贵州新元古代锰、重晶石等矿床成矿系列及找矿突破

以矿床成矿系列理论为基础, 提出黔东及毗邻区新元古代锰矿、重晶石矿大规模成矿作用主要是流体成矿作用, 又有沉积成矿作用。在南华裂谷盆地的不同演化阶段, 形成新元古代至早古生代黑色岩系有关的锰、重晶石、磷、镍、钼、钒、铀、页岩气等矿床成矿亚系列。提出区域性的导矿构造是新发现北西向中元古代基底中的铜仁古裂谷。对铜仁古裂谷与近东西向南华裂谷盆地同生断裂、次级地堑盆地等配矿构造的交汇处, 形成含矿流体底辟通道, 控制形成了系列超大型锰矿床、超大型重晶石矿床等区域成矿规律进行了论述。在总结贵州新元古代锰矿、重晶石矿区域成矿规律的基础上, 建立了区域成矿模式, 对成功指导实现锰矿和重晶石找矿突破进行了介绍。     

Escape models of the Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian region in the light of palaeomagnetic observations

Recent tectonic models of the Alpine-Carpatho-Pannonian region (ALCAPA) assume a large eastward shift of the Transdanubian Range domain, in the Cenozoic. Since palaeomagnetism is one of the most powerful tools in solving geodynamic processes, the authors present an approach to the escape problem by using all available and relevant palaeomagnetic data. This data set demonstrates consistency with models put forward by geologists for Jurassic and older ages. From the mid-Jurassic on the Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) did not share the rotations of the Transdanubian Range domain and of the Southern Alps. After individual movements from Neocomian to Miocene, the Transdanubian Range domain must have drifted northward in the mid-Miocene up to the Southern margin of the Northern Calcareous Alps, before starting the escape in the geologists' definition.     

中国锰矿成矿规律初探-陈毓川院士八十华诞专辑

中国锰矿资源较丰富,资源量排名在世界上位列第5.中国锰矿种类多样,有海相沉积型、火山-沉积型、碳酸盐岩中热水沉积型(或“层控”型)、与岩浆作用有关的热液型、受变质型及表生型.其中,海相沉积型占资源量的71.4％,表生型占15.7％,是最主要的两种类型.中国锰矿广泛分布于“泛扬子区”、华北陆块的燕辽地区以及天山和祁连山部分地区,尤以“泛扬子区”为最,并具分布广泛又相对集中的总体特征.中国的成锰时代多,中—新元古代、早古生代(寒武纪、奥陶纪)、晚古生代—早中生代是中国锰矿形成的重要时代.中国锰矿时-空分布的主要特征是“北锰南迁”:中元古代锰矿主要产于华北陆块的燕辽裂谷带,新元古代—古生代锰矿主要产于“泛扬子区”的大陆边缘盆地或台内盆地中.大型、超大型锰矿床或锰矿田的形成,受控于非构造期盆地性质、古海洋结构、古海水性质及海平面升降等因素,其形成环境存在一定的相似性及同源性.     

Ophiolitic detritus in Cretaceous clastic formations of the Dinarides (NW Croatia): evidence from Cr-spinel chemistry

Cr-spinel is a common heavy mineral in the sandstones of Cretaceous synorogenic sedimentary formations of the NW Dinarides, Croatia. The rocks occur in isolated exposures in the uplifted basement units of Medvednica, Ivanščica, Žumberak and Samobor Mountains near Zagreb. In this area, evidence of the early Alpine evolution of the Dinarides is obscured due to strong dismemberment of pre-Tertiary tectonostratigraphic units resulting from an intense tectonic history, as well as due to the widespread sedimentary cover of the Pannonian Basin. Electron microprobe analyses of detrital Cr-spinels from the Oštrc Formation reveal that in the Early Cretaceous the ophiolitic source area was predominantly composed of harzburgite peridotites and associated cumulate rocks, which developed in a supra-subduction zone setting. The supply of Cr-spinels with the same chemical signature remained dominant until the end of the Cretaceous, suggesting that exposed remnants of the same ophiolite belt persisted through the Cretaceous and/or that recycling was significant. Similarities with data reported from the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Transdanubian Central Range imply that a rather extensive harzburgitic ophiolite belt probably extended along the Adriatic margin during the Early Cretaceous. A slight trend of increasing variation in the Cr# is observed from the Early to the latest Cretaceous, suggesting that the source areas became more heterogeneous with the ongoing Cretaceous tectonic evolution. Differences in Cr-spinel compositions in two contemporaneous latest Cretaceous formations are well in line with existing data on heavy mineral proportions, which together identify contrasting hinterland geology for these formations and strongly suggest the coeval existence of two separate basins. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework of the Early Permian sequence in the Salt Range, Pakistan

The Early Permian Gondwana regime succession of the Nilawahan Group is exposed only in the Salt Range of Pakistan. After a prolonged episode of non-deposition that spanned much of the Palaeozoic, the 350?m thick predominantly clastic sequence of the Nilawahan Group records a late glacial and post-glacial episode in which a range of glacio-fluvial, marine and fluvial environments evolved and accumulated. The Early Permian succession of the Salt Range has been classified into four formations, which together indicates a changing climatic regime during the Early Permian in the Salt Range region. The lower-most, Tobra Formation unconformably overlies a Cambrian sequence and is composed of tillite, diamictite and fresh water facies, which contain a floral assemblage (Gangamopteris and Glossopteris) that confirms an Asselian age. The Tobra Formation is overlain by marginal marine deposits of the Dandot Formation (Sakmarian), which contain an abundant brachiopods assemblage (Eurydesma and Conularia). Accumulation of the Dandot Formation was terminated by a regional sea-level fall and a change to the deposition of the fluvial deposits of the Warchha Sandstone (Artinskian). The Warchha Sandstone was deposited by high sinuosity meandering, avulsion prone river with well developed floodplains. This episode of fluvial sedimentation was terminated by a widespread marine transgression, as represented by the abrupt upward transition to the overlying shallow marine Sardhai Formation (Kungurian). The Early Permian Gondwana sequence represented by the Nilawahan Group is capped by predominantly shallow shelf carbonate deposits of the Tethyan realm. The sedimentologic and stratigraphic relationship of these four lithostratigraphic units in the Salt Range reveals a complex stratigraphic history for the Early Permian, which is mainly controlled by eustatic sea-level change due to climatic variation associated with climatic amelioration at the end of the major Gondwana glacial episode, and the gradual regional northward drift to a lower latitude of the Indian plate.     

Regional tectonic framework,structure and evolution of the western marginal basins of India

The Kutch-Saurashtra, Cambay and Narmada basins are pericontinental rift basins in the western margin of the Indian craton. These basins were formed by rifting along Precambrian tectonic trends. Interplay of three major Precambrian tectonic trends of western India, Dharwar (NNW-SSE), Aravalli-Delhi (NE-SW) and Satpura (ENE-WSW), controlled the tectonic style of the basins. The geological history of the basins indicates that these basins were formed by sequential reactivation of primordial faults. The Kutch basin opened up first in the Early Jurassic (rifting was initiated in Late Triassic) along the Delhi trend followed by the Cambay basin in the Early Cretaceous along the Dharwar trend and the Narmada basin in Late Cretaceous time along the Satpura trend. The evolution of the basins took place in four stages. These stages are synchronous with the important events in the evolution of the Indian sub-continent—its breakup from Gondwanaland in the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic, its northward drifting during the Jurassic-Cretaceous and collision with the Asian continent in the Early Tertiary. The most important tectonic events occurred in Late Cretaceous time. The present style of the continental margins of India evolved during Early Tertiary time.The Saurashtra arch, the extension of the Aravalli Range across the western continental shelf, subsided along the eastern margin fault of the Cambay basin during the Early Cretaceous. It formed an extensive depositional platform continuous with the Kutch shelf, for the accumulation of thick deltaic sediments. A part of the Saurashtra arch was uplifted as a horst during the main tectonic phase in the Late Cretaceous.The present high thermal regime of the Cambay-Bombay High region is suggestive of a renewed rifting phase.     

湘西北锰矿床成矿模式研究——以湖南花垣民乐锰矿床为例

本文以湖南花垣民乐锰矿床为例,研究了矿床中火山碎屑物质的分布及特征,用硫同位素氧、碳同位素等成因地球化学特征阐明该区裂陷盆槽盆或地堑盆地中海底火山喷发对锰矿形成的重要意义,并提出了成矿模式,认为湘西北锰矿床属离火山喷发中心较远的海底火山喷发-沉积锰矿床。     

大兴安岭地区内生铜矿床的成因类型、成矿时代与成矿动力学背景

大兴安岭地区位于兴蒙造山带的东段,构造、岩浆活动强烈,蕴藏着丰富的内生有色金属、贵金属矿产资源。本文通过对该区内生铜矿床的地质特征、成因类型和年代学研究,初步将区内内生铜矿床划分为斑岩型、浅成热液高硫化型(铜银、铜锡)和接触交代型三种成因类型,除铜锡矿床外,它们的成矿作用均与高钾钙碱系列I型花岗质岩浆密切相关;其中斑岩型和浅成热液高硫化型(铜、银)的成矿分别发生在485Ma、180~170Ma和170~160Ma;而浅成热液高硫化型(铜锡)矿床与A型花岗质岩浆相关,成矿在150~135Ma之间;接触交代型与它们相伴生,主要发生在180~160Ma和150~135Ma。其成矿动力学背景分别与早古生代兴安地块与松嫩地块的拼合碰撞造山、中侏罗世的西伯利亚板块和华北板块的陆缘增生带碰撞缝合造山与早白垩世碰撞造山后的地壳伸展减薄作用过程相适应,矿床在不同阶段的造山挤压与伸展转换或造山期后的伸展阶段就位,这项研究为深入研究该区内生多金属成矿规律提供了科学依据。     

黔湘渝毗邻区南华纪武陵裂谷盆地结构及其对锰矿的控制作用

黔湘渝毗邻区南华纪“大塘坡式”锰矿是我国最重要的锰资源基地,现已发现沉积型菱锰矿上亿吨,占全国已探明锰矿资源量的50%左右.通过对南华纪地层系统和地层分区的研究,提出在Rodinia超大陆裂解背景下,南华裂谷盆地 (I级) 西段分别由武陵、雪峰次级裂谷盆地和其间的天柱-怀化隆起 (地垒)3个Ⅱ级构造单元构成.武陵次级裂谷盆地控制形成了黔渝湘毗邻区锰矿成矿带,内部由3个Ⅲ级断陷 (地堑) 盆地、2个Ⅲ级隆起 (地垒) 和至少16个Ⅳ级断陷 (地堑) 盆地组成.3个Ⅲ级断陷 (地堑) 盆地分别控制形成了松桃-古丈、玉屏-芷江以及溪口-小茶园锰矿成矿亚带.其中,松桃-古丈锰矿成矿亚带是武陵次级裂谷盆地的裂陷中心,锰矿成矿作用强烈,形成的锰矿资源量巨大,已成为世界级锰矿资源富集区之一.Ⅳ断陷 (地堑) 盆地则控制形成研究区各锰矿床;提出南华纪早期同沉积断层是锰矿床形成的前提,并识别恢复出研究区15条同沉积断层及所控制形成的断陷 (地堑) 盆地和主要锰矿床.同沉积断层不但是深部锰质和古天然气上升的通道,更是连接古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿成矿系统中地内系统与表层系统的纽带.      

黔东北地区大塘坡组早期含锰沉积充填、岩相古地理与锰矿的关系

黔东北地区是中国南华纪"大塘坡式"锰矿重要富集区,而岩相古地理是沉积型锰矿最重要的控矿因素。笔者根据松桃—江口地区南华系各组岩性及碎屑锆石年龄特征对清水江组、两界河组、铁丝坳组及大塘坡组进行细致的地层划分,在建立了本区南华纪大塘坡早期沉积充填序列的同时,将本区沉积盆地划分为4个Ⅱ级盆地、12个Ⅲ级盆地以及11个次级(Ⅳ)聚锰盆地。在不同盆地内的大塘坡一段中识别出14种岩相类型,划分出2类沉积系、10类主要的岩相古地理单元,进而编绘了本区南华纪大塘坡早期岩相古地理图。提出在大陆边缘裂谷盆地的背景下,研究区南华纪大塘坡早期沉积环境应属大陆边缘障壁海岸体系,属于典型的"大塘坡式"锰矿,与障壁后侧迅速沉降的深水局限盆地密切相关。     

塔里木盆地三叠—侏罗系沉积相

塔里木盆地三叠系和侏罗系包含4个性质不同的陆相盆地。除早三叠世和晚侏罗世存在短暂的海泛之外，发育内陆湖泊及受其影响的陆相沉积，受构造影响明显，扇三角洲特别发育。库车盆地及塔北—塔中盆地湖城大小差别不大，但湖城位置有较大的变迁。塔西南和塔东南盆地的湖城大小变化很大，三叠纪湖盆较小且分布不连续；侏罗纪湖城扩大，且分别在塔东南和塔西南连片。     

Manganese deposits: Communication 1. Genetic models of manganese ore formation

Major regularities in the formation of manganese rocks and ores have been established on the basis of available published and original data. The proposed genetic classification of main manganese deposits (with model examples) is as follows: sedimentary-diagenetic (Nikopol, Bol’she-Tokmak; Ukraine), (volcanogenic) hydrothermal-sedimentary (deposits of the Atasui area, Kazakhstan; Magnitogorsk Trough, South Urals), epigenetic (catagenetic) (deposits of the Kalahari manganese ore field, South Africa; Usinsk deposit, Kuznetsk Alatau), and supergene (residual, infiltrational, cavern filling, and pisolitic deposits in India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia). The results suggest the following conclusions: (1) all primary manganese rocks and ores at the known deposits are hydrothermal- and diagenetic-sedimentary formations of marine environments; (2) manganese concentrations achieve the size of deposits at postsedimentary stages of the initial manganiferous sediment and manganese rock transformation (diagenesis, catagenesis, and retrograde diagenesis); (3) indispensable participation of the isotopically light carbon dioxide related to the destruction of organic matter (OM) is a characteristic feature of manganese carbonate formation during diagenesis; and (4) the role of organic carbon in manganese ore formation becomes notable since early stages of Mn accumulation in the Precambrian sedimentary basins (terminal Archean-initial Early Proterozoic).     

Origin and age of rift related fluorite and manganese deposits from the San Rafael Massif,Argentina

The San Rafael Massif is characterized by widespread fluorite and manganese epithermal ore deposits whose origin has been under debate to the present. Isotopic (Sm/Nd and K/Ar) and geochemical (trace elements and REE) data of fluorite and manganese ore allowed to establish the age and genesis of the deposits and to propose a regional genetic model. The fluorite deposits were formed during the Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic as a result of the Triassic rifting that launched a hydrothermal activity at regional scale. The hydrothermal fluids had low T and high fO₂ with fluorine probably derived from a mantle source and REE scavenged from the volcanics of the Gondwanan Choiyoi Magmatic Cycle upper section. The manganese deposits were formed by oxidizing hydrothermal fluids that collected Mn from deep sources and also leached REE from the upper section of the Choiyoi Magmatic Cycle during two mineralization episodes. One episode was linked to the rift tectonic setting that remained active up to the Upper Cretaceous and the other was related to an Early Miocene back-arc extensional geodynamic setting. Both manganese and fluorite deposits were formed in extensional tectonic settings within an epithermal environment near the surface, and can be ascribed to the general model of detachment-related deposits.     

Rifts,rivers and climate recovery: A new model for the Triassic of England

Triassic basins of England developed under a regime of largely W–E extension and progressed from non-marine fluvial and aeolian sedimentation (Sherwood Sandstone Group), through marine-influenced playa lacustrine deposits (Mercia Mudstone Group) to marine environments (Penarth Group). A new tectono-stratigraphic model for the Sherwood Sandstone Group is proposed in which two major long-distance river systems developed under conditions of relative fault inactivity in the Early Triassic (Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds and equivalent) and Middle Triassic (Otter Sandstone and equivalent). These are separated by a late Early Triassic syn-rift succession of fluvio–aeolian sandstones (Wildmoor Sandstone and Wilmslow Sandstone formations) and playa lacustrine muds (Nettlecombe Formation) which show major thickness variation and localisation with hanging wall basins. The partitioning of syn-rift deposits into mudstones within upstream basins (close to the source of water and sediment) and clean aeolian or fluvio–aeolian sandstones in downstream basins is similar to the pattern observed in the underlying late Permian. Under conditions of rapid tectonic subsidence chains of extensional basins may become disconnected with upstream basins (Wessex Basin) acting as traps for fines and water permitting more aeolian activity in temporarily unlinked downstream basins (Worcester and Cheshire basins). In addition to tectonic controls, fluctuating climate, relief related to limestone resilience in arid settings, the smoothing effect of fill and spill sedimentation and Tethyan sea-level change all contributed toward the observed Triassic stratigraphy in England.     

Nanhuan manganese deposits within restricted basins of the southeastern Yangtze Platform,China: Constraints from geological and geochemical evidence

The Nanhuan manganese deposits in the southeastern Yangtze Platform occur in the black shale series in the lower part of the Datangpo Formation. In order to constrain the genesis of the deposits, a detailed study was undertaken that involved field observations, major and trace element analyses, organic carbon analyses, and isotope analyses (C, O, S). The major findings are as follows. (1) The ore-bearing rock series, morphology of the ore bodies, and characteristics of ores in several deposits are similar. The ore minerals are rhodochrosite and manganocalcite. The gangue minerals are mainly quartz, feldspar, dolomite, and illite. Minor apatite and bastnaesite occur in the manganese ores. (2) The ores are enriched in Ca and Mg, whereas they are depleted in Si, Al, K, and Ti compared to wall rocks. The ores normalized to average Post-Archean Australian shale (PAAS) are enriched in Co, Mo, and Sr. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns for ores and wall rocks are between those of typical hydrogenous and hydrothermal type manganese deposits. Additionally, the ores have positive Ce anomalies with an average Ce/Ce* of 1.23 and positive Eu anomalies with an average Eu/Eu* of 1.18 (normalized to PAAS). (3) The average content of organic carbon is 2.21% in the samples, and the average organic carbon isotopic value (δ¹³C_V-PDB) is − 33.44‰. The average inorganic carbon isotopic value (δ¹³C_V-PDB) of carbonates in Gucheng is − 3.07‰, while the values are similar in the other deposits with an average of − 8.36‰. The oxygen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O_V-PDB) are similar in different deposits with an average of − 7.72‰. (4) The sulfur isotopic values (δ³⁴S_V-CDT) of pyrite are very high and range from + 37.9‰ to + 62.6‰ (average of 52.7‰), which suggests that the pyrite was formed in restricted basins where sulfate replenishment was limited. The sulfate concentrations in the restricted basins were extremely low and enriched in δ³⁴S, which resulted in the very high δ³⁴S values for the pyrite that formed in the manganese deposits. Therefore, a terrigenous weathering origin for manganese can be excluded; otherwise, the sulfate would have been introduced into the basins together with terrigenous manganese, which would have decreased the δ³⁴S values of pyrites. The manganese, which originated from hydrothermal processes, was enriched in the restricted and anoxic basins, and then, it was oxidized to manganese oxyhydroxide in the overlying oxic waters whereby the products precipitated into the sediments. The manganese oxyhydroxide in the sediment was then reduced to Mn^2 + and released to the pore waters during the process of diagenesis. Some organic carbon was oxidized to CO₃^2 −, which made the depletion of ¹³C in manganese carbonates. Therefore, we suggest that the Nanhuan manganese deposits are hydrothermal–sedimentary/diagenetic type deposits.     

二叠纪贵州遵义次级裂谷盆地结构及其对锰矿的控制作用*

遵义锰矿不仅是在贵州发现最早的具工业价值的锰矿床,而且也是中国重要的锰资源基地之一。根据详细的二叠系茅口组—龙潭组地层划分,认为黔北裂陷遵义次级裂谷盆地由3个Ⅲ级断陷盆地和2个Ⅲ级隆起组成,至少包括13个Ⅳ级断陷盆地。3个Ⅲ级断陷盆地的演化,分别控制了铜锣井—深溪、转龙庙—谢家坝、张家湾—兴隆、和尚场—五龙溪锰矿成矿亚带的形成,其中铜锣井—深溪锰矿成矿亚带位于遵义次级裂谷盆地的中心,成矿作用强烈,已发现有铜锣井、深溪、永安3个大型锰矿床。Ⅳ级断陷盆地的发育,控制了研究区内各个锰矿床的形成。研究区内同沉积断层发育,已辨别出的14条同沉积断层为深部含硅、锰质气液的上升通道,是遵义二叠系锰矿形成的关键。综上,遵义次级裂谷盆地的发育和演化,对该地区锰矿沉积具有重要的控制作用。该研究成果对寻找遵义锰矿隐伏矿床、指导整装勘查具有重要的意义。     

Tertiary paleomagnetic results and structural analysis from the Transdanubian Range (Hungary): rotational disintegration of the Alcapa unit

We carried out an integrated paleomagnetic and structural study in the Transdanubian Range, western and central Hungary. As a result, the Tertiary tectonic history of this area can be characterized by three events of counterclockwise (CCW) rotation and four or five phases of brittle deformation. The change of the orientation of stress axes between phases is mainly apparent and reflects the rotation of the faults predating a particular rotation event. The first two rotation events (R1 and R2) were probably governed by the rollback mechanism of the subducting European plate. We suggest that these rotations were taking place from 18–17 and 16–14.5 Ma, respectively, i.e. simultaneously with the rotations of the North Hungarian Paleogene Basin and the main part of the Western Carpathians. However, the angle of both rotations was less in the Transdanubian Range due to increasing distance from the subduction front. The differential rotation was accommodated by extensional faulting by formation of a graben system. On the other hand, the youngest rotation event R3 seems to be connected to the renewed rotation of the Adriatic plate around 5 Ma. Our combined data set strongly supports earlier conclusions, namely, that the different subunits of the Eastern Alpine–Western Carpathian–Northern Pannonian unit (Alcapa) did not form a rigid unit, although they moved in similar manner.     

阿尔泰造山带南缘和准噶尔板块北缘晚古生代构造演化及多金属成矿作用

研究表明,阿尔泰南缘和准噶尔北缘晚古生代大地构造演化及成矿作用均受古亚洲洋形成与演化的控制。晚古生代该地区经历了3个不同性质的构造演化阶段,同时伴有不同的多金属成矿作用。早泥盆世,由于古亚洲洋板块的俯冲,在阿尔泰南缘形成了一系列陆缘断陷盆地,并伴随以铅、锌、铜、铁多金属为主的矿化;同时,俯冲的古亚洲洋板块发生部分熔融,形成了埃达克岩及与其有关的铜矿床。随着板块俯冲的继续,中泥盆世出现了前弧盆地,并形成了铜-铅-锌多金属矿床。至石炭纪,西伯利亚板块与哈萨克斯坦-准噶尔板块发生碰撞,在额尔齐斯缝合带附近出现了由于挤压作用而形成的金矿床,同时,在缝合带北侧(阿尔泰地区),由于壳型花岗岩的广泛发育,形成了稀有金属矿床。早二叠世,在额尔齐斯缝合带附近又发生了碰撞后的板内拉张作用,从而诱发了一系列与地幔作用有关的岩浆活动,形成了以喀拉通克为代表的铜-镍矿化。因此,阿尔泰南缘和准噶尔北缘晚古生代多金属找矿远景区包括:阿勒泰南缘早泥盆世火山-沉积盆地内铅、锌、铜及铁多金属矿床和准噶尔北缘早泥盆世与埃达克岩有关的铜矿床;中泥盆世前弧盆地内的铜多金属矿床;石炭纪额尔齐斯缝合带内与碰撞有关的金矿床及稀有金属矿床;早二叠世与板内拉张有关的铜-镍多金属矿床。     

The evolution of the Porcupine and Rockall basins,offshore Ireland: the geological template for carbonate mound development

The margins of the deep-water sedimentary basins west of Ireland contain a number of large clusters (provinces) of spectacular carbonate mounds and build-ups. These basins have a complex development history involving the interplay of rift tectonics, thermal subsidence, igneous activity and oceanographic variations. The Porcupine and Rockall basins both rest upon thin continental crust, the consequence of major rift episodes in Permo-Triassic, Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous times. Phases of volcanism occurred in the Early Cretaceous and especially in the Early Cenozoic. Fluid flow within the basins is likely to have been controlled by the overall basin geometry and by the distribution and linkage of permeable strata with fault systems, stratal surfaces and unconformities. A number of regional unconformities, controlled by both basin tectonic and regional oceanographic effects, can be mapped and correlated throughout the Porcupine and Rockall basins. The youngest of these unconformities (C10: Early Pliocene) can be traced throughout much of the NW European Atlantic margin. It forms the horizon on which virtually all the carbonate mounds in the basins develop, suggesting a geologically instantaneous mound nucleation and growth event. Although the control on their development is uncertain, the mound clusters show a spatial association with lithified strata, buried contourite and deltaic deposits, slope failure features and with the basin margins. Analysis of these relationships points to a combination of geological and oceanographic processes controlling mound initiation and growth.     

Early Devonian synorogenic alluvial-fan deposits of the Maccullochs Range,western New South Wales

The Early Devonian, Maccullochs Range beds (new) of the Winduck Interval largely comprise non-marine fine-grained sheet-flood-deposited sandstones which lie in the southeast sector of the Darling Basin Conjugate Fault System. Deposition of the >2.5 km-thick sequence occurred on the Wilcannia, Towers and Coolabah Bore alluvial fans, that were sourced largely from lightly indurated sandstone caps overlying a large basement high lying north of the Darling River Lineament, and also from west of Maccullochs Range (Coolabah Bore Fan). Four lithofacies are recognised. Lithofacies 1, massive sandstone, is proximal and was deposited from hyperconcentrated sheet floods. The more distal lithofacies 2 is partly massive, partly laminated and partly affected by soft sediment slumping during its deposition. It contains 1.3 – 3.5 m-thick sheet-flood successions that rarely show cross-bedding. Lithofacies 3 and 4 are minor: lithofacies 3, stream-flood deposited, comprises coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone and lithofacies 4, transient playa lake deposits that are locally intercalated with lithofacies 2. In lithofacies 2, thick massive fine-grained sandstone is commonly overlain by laminated sandstone that was deformed when soft. Incised channel deposits in lithofacies 2 deposits are rare and palaeosols were not discovered. Permanency of the positions of two of the alluvial fans, and by inference their feeder streams, remained unchanged for ～9 million years. The fans overlie probable floodplain deposits observed in a quarry in the easternmost part of the study area. Marine fossils are very minor in the range—the brachiopod Howellella jaqueti at one locality indicates an Early Devonian age for one of the brief marine incursions into what was normally an alluvial-fan environment. Very brief marine incursions elsewhere in the group are deduced from the presence of very rare fossil gastropods.