Significance of indigenous Eocene larger foraminifera Discocyclina dispansa in Western Foothills,Central Taiwan: A Paleogene marine rift basin in Chinese continental margin

The Western Foothills of Taiwan was known to be composed of Late Oligocene to Pleistocene shallow marine strata continuously deposited on the stable passive Chinese continental margin without significant stratigraphic break. Here we present multiple micropaleontological evidences, including occurrence of larger foraminifera Discocyclina dispansa ex. interc. sella-dispansa and calcareous nannoplanktons, to show that there are Middle Eocene marine strata (first named as the Chungliao Formation) exposed in the Tsukeng anticline of the Western Foothills, central Taiwan. Occurrences of intact tests with thin delicate outer rims and well-preserved embryonic chambers suggest that the Discocyclina dispansa ex. interc. sella-dispansa (Lutetian to Bartonian in the Tethys region) are buried indigenously on shallow inner shelf during an episodic transgression in the Early Middle Eocene. The conclusion is consistent with a biostratigraphy study of calcareous nannoplanktons (Zones NP14–15) in the shale/sandstone alternations overlying the Discocyclina-bearing bed of the Chungliao Formation and calcareous nannofossils of Zone NP16 integrated with an age dating of 38.8 ± 1 Ma (Late Middle Eocene) on zircon grains of the overlying Pinglin Tuff. The Middle Eocene syn-rift sequences (Chungliao Formation and Pinglin Tuff) exposed along the Tsukeng anticline are unconformably covered by the latest Oligocene–Miocene post-rift sequence, a scenario similar to what have been drilled in the East China Sea-Taiwan Strait-South China Sea. This rift basin (named as the Nantou Basin) is sitting on the Peikang Basement High margin which further extends southwestward to the Central Uplift of the Pearl River Mouth Basin in the northern slope of the South China Sea. The present work documents a hitherto unknown occurrence of the exposed early Tertiary marine rift basin sequence in the Western Foothills of Taiwan. The study extends our knowledge of the Western Foothills geohistory from the Late Oligocene downward to the Early Middle Eocene. The occurrence of the Paleogene Nantou rift basin in the Western Foothills may also suggest that there could have similar Paleogene rift sequences exposed in other parts of the Taiwan mountain belt like the Hsüehshan Range and the Central Range east of the Western Foothills.     

Tufa as a record of perennial fresh water in a semi-arid rift basin, Kapthurin Formation, Kenya

Lithological and biological features of a fossiliferous tufa in the Kapthurin Formation, Baringo, Kenya, reveal the presence of a lush wetland in a semi-arid environment during the Middle Pleistocene ( ca 500 ka) in this portion of the East African Rift Valley. Four geological sections, each between 3 m and 8 m in thickness, exposed over a distance of 0·5 km, reveal a 1 to 2 m thick paludal tufa which is composed of three carbonate beds, two dark grey silty claystones and a reddish-brown silty palaeosol. High resolution stratigraphic analysis, carbonate petrography, stable isotope and elemental geochemistry, clay mineralogy and fossil remains (molluscs, ostracods, diatoms and charophytes) reveal a ground water-fed system that fluctuated in depth and periodically disappeared altogether. Oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O) of tufa matrix range from −4·5‰ to −8·0‰ (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) and become more positive up section, indicating the decreasing influence of fault-related fluids and increasing residence time or freshness of wetland water, rather than evaporative enrichment. This spring was situated on a lake margin during low lake levels, thrived during periods of increased ground water input and was ultimately replaced by an alkaline lake. The wetland would appear to have existed during a cool interval within the generally warm Marine Isotope Stage 13 or perhaps during the warm second half of Marine Isotope Stage 13. The ground water source of this wetland arose through a fault system. Thus, the position of the tufa deposit is controlled structurally but the timing and duration of the wetland system may have been influenced by both climatic and tectonic factors.     

西藏许如错地区古近纪盆地碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学充填记录分析

西藏许如错地区在国内鲜有学者研究,仅在少有的区域地质报告中出现。研究区内发育一套古近系碎屑岩沉积——日贡拉组,该地层在研究区局部具有一套火山岩夹层。文章通过对许如错地区古近系日贡拉组碎屑锆石的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年分析,结合周边盆地年龄结构及研究区沉积现象,进而追寻盆地沉积物物源和盆地充填记录。研究表明,日贡拉组为一套由粗变细最终又变粗的碎屑岩沉积夹少量火山岩,根据沉积原生构造和宏观剖面判断其主要是扇三角洲-浅湖相-扇三角洲的沉积环境;岩浆成因的碎屑锆石年龄峰值集中在127～134 Ma年龄段内,结合周缘年龄推断日贡拉组物源来自北—北西中部拉萨地块的早白垩世花岗岩。通过对研究区日贡拉组岩石组合、岩石地层序列、物源分析、沉积演化过程以及年代证据等方面的研究,发现日贡拉组的发育处于青藏高原俯冲碰撞隆升阶段和汇聚挤压隆升阶段。     

Delta-fed turbidites in a lacustrine rift basin: the Eocene Dongying depression,Bohai Bay Basin,East China

Sediment avalanche from delta ramp is one of the significant development mechanisms for a turbidite system in a lacustrine basin. To advance our understanding of deep-water sedimentary processes in a lacustrine delta ramp, delta-fed turbidites in the Eocene Dongying depression of the Bohai Bay Basin were studied using core data, 3-D seismic data and well log data. Sandy debris flows, muddy debris flows, mud flows, turbidity currents, slides, sandy slumps and muddy slumps were interpreted based on the identification of lithofacies. Data indicates that deep-water sedimentary processes in the study area were dominated by debris flows and slumps, which accounted for ～68% and 25% (in thickness) of total gravity flow deposits, respectively; turbidity-current deposits only accounted for ～5%. Mapping of turbidites showed that most were deposited after short-distance transportation (<20 km), restricted by the scale of deep-water areas and local topography. Channels, depositional lobes, debris flow tongues, muddy turbiditic sheets, slides and slumps were identified in a delta-fed ramp system. Slides and slumps were dominant at the base of slopes or at the hanging walls of growth faults with strong tectonic activity. Channels and depositional lobes developed in gentle, low-lying areas, where sediments were transported longer distances. Sand-rich sediment supply, short-distance transportation and local topography were crucial factors that controlled sedimentation of this ramp system. Channels generally lacked levees and only produced scattered sandstones because of possible hydroplaning of debris flow and unstable waterways. In addition to lobes, debris flow tongues could also be developed in front of channels. These findings have significant implications for hydrocarbon exploration of deep-water sandstone fed by deltas in a lacustrine basin.     

青藏高原羌塘盆地南部古近纪逆冲推覆构造系统

西藏羌塘地块南部古近纪发育肖茶卡-双湖逆冲推覆构造、多玛-其香错逆冲推覆构造、赛布错-扎加藏布逆冲推覆构造,构成古近纪大型逆冲推覆构造系统。沿逆冲推覆构造的前锋断层,二叠系白云岩与大理岩化灰岩、三叠系砂岩与页岩、侏罗系碎屑岩与碳酸盐岩和三叠纪—侏罗纪蛇绿岩自北向南逆冲推覆于古近纪红色砂砾岩之上,形成规模不等的构造岩片与飞来峰。羌塘盆地南部主要的逆冲断层和下伏的褶皱红层被中新世湖相沉积地层角度不整合覆盖,表明逆冲推覆构造运动自中新世以来基本停止活动。羌塘盆地南部古近纪逆冲推覆构造运动在近南北方向产生的最小位移为90km,指示新生代早期上地壳缩短率约为47%。古近纪逆冲推覆构造对羌塘盆地油气资源具有重要影响。     

青藏高原羌塘盆地南部古近纪逆冲推覆构造系统

西藏羌塘地块南部古近纪发育肖茶卡-双湖逆冲推覆构造、多玛-其香错逆冲推覆构造、赛布错-扎加藏布逆冲推覆构造,构成古近纪大型逆冲推覆构造系统。沿逆冲推覆构造的前锋断层,二叠系白云岩与大理岩化灰岩、三叠系砂岩与页岩、侏罗系碎屑岩与碳酸盐岩和三叠纪—侏罗纪蛇绿岩自北向南逆冲推覆于古近纪红色砂砾岩之上,形成规模不等的构造岩片与飞来峰。羌塘盆地南部主要的逆冲断层和下伏的褶皱红层被中新世湖相沉积地层角度不整合覆盖,表明逆冲推覆构造运动自中新世以来基本停止活动。羌塘盆地南部古近纪逆冲推覆构造运动在近南北方向产生的最小位移为90km,指示新生代早期上地壳缩短率约为47%。古近纪逆冲推覆构造对羌塘盆地油气资源具有重要影响。     

Depositional model for lacustrine nearshore subaqueous fans in a rift basin: The Eocene Shahejie Formation,Dongying Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China

The origin of the fourth member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation in the northern steep slopes of the Minfeng Sub‐sag, Dongying Sag, China, was investigated by integrating core studies and flume tank depositional simulations. A non‐channelized depositional model is proposed in this paper for nearshore subaqueous fans in steep fault‐controlled slopes of lacustrine rift basins. The deposits of nearshore subaqueous fans along the base of steep border‐fault slopes of rift basins are typically composed of deep‐water coarse‐grained sediment gravity‐flow deposits directly sourced from adjacent footwalls. Sedimentation processes of nearshore subaqueous fans respond to tectonic activities of boundary faults and to seasonal rainfall. During tectonically active stages, subaqueous debris flows triggered by episodic movements of border‐faults dominate the sedimentation. During tectonically quiescent stages, hyperpycnal flows generated by seasonal rainfall‐generated floods, normal discharges of mountain‐derived rivers and deep‐lacustrine suspension sedimentation are commonly present. The results of a series of flume tank depositional simulations show that the sediments deposited by subaqueous debris flows are wedge‐shaped and non‐channelized, whereas the sediments deposited by hyperpycnal flows generated by sporadic floods from seasonal rainfall are characterized by non‐channelized, coarse‐grained lobate depositional bodies which switch laterally because of compensation sedimentation of hyperpycanal flows. The hyperpycnal‐flow‐deposited non‐channelized lobate depositional bodies can be divided into a main body and lateral edges. The main body can be further subdivided into a proximal part, middle part and frontal part. Normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited sediments are characterized by thin‐bedded, fine‐grained sandstones and siltstones with a limited distribution range. Normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited sediments and deep‐lacustrine mudstones are commonly eroded in the area close to boundary faults. A nearshore subaqueous fan can be divided into three segments: inner fan, middle fan and outer fan. The inner fan is composed of debrites and the proximal part of the main body. The middle fan consists of the middle part of the main body and lateral edges, normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited fine‐grained sediments and deep‐lacustrine mudstones. The outer fan comprises the frontal part of the main body, lateral edges, and deep‐lacustrine mudstones. Based on the non‐channelized depositional model for nearshore subaqueous fans, criteria for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation are discussed and applied.     

台湾南投、台中地震速报技术研究

本文通过分析南投、台中地震的波形记录及各定位参数 ,总结出该地区的震相特征和各台的震级情况 ,结合地震速报的规程 ,提出了对这两个地区地震速报的建议。     

Formation and shortening deformation of a back-arc rift basin revealed by deep seismic profiling, central Japan

The northern Fossa Magna (NFM) basin is a Miocene rift system produced in the final stages of the opening of the Sea of Japan. It divides the major structure of Japan into two regions, with north-trending geological structures to the NE of the basin and EW trending structures to the west of the basin. The Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) bounds the western part of the northern Fossa Magna and forms an active fault system that displays one of the largest slip rates (4–9 mm/year) in the Japanese islands. Deep seismic reflection and refraction/wide-angle reflection profiling were undertaken in 2002 across the northern part of ISTL in order to delineate structures in the crust, and the deep geometry of the active fault systems. The seismic images are interpreted based on the pattern of reflectors, the surface geology and velocities derived from refraction analysis. The 68-km-long seismic section suggests that the Miocene NFM basin was formed by an east dipping normal fault with a shallow flat segment to 6 km depth and a deeper ramp penetrating to 15 km depth. This low-angle normal fault originated as a comparatively shallow brittle/ductile detachment in a high thermal regime present in the Miocene. The NFM basin was filled by a thick (>6 km) accumulation of sediments. Shortening since the late Neogene is accommodated along NS to NE–SE trending thrust faults that previously accommodated extension and produce fault-related folds on their hanging wall. Based on our balanced geologic cross-section, the total amount of Miocene extension is ca. 42 km and the total amount of late Neogene to Quaternary shortening is ca. 23 km.     

Thermal maturity of a fold–thrust belt based on vitrinite reflectance analysis in the Western Foothills complex, western Taiwan

Burial depth, cumulative displacement, and peak temperature of frictional heat of a fault system are estimated by thermal analysis in the fold–thrust belt of the Western Foothills complex, western Taiwan based on the vitrinite reflectance technique. The regional thermal structure across the complex reveals that the rocks were exposed to maximum temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 180 °C, which corresponds to a burial depth of 3.7–6.7 km. A large thermal difference of 90 °C were observed at the Shuilikeng fault which make the eastern boundary of the fold–thrust belt where it is in contact with metamorphic rock of Hsuehshan Range. The large thermal difference corresponds to cumulative displacements on the Shuilikeng fault estimated to be in the range of 5.2–6.9 km. However, thermal differences in across the Shuangtung and Chelungpu faults cannot be determined apparently due to small vertical offsets. The large displacement observed across the Shuilikeng fault is absent at the other faults which are interpreted to be younger faults within the piggyback thrust system. Localized high temperatures adjacent to fault zones were observed in core samples penetrating the Chelungpu fault. Three major fracture zones were observed at core lengths of 225 m, 330 m, and 405 m and the two lower zones which comprise dark gray narrow shear zones. A value of vitrinite reflectance of 1.8%, higher than the background value of 0.8%, is limited at a narrow shear zone of 1 cm thickness at the fracture zone at 330 m. The estimated peak temperature in the range of 550–680 °C in the shear zone is far higher than the background temperature of 130 °C, and it is interpreted as due to frictional heating during seismic faulting.     

Sedimentary aspects and paleoenvironmental evolution of a rift basin: Salta Group (Cretaceous–Paleogene), northwestern Argentina

The rift history of the Salta basin is related to the evolution of the Central Andes and to the activity of the Pacific margin, owing to its geographic location. Sedimentation occurred from the Neocomian to the Paleogene, with deposits reaching up to 5,000 m in thickness. Paleoenvironmental analysis reveals an evolutionary history controlled by tectonic and climatic changes. Isolated grabens characterized the early synrift stage; differential subsidence provoked distinct environments in the southern and northern subbasins. In the southern subbasins, alluvial-fan, fluvial-fan and lacustrine deposits prevail, whilst in the northern subbasins eolian and fluvial environments dominate. During the Maastrichtian, two major factors controlled the basin fill: the decrease in tectonic subsidence and a relative sea-level rise as recorded in South America. An extensive and shallow Atlantic marine ingression installed a carbonate system coincident with mainly humid conditions until the Danian. Until the Middle Eocene, the fluvial and lacustrine environmental evolution of the sag basin was controlled especially by the alternation of temperate with dry and humid periods. Paleontological records reflect these climatic changes and show their relationship to the sedimentation regime.     

西藏中部伦坡拉盆地古近系沉积有机质特征及意义

西藏中部班公湖-怒江缝合带之上发育一些新生代陆相沉积盆地.与西藏海相沉积盆地相比,这些陆相沉积盆地沉积有机质丰度高、类型好及热演化程度中等,具有很好的油气勘探前景.伦坡拉盆地是其中的代表并且是目前西藏唯一的获得工业油流的盆地.本文对伦坡拉盆地古近系丁青湖组与牛堡组实测剖面有机岩石学及有机地球化学分析研究表明:丁青湖组页岩沉积于半深湖-深湖环境,有机碳含量在2.84%～6.92%之间,有机质类型为Ⅰ型和Ⅱ1型,母质主要来源于藻类及少量高等植物的输入,有机质镜质组反射率(Ro)在0.46%～0.63%之间;牛堡组泥岩和页岩为滨浅湖相沉积,有机碳含量在0.25%～5.99%之间,有机质类型为Ⅰ型和Ⅱ 1型,母质主要来源于藻类及极少量高等植物的输入,镜质组反射率(Кo)在0.49%～0.66%之间;生物标志化合物组成分布特征显示丁青湖和牛堡组沉积于分层的水体且底部水体盐度较高.     

Biosedimentology of the Early Jurassic post-extinction carbonate depositional system, central High Atlas rift basin, Morocco

This study documents a Liassic example of the long‐ranging effects of mass extinction on carbonate systems. Biohistoric constraints inherent in the Liassic carbonate depositional system are deciphered from normal‐marine, sub‐tidal deposits of the central High Atlas rift basin (Morocco) through ?Hettangian/Sinemurian to Early Toarcian times. The integration of results from the analysis of lithofacies, depositional geometries, microfacies, macrobenthos, carbonate build‐ups, carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, and rare earth element + yttrium distribution patterns allows the intrinsic (or biohistoric) control on the central High Atlas deposits to be separated from extrinsic factors, such as basin development and palaeoclimate. The survival interval in the aftermath of the end‐Triassic mass extinction persisted until the Early Sinemurian indicated by a severely depleted carbonate system impoverished in skeletal organisms. A tectonic pulse at the Early to Late Sinemurian boundary interval caused a basin widening with immigration of a marine fauna. However, until the latest Sinemurian (macdonelli Subzone of the raricostatum Zone) the deposits were dominated by filter‐feeding benthic heterotrophs (sponges, brachiopods, polychaetes and crinoids). During this stage, primary production within the enlarged basin must have been largely planktonic and there was a net‐flux of organic matter to the sea floor (oxygen minimum zone). A regional radiation of organic‐walled phytoplankton is inferred to explain the selective success of the filter‐feeding community and the occurrence of sponge mounds. Thus, significant effects of the end‐Triassic mass extinction are still present during the Late Sinemurian. Through almost the entire Pliensbachian a highly productive, shoal‐rimmed carbonate platform existed; it developed subsequent to tectonic reorganization and a marine recirculation event (radiolarian facies, Δδ¹³C ≈ ?1·1, strongly negative Ce‐anomaly). Photosymbiotic sediment producers (mainly large bivalves) now state the success of specialists and environmental equilibrium conditions. In the latest Pliensbachian the climax stage was reached with the development of a coralgal reef‐rimmed carbonate platform. The Liassic carbonate depositional system experienced a terminal, multicausal Early Toarcian drowning event during which most of the large bivalves became extinct.     

陆相断陷湖盆陡坡断裂带沉积响应及充填过程——以东营断陷湖盆北部陡坡断裂带古近系为例

陆相断陷湖盆陡坡带同沉积断裂对沉积充填过程具有明显的控制作用。东营凹陷北部陡坡带在古近纪沉积期断裂活动明显,主要受两条主断裂带控制,陈南断裂控制盆地演化,胜北断裂控制沉积体系的发育;碎屑物质主要来源于陈家庄凸起、滨县凸起和青坨子凸起;受断裂构造背景及物源控制,北部陡坡断裂带主要由冲积扇、扇三角洲、近岸水下扇、三角洲、滑塌浊积扇等5种沉积类型充填;时间和空间上,陡坡断裂带具有冲积扇→近岸水下扇→扇三角洲→近源滑塌浊积扇→湖泊的典型时空演化和充填模式;陡坡断裂带砂砾岩体由于具有物性好、近油源、构造活动强烈等特点,是油气聚集的有利场所。     

High grade metamorphism of sedimentary rocks during Palaeozoic rift basin formation in central Australia

Exhumation of middle and lower crustal rocks during the 450–320 Ma intraplate Alice Springs Orogeny in central Australia provides an opportunity to examine the deep burial of sedimentary successions leading to regional high-grade metamorphism. SIMS zircon U–Pb geochronology shows that high-grade metasedimentary units recording lower crustal pressures share a depositional history with unmetamorphosed sedimentary successions in surrounding sedimentary basins. These surrounding basins constitute parts of a large and formerly contiguous intraplate basin that covered much of Neoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic Australia. Within the highly metamorphosed Harts Range Group, metamorphic zircon growth at 480–460 Ma records mid-to-lower crustal (~ 0.9–1.0 GPa) metamorphism. Similarities in detrital zircon age spectra between the Harts Range Group and Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian sequences in the surrounding Amadeus and Georgina basins imply that the Harts Range Group is a highly metamorphosed equivalent of the same successions. Maximum depositional ages for parts of the Harts Range Group are as low as ~ 520–500 Ma indicating that burial to depths approaching 30 km occurred ~ 20–40 Ma after deposition. Palaeogeographic reconstructions based on well-preserved sedimentary records indicate that throughout the Cambro–Ordovician central Australia was covered by a shallow, gently subsiding epicratonic marine basin, and provide a context for the deep burial of the Harts Range Group. Sedimentation and burial coincided with voluminous mafic magmatism that is absent from the surrounding unmetamorphosed basinal successions, suggesting that the Harts Range Group accumulated in a localised sub-basin associated with sufficient lithospheric extension to generate mantle partial melting. The presently preserved axial extent of this sub-basin is > 200 km. Its width has been modified by subsequent shortening associated with the Alice Springs Orogeny, but must have been > 80 km. Seismic reflection data suggest that the Harts Range Group is preserved within an inverted crustal-scale half graben structure, lending further support to the notion that it accumulated in a discrete sub-basin. Based on palaeogeographic constraints we suggest that burial of the Harts Range Group to lower crustal depths occurred primarily via sediment loading in an exceptionally deep Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician intraplate rift basin. High-temperature Ordovician deformation within the Harts Range Group formed a regional low angle foliation associated with ongoing mafic magmatism that was coeval with deepening of the overlying marine basin, suggesting that metamorphism of the Harts Range Group was associated with ongoing extension. The resulting lower crustal metamorphic terrain is therefore interpreted to represent high-temperature deformation in the lower levels of a deep sedimentary basin during continued basin development. If this model is correct, it indicates that regional-scale moderate- to high-pressure metamorphism of supracrustal rocks need not necessarily reflect compressional thickening of the crust, an assumption commonly made in studies of many metamorphic terrains that lack a palaeogeographic context.     

Climate‐modulated sequence development in a tropical rift basin during the Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene super greenhouse Earth

Sequence developments in rift basins are considered to be influenced largely by tectonics and to a lesser extent by eustatic sea‐level and climate. Studies indicate that in passive margin basins, climate can mask the effects of tectonics and eustasy by modulating the sediment supply. It is, however, less understood how the sedimentary sequence in rift basins might respond to strong climatic fluctuations where tectonic pulses generate rapid accommodation space. Here a case study has been provided to assess the effect of climate vis à vis sea‐level and tectonics on sequence development in the Cambay rift basin, western India, during the Early Palaeogene (Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene) super greenhouse globe. Facies analysis of this shale–lignite sequence suggests deposition in a lagoon/bay, developed over the Deccan Trap basement. Detailed sequence stratigraphic analysis using basin‐wide representative composite sections, marker lignite seam, event bed and high‐resolution carbon isotope (δ¹³C) chemostratigraphy suggest an overall transgressive motif. Among the three prominent Early Eocene eustatic highstands, only the one at ca 53·7 Ma is expressed by the thickest coal accumulation throughout the basin. Expression of the other sequence stratigraphic surfaces is subdued and can be due to the overall finer grain size of the sediment or local variation in the subsidence rate at different fault‐controlled mini‐basins. Enigmatic presence of a maximum flooding surface coinciding with the 53·7 Ma climate event (Eocene Thermal Maximum 2), manifested by negative carbon isotope excursion, indicates possible influence of climate over and above tectonics in developing the rift sequence. Qualitative rainfall variation assessed using the magnitude of the carbon isotope excursion and pollen abundance show that a relatively dry/low precipitation climatic phase during the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 hindered the siliclastic supply to the basin. Thus, it has been inferred that climate‐induced high siliciclastic supply possibly enhanced the autocyclic reorganization and hindered the development of the key sequence stratigraphic surfaces across the basin during climate extremes.     

Source-controlled carbonates in a small Eocene half-graben lake basin (Shulu Sag) in central Hebei Province, North China

Carbonate deposits, which unconformably overlie the Palaeozoic bedrocks, extensively occur in the base of the Tertiary lake succession in the half‐graben Shulu Sag, central Hebei Province, North China. This study focuses on the basal carbonate successions on the hinged western slope. Based on seismic, borehole and core data, nine facies are identified in the carbonate successions, and are further grouped into five facies associations: mid‐proximal alluvial fan, distal alluvial fan, fan fringe, moderately deep lake and deep lake. The first two facies associations constitute alluvial fans formed by debrisflows at the edge of lake and are dominated by mounded‐ to lobate‐shaped, matrix‐ to clast‐supported carbonate rudstones with minor calcretes in the lowermost rudstone units and basinward increase in interfingering with lacustrine carbonate facies. The fan fringe, moderately deep lake and deep lake associations are dominated by pebbly carbonate arenites (or rare carbonate arenites), calcisiltite‐calcilutites, and varve‐like calcilutites, calcareous shales and oil shales, respectively. Widespread occurrences of fine‐grained limestone packages containing varve‐like organic‐rich laminations, minor authigenic glauconite and pyrite, and planktonic and plant fossils suggest a meromictic, anoxic deep lake under a semi‐humid to humid climate, probably with a connection to marine basins. Similarities in lithology and fossil assemblages (e.g. trilobites) of lithoclasts with those of the Mid‐Upper Cambro‐Ordovician bedrock carbonates suggest that the clastic and dissolved carbonate loads were sourced from this Lower Palaeozoic catchment, and shed off the surrounding highlands into the basin. These carbonate facies associations represent the lake lowstand and transgressive deposits of the basal third‐order sequence (Ia) in which the highstand deposits are composed of lacustrine siliciclastics. During the lake lowstand stage (or initiation of basin‐filling) under an intermediate climate, carbonate alluvial fans occurred mostly subaerially at the bottom of the hinged slope with a narrow, shallow lake zone basinwards, and locally were perched within the palaeovalley on the mid‐upper slope. During the transgressive (deepening) stage under a semi‐humid to humid climate, carbonate alluvial fans became smaller in size and episodically stepped backwards upon the slope, with greatly expanded and deepened lake. Nevertheless, the carbonate system was switched to an exclusively siliciclastic system during the highstand stage. The exhumation and erosion of the Mid‐Lower Cambrian bedrock dominated by siliciclastics was probably the cause due to further uplift of the drainage basin. All these facts indicate that the carbonate deposition in the Shulu Sag was mostly controlled by the interactions of tectonics, climate and provenance.     

Pyrolytic and spectroscopic studies of Eocene resin from Vastan lignite Mine,Cambay basin,Western India

The molecular structure of an Eocene fossil resin (Vastan, Cambay basin, Western India) has been investigated with complimentary spectroscopic techniques. The FTIR spectrum shows strong aliphatic CH _x (3000–2800 and 1460–1450 cm⁻¹) and CH₃ (1377 cm⁻¹) absorptions and less intense aromatic C=C (1560–1610 cm⁻¹) absorptions. The major products from analytical pyrolysis are cadalene based bicyclic sesquiterpenoids including some bicadinenes and bicadinanes. The polycadinane products confirm the fossil material as an Angiosperm dammar resin, associated with inputs of tropical rain forests supported by past climates.     

Hydrogeomorphology of the central Luni basin,Western Rajasthan, (India)

This paper examines the interrelationships and interactions of the geomorphic features and the various hydrological parameters which control the development of water potential zones in the central Luni basin. Aerial photo-interpretation techniques were used to delineate the boundaries of geomorphological features, and facilitated the identification of twelve types of aquifers in eight geomorphological settings. The water potentials of these aquifers have been evaluated by taking into consideration nine important hydrological parameters which together govern water quality and yield. This investigation has revealed that the development of zones of ground-water potential is principally governed by the geomorphic characteristics of the terrain, which in turn is controlled by lithological variability, geological structure, drainage pattern, climatic characteristics, etc. The relevance of geomorphic characteristics has been evaluated by weight point analysis. Based on these findings, it is suggested that detailed studies of geomorphic features are of paramount significance for the rapid delineation of possible ground-water potential zones in arid and semi-arid regions.     

A proto-monsoonal climate in the late Eocene of Southeast Asia: Evidence from a sedimentary record in central Myanmar

The Burma Terrane has yielded some of the earliest pieces of evidence for monsoonal rainfall in the Bay of Bengal. However, Burmese ecosystems and their potential monsoonal imprint remain poorly studied. This study focuses on the late Eocene Yaw Formation (23° N) in central Myanmar, which was located near the equator (c. 5° N) during the Eocene. We quantitatively assessed the past vegetation, climate, and depositional environments with sporomorph diagrams, bioclimatic analysis, and sequence biostratigraphy. We calculated the palynological diversity and drew inferences with rarefaction analysis by comparing with four other middle to late Eocene tropical palynofloras. Palynological results highlight a high floristic diversity for the palynoflora throughout the section formed by six pollen zones characterized by different vegetation. They indicate that lowland evergreen forests and swamps dominated in the Eocene Burmese deltaic plains while terra firma areas were occupied by seasonal evergreen, seasonally dry, and deciduous forests. This vegetation pattern is typical to what is found around the Bay of Bengal today and supports a monsoon-like climate at the time of the Yaw Formation. Bioclimatic analysis further suggests that in the late Eocene, the Yaw Formation was more seasonal, drier, and cooler compared to modern-day climate at similar near-equatorial latitude. More seasonal and drier conditions can be explained by a well-marked seasonal migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), driver of proto-monsoonal rainfall. Cooler temperatures in the late Eocene of central Myanmar may be due to the lack of adequate modern analogues for the Eocene monsoonal climate, while those found at other three Eocene Asian paleobotanical sites (India and South China) may be caused by the effect of canopy evapotranspirational cooling. Our data suggest that paleoenvironmental change including two transgressive–regressive depositional sequences is controlled by global sea level change, which may be driven by climate change and tectonics. The high diversity of the Yaw Formation palynoflora, despite well-marked seasonality, is explained by its crossroads location for plant dispersals between India and Asia.