'Cap carbonates' and Neoproterozoic glacigenic successions from the Kimberley region, north-west Australia

The term ‘cap carbonate’ is commonly used to describe carbonate units associated with glacigenic deposits in Neoproterozoic successions. Attempts to use carbonate units as stratigraphic markers have been counfounded by inconsistent identification of ‘cap carbonates’ and a somewhat broad use of the term. Systematic sedimentological and geochemical analysis of carbonate rocks (mostly dolomite) associated with glacigenic deposits from the Neoproterozoic succession of the Kimberley region, north‐western Australia, shows that it is possible to characterize such units by their specific mineralogical, sedimentological, petrographic, geochemical and stratigraphic features. Hence, it is possible to differentiate true ‘cap carbonates’ from other carbonate units that are associated with glacigenic deposits. In the Kimberley successions two broad carbonate types are identified that reflect two stratigraphically distinct depositional realms. Carbonate rocks from the Egan Formation and Boonall Dolomite (the youngest carbonate units in the succession) are characterized by sedimentary components and features that are consistent with deposition on shallow platforms or shelves, analogous to Phanerozoic warm‐water carbonate platform deposits. In contrast, dolomite from the Walsh, Landrigan and Moonlight Valley Tillites preserves a suite of sedimentary and geochemical characteristics that are distinctly different from Phanerozoic‐like carbonate rocks; they are thin (ca 6 m), laterally persistent units of thinly laminated dolomicrite/dolomicrospar recording δ¹³C fluctuations from −1‰ to −5‰. These latter features are consistent with a ‘Marinoan‐style cap‐carbonate’ rock described from other Neoproterozoic successions. The similarity and broad distribution of these rocks in Australia, when considered within the context of genetic models suggesting a global oceanographic–atmospheric event, support their use as a lithostratigraphic marker horizon for the start of the Ediacaran Period at ca 635 Ma.     

The uppermost deposits of the stratigraphic succession of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert,Egypt): Evolution to a Post-Eocene continental event

This paper gives insight into continental sedimentary deposits that occur at the uppermost part of the stratigraphic succession present in the north-eastern sector of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert, Egypt). Using space imagery to complete the field work, the geology of the area has been mapped and the presence of a N–S oriented fault system is documented. The analysis of the morphotectonic features related to this fault system allows reconstructing the structural and sedimentological evolution of the area. The study indicates that the continental deposits were accumulated in alluvial systems that unconformably overlie shale and evaporitic rocks attributable to the Paleocene–Eocene Esna Formation. The deposits of the Esna Formation show soft-sediment deformation features, which include slump associated to dish and pillar sedimentary structures and provide evidence of syndepositional tectonic activity during the sedimentation of this unit. The outcrops are preserved in two areas on separated fault-bounded blocks. Proximal alluvial fan facies crop out in a dowthrown block close to the depression boundary. The proximal facies are made up mostly by polymictic conglomerates which occasionally contain boulders. The conglomerate clasts are mainly quartz, carbonate, anhydrite satin spar vein, mudrock, ironstone and nummulite fossils. The mid-fan facies consist of trough cross-bedded, rippled and cross-laminated quartzarenites with reworked glauconite grains and carbonate rock fragments, interpreted as deposited by distributary streams. The distal alluvial fan deposits consist of sandy marls that evolve toward the top of the sections into root-bioturbated lacustrine limestone beds that are locally silicified. The limestones are biomicrites containing characea, ostracods and gastropods with fenestral porosity.A number of features, including clast provenance (mainly from marine Paleocene and Eocene rocks), the observed fractural pattern (N–S direction related to the opening of the Red Sea), and the sedimentary relationships, suggests that the continental deposits were accumulated during the Oligocene–Miocene interval.     

Tectonic,sea-level,and climatic controls on Late Paleozoic sedimentation in the western basins of Argentina

Tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and the climate controlled sedimentation in Late Paleozoic basins of western Argentina. The role of each factor is investigated from the geologic record of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins using three hierarchical orders of stratigraphic bounding surfaces. First-order surfaces correspond to regional unconformities, second-order ones to local unconformities with a lesser regional extent, and third-order surfaces represent locally extended sedimentary truncation. Using this methodology, the Carboniferous–Permian record of the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins may be divided into two megasequences, four sequences, and 12 stratigraphic sections. Megasequences are bounded by regional unconformities that result from tectonic events important enough to cause regional paleogeographic changes. Sequences are limited by minor regional extension surfaces related to local tectonic movements or significant sea-level falls. Finally, stratigraphic sections correspond to extended sedimentary truncations produced by transgressive events or major climatic changes. Sequence I is mainly composed of marine deposits divided into basal infill of the basin (Section 1) and Tournaisian–Visean transgressive deposits (Section 2). Sequence II is bounded by a sharp erosional surface and begins with coarse conglomerates (Section 3), followed by fluvial and shallow marine sedimentary rocks (Section 4) that pass upward into shales and diamictites (Section 5). The base of Sequence III is marked by an extended unconformity covered by Early Pennsylvanian glacial sedimentary rocks (Section 6) that represent the most important glacial event along the western margin of Gondwana. Postglacial deposits (Section 7) occur in the two basins and comprise both glaciolacustrine (eastern region) and transgressive marine (central and western regions) deposits. By the Moscovian–Kasimovian, fluvial sandstones and conglomerates were deposited in most of the Paganzo Basin (Section 8), while localized volcanic activity took place in the Río Blanco Basin. Near the end of the Carboniferous, an important transgression is recorded in the major part of the Río Blanco Basin (Section 9), reaching the westernmost portion area of the Paganzo Basin. Finally, Sequence IV shows important differences between the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins; fluvial red beds (Section 10), eolian sandstones (Section 11), and low-energy fluvial deposits (Section 12) prevailed in the Paganzo Basin whereas volcaniclastic sedimentation and volcanism dominated in the Río Blanco Basin. Thus, tectonic events, sea-level changes and climate exerted a strong and complex control on the evolution of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins. The interaction of these allocyclic controls produced not only characteristic facies association patterns but also different kinds of stratigraphic bounding surfaces.     

Stratigraphic features of the Maltese Archipelago: a synthesis

The present study gathers a large amount of both existing and unpublished biostratigraphic data, which allows a detailed and complete definition of the stratigraphic features of the late Oligocene–late Miocene Maltese Archipelago sedimentary succession, recording in turn the tectonic and eustatic history of the Central Mediterranean region. We selected five sections in the Malta Island and three in Gozo, representative of the entire sedimentary succession, affected by well-known erosional surfaces, correlated to low-stands of the sea level, often associated with phoshatic layers, linked to the subsequent high-stands. The sedimentary interval, and thus the associated hiatuses, was constrained both by the bio-chronostratigraphic attribution and by the comparison with the third-order succession of the New Jersey passive margin, which shows strict analogy with the geodynamic context in which the Maltese succession deposited. The diachroneity at the base of the formations in the different sections, and the presence of intraformational unconformity/hiatuses, highlighted the role of the tectonic, which depicted a complex sedimentary basin, characterized by more distal versus more marginal sectors. Furthermore, the possibility to compare the sedimentary succession with the oxygen isotope curve connects the sedimentation interruptions, recorded within the Maltese Archipelago deposits, to global cooling events.

     

Stratigraphic features of the Maltese Archipelago: a synthesis

The present study gathers a large amount of both existing and unpublished biostratigraphic data, which allows a detailed and complete definition of the stratigraphic features of the late Oligocene–late Miocene Maltese Archipelago sedimentary succession, recording in turn the tectonic and eustatic history of the Central Mediterranean region. We selected five sections in the Malta Island and three in Gozo, representative of the entire sedimentary succession, affected by well-known erosional surfaces, correlated to low-stands of the sea level, often associated with phoshatic layers, linked to the subsequent high-stands. The sedimentary interval, and thus the associated hiatuses, was constrained both by the bio-chronostratigraphic attribution and by the comparison with the third-order succession of the New Jersey passive margin, which shows strict analogy with the geodynamic context in which the Maltese succession deposited. The diachroneity at the base of the formations in the different sections, and the presence of intraformational unconformity/hiatuses, highlighted the role of the tectonic, which depicted a complex sedimentary basin, characterized by more distal versus more marginal sectors. Furthermore, the possibility to compare the sedimentary succession with the oxygen isotope curve connects the sedimentation interruptions, recorded within the Maltese Archipelago deposits, to global cooling events.     

U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from Andros,Greece: constraints for the time of sediment accumulation in the northern part of the Cycladic blueschist belt

The Attic–Cycladic Crystalline Belt in the central Aegean region represents a major tectono‐stratigraphic unit of the Hellenides. The essential geological, magmatic and tectono‐metamorphic features are well documented. Unresolved questions concern the time of sediment accumulation and litho‐ and/or tectono‐stratigraphic relationships across the study area. In order to address this issue we have studied siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks from Andros Island, northern Cyclades. The sampling strategy aimed at covering the complete age range recorded by the Andros metamorphic succession. Detrital zircon U–Pb dating of nine samples indicates maximum depositional ages of c. 260 Ma for the topmost part of the metamorphic succession and of c. 160–140 Ma for rock sequences below a prominent serpentinite belt that is interpreted to outline a major tectonic contact. These age constraints are in accordance with interpretations suggesting that the metamorphic rocks of Andros represent different tectonic subunits (Makrotantalon Unit and Lower Unit) that are separated by a thrust fault. Modification of the internal structure of the Lower Unit by tectonic stacking can currently not be ascertained. The new data for the Lower Unit corroborate the importance of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous sediment accumulation for the larger study area. In contrast to some of the neighbouring islands, no evidence for transfer of Late Cretaceous (c. 80 Ma) material into the Andros sedimentary environment was found. The most striking feature of the zircon populations of the Lower Unit is a remarkable age cluster at 250–200 Ma that documents the importance of Triassic igneous sediment sources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a late Viséan (Mississippian) mixed carbonate/siliciclastic platform in the Guadalmellato Valley (southwestern Spain)

The Peñas Rubias Syncline (southwestern Spain) exposes a well-preserved shallow-water platform succession containing a spectrum of facies corresponding to inner platform intertidal to supratidal environments, across to deeper-water middle to outer platform environments. Nineteen microfacies are recognized, which are grouped into seven facies association corresponding to: siliciclastic deltaic bars, mixed carbonate/siliciclastic shoals, carbonate mud mound boundstones, background platform carbonates, background platform siliciclastics, mixed tempestites and deep-water siliciclastic shales and sandstones. The age of the succession was determined mainly by foraminiferans and calcareous algae, which permit the succession to be assigned to the late Brigantian (latest Viséan). This upper Brigantian platform is the only record of sedimentation of this age in the region, and thus is key for interpreting the sedimentary and tectonic evolution of the Carboniferous rocks in Sierra Morena. Biotic and sedimentological features were analyzed in order to assess the controls on the sedimentation. Several factors have influenced sedimentological changes: turbidity, subsidence, siliciclastic discharges, storms and bioturbation. The siliciclastic discharges exerted a considerable control on the basal deposits, mostly in their percentage of quartz sand grains and as microconglomerates. However, they did not develop as large deltaic deposits, and their influence can be considered as virtually negligible in regards to the remaining part of the succession. Turbidity, as a result of higher percentage of silt and mud in suspension, seems to be the main factor controlling the change between the older intertidal deposits in the inner platform to the younger subtidal deposits of the middle and outer platform. As a result of the increase of the mud and silt in suspension, facies changed first to marlstones and nodular argillaceous limestones, and second, to predominantly calcimicrobial boundstones and shales in the uppermost part of the carbonate succession, as well as showing a marked change from photic-controlled benthic faunal and microfloral assemblages to assemblages more tolerant or better adapted to muddier dysphotic substrates. Bioturbation is also interpreted as one of the main controls influencing the different type of boundstones in the middle platform, permitting the vertical growth of dome-shaped mud-mounds or as sheet-like deposits. Storm influences seem to have exerted some control on the positive relief of the dome-shaped boundstones, which are usually capped by tempestites. The differential subsidence observed in the northwestern sector of the platform allowed the accumulation of many stacked dome-shaped mounds, a feature not recognized in southeastern parts. The general stratigraphical sequence seems to be controlled by eustasy and synsedimentary tectonics. The overall succession exhibits a pronounced deepening-upwards transgressive sequence from siliciclastic delta bars, mixed shoals, carbonates and shales of the middle platform with the growth of calcimicrobial boundstones and dark green shales, passing up into black shales at the top of the sequence, in the outer platform and, possibly, submarine slope settings. Although this transgressive sequence is in harmony with the 3rd-order glacioeustatic cycle defined for the late Brigantian in the western Palaeotethys, all these Brigantian rocks accumulated in a synsedimentary extensional regime, which is related to the initiation of a sinistral strike–slip regime, previously recognized as affecting only Serpukhovian and younger rocks in Sierra Morena. These synsedimentary faults allow us to recognize significant lateral variations in thickness over short distances.     

Upper Cretaceous marine‐continental transition (Leonese Area,NW Spain) defined from integrated outcrop and seismic stratigraphy

The Upper Cretaceous succession of the Leonese Area (NW Spain) comprises mixed clastic and carbonate sediments. This succession is divided into two lithostratigraphic units, the Voznuevo Member and the Boñar Formation, which represent fluvial, shoreface, intertidal, subtidal and open‐shelf sedimentary environments. Regional seismic interpretation and sequence stratigraphic analysis have allowed the study of lateral and vertical changes in the sedimentary record and the definition of third‐order levels of stratigraphic cyclicity. On the basis of these data, the succession can be divided into two second‐order depositional sequences (DS‐1 and DS‐2), incorporating three system tracts in a lowstand to transgressive to highstand system tract succession (LST–TST–HST). These sequences are composed of fluvial systems at the base with palaeocurrents that flowed westward and south‐westward. The upper part of DS‐1 (Late Albian–Middle Turonian) shows evidence of intertidal to subtidal and offshore deposits. DS‐2 (Late Turonian–Campanian) comprises intertidal to subtidal, tidal flat, shallow marine and lacustrine deposits and interbedded fluvial deposits. Two regressive–transgressive cycles occurred in the area related to eustatic controls. The evolution of the basin can be explained by base‐level changes and associated shifts in depositional trends of successive retrogradational episodes. By using isobath and isopach maps, the main palaeogeographic features of DS‐1 and DS‐2 were constrained, namely coastline positions, the existence and orientation of corridors through which fluvial networks were channelled and the location of the main depocentres of the basin. Sedimentation on the Upper Cretaceous marine platform was mainly controlled by (i) oscillations of sea level and (ii) the orientation of Mesozoic faults, which induced sedimentation along depocentres. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sedimentary genesis and lithostratigraphy of Neoproterozoic megabreccia from Mufulira, Copperbelt of Zambia

The Lufilian arc is an orogenic belt in central Africa that extends between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and deforms the Neoproterozoic-Lower Palaeozoic metasedimentary succession of the Katanga Supergroup. The arc contains thick bodies of fragmental rocks that include blocks reaching several kilometres in size. Some megablocks contain Cu and Cu–Co-mineralised Katangan strata. These coarse clastic rocks, called the Katangan megabreccias, have traditionally been interpreted in the DRC as tectonic breccias formed during Lufilian orogenesis due to friction underneath Katangan nappes. In mid-90th, several occurrences in Zambia have been interpreted in the same manner. Prominent among them is an occurrence at Mufulira, considered by previous workers as a ≈1000 m thick tectonic friction breccia containing a Cu–Co-mineralised megablock.This paper presents new results pertaining to the lower stratigraphic interval of the Katanga Supergroup at Mufulira and represented by the Roan Group and the succeeding Mwashya Subgroup of the Guba Group. The interval interpreted in the past as tectonic Roan megabreccia appears to be an almost intact sedimentary succession, the lower part of which consists of Roan Group carbonate rocks with siliciclastic intercalations containing several interbeds of matrix-supported conglomerate. A Cu–Co-mineralised interval is not an allochthonous block but a part of the stratigraphic succession underlain and overlain by conglomerate beds, which were considered in the past as tectonic friction breccias. The overlying megabreccia is a syn-rift sedimentary olistostrome succession that rests upon the Roan strata with a subtle local unconformity. The olistostrome succession consists of three complexes typified by matrix-supported debris-flow conglomerates with Roan clasts. Some of the conglomerate beds pass upwards to normally graded turbidite layers and are accompanied by solitary slump beds. The three conglomeratic assemblages are separated by two intervals of sedimentary breccia composed of allochthonous Roan blocks interpreted as mass-wasting debris redeposited into the basin by high-volume sediment-gravity flows. Sedimentary features are the primary characteristics of the conglomerate interbeds in the Roan succession and of the overlying megabreccia (olistostrome) sequence. Both lithological associations are slightly sheared and brecciated in places, but stratigraphic continuity is retained throughout their succession. The olistostrome is deformed by an open fold, the upper limb of which is truncated by and involved in a shear zone that extends upwards into Mwashya Subgroup strata thrust above.Based on the sedimentary genesis of the megabreccia, local tectonostratigraphic relations and correlation with the succession present in the Kafue anticline to the west, the Mwashya Subgroup, formerly considered as a twofold unit, is redefined here as a three-part succession. The lower Mwashya consists of an olistostrome complex defined as the Mufulira Formation, the middle Mwashya (formerly lower Mwashya) is a mixed succession of siliciclastic and carbonate strata locally containing silicified ooids and tuff interbeds, and the term upper Mwashya is retained for a succession of black shales with varying proportions of siltstone and sandstone interlayers. The sedimentary genesis and stratigraphic relations of the megabreccia at Mufulira imply that the position and tectonostratigraphic context of the Katangan Cu and Cu–Co orebodies hosted in megablocks associated with fragmental rocks, which were in the past interpreted as tectonic friction breccias, need to be critically re-assessed in the whole Lufilian arc.     

Regional tectonic and megadepositional cycles of the Paleozoic of northwestern and central Saudi Arabia

The Paleozoic succession of the Greater Arabian basin is severely affected by series of major tectonic and climatic events which have caused major stratigraphic breaks and pronounce facies change. The major tectonic movements have resulted in dividing the succession into pronounced megatectonic and depositional cycles. In more tectonically active areas, the succession is less preserved and boundaries between the cycles are more complicated due to longer periods of erosion by later movements and/or nondeposition. Minor stratigraphic breaks within the megacycles subdivide the cycles into smaller subcycles. Following the stabilization of the Arabian–Nubian shield, the Gondwana shelf went through a gentle uplift and tilt probably related to the Assyniyc tectonic movements and thick siliciclastics of the Saq and Qasim Formations were deposited. During Late Caradocian and following the deposition of the Qasim Formation, the area went through a gentle uplift and tilt probably related to the Taconic tectonic movements. Thick succession of the Qasim and Saq Formations were eroded and deep paleovalleys incised in the two formations and underlying basement. The movements were followed by drop of sea level due to glaciation events. Glacial and periglacial deposits of the Zarqa and/or Sarah Formations filled paleovalleys and rest on older units from Ordovician to Precambrian. The third main event occurred during Late Silurian where the preexisting successions, mainly on paleohighs, were affected by tectonic movements synchronous with the Acadian tectonic phase of the Caledonian tectonic movements. The Early Devonian Tawil Formation unconformably rests on eroded Silurian and Late Ordovician deposits of the Sharawra, Qusayba (Qusaiba), and Sarah Formations in the Qusayba Depression in central Arabia. The forth main event is a regional movement contemporaneous with the Hercynian tectonic movement which has reached its maximum phase in the Late Carboniferous. Earlier successions from Carboniferous to Precambrian were affected and the Permo-Carboniferous Shajra Formation unconformably rests on all underlying Paleozoic rock units toward the central Arabia arch and other paleohighs. The Shajra rests on the Devonian Jawbah (Jubah), Jawf (Jauf) and Tawil formations, the Silurian Sharawra, Qusayba, and Uqlah formations, the Ordovician Zarqa/Sarah, and Qasim formations, the Cambro-Ordovician Saq Formation, and finally rests on Precambrian Basement complex in Central Arabia. The tectonic movements played important role in shaping the structural framework of Arabia. The Paleozoic succession included source, reservoir, and seal rocks. Oil and gas have been discovered in sandstone and limestone reservoirs in these rocks in several oilfields in the basin.     

Stratigraphy and sedimentary history of the Nepal Tethys Himalaya passive margin

The sedimentary history of the Nepal Tethys Himalaya began with deposition of thick carbonates in the Cambro?–Ordovician, followed by a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate epicontinental succession recording two major deepening events in the Early Silurian and Late Devonian. Fossiliferous carbonate ramp deposits in the Tournaisian were disconformably followed by white quartzose sandstones and black mudrocks with locally intercalated diamictites derived from sedimentary rocks and deposited in asymmetric tectonic basins (“rift stage”). Break-up in the mid-Early Permian, locally associated with effusion of tholeiitic lava flows, was followed by a transgressive sandy to shaly, locally coal-bearing or bioclastic unit capped by condensed pelagic carbonates in the Middle to Late Permian (“juvenile ocean stage”). Subsidence of the cooling stretched crust led close to bathyal water depths in the Olenekian, but then slowed down in the Middle Triassic to increase again sharply in the Late Triassic owing to renewed extensional tectonic activity and sediment loading during up- and out-building of the Indian continental terrace. Deposition of tropical platform carbonates finally became widespread in the middle Liassic (“mature passive margin stage”). The initial fragmentation of Gondwana in the Middle Jurassic led to rejuvenation of the Indian craton and deposition of quartzo-feldspathic hybrid arenites, capped by condensed oolitic ironstones deposited at warm subtropical latitudes in the late Bathonian/middle Callovian. Next, a discontinuous pelagic grey marly limestone unit was followed by the ammonoid-rich offshore Spiti Shale in the Late Jurassic. The final disintegration of Gondwana began in the Berriasian, when quartzose siliciclastics derived again from the rejuvenated Indian craton and partly from recycling of older clastic successions were followed by thick deltaic to shelf volcaniclastics documenting eruption of alkali basalts in the Valanginian? followed in the Hauterivian to Albian by more felsic differentiates such as the trachyandesites exposed in the Lesser Himalaya 120 km to the south. A widespread drowning episode, fostered by waning volcaniclastic supply during a global eustatic rise, is documented by a major glauconitic horizon deposited at middle southern latitudes in the late Albian, overlain by “Scaglia-like” pelagic limestones in the latest Albian. The final part of sedimentary history, during the rapid northward flight of India and its collision with Eurasia, is not documented anywhere in Nepal due to later erosion of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary strata.     

Tectonic, sea-level, and climatic controls on Late Paleozoic sedimentation in the western basins of Argentina

Tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and the climate controlled sedimentation in Late Paleozoic basins of western Argentina. The role of each factor is investigated from the geologic record of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins using three hierarchical orders of stratigraphic bounding surfaces. First-order surfaces correspond to regional unconformities, second-order ones to local unconformities with a lesser regional extent, and third-order surfaces represent locally extended sedimentary truncation. Using this methodology, the Carboniferous–Permian record of the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins may be divided into two megasequences, four sequences, and 12 stratigraphic sections. Megasequences are bounded by regional unconformities that result from tectonic events important enough to cause regional paleogeographic changes. Sequences are limited by minor regional extension surfaces related to local tectonic movements or significant sea-level falls. Finally, stratigraphic sections correspond to extended sedimentary truncations produced by transgressive events or major climatic changes. Sequence I is mainly composed of marine deposits divided into basal infill of the basin (Section 1) and Tournaisian–Visean transgressive deposits (Section 2). Sequence II is bounded by a sharp erosional surface and begins with coarse conglomerates (Section 3), followed by fluvial and shallow marine sedimentary rocks (Section 4) that pass upward into shales and diamictites (Section 5). The base of Sequence III is marked by an extended unconformity covered by Early Pennsylvanian glacial sedimentary rocks (Section 6) that represent the most important glacial event along the western margin of Gondwana. Postglacial deposits (Section 7) occur in the two basins and comprise both glaciolacustrine (eastern region) and transgressive marine (central and western regions) deposits. By the Moscovian–Kasimovian, fluvial sandstones and conglomerates were deposited in most of the Paganzo Basin (Section 8), while localized volcanic activity took place in the Río Blanco Basin. Near the end of the Carboniferous, an important transgression is recorded in the major part of the Río Blanco Basin (Section 9), reaching the westernmost portion area of the Paganzo Basin. Finally, Sequence IV shows important differences between the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins; fluvial red beds (Section 10), eolian sandstones (Section 11), and low-energy fluvial deposits (Section 12) prevailed in the Paganzo Basin whereas volcaniclastic sedimentation and volcanism dominated in the Río Blanco Basin. Thus, tectonic events, sea-level changes and climate exerted a strong and complex control on the evolution of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins. The interaction of these allocyclic controls produced not only characteristic facies association patterns but also different kinds of stratigraphic bounding surfaces.     

Tectonics of the northern part of the Lena-Yenisey oil-bearing region

This article discusses the historical tectonic development of the portion of Siberia lying within the Arctic Circle. The exposed rocks are referred to seven tectonic or geotectonic stages: Archean, Proterozoic, Sinian, lower to middle Paleozoic, upper Paleozoic to lower Mesozoic, and Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Locally on the Shorikka and Kamennaya, the nearly horizontal Lower Cambrian beds overlie the Sinian with angular unconformity. In contrast, isolated areas on the west side of the Yenisey show a gradational relationship between the Late Sinian and Early Cambrian beds in a dominantly carbonate succession. The present tectonic elements of the Siberian platform were developed in Mesozoic-Cenozoic time, and differential movements in the basement have continued into Neogene time. The sedimentary platform cover was enlarged by sedimentary overlap from Sinian to mid-Paleozoic time. The sediment came from the older fold systems. The major structures are measured in terms of variations in stratigraphic thickness, but details are unfortunately omitted. The main features are delineated on a geotectonic map embracing 42 map units and symbols. The map lacks basic reference data, geographic designations, scale, and other essential information. — B. N. Cooper.     

上扬子地区晚三叠世层序地层格架：扬子地台消亡与上扬子前陆盆地形成的地层学效应

发生在中、晚三叠世之交的印支运动,在中国南方表现为以下构造事件:1秦岭-大别造山带的形成与隆升,记录了华北板块与华南板块的对接碰撞;2中国南方东南部1300km宽的陆内造山带的强烈作用,以及由此造成的前陆褶皱逆冲带的北西向迁移。在上述构造事件的结果,结束了扬子地台自埃迪卡拉纪以来以作为一个稳定的古地理单元而且大多数时间发育浅水碳酸盐岩的沉积历史。在扬子地台消亡之后形成一个特别的上扬子前陆盆地(或四川前陆盆地),其中堆积了以河流沉积为特征的须家河组及其相关地层。以河流沉积为特征的须家河组及其相关地层,在川西地区覆盖在马鞍塘组台地碳酸盐岩和小塘子组陆棚至滨岸相砂页岩地层之上,向东、向南逐渐超覆尖灭,从而形成了一个特殊的上三叠统层序地层格架,这个特殊的层序地层格架记录了扬子地台的消亡和上扬子前陆盆地的形成和发育过程。就像黔西南地区在中三叠世台地边缘再生的晚三叠世前陆盆地以及该盆地中填充的特别的上三叠统一样,上扬子前陆盆地上三叠统层序地层格架,尤其是河流沉积为特征的须家河组特别的沉积趋势(从相对集中发育煤层的高可容纳空间低能河流沉积、演变到河道砂岩聚合作用为特征的低可容纳空间高能河流沉积的序列,所组成的沉积层序)所组成的冲积构架,以及逐渐从西向东、从北向南的逐渐超覆尖灭的空间分布,不但是了解扬子地台消亡和上扬子前陆盆地形成的重要物质记录,而且代表了前陆盆地充填序列中一种较为特别的河流相层序地层序列。     

黔中早二叠世茅口晚期断裂陆缘层序地层分析

黔中早二叠世晚期发育变异多姿的硅质岩－碳酸盐岩和火山岩，笔者通过大地构造学、火山岩岩石学和岩石地球化学、层序地层学的综合分析认为，与一般的被动大陆边缘不同，该区这种断裂大陆边缘的层序地层特征主要依据纵向上反映海平面变化的岩性突变来识别，而岩性突变又是构造变动的反映。据此，将该区茅口组二段划分为一个准层序组和两个准层序，每个准层序以突变最大海泛面为基础，包含了凝缩层和加积高位体系域；横向上解释为破裂碳酸盐台地型层序地层格架，即把构造作用与层序地层格架的形成以及沉积体系的分异统一起来，提出了断裂陆缘层序层分析的实例。     

大洋洲斐济群岛的成矿地质背景、矿床类型及成矿期划分

斐济群岛具有厚而年轻的硅镁质地壳,其成矿作用与构造演化有着密切的联系。斐济群岛的地层主要由新生代海底碎屑型火山岩及相关沉积岩组成。碳酸盐岩和在中-晚中新世一次重要的构造运动中侵入的辉长岩-英云闪长岩质的深成岩也很发育。斐济群岛的矿床类型包括各种块状硫化物型矿床、斑岩型铜金矿、夕卡岩型铜多金属矿、浅成低温热液型金矿、沉积型锰矿、残积矿床、砂矿床等。斐济群岛的成矿期有4个不同的阶段（时期）,这些阶段（时期）与构造运动紧密相关,反映了纵贯斐济群岛的各种矿化类型的空间和时间分布特征。     

湘西-黔东地区早寒武世沉积序列及铅锌成矿制约

湘西-黔东地区下寒武统发育完整,是一套从黑色岩系到碳酸盐岩的沉积序列,代表早寒武世复杂的古地理变迁。纵向上,下寒武统组成一个二级层序,可以进一步划分为5个三级层序,构成总体向上变浅的沉积相序列,同时反映了缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地的生长发育过程,铅锌矿赋存于第四层序高水位体系域中;空间上从北西至南东发育从局限台地、浅滩和微生物(藻)丘相、陆棚相等沉积。岩相古地理对层控铅锌矿具有明显的控制作用,主要分布于台地边缘藻丘和浅滩相与局限台地潮下过渡部位。研究表明牛蹄塘组黑色碳质页岩是铅锌矿源层,清虚洞组灰岩是主要容矿层,其中浊积岩、藻丘体、砾(粒)屑灰岩构成一个完整的铅锌控矿序列。     

Carbonate platform growth influenced by contemporaneous basaltic intrusion (Albian of Larrano, Spain)

Abstract Carbonate platform growth in active tectonic settings may be strongly influenced by the structural evolution of the basin, including volcanic activity. In this paper, the sedimentary–tectonic evolution of the Duranguesado carbonate platform (Larrano) in northern Spain is described, and an evolutionary depositional model is presented. The Albian Duranguesado carbonate platform deposits are dominated by rudist and coral limestones with small intervening argillaceous limestone-filled troughs (10–30 m deep). The platform succession is divided into two parts. The lower platform deposits were intruded by volcanics and tilted before the deposition of the upper platform succession. A volcanic vent plug filling an upward-flaring pipe occurs in the lower carbonate platform succession. The timing of intrusion is well constrained to the early Albian. Tectonic extension and active deep-seated strike-slip faults induced magma ascent at a fault intersection. Sedimentological analysis of these areas indicates that, before volcanic intrusion, they acted as weakened zones of extension, and were slightly more subsident basinal areas. These sites contain anomalous accumulations of siliceous sponge spicule deposits, linked to the release of hydrothermal fluids on the sea floor. After the phase of intrusion, tilting and erosion of the platform and its associated volcanic products occurred. As the intrusion cooled, the platform downwarped, leading to the formation of an overlying perched capping basin bordered by carbonate platforms. Over the volcanic plug, carbonate mounds grew on local palaeohighs. The presence of strike-slip and magma emplacement in the Duranguesado platform is related to movements between the Iberian and European lithospheric plates, which were accommodated by rotation and lateral movement of the crust along wrench faults.     

Genetic Aspects of the Manto-type Copper Deposits Based on Geochemical Studies of North Chilean Deposits

Recent studies on mineralogy, geochronology, fluid inclusion and stable isotope (Pb, Os, S, C, O, Sr) characteristics were reviewed to determine constraints for genetic models of the Chilean manto‐type copper deposits. The Chilean manto‐type deposits are divided into the two geologic categories of the northern areas (Arica–Iquique, Tocopilla–Taltal) and the central areas (Copiapó, La Serena, Santiago). The former is distributed in the coastal range composed of Jurassic andesite‐dominated volcano‐sedimentary piles and younger plutonic intrusions, and yields chalcocite (‐digenite) and bornite as the principal hypogene copper sulfides. The latter is hosted mostly in Lower Cretaceous volcano‐sedimentary sequences, and has chalcopyrite‐rich mineral associations. The fluid inclusion data indicate that the primary copper mineralization was commonly generated in the temperature range 150–360°C under low‐pressure conditions near the boiling curve, mediated with relatively saline brines. Generally, homogeneous Pb and S isotope compositions for primary copper minerals imply direct magma source or leaching of igneous rocks. Pb and Os isotope data published for some deposits, however, suggest that ore‐forming metals were derived mainly from the volcano‐sedimentary host rocks. The noticeably negative isotope ratios of primary sulfide sulfur and hydrothermal calcite carbon of some central area deposits indicate influx of sedimentary rock components, and the high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios of hydrothermal calcite from the Tocopilla–Taltal area deposits imply contribution of the contemporaneous seawater or marine carbonates. These isotopic constraints imply a formation mechanism in which the Chilean manto‐type copper deposits formed epigenetically in the process of hydrothermal interaction of non‐magmatic surface‐derived brine with the volcano‐sedimentary host rocks, which is inferred to have been induced by a deep‐seated plutonic complex as the possible heat source.     

鄂西北上震旦统灯影组沉积相及构造古地理

湖北省丹江口、谷城、郧县及邻区河南浙川等地广泛分布的灯影组碳酸盐岩,几乎均系较深水或深水环境下的产物。按照沉积作用特征将其分为6种成因类型,即重力流沉积、滑坡滑塌沉积、较深水静水沉积)。浅水机械沉积和生物沉积（藻）碳酸盐岩及少量陆源碎屑岩。它们组成了5种不同的剖面结构（岩相序列）。根据各种类型剖面的空间分布对灯影期沉积古地理进行了恢复。该区在灯影期系一总体呈北西向延伸的被动大陆边缘,西北部发育藻礁沉积,推测北部淅川附近存在碳酸盐水下高地。