Erosion and uplift uncertainties in the Barents Sea, Norway

Three different types of methods are used to assess the ability to determine erosion amounts and to provide estimates of uncertainty. In the situation of dynamical indicator methods, such as seismic velocity, sonic logs, density logs, or drilling exponent methods, intrinsic assumptions and parameter values used provide only a broad statement on the resolution of uplift/erosion events. None of the methods is more accurate, at best, to better than ± 1 km and likely much worse. For geological model procedures, exemplified by considerations of Airy isostasy and by bed upturning near a salt dome in the Nordkapp Basin of the Barents Sea, the uncertainties are again of the order of ± 500–1000 m. With thermal indicator procedures, the bulk of the constraint information from available data is needed to determine paleoheat flux with little left over to constrain the erosion, implying a minimum uncertainty of ± 500 m on erosion determinations. No method seems capable of resolving erosional events to better than a minimum uncertainty of ± 500 m, and likely no better than ± 1 km.     

南巴伦支海磁场异常及其与海底地质结构的对比(英文)

对1986—2001年间巴伦支海南部海洋磁力测量的数据处理结果进行了研究。南巴伦支海底的地磁测量揭示出其复杂多期的地质构造结构,其中以两期分离型的构造为主导:(1)具NW走向的里菲-文德期继承性裂谷构造;(2)NE向转换叠加断层正交系统。晚泥盆世碱性侵入体及其相关的金属矿化作用恰位于这些构造系统的交点上。     

Cenozoic erosion and the preglacial uplift of the Svalbard–Barents Sea region

The creation of the huge fans observed in the western Barents Sea margin can only be explained by assuming extremely high glacial erosion rates in the Barents Sea area. Glacial processes capable of producing such high erosion rates have been proposed, but require the largest part of the preglacial Barents Sea to be subaerial. To investigate the validity of these proposals we have attempted to reconstruct the western preglacial Barents Sea. Our approach was to combine erosion maps based on prepublished data into a single mean valued erosion map covering the whole western Barents Sea and consequently use it together with a simple Airy isostatic model to obtain a first rough estimate of the preglacial topography and bathymetry of the western Barents Sea margin. The mean valued erosion map presented herein is in good volumetric agreement with the sediments deposited in the western Barents Sea margin areas, and as a direct consequence of the averaging procedures employed in its construction we can safely assume that it is the most reliable erosion map based on the available information. By comparing the preglacial sequences with the glacial sequences in the fans we have concluded that 1/2 to 2/3 of the total Cenozoic erosion was glacial in origin and therefore a rough reconstruction of the preglacial relief of the western Barents Sea could be obtained. The results show a subaerial preglacial Barents Sea. Thus, during interglacials and interstadials the area may have been partly glaciated and intensively eroded up to 1 mm/y, while during relatively brief periods of peak glaciation with grounded ice extending to the shelf edge, sediments have been evacuated and deposited at the margins at high rates. The interplay between erosion and uplift represents a typical chicken and egg problem; initial uplift is followed by intensive glacial erosion, compensated by isostatic uplift, which in turn leads to the maintenance of an elevated, and glaciated, terrain. The information we have on the initial tectonic uplift suggests that the most likely mechanism to cause an uplift of the dimensions and magnitude of the one observed in the Barents Sea is a thermal mechanism.     

南海东北陆坡断裂特征及其对盆地演化的控制作用

南海东北陆坡断裂发育,主要有北东、北西、近南北和近东西向的4组断裂,按性质分则有张性、压性和走滑等。主干基底断裂有F1、F2、F3、F4、F5、F6、F7、F8、F9、F10等,这些断裂规模较大并决定了珠江口盆地白云凹陷、尖峰北盆地、笔架盆地和台西南盆地发育和演化。受主干断裂的控制,尖峰北盆地经历了断陷、坳陷、区域沉降3期演化,发育两套构造层;而笔架盆地则经历了渐新世断陷、渐新世末—中中新世坳陷和晚中新世—全新世构造反转3期演化,发育两套构造层。     

A possible Caledonide arm through the Barents Sea imaged by OBS data

The assembly of the crystalline basement of the western Barents Sea is related to the Caledonian orogeny during the Silurian. However, the development southeast of Svalbard is not well understood, as conventional seismic reflection data does not provide reliable mapping below the Permian sequence. A wide-angle seismic survey from 1998, conducted with ocean bottom seismometers in the northwestern Barents Sea, provides data that enables the identification and mapping of the depths to crystalline basement and Moho by ray tracing and inversion. The four profiles modeled show pre-Permian basins and highs with a configuration distinct from later Mesozoic structural elements. Several strong reflections from within the crystalline crust indicate an inhomogeneous basement terrain. Refractions from the top of the basement together with reflections from the Moho constrain the basement velocity to increase from 6.3 km s⁻¹ at the top to 6.6 km s⁻¹ at the base of the crust. On two profiles, the Moho deepens locally into root structures, which are associated with high top mantle velocities of 8.5 km s⁻¹. Combined P- and S-wave data indicate a mixed sand/clay/carbonate lithology for the sedimentary section, and a predominantly felsic to intermediate crystalline crust. In general, the top basement and Moho surfaces exhibit poor correlation with the observed gravity field, and the gravity models required high-density bodies in the basement and upper mantle to account for the positive gravity anomalies in the area. Comparisons with the Ural suture zone suggest that the Barents Sea data may be interpreted in terms of a proto-Caledonian subduction zone dipping to the southeast, with a crustal root representing remnant of the continental collision, and high mantle velocities and densities representing eclogitized oceanic crust. High-density bodies within the crystalline crust may be accreted island arc or oceanic terrain. The mapped trend of the suture resembles a previously published model of the Caledonian orogeny. This model postulates a separate branch extending into central parts of the Barents Sea coupled with the northerly trending Svalbard Caledonides, and a microcontinent consisting of Svalbard and northern parts of the Barents Sea independent of Laurentia and Baltica at the time. Later, compressional faulting within the suture zone apparently formed the Sentralbanken High.     

东海盆地中、新生代盆架结构与构造演化

基于地貌、钻井、岩石测年和地震等资料,分析盆地地层分布、盆架结构、构造单元划分和裂陷迁移规律,结果表明东海盆地由台北坳陷、舟山隆起、浙东坳陷、钓鱼岛隆褶带和冲绳坳陷构成,是以新生代沉积为主、中生代沉积为辅的大型中、新生代叠合含油气盆地;古元古代变质岩系构成了盆地的基底。该盆地不仅是印度-太平洋前后相继的动力体系作用下形成的西太平洋沟-弧-盆构造体系域一部分,而且也是古亚洲洋动力体系作用下形成的古亚洲洋构造域和特提斯洋动力体系作用下形成的特提斯洋构造域一部分,晚侏罗世至早白垩世经历了构造体制转换,盆地格局发生重大变革,早白垩世以前主要受古亚洲-特提斯洋构造体制影响的强烈挤压造山和地壳增厚作用演变为早白垩世以来主要受太平洋构造体制控制的陆缘伸展裂陷和岩石圈减薄作用,经历侏罗纪古亚洲-特提斯构造体制大陆边缘拗陷和白垩纪以来太平洋构造体制弧后裂陷两大演化阶段。白垩纪以来太平洋构造体制的弧后裂陷演化阶段可细分为早白垩世至始新世裂陷期、渐新世至晚中新世拗陷期和中新世末至全新世裂陷期。     

Propagation of the Storegga tsunami into ice‐free lakes along the southern shores of the Barents Sea

Deposits in coastal lakes in northernmost Norway reveal that the Storegga tsunami propagated well into the Barents Sea ca. 8100–8200 years ago. A tsunami deposit – found in cores from five coastal lakes located near the North Cape in Finnmark – rests on an erosional unconformity and consists of graded sand layers and re‐deposited organic remains. Rip‐up clasts of lake mud, peat and soil suggest strong erosion of the lake floor and neighbouring land. Inundation reached at least 500 m inland and minimum vertical run‐up has been reconstructed to 3–4 m. In this part of the Arctic coastal lakes are usually covered by >1 m of solid lake ice in winter. The significant erosion and deposition of rip‐up clasts indicate that the lakes were ice free and that the ground was probably not frozen. We suggest that the Storegga slide and ensuing tsunami happened sometime in the summer season, between April and October. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A large methane plume east of Bear Island (Barents Sea): implications for the marine methane cycle

A pockmark field extending over 35 km² at 74°54N, 27°3E, described by Solheim and Elverhøi (1993), was re-surveyed and found to be covered with more than 30 steep-sided craters between 300 and 700 m in diameter and up to 28 m deep. The craters are thought to have been formed by an explosive gas eruption. Anomalously high concentrations of methane in the shelf waters around the craters suggest that a strong methane source near this area is still active today. Methane enrichment more than 10 km away from the crater field indicates the large dimensions of a plume and the amount of gas released from sources below the seafloor of the Barents Sea shelf. From the characteristic vertical decrease of methane towards the sea surface, it is concluded that biota are extensively using this energy pool and reducing the methane concentration within the water column by about 98% between 300 m depth and the sea surface. Degassing to the atmosphere is minimal based on the shape of the methane concentration gradient. Nevertheless, the net flux of methane from this area of the Barents Sea is about 2.9 × 10⁴ g CH₄ km^–2 yr^–1 and thus in the upper range of the presently estimated global marine methane release. This flux is a minimum estimate and is likely to increase seasonally when rough weather leads to more effective vertical mixing during autumn and winter. The amount of methane consumed in the water column, however, is about 50 times greater and hence should significantly contribute to the marine carbon inventory.     

南海南部海域主要沉积盆地构造演化特征

南海南部海域主要沉积盆地沿南沙块体南部、西部两条不同的边界分布，其成盆时代、盆地类型、盆地演化历史以及油气资源效应都有较大的差异，它们的发生发展均与南海的两次海底扩张有关；构造演化具有明显的阶段性，早期均与区域拉张作用有关，都经历了中中新世末期的变形、改造和随后的区域沉降过程，并受到礼乐运动、西卫运动和南沙运动的影响。万安、曾母和北康盆地是南海南部海域具有代表性的新生代沉积盆地，分属于不同的盆地类型。万安盆地是叠置在较薄地壳和高热流值背景之上的一个新生代走滑拉张盆地，经历了三个构造演化阶段。曾母盆地是南沙块体向南俯冲与婆罗洲块体发生软碰撞而形成的一个周缘前陆盆地，经历了四个不同的构造演化阶段。北康盆地是在南沙块体上于白垩纪末一第三纪早期由于地壳拉伸、裂陷而形成的一个陆缘张裂盆地，经历了三个构造演化阶段。     

东地中海原型盆地演化

东地中海经历了伸展-聚敛的构造演化旋回,聚集了丰富的油气资源。基于2D地震、ODP Leg160、IHS及Tellus商业数据库和公开发表的文献资料,本文在建立东地中海及周缘构造-地层格架的基础上,恢复了东地中海12个关键地质历史时期的原型盆地,并以板块构造为切入点探讨了盆地演化机制。东地中海及周缘上三叠统以来地层可划分为新特提斯被动大陆边缘陆地及浅水区、新特提斯被动大陆边缘深水区和塞浦路斯弧前褶皱区3个地层分区,前两个地层分区均发育一套裂谷-被动大陆边缘层系,但是二者的岩相特征和不整合发育有明显的差异,而塞浦路斯弧前褶皱区发育一套大洋盆地-弧前盆地层系。研究认为东地中海经历了二叠纪—早侏罗世裂解期、中侏罗世巴柔期—晚白垩世土伦期漂移期和晚白垩世森诺期以来的汇聚改造期3个原型阶段,其中汇聚改造期又可细分为晚白垩世森诺期“双俯冲带”消减期、古近纪北部俯冲-碰撞期、中新世塞浦路斯岛弧带南侧俯冲-碰撞与黎凡特边缘活化期和中新世梅西期以来“弧-山碰撞”与“走滑逃逸”期4个阶段。东地中海盆地演化受控于图哈罗德-安纳托利亚板块以及凯里尼亚、特罗多斯和埃拉托色尼等微板块与冈瓦纳大陆北缘的分离、向北的漂移和与欧亚大陆汇聚拼贴的板块构造活动。     

Paleoenvironments Recorded in a New-Type Ferromanganese Crust from the East Philippine Sea

INTRODUCTIONHydrogenetic marine ferromanganese crusts havereceived much attention over the past several dec-ades ,not only as potential mineral resources enrichedin Mn,Co ,Cu, Ni ,and Pt ( Manhei m,1986) but al-so as potential paleoceanographic records during theirgrowth ( Banakar et al ., 2003 ; Mc Murtry et al .,1994 ; Hein et al .,1992) .Former research has demonstrated that varia-tions in the chemical composition of seamount ferro-manganese crusts canreflect theinfluence of changin…     

东菲律宾海新型富铁锰结壳的古海洋环境记录

尝试恢复东菲律宾海新型深水水成富铁锰结壳典型样品生长过程中所记录的古海洋环境.通过对其微间距取样样品的地球化学和铀系年代学综合研究, 得到了该结壳的3个主要生长阶段及其对应的古海洋环境.第一阶段为晚中新世晚期-早上新世的结壳快速生长期, 壳层结构疏松并含有较多的火山碎屑物质, 对应着中中新世初期-上新世早期的南极底流活跃和降温; 第二阶段为早、中上新世的结壳生长间断期, 形成深海粘土沉积, 表明此时南极底流的减弱和升温; 第三阶段为中上新世以来的结壳缓慢生长期, 指示着南极底流的再次活跃和强降温, 其强度和范围均超过第一阶段, 更利于致密和高纯壳层的发育.研究区的这段古海洋学历史在以往研究中一直不甚明了.      

The glacier-fed fan at the mouth of Storfjorden trough,western Barents Sea: a comparative study

The Middle and Late Pleistocene succession on the glacier-fed fan at the mouth of Storfjorden trough was studied using high-resolution seismic data. Seven glacial advances to the shelf break during Middle and Late Pleistocene resulted in episodic high sediment input to the fan with real sedimentation rates of up to 172 cm/1000 years, separated by sediment-starved interstadials and interglacials. On the upper fan the high sediment input resulted in frequent slides and slumps, generating debris flows which dominate the mid-fan strata. Compared with the larger neighbouring Bear Island trough mouth fan, the Storfjorden trough mouth fan has a steeper fan gradient, narrower, thinner and shorter debris flow deposits and lower frequency of large scale sliding. Glacier-fed submarine fans receive their main sediment input from a glacier margin at the shelf break, as opposed to river-fed fans where sediment input occurs through a channel-levee complex. As a result, the depocentre of a river-fed fan is found on the mid-fan and the upper slope is mainly an area of sediment bypass, whereas the glacier-fed fan has an elongated depocentre across the uppermost fan. The river-fed fans are dominated by deposition from turbidity currents, whereas glacier-fed fans are dominated by debris flow deposits.     

西巴伦支海盆地含油气系统分析与资源评价

北极西巴伦支海盆地是全球最具勘探潜力的含油气盆地之一。基于IHS数据库最新资料,分析了该盆地油气地质特征,揭示了盆地油气分布特征,划分了含油气系统和成藏组合,评估了盆地资源潜力,并优选了有利勘探区带。研究表明,区域上西巴伦支海盆地已发现油气藏主要分布于盆地的西南部;层系上油气主要富集于侏罗系和三叠系储层,其已发现控制和探明(2P)可采储量分别占盆地总2P可采储量的72.6%和15.5%。盆地内主要发育2个已知的含油气系统,分别为侏罗系/三叠系复合含油气系统和二叠系/石炭系复合含油气系统。蒙特卡洛模拟评估出西巴伦支海盆地石油、天然气和凝析油待发现可采资源量(均值)分别为487.4×106 t、1375.6×109 m3和84.6×106 t,折合成油当量为1681.9×106 t,其中天然气占66.0%。综合资源评价结果和油气成藏条件地质分析优选出2个有利勘探区带,分别是盆地南部的侏罗系成藏组合有利勘探区带和三叠系成藏组合有利勘探区带。     

Flow behaviour of the submarine glacigenic debris flows on the Bear Island Trough Mouth Fan, western Barents Sea

Using 3·5 kHz high-resolution seismic data, gravity cores and side-scan sonar imagery, the flow behaviour of submarine, glacigenic debris flows on the Bear Island Trough Mouth Fan, western Barents Sea was studied. During their downslope movement, the sediments within the uppermost part of the debris flows (<3 m) are inferred to have been deformed as a result of the shear stress at the debris–water interface. Thus, the uppermost part of the flow did not move downslope as a rigid plug. If present, a rigid part of the flow was located at least some metres below the surface. At c . 1000 to at least 1600 m water depth, the debris flows eroded and probably incorporated substrate debris. Further downslope, the debris flows moved passively over substrate sediments. The hypothesis of hydroplaning of the debris flow front may explain why the debris flows moved across the lower fan without affecting the underlying sediments. Detailed morphological information from the surface of one of the debris flow deposits reveals arcuate ridges. These features were probably formed by flow surge. Hydroplaning of the debris flow front may also explain the formation of flow surge. The long runout distance of some of the large debris flows could be due to accretion of material to the base of the debris flow, thereby increasing in volume during flow, and/or to hydroplaning suppressing deceleration of the flow.     

Progradational and backstepping shoreface deposits in the Ladinian to Early Norian Snadd Formation of the Barents Sea

Shoreface sandstone deposits within the Early Carnian part of the Snadd Formation of the Norwegian Barents Sea can be traced for hundreds of kilometres in the depositional strike direction and for tens of kilometres in the depositional‐dip direction. This study uses three‐dimensional seismic attribute mapping and two‐dimensional regional seismic profiles to visualize the seismic facies of these shoreface deposits and to map their internal stratigraphic architecture at a regional scale. The shoreface deposits are generally elongate but show variable width from north‐east to south‐west, which corresponds to a sediment source in the northern part of the basin and a southward decrease in longshore sediment transport. The Snadd Formation presents an example of how large‐scale progradational shoreface deposits develop. The linear nature of its shoreface deposits contrasts with more irregular, cuspate wave‐dominated deltaic shorelines that contain river outlets, and instead implies longshore drift as the main sediment source. In map view, discrete sets of linear features bounded by truncation surfaces scale directly to beach ridge sets in modern counterparts. The shoreface deposits studied here are characteristic in terms of scale and basin‐wide continuity, and offer insight into the contrast between shallow marine deposition under stable Triassic Greenhouse and fluctuating Holocene Icehouse climates. Findings presented herein are also important for hydrocarbon exploration in the Barents Sea, because they describe a hitherto poorly understood reservoir play in the Triassic interval, wherein the most prominent reservoir plays have so far been considered to be found in channelized deposits in net‐progradational delta‐plain strata that form the topsets to shelf‐edge clinoforms. The documented presence of widespread wave‐dominated shoreface deposits also has implications for how the relative importance of different sedimentary processes is considered within the basin during this period.     

Sedimentary filling characteristics of the South China Sea oceanic basin,with links to tectonic activity during and after seafloor spreading

ABSTRACT

Based on approximately 11,000 km of seismic reflection data collected across the South China Sea oceanic basin, we describe the sedimentary filling characteristics of the basin since its Oligocene opening, as well as connections between this history and contemporaneous regional tectonic events. The seismic lines are spaced ~50 km apart, and the data are tied to International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 349 drilling data. Basin filling occurred in three phases, with basin-wide mean sedimentation rates increasing through time. During the Oligocene to middle Miocene, sediments accumulated primarily in the northern East and Northwest Sub-basins, with a mean basin-wide sedimentation rate of 8 m/m.y. The presence of these deposits over deep basement floor indicates that seafloor spreading initiated in these northern regions. During the late Miocene, deposition occurred primarily in the Northwest Sub-basin and partly in the southern East Sub-basin, with a mean basin-wide sedimentation rate of 30 m/m.y. Basin filling during this time seems to have been linked to slip reversal of the Red River Fault and collision of the North Palawan Block with the Luzon Arc. During the Pliocene and Pleistocene, sediments accumulated rapidly in the northeastern and southern East Sub-basin and the Southwest Sub-basin. The mean basin-wide sedimentation rate was 70 m/m.y. Basin filling during this phase seems to have been associated with the Taiwan and North Palawan collisions, SCS subduction along the Manila Trench, and Tibetan Plateau uplift. Gravity flow deposits predominate throughout the basin fill.     

川东北前陆盆地上三叠统沉积相及沉积演化

在对川东北前陆盆地上三叠统须家河组露头剖面野外实测和钻井等资料综合研究的基础上,对该区上三叠统须家河组层序及沉积相类型、沉积特征进行了详细的研究。结果表明:研究区内主要发育冲积扇、辫状河、曲流河、扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲、曲流河三角洲、湖泊、海相三角洲等八种主要的沉积相类型。古地理演化经历了由海相环境-海陆过渡相环境-陆相环境的转变。反映了川东北前陆盆地晚三叠世须家河期盆-山耦合过程及其沉积响应。须一段(即小塘子期)发育时期,受印支期构造运动的影响,本区大部分隆升成陆,仅在研究区北西部广元、剑阁等地发育海相三角洲相沉积。须二段发育时期,米仓山-大巴山构造山系的逆冲推覆构造作用较为强烈,川东北前陆盆地坳陷幅度加大,沉积物供给充分,沿米仓山-大巴山前缘地带主要发育辫状河三角洲沉积,而盆地西南部主要发育浅湖沉积。在须三段发育时期,米仓山-大巴山构造山系构造活动逐渐减弱,处于低幅稳定隆升状态,碎屑物供给量减少,沿米仓山-大巴山前缘地带主要发育辫状河三角洲沉积;从盆地前缘地带向中心地带则主要发育浅湖沉积。须四-须六段发育时期,米仓山-大巴山开始进入强烈逆冲推覆和构造隆升阶段,川东北前陆盆地坳陷幅度急剧加大,碎屑物供给量骤然增多,从盆地前缘地带向中心地带主要发育冲积扇-扇三角洲-辫状河三角洲、曲流河、曲流河三角洲相到浅湖相沉积。     

渤海湾盆地海域片麻岩潜山风化壳型储层特征及发育模式

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