±3.38) ka which can be determined through the actual geologic setting and improving chi-square test. Thus, we used the Monte Carlo method to obtain a left-lateral slip rate of (20.3+3.5/-2.3) mm/a with 68% confidence envelopes since the late Pleistocene in the Xiugou basin. As a result, combining with the results of previous studies, the left-lateral slip rate indicated that the obviously decreasing activity transferred from late Pleistocene to Holocene on the central segment of the EKLF.     

祁连山东南缘第四纪以来的隆升作用及动力学分析

祁连山东南缘隆升是来自印度板块挤压的远程效应与该区周边地块的存在及其活动的相互制约作用而产生的挤压隆升、伸展隆升和左旋走滑隆升共同作用的结果.标志性构造及主应力分析表明, 自早更新世以来, 隆升动力机制不断发生转换, 在早更新世早期以北东-南西向挤压为主, 中更新世早期至全新世早期以北东-南西向拉张、近东-西向的拉张为主, 全新世晚期以北西-南东向左旋扭动为主.根据湟水河阶地有关数据估算出的不同时段河谷下切速率为: 1.4 1× 103 ~ 36.4ka间平均速率较慢(0.11mm/a), 36.4ka至今较快(1.5 4mm/a), 其中10.5~ 3ka间最快(2.2 7~ 2.80mm/a), 显示该区自1.4 1Ma至今构造隆升具有越来越强烈的变化趋势.      

暴露时间对利用原地生宇生核素估算至大侵蚀速率的影响

为了探讨不同暴露时间对利用原地生宇生核素估算地表基岩至大侵蚀速率(maximum erosion rates,指假设样品达到侵蚀平衡状态下的侵蚀速率)的差异,本文选择青藏高原东南部稻城古冰帽区至少暴露年代(minimum exposure ages,指利用宇生核素暴露测年法所估算的在不考虑侵蚀速率影响时的暴露年代)为500 ka、100ka、10 ka的样品进行估算,并对前人的研究结果进行统计.研究表明:①研究区地表基岩在500 ka尺度、100 ka尺度和10 ka尺度的至大侵蚀速率分别约为1 mm/ka、5mm/ka和40 mm/ka,该结果与前人研究结果相一致.②文献统计显示百万年尺度和万年尺度地表岩石侵蚀速率可相差100倍.因此,基于原地生字生核素所估算的侵蚀速率是在某个暴露时间(假设该暴露时间已达到侵蚀平衡状态)内的至大侵蚀速率,而不同的暴露时间尺度所估算的结果相差较大,因此在进行区域至大侵蚀速率对比时一定要注意样品的至少暴露年代尺度是否一致.本研究可为青藏高原地区地表侵蚀速率的研究提供参考.     

可可西里东部活动断裂的地质特征

通过大比例尺地质勘测、路线观测、探槽揭露和综合分析,在青藏铁路可可西里段沿线鉴别出14条活动走滑断层,组成五道梁活动断裂、可可西里山北活动断裂和可可西里山南活动断裂,构成可可西里东部活动走滑断裂系。典型断层F_(16),F_(16-4),F_(17-2),F_(17-3),F_(18-4)切割最新地层的年龄分别为4500a,5.33万a,3700 a,1.53万a,6000 a,反映可可西里东部走滑断裂系在晚更新世晚期—全新世具有强烈活动;估算断层平均走滑运动速度分别为1.50 mm/a,0.39 mm/a,7.76 mm/a,6.76 mm/a,3.27mm/a。部分活动走滑断层发育砂质构造楔、地震陡坎和砂土液化现象,反映可可西里东部走滑断裂系具有强烈的地震活动性。断裂活动能够产生多种不同类型的地质灾害,对青藏公路、青藏铁路及永久性重大工程安全具有不良影响。     

祁连山北缘-河西走廊西段晚新生代逆冲推覆断裂发育模式

祁连山北缘-河西走廊西段地处青藏高原东北缘,是我国新构造活动最强烈的地区之一。通过野外对研究区主要活动断裂的调查研究、结合年代学测试和综合分析,认为祁连山北缘-河西走廊西段地区的旱峡-大黄沟断裂、玉门断裂、新民堡断裂和阴洼山断裂都是晚更新世至全新世活动断裂。旱峡-大黄沟断裂形成于中新世晚期,一直活动至今;玉门断裂形成于上新世早期,在距今76 ka左右和32 ka左右发生过2次强烈的新构造活动(古地震),也是2002年玉门地震的发震断裂;阴洼山断裂形成于上新世晚期(30 Ma左右),在距今199～210 ka、86～100 ka、41～50 ka发生过3次强烈的新构造活动,也可能是1785年惠民堡(现新民堡)地震的发震断裂;但是位于近盆地中心的新民堡断裂形成时代明显晚的多,起始于中更新世晚期(017 Ma左右),在距今283 ka、44 ka和12 ka左右发生过强烈的3次新构造活动。在运动形式上,上述4条断裂均为自南南西向北北东的逆冲推覆。在变形性质上,新民堡断裂以非地震性的蠕滑为主,其他3条断裂主要为地震性的粘滑变形。在祁连山北缘-河西走廊西段的北北东剖面上,逆冲推覆断裂表现为前展 后展复合发育模式,即形成时代最新的是位于酒西盆地中心的新民堡断裂,在酒西盆地中心以南部分的剖面中断裂发育为前展式,由祁连山腹地向河西走廊盆地中心断裂形成时代越来越新,而酒西盆地中心以北部分的剖面中断裂发育为后展式,即从盆地中心到盆地北缘断裂形成时代越来越老。     

新疆阿尔泰山南部富蕴右旋走滑断裂带晚第四纪错断水系的遥感分析研究

富蕴断裂带位于阿尔泰山南侧,横切阿尔泰山褶皱带南缘及额尔齐斯深断裂,是一条呈北北西向展布的右旋走滑断裂带。沿断裂带发育一系列错断水系、错断冲积扇、挤压脊、走滑拉分盆地等反映右旋走滑活动的典型构造地貌标志。本研究在高分辨率遥感图像和数字高程模型分析的基础上,结合野外实地构造地貌测量,对沿富蕴断裂带发育的系统错断水系特征进行了详细分析研究。研究结果表明,沿富蕴断裂带发育不同级别的错断水系,大致可划分为6级:1931年地震形成的冲沟;90m左右断距的错断水系;150m左右断距的错断水系;500m左右断距的错断水系;1500m左右断距的错断水系;2000m以上断距的错断水系。同时,结合研究区及邻区的第四纪冰川资料讨论了不同级别水系可能形成时间:恰尔沟三级支流可能形成时间为末次冰期Ⅲ阶段末期,约20ka;恰尔沟二级支流可能形成时间为末次冰期Ⅰ阶段末期,约120ka;恰尔沟一级支流可能形成于该地区冰川广泛消融的倒数第2次冰期的Ⅱ阶段末期,约为250ka;恰尔沟、水磨沟、白杨沟、乌铁布拉克河、卡布尔特河等可能形成于倒数第3次冰期Ⅱ阶段末期,约为360ka。最后,我们估算出富蕴断裂带晚第四纪以来的平均右旋走滑速率为1.46～4.99mm/a。     

Late Quaternary deformation and slip rates in the northern San Andreas fault zone at Olema Valley, Marin County, California

Quaternary sedimentary deposits along the structural depression of the San Andreas fault (SAF) zone north of San Francisco in Marin County provide an excellent record of rates and styles of neotectonic deformation in a location near where the greatest amount of horizontal offset was measured after the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A high-resolution gravity survey in the Olema Valley was used to determine the depth to bedrock and the thickness of sediment fill along and across the SAF valley. In the gravity profile across the SAF zone, Quaternary deposits are offset across the 1906 fault trace and truncated by the Western and Eastern Boundary faults, whose youthful activity was previously unknown. The gravity profile parallel to the fault valley shows a basement surface that slopes northward toward an area of present-day subsidence near the head of Tomales Bay. Surface and subsurface investigations of the late Pleistocene Olema Creek Formation (Qoc) indicate that this area of subsidence was located further south during deposition of the Qoc and that it has migrated northward since then. Localized subsidence has been replaced by localized contraction that has produced folding and uplift of the Qoc. This apparent alternation between transtension and transpression may be the result of a northward-diverging fault geometry of fault strands that includes the valley-bounding faults as well as the 1906 SAF trace. The Vedanta marsh is a smaller example of localized subsidence in the fault zone, between the 1906 SAF trace and the Western Boundary fault. Analyses of Holocene marsh sediments in cores and a paleoseismic trench indicate thickening, and probably tilting, toward the 1906 trace, consistent with coseismic deformation observed at the site following the 1906 earthquake.New age data and offset sedimentary and geomorphic features were used to calculate four late Quaternary slip rate estimates for the SAF at this latitude. Luminescence dates of 112–186 ka for the middle part of the Olema Creek Formation (Qoc), the oldest Quaternary deposit in this part of the valley, suggest a late Pleistocene slip rate of 17–35 mm/year, which replaces the unit to a position adjacent to its sediment source area. A younger alluvial fan deposit (Qqf; basal age 30 ka) is exposed in a quarry along the medial ridge of the fault valley. This fan deposit has been truncated on its western side by dextral SAF movement, and west-side-down vertical movement that has created the Vedanta marsh. Paleocurrent measurements, clast compositions, sediment facies distributions, and soil characteristics show that the Bear Valley Creek drainage, now located northwest of the site, supplied sediment to the fan, which is now being eroded. Restoration of the drainage to its previous location provides an estimated slip rate of 25 mm/year. Furthermore, the Bear Valley Creek drainage probably created a water gap located north of the Qqf deposit during the last glacial maximum 18 ka. The amount of offset between the drainage and the water gap yields an average slip rate of 21–30 mm/year. Finally, displacement of a 1000-year-old debris lobe approximately 20 m from its hillside hollow along the medial ridge indicates a minimum late Holocene slip rate of 21–25 mm/year. Similarity of the late Pleistocene rates to the Holocene slip rate, and to previous rates obtained in paleoseismic trenches in the area, indicates that the rates may not have changed over the past 30 ka, and perhaps the past 200–400 ka. Stratigraphic and structural observations also indicate that valley-bounding faults were active in the late Pleistocene and suggest the need for further study to evaluate their continued seismic potential.     

Beryllium geochemistry in soils: evaluation of Be/Be ratios in authigenic minerals as a basis for age models

Soils contain a diverse and complex set of chemicals and minerals. Being an ‘open system’, both in the chemical and nuclear sense, soils have defied quantitative nuclear dating. However, based on the published studies of the cosmogenic atmospheric ¹⁰Be in soils, its relatively long half-life (1.5 Ma), and the fact that ¹⁰Be gets quickly incorporated in most soil minerals, this radionuclide appears to be potentially the most useful for soil dating. We therefore studied the natural variations in the specific activities of ¹⁰Be with respect to the isotope ⁹Be in mineral phases in eight profiles of diverse soils from temperate to tropical climatic regimes and evaluated the implications of the data for determining the time of formation of soil minerals, following an earlier suggestion [Lal et al., 1991. Development of cosmogenic nuclear methods for the study of soil erosion and formation rates. Current Sci. 61, 636–639.]. We find that the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in both bulk soils and in the authigenic mineral phases are confined within a narrower range than in ¹⁰Be concentrations. Also, the highest ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in authigenic minerals are observed at the soil-rock interface as predicted by the model. We present model ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ages of the B-horizon and the corresponding soil formation rates for several soil profiles. The present study demonstrates that the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios in the authigenic phases, e.g. clay and Fe-hydroxides, can indeed be used for obtaining useful model ages for soils younger than 10–15 Ma. However, the present work has to be pushed considerably further, to take into account more realistic age models in which, for instance, downward transport ¹⁰Be and clays, and in-situ dissolution of clay minerals at depths, altering the ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios of the acidic solutions, are included. We show that in the case of younger soils (< 1 Ma) studied here, their ¹⁰Be inventories and ¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratios have been significantly disturbed possibly by mixing with transported soils.