Development of carbonate platforms on an extensional (rifted) margin: the Valanginian–Albian record of the Prebetic of Alicante (SE Spain)

Within the upper Valanginian to upper Albian deposits of the easternmost part of the Prebetic Zone of the Betic Cordillera (Iberian Peninsula), seven lithostratigraphic formations made up of shallow-water carbonate and carbonate-siliciclastic sediments and of outer-platform hemipelagic sediments have been recognized. These formations were deposited in the most distal part of a platform that developed on the Southern Iberian Continental Palaeomargin. The geodynamic context was a margin affected by extensional or transtensional faults that produced tilted blocks. The interval studied records three major second-order transgressive-regressive facies cycles: (I) A late Valanginian to earliest Aptian cycle, mostly represented by hemipelagic and condensed sedimentation, with the development of a tectonically controlled high without sedimentation that separated two sectors with different sedimentary evolution and that ended with an episode of shallow-water carbonate platform development; (II) An earliest to latest Aptian cycle, with a transgressive phase represented by a retrogradational shallow-water carbonate platform capped by a drowning event leading to hemipelagic sedimentation, which was affected by an anoxic event (OAE 1a); the regressive phase is represented by progradation and aggradation of shallow-water carbonate deposits. Finally (III) a latest Aptian to early-late Albian cycle that records the expansion of mixed platform deposits in the entire area, ending with a phase of shallow-water carbonate platform development. Extensional tectonics leading to spatial and temporal changes in subsidence patterns is envisaged as the main control on sedimentation at a local scale, resulting in notable lateral changes in thickness as the main signature. Tectonics exerted a strong control on the distribution of sedimentary environments only during Cycle I. At a higher order, sea-level fluctuations are responsible for sequential organization, and environmental factors determined shallow-water carbonate platform development and demise, as well as oceanic anoxic events. The relevant continuity of the stratigraphic record in the distal part of the Prebetic platform has led to the recognition of events related to cycle boundaries, which result mainly from a combination of tectonics and sea-level changes.     

The Shah Kuh Formation,a latest Barremian – Early Aptian carbonate platform of Central Iran (Khur area,Yazd Block)

The Shah Kuh Formation of the Khur area (Central Iran) consists of predominantly micritic, thick-bedded shallow-water carbonates, which are rich in orbitolinid foraminifera and rudists. It represents a late(est) Barremian – Early Aptian carbonate platform and overlies Upper Jurassic – Barremian continental and marginal marine sediments (Chah Palang and Noqreh formations); it is overlain by basinal deposits of the Upper Aptian – Upper Albian Bazyab Formation. The lithofacies changes at both, the base and top of the Shah Kuh Formation are gradational, showing that the formation is part of an overall transgressive sedimentary megacycle, and that the formational boundaries are potentially diachronous on larger distances. Analyses of facies and stratal geometries suggest that the Shah Kuh carbonate system started as a narrow, high-energy shelf that developed into a large-scale, flat-topped rudist platform without marginal rim or steep slope. The Shah Kuh Platform is part of a large depositional system of epeiric shallow-water carbonates that characterized large parts of present-day Iran during Late Barremian – Aptian times (“Orbitolina limestones” of NW and Central Iran, the Alborz and the Koppeh Dagh). Their biofacies is very similar to contemporaneous deposits from the western Tethys and eastern Arabia, and they form an important, hitherto poorly known component of the Tethyan warm-water carbonate platform belt.     

Stratigraphic framework and calcareous nannofossil productivity of the Essaouira-Agadir Basin (Morocco) during the Aptian–Early Albian: Comparison with the north-Tethyan margin

In the southern Tethyan margin, the Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB), south of Morocco, exhibits well-exposed and fossiliferous sections of Aptian–Albian age. Biostratigraphy by ammonoids and sedimentological analysis have been realized for five sections located along an E-W transect in the EAB. The studied successions were dated from the latest Early Aptian to the Early Albian and are characterized by five major sedimentary discontinuities defining at least four main sedimentary sequences. The Late Aptian–Early Albian succession can be considered a gently westward-dipping ramp, marked by a deepening upward evolution. A quantitative study of calcareous nannofossils and calcium carbonate content has been performed on three of these sections. At this time, the EAB was located in the tropical-equatorial hot arid belt. The decrease in both calcium carbonate content and Nannoconus abundances at the Aptian–Albian transition could be the result of cooler climatic conditions recognized in the EAB, and/or of the associated increasing terrigenous input and nutrients, which hindered carbonate production. In the EAB, the nannofossil productivity is higher below the deposition of dark levels, which are coeval with the Niveau Paquier, recognized as the expression in southern France of the OAE 1b (Early Albian). During the Early Albian, the EAB was characterized by nannofossil fluxes two times lower than the upwelling-influenced Mazagan Plateau (southern Tethyan margin) and eight times lower than the Vocontian Basin (northern Tethyan margin). These results show that, with respect to the northern Tethyan margin, trophic conditions in sea surface waters of the pelagic realm of the southern Tethyan margin were lower. Comparable results obtained by Heldt et al. in the neritic realm of the southern Tethyan margin have been ascribed to more arid climatic conditions.     

Lower Cantabrian basin margin deposits in NE Leon, Spain—a model for valley-fill sedimentation in a tectonically active, humid climatic setting

Basal Stephanian deposits of early Cantabrian age infill a deeply incised fossil topography at the western edge of the post-Leonian basin of NE Leon. Seven low sinuosity palaeovalleys, trending NNW–SSE range in depth of incision from 25 to 450 m. The fill is composed of: (i) Red bed succession: a proximal alluvial valley-fill association of debris flow and stream deposits in which seven mesosequences and two fining upwards megasequences are recognized on the basis of maximum clast sizes. (ii) Grey bed succession: two megasequences are distinguished. The lower megasequence comprises distal alluvial valley-fill deposits (sheet sandstone, lacustrine, swamp deposits). The upper megasequence comprises a mid-fan association of debris flow and interlobe/floodplain deposits. The palaeovalleys are considered in the context of previously described palaeovalleys and fill. These are categorized according to the degree of tectonic control and climatic setting. The lower Cantabrian examples may serve as a model for valley-fill sedimentation in a tectonically active area and a humid climatic setting.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian to Albian) Adriatic-Dinaridic carbonate platform deposits in Istria, Croatia

The Adriatic-Dinaridic carbonate platform (ADCP) was one of the largest and relatively well preserved Mesozoic platforms in the Mediterranean region (central Tethys). The peninsula Istria, in the northwestern part of the ADCP, is built up predominantly of shallow-water carbonates of the Middle Jurassic (Dogger) to Eocene age and, to a lesser extent, of Paleogene clastic deposits (flysch and calcareous breccia). This study focuses on a Lower Cretaceous (Barremian to Albian) succession of strata at five localities in western Istria. Stratigraphic determinations are based on identification of nine microfossil assemblages (benthic foraminifera and calcareous algae Dasycladales) and on using their taxa as index fossils. The age of strata with these microfossil assemblages, however, is questionable. Most of the age uncertainties are associated with a regional emersion, which occurred on the ADCP during the Aptian or close to the Aptian-Albian transition. It is unclear what portions of the Upper Aptian and/or Lower Albian are missing along this unconformity. A stable isotope study was conducted on homogenous micritic matrix samples in an attempt to resolve some of these uncertainties. Variations in carbon isotope compositions proved useful for stratigraphic correlation between the examined successions of strata, for improving their age determination, and for relating them to other coeval successions that span an important time interval of major oceanographic changes and carbon-cycle perturbations associated with the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 1a).     

Tithonian–Early Valanginian evolution of deposition along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America recorded in Guaniguanico successions (western Cuba)

In the Guaniguanico Mountains of western Cuba, the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous limestones occur in three stratigraphic successions, which have accumulated along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America. The Late Jurassic subsidence and shallow-water carbonate deposition of the Guaniguanico successions have no counterpart on the northeastern Maya block, but some distant similarities with the southeastern Gulf of Mexico may exist. Four facies types have been distinguished in the Tithonian–Lower Valanginian deposits of the Guaniguanico tectonic units. Drowning of the Late Jurassic carbonate bank of the Sierra de los Organos occurred at the Kimmeridgian/Tithonian boundary. During this boundary interval, sedimentation in the west Cuban area and southwestern margin of the Maya block (Mexico) has evolved in a similar way in response to a major second-order transgression.The Lower Tithonian ammonite assemblages of the Guaniguanico successions indicate, in general, the neritic zone. Presence of juvenile gastropods and lack of adult specimens suggest unfavorable environment for these molluscs, probably related to low oxygenation levels. The Early Tithonian transgressive phase terminated about the lower boundary of the Chitinoidella Zone. The Late Tithonian “regressive” phase is weakly marked, whereas the latest Tithonian–earliest Berriasian strata were deposited during a deepening phase. The latter transgressive phase has ended in the Late Berriasian Oblonga Subzone. We correlate the bioturbated pelagic biomicrites of the Tumbitas Member of the Guasasa Formation with a significant fall of the sea level during the latest Berriasian–Early Valanginian. The average sedimentation rate for the Tumbitas Member biomicrites was about three times faster than for the Berriasian Tumbadero Member limestones. Sedimentation rates for the Tumbitas Member and the Valanginian limestones at the DSDP Site 535 in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico were similar. In the Los Organos succession, the Late Valanginian transgressive interval is associated with radiolarian limestones and black chert interbeds in the lower part of the Pons Formation. In the Southern Rosario succession, the pelagic limestones pass into the radiolarian cherts of the Santa Teresa Formation indicating a proximity of CCD during Late Valanginian–Hauterivian times.     

The Upper Aptian to Lower Albian syn-rift carbonate succession of the southern Maestrat Basin (Spain): Facies architecture and fault-controlled stratabound dolostones

Syn-rift shallow-marine carbonates of Late Aptian to Early Albian age in the southern Maestrat Basin (E Spain) register the thickest Aptian sedimentary record of the basin, and one of the most complete carbonate successions of this age reported in the northern Tethyan margin. The host limestones (Benassal Formation) are partially replaced by dolostones providing a new case study of fault-controlled hydrothermal dolomitization. The syn-rift sediments filled a graben controlled by normal basement faults. The Benassal Fm was deposited in a carbonate ramp with scarce siliciclastic input. The lithofacies are mainly characterized by the presence of orbitolinid foraminifera, corals and rudist bivalves fauna. The succession is stacked in three transgressive–regressive sequences (T–R) bounded by surfaces with sequence stratigraphic significance. The third sequence, which is reported for the first time in the basin, is formed by fully marine lithofacies of Albian age and represents the marine equivalent to the continental deposits of the Escucha Fm in the rest of the basin.The dolomitization of the host rock is spatially associated with the basement faults, and thus is fault-controlled. The dolostone forms seismic-scale stratabound tabular geobodies that extend several kilometres away from the fault zones, mostly in the hanging wall blocks, and host Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) deposits. The dolostones preferentially replaced middle to inner ramp grain-dominated facies from the third T–R sequences consisting of bioclastic packestones and peloidal grainstones. Field and petrology data indicate that the replacement took place after early calcite cementation and compaction, most likely during the Late Cretaceous post-rift stage of the basin. The dolostone registers the typical hydrothermal paragenesis constituted by the host limestone replacement, dolomite cementation and sulfide MVT mineralization. The Aptian succession studied provides a stratigraphic framework that can be used for oil exploration in age-equivalent rocks, especially in the València Trough, offshore Spain. Moreover, this new case study constitutes a world class outcrop analogue for similar partially stratabound, dolomitized limestone reservoirs worldwide.     

Stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Sediments from the Carpathian Bend Area, Romania

The Lower Cretaceous sediments of the Ceahl?u Nappe (from the bend region of the Romanian Carpathians) were investigated from lithological and micropaleontological (calcareous nannoplankton) points of view. Our investigations revealed that the studied deposits were sedimented within the latest Tithonian-Albian interval. The calcareous nannofossil assemblages of the turbidite calcareous successions (the Sinaia Formation) were assigned to the NJK-?NC5 calcareous nannofossil zones, which cover the Late Tithonian-Early Barremian interval. The sandy-shaly turbidites, which followed the calcareous turbidites of the Sinaia Formation, are Early Barremian-Early Albian in age (interval covered by the ?NC5-NC8 calcareous nannofossil zones). Because the studied deposited are mainly turbidites, many reworked nannofossils from older deposits are present in the calcareous nannofloras. Thus, some biozones (i.e., NC5), defined based on the last occurrences of nannofossils, could not be identified. The calcareous nannofossil assemblages are composed of Tethyan taxa (which dominate the nannofloras) and cosmopolitan taxa. During two intervals (the Late Valanginian and across the Barremian/Aptian boundary), Tethyan and cosmopolitan nannofossils, together with Boreal ones, were observed. This type of mixed calcareous nannoplankton assemblage is indicative for sea-level high-stand, which allows the nannofloral exchange between the Tethyan and Boreal realms, within the two-above mentioned intervals.     

Sedimentary Features and Implications for the Precambrian Non-stromatolitic Carbonate Succession: A Case Study of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou Section in Yanqing County of Beijing

In the long Precambrian period, stromatolitic carbonate successions were very common. However, the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession that is marked by subtidal deposits shows a sharp contrast to the stromatolitic carbonate succession. Both the non-stromatolitic and the stromatolitic carbonate successions are important clues for the further understanding of the evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section in northwestern suburb of Beijing is a set of more than 1000 m-thick carbonate strata that can be divided into four members （or subformations）, in which a non-stromatolitic carbonate succession marked by the scarcity of stromatolites makes up the third member of the formation. This non-stromatolitic carbonate succession can further be subdivided into three third-order sequences that are marked by the regular succession of sedimentary facies. In third-order sequences, a lot of subtidal carbonate meter-scale cycles made up of medium-bedded leiolite limestones and thin-bedded marls constitute their transgressive system tracts （TSTs） and the early high-stand system tracts （EHSTs）, a lot of meter- scale cycles made up by thin-bedded limestones and marls constitute their condensed sections （CSs）, and thick-bedded to massive dolomitic limestones or lime dolomites make up the late high-stand system tracts （LHSTs）. The particularly non-stromatolitic carbonate succession making up the third member of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section might be the representative of the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession of the Precambrian because of its special lithological features and particular sedimentary structures, and its general sedimentary features are helpful and meaningful for the further understanding of the evolution rules of the sophisticate and evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The time scale of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation is deduced as that from 1600 Ma to 1400 Ma; thus, the non-stromatolitic     

New biostratigraphic data from the Cretaceous Bolinxiala Formation in Zanda, southwestern Tibet of China, and their paleogeographic and paleoceanographic implications

Planktonic foraminiferal fossil assemblages identified from the Bolinxiala Formation in Bolin, Zanda, southwestern Tibet of China, determine its age from latest Albian to Maastrichtian. The fossil contents of the Bolinxiala Formation allow its correlation with successions across a platform-to-basin transect of the Late Cretaceous Tethyan Himalaya passive margin. The ocean anoxic event at the Cenomanian–Turonian transition (OAE2) is located at the Whiteinella archaeocretacaea biozone in Zanda, but lithologically it is characterized by grey and bioturbated limestone, implying that during the OAE2 the shallow-water environments of the Tethyan Himalayan carbonate platform remained oxic. Paleogeographic reconstruction indicates that the Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs) in southern Tibet are restricted to the slope and basinal environments but they are entirely missing in the shelf environments. This phenomenon suggests the formation of CORBs by oxidation of Fe(II)-enriched anoxic deep ocean seawater at the chemocline that separated the oxic surface ocean from anoxic deep ocean. For depositional environments above the chemocline, no CORBs would be expected. Because of the chemocline instability across different sedimentary basins, CORBs may be significantly diachronous, consistent with the occurrence of CORBs documented from global sedimentary basins.     

Carbon and oxygen-isotope stratigraphy of the Early Cretaceous carbonate platform of Pădurea Craiului (Apuseni Mountains,Romania): A chemostratigraphic correlation and paleoenvironmental tool

Stable C and O isotope records were obtained from carbonate rocks spanning the Hauterivian to Cenomanian interval collected in several sections from the carbonate platform of Pădurea Craiului (Apuseni Mountains, Romania). In the absence of some key biostratigraphic marker species, stable isotopes were applied as a tool for stratigraphic correlation and dating. The composite δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O curves for the Early Cretaceous shows variable conditions with large positive and negative excursions and provide information on past environmental changes. The Hauterivian and the Barremian limestones (Blid Formation) display lower δ¹³C values (−2.8‰ to +2.9‰) relative to the Aptian–Albian deposits (−2.6‰ to +5.4‰) (Ecleja, Valea Măgurii and Vârciorog Formations). The red detrital formation (Albian–Cenomanian) is characterized by a highly variable distribution of the δ¹³C values (−3.5‰ to +3.9‰). Based on the similarities between the C-isotope curve established in Pădurea Craiului and from other sections in the Tethyan and the Pacific regions, two major oceanic anoxic events characterized by δ¹³C positive excursions were clearly recognized. The first is the OAE1a event (Early Aptian) in the upper part of the Ecleja Formation and the Valea Măgurii Formation. The second is the OAE1b event (Late Aptian–Albian) in the upper part of the Vârciorog Formation and in the Subpiatră Member. The position of the Aptian/Albian boundary is estimated to be at the upper part of the Vârciorog Formation, immediately after the beginning of the δ¹³C positive excursion. The δ¹³C data show major negative excursions during the Barremian (Blid Formation), Early Aptian (Ecleja Formation), and Late Aptian (Vârciorog Formation). The O isotope variation pattern (−10.2‰ to −2.1‰) is consistent with progressively warming temperatures during the Early Barremian followed by a cooling period. A subsequent warming period culminated in the Early Aptian. A significant cooling phase corresponds to the Late Aptian and Early Albian and the climate cooled again during the Late Albian and into the Early Cenomanian stage. The data provide a better understanding of the Early Cretaceous sedimentation cycles in Pădurea Craiului and create a more reliable framework for regional correlations.     

中元古界非叠层石灰岩中的MISS:以北京延庆千沟剖面高于庄组第三段为例

前寒武纪碳酸盐岩多以叠层石碳酸盐岩序列为特征。燕山地区中元古界高于庄组,其中的第三段(张家裕亚组)则为一个以灰岩为主、贫乏叠层石的碳酸盐岩沉积序列,该序列被定义为前寒武纪非叠层石碳酸盐岩序列。该非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,尤其以燕山西部的延庆千沟剖面最为典型。根据沉积相序列及其所反映的旋回性,可以将该剖面的高于庄组第三段划分为3个三级层序。在这些三级层序的海侵体系域和早期高水位体系域中,中薄层隐晶质泥晶灰岩(均一石灰岩)和灰黑色薄层泥灰岩组成若干潮下型米级旋回;而在隐晶质泥晶灰岩层面上,普遍发育各种奇形怪状的沉积构造。这些沉积构造包括穹窿状构造、规则网状和杂乱的帐篷脊、变余波痕等,构成一个潮下相灰岩层面上的特别的微生物形成的沉积构造(Microbial Induced Sedimentary Structure,MISS)组合。因此,延庆千沟剖面的高于庄组第三段,特别的岩石类型和沉积构造成为前寒武纪碳酸盐岩沉积中非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列的典型代表,尤其是那些奇形怪状的MISS所代表的沉积学特点表明:在前寒武纪,即使在叠层石生长的黄金时段,也发育非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列。因此,这些现象将特别有助于对前寒武纪非叠层石生态系所造成的另一类席底生境的深入理解,也有助于复杂多变的碳酸盐岩世界。     

北京延庆千沟中元古代高于庄组第三段:一个典型的前寒武纪非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列

在前寒武纪碳酸盐岩中,最为普遍的是叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,而以潮下相沉积为主的非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列与前者形成了较大的差异;因此,与叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列一样,非叠层石序列成为了解前寒武纪复杂多变的碳酸盐世界的重要线索。燕山地区中元古代高于庄组为一套厚度千余米的碳酸盐沉积序列,包括四大部分:第一段（或称为官地亚组）为发育在海侵砂岩上的叠层石白云岩地层;第二段（或称为桑树鞍亚组）为发育少量叠层石的含锰白云岩地层;第三段又称为张家峪亚组,为一套以发育灰岩为主的非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列;第四段以叠层石岩礁和叠层石礁白云岩为特征。延庆千沟剖面的高于庄组第三段的非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,贫乏叠层石是其基本特点,包含3个三级层序,在三级层序的海侵体系域和早期高水位体系域中,层面上发育席底构造的中层均一石灰岩（隐藻泥晶灰岩）和灰黑色薄层泥灰岩组成若干潮下型米级旋回,晚期高水位体系域则以厚层块状纹理石灰质白云岩和白云质灰岩为特征;三级层序的凝缩段单元则以薄层泥灰岩和泥页岩构成的L-M型米级旋回为特征。因此,每一个三级层序均以一个有序的沉积相序列为特征。高于庄组的分布时限大致为200 Ma（1 600～1 400 Ma）,考虑到下伏的大红峪组和高于庄组之间的地层间断时限大致为50 Ma至100 Ma,所以推断高于庄组的堆积作用时限为100 Ma（1 500～1 400 Ma）左右,其中高于庄组第一段与第二段的分界线正好处于该组的中部而可以推断该界线的大致为1 450 Ma左右;因此,高于庄组第三段非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列的发育表明,在1 450 Ma左右可能发生过一次可以与前寒武纪其他已经被识别出的三次叠层石衰减事件（2 000 Ma、1 000 Ma和675 Ma）相比拟的又一次叠层石衰减事件。延庆千沟剖面高于庄组第三段的非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,可以大致与北美地区的起始时限为1 450 Ma左右、Belt超群中的Helena组非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列相对比,表明了1 450 Ma左右的叠层石衰减事件具有全球性,从而赋予高于庄组第三段非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列重要的沉积学意义。延庆千沟剖面高于庄组第三段非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,特别的岩石类型和沉积构造,成为前寒武纪碳酸盐岩沉积中非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列的典型代表,由其所代表的沉积学特点将有助于深入理解漫长的前寒武纪碳酸盐沉积作用的变化规律而具有重要意义。     

Contribution to the geology of Ataq area,Shabwah Province,southeastern central Yemen

The Pan-African (Neoproterozoic) low-grade ophiolitic fragment occurring to the south of Ataq City, Shabwah Province, southeastern central part of Yemen is positioned tectonically between the underlying Pre-Pan-African syntectonic granite infrastructure and the overlying Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary successions. It is incomplete and differentiated in the field into (a) NW plunging nappes, namely a lower metagabbro nappe, and (b) the upper metavolcanic nappe. The sedimentary successions separated from each other by eastward dipping normal faults. These successions can be subdivided into three main rock units: Amran, Tawilah, and Hadramawt groups. The Amran Group is represented in the study area by Shuqra and Madbi formations. The Shuqra Formation consists mainly of highly fossiliferous carbonate facies yielding several terebratulids and rhynchonellids. It belongs to the Toracian–Oxfordian (or probably extend to Early Kimmeridgian) age. The Madbi Formation consists of sand–marl intercalations of Kimmeridgian–Early Tithonian age. The Tawilah Group is mainly composed of variegated unfossiliferous continental sandstones with few siltstone intercalations, and on the basis of its stratigraphic position, it is dated as Cretaceous (probably Early Cretaceous). The Hadramawt Group in the study area is represented by Umm er Radhuma Formation, which is widely distributed in the Arabian Gulf countries.     

Coastal sediments from the Algarve: low-latitude climate archive for the Aptian-Albian

The Late Aptian to Early Albian transition has previously been identified as a possible example of substantial climate cooling within the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse period. To study the response of continental weathering and terrestrial vegetation to this cooling episode at low- to mid-latitudes, marine nearshore deposits from the Algarve Basin (SW Portugal) have been investigated with a combined approach including palynology, clay mineralogy and bulk-rock geochemistry. In the Lower Aptian part of the succession, quartz-rich sandstone facies is accompanied by high abundances of early diagenetic kaolinite, which is interpreted to reflect episodes of enhanced humidity and high meteoric flow-through. In contrast, the Late Aptian to Early Albian deposits are characterized by high abundances of detrital clay minerals (mica and chlorite) indicating the dominance of physical weathering processes in the source area, most probably related to low precipitation rates in conjunction with tectonically enhanced erosion. Palynological data show a strong dominance of Classopollis pollen associated with low pteridophyte spore abundances, suggesting warm semi-arid to arid palaeoenvironments. Changes in sedimentation patterns from varicoloured lagoonal marls to thick-bedded shallow-water carbonates are neither expressed in the spore-pollen assemblages nor in the distributions of clay minerals which both remain essentially stable throughout the Late Aptian to Early Albian. These relatively stable patterns are in contrast with various lines of evidence, predominantly from high-latitude areas, that suggest a significant cooling during this time interval. Our study demonstrates that terrestrial environments of low- to mid-latitude regions were not significantly affected by the Late Aptian - Early Albian “cold snap”.     

Neptunian dykes along a drowned carbonate platform margin: an indication for recurrent extensional tectonic activity?

Three successive Mesozoic neptunian dyke generations and related unconformities suggest recurrent extensional fracturing and periods of relative sea-level rise along the NW Trento Plateau margin in the Southern Alps, Italy. The first neptunian dyke generation was induced by NNW–SSE directed extension of Early Jurassic skeletal oolitic periplatform deposits generating micritic early Middle Liassic neptunian dykes with orthogonal orientation. The second generation of neptunian dykes was possibly caused by marginal extension at the drowned platform edge penetrating Late Jurassic, red pelagic limestones with a pelagic matrix of Albian/Cenomanian age and nearly orthogonal fracture orientation. The third generation of neptunian dykes occurred after a prolonged period of submarine exposure and erosion (Aptian/Albian to Late Maastrichtian) during the rapid burial of the submarine Trento Plateau margin relief. The Late Maastrichtian neptunian dykes were caused by extension of Early to Middle Jurassic oolitic periplatform limestones along steep (inclination > 10°) submarine slopes. Generally successive neptunian dyke generations along drowned carbonate platform margins could be caused by repeated extensional brittle fracturing of lithified periplatform deposits and the filling of micritic matrix derived from overlying pelagic sediment sequences under substantial hydrostatic pressure. This would suggest that recurrent extensional fracturing is continuously recorded by neptunian dyke formation which could be used to indicate extensional tectonic activity at a foundering deep-marine carbonate platform edge.     

The structure and formation conditions of the upper Jurassic succession in the area of Mount Pakhkal-Kaya (Crimea)

It has been found that the section in Mount Pakhkal-Kaya consists of three structural units separated by almost bedding-plane faults presumably arranged in a normal stratigraphic succession: conglomerate succession (I, ?J₃ox (Oxfordian)), carbonate succession (II, ?J₃km(Kimmeridgian)-tt(Tithonian)), and a conglomerate-breccia unit) (III, J3km-tt). Each of these successions corresponds to a certain stage of basin evolution, viz., formation of a Gilbert-type delta and the accumulation of a carbonate platform rimmed with a shoal and destruction of the platform margin during its periodic exposures.     

扬子板块埃迪卡拉系(震旦系)陡山沱组层序地层划分与对比

在对扬子板块埃迪卡拉系陡山沱组不同相区的25条代表性剖面野外研究基础上,通过沉积岩石学和岩相序列特征的系统分析,认为陡山沱组沉积时期曾发生3次二级海平面升降事件。依据3个海平面升降转换面,可识别出3个层序底界面:(1)陡山沱组底部与下伏南华系南沱组及其同期层位的冰碛杂砾岩之间的界面;(2)在浅水沉积区陡山沱组中部和上部分别出现喀斯特侵蚀面;(3)在深水沉积区相应层序界面为岩相结构转换面。依据火山灰锆石U-Pb同位素年龄,可将陡山沱组层序地层划分为2个半二级层序或超层序(SS1,SS2和SS3-TST),其中SS1时限为35Ma(635~600Ma),SS2时限为35Ma(600~565Ma),SS3-TST时限为14Ma(565~551Ma)。陡山沱组底部广泛发育的盖帽白云岩底和3个层序内的最大海泛面可以作为4个相对等时面,结合事件沉积标志层,可建立扬子板块陡山沱组从浅水沉积区至深水沉积区等时性二级层序地层划分对比格架。研究结果表明,三峡地区陡山沱组四段式划分方案不适用于整个扬子板块内陡山沱组的区域地层划分和对比。因而,建议扬子板块陡山沱组应该以二级层序地层为基础,结合化学地层和生物地层进行综合划分和对比。陡山沱组新的地层划分对比格架为研究陡山沱组古地理演变和编制该时期高精度的岩相古地理图奠定了基础。     

Nature and significance of the Neoproterozoic Sturtian–Marinoan Boundary,Northern Adelaide Geosyncline,South Australia

The Cryogenian succession of the Northern Flinders Ranges reveals a complex sedimentary record between the Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits. A major unconformity separates the Sturtian and Marinoan-aged sedimentary successions in the area. This forms a subaerial erosion surface with terrestrial and marginal marine infill directly above the Angepena and Balcanoona Formations in their respective localities. This exposure surface is here correlated with the previously documented submarine unconformity between the Yankaninna Formation and the underlying deep marine Tapley Hill Formation. This erosional event provides a chronostratigraphic marker horizon that coincides approximately with thepreviously defined Sturtian–Marinoan Time Series boundary in the Northern Flinders Ranges. These stratigraphic relationships also constrain lateral facies relationships between the Oodnaminta ReefComplex (Balcanoona Formation) and the Angepena Formation. Similarly, the shallow-water Weetootla Dolomite is correlated with the deeper water carbonates of the Yankaninna Formation.