The Early to Middle Pleistocene boundary in the Baza Basin (Spain)

The continental vertebrate fauna of Cúllar Baza-1 (Granada, Spain) occur immediately above the Matuyama/Brunhes polarity boundary, and therefore represent an initial record for the Middle Pleistocene. All polarity zones for the Late Pliocene through Middle Pleistocene are found in an 80 m section, which includes this fossil quarry. The existing collection of abundant remains of micro-mammals, macro-mammals and lithic artifacts (indicating human activity) can now be assigned an earliest Middle Pleistocene age of 0.75 Ma. Another section, 25 km across the Neogene Baza Basin, also has the Matuyama/Brunhes polarity boundary. However, in this case the Huéscar-1 fossil quarry and the Puerto Lobo sites are both below the polarity boundary, thus representing a record of the late Early Pleistocene at ∼0.9 Ma. Differences in micro-mammal species across these Matuyama/Brunhes boundaries are significant and justify an approximately coincident biostratigraphic boundary between the Biharian and Toringian stages.     

On the limits of using combined U-series/ESR method to date fossil teeth from two Early Pleistocene archaeological sites of the Orce area (Guadix-Baza basin,Spain)

The combined U-series/electron spin resonance (ESR) dating method was applied to nine teeth from two Early Pleistocene archaeological sites located in the Orce area (Guadix-Baza Basin, Southern Spain): Fuente Nueva-3 (FN-3) and Barranco León (BL). The combination of biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy places both sites between the Olduvai and Jaramillo subchrons (1.78–1.07 Ma).Our results highlight the difficulty of dating such old sites and point out the limits of the combined U-series/ESR dating method based on the US model. We identified several sources of uncertainties that may lead to inaccurate age estimates. Seven samples could not be dated because the dental tissues had (²³⁰Th/²³⁴U) activity ratios higher than equilibrium, indicating that uranium had probably leached from these tissues. It was however possible to calculate numerical estimates for two of the teeth, both from FN-3. One yielded a Middle Pleistocene age that seems to be strongly underestimated; the other provided an age of 1.19 ± 0.21 Ma, in agreement with data obtained from independent methods. The latter result gives encouragement that there are samples that can be used for routine dating of old sites.     

The challenge of dating early pleistocene fossil teeth by the combined uranium series–electron spin resonance method: the Venta Micena palaeontological site (Orce,Spain)

The palaeontological site of Venta Micena (Orce, Andalusia, Spain) lies in the eastern sector of the Guadix–Baza basin, one of the best documented areas in Europe for Plio‐Pleistocene biostratigraphy. The combination of biochronological and palaeomagnetic results, combined with the radiometric data obtained for Atapuerca Sima del Elefante, indicated that the Venta Micena stratum was formed between the Jaramillo and Olduvai palaeomagnetic events, most likely between 1.22 and 1.77 Ma. Five fossil teeth from two outcrops (sites A and B) were selected to assess the potential of combined uranium series–electron spin resonance (US‐ESR) dating of Early Pleistocene sites. Although the US‐ESR results of the first outcrop showed a large scatter between the three teeth, the mean age of 1.37 ± 0.24 Ma can be considered a reasonable age estimate for Venta Micena. The mean ESR age of 0.62 ± 0.03 Ma obtained for site B seems to be a severe underestimation when compared with the independent age control. This underestimation is attributed to a relative recent U‐mobilization event that led to some U‐leaching. The results show that any ESR age calculations of old samples are extremely sensitive to variations in the measured ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ratios in dental tissues. Although the results demonstrate that ESR can in principle be applied to Early Pleistocene sites, they also reveal the complexity of dating such old teeth. It is necessary to continue research in several directions, such as study of the behaviour of ESR signals in old teeth and understanding recent U‐mobilization processes, to improve the reliability of the combined US‐ESR dating method applied to Early Pleistocene times, a period for which the number of available numerical dating techniques is very limited. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Malacological and palynological evidence of the Lower Pleistocene cold phase at the Carpathian Foothills (Southern Poland)

Early Pleistocene sediments bearing gastropod shells and pollen flora were found during coring at Jawornik (South Poland) at a depth interval of 54.30–39.00 m, beneath the oldest till of the Carpathians. Thirteen land-snail taxa identified in 55 samples of the core formed two molluscan assemblages. In the bottom part, typical cold-loving snails were found (e.g. Vallonia tenuilabris, Pupilla loessica, Vertigo genesii, Columella columella), whereas in the upper part only Semilimax kotulae was present. The succession of molluscan assemblages may suggest that at the site of deposition, after a phase of tundra, steppe-tundra or forest-steppe landscape with patches of wet habitats in cold climate, the climate became slightly milder but still cool, favourable to the spreading of boreal (coniferous) woodlands. Pollen analysis was performed only for the upper part of the profile. The pollen spectra, besides the Tertiary (Miocene) elements, contained sporomorphs common to the Tertiary and Quaternary floras. Among them, the highest percentages were noted for Pinus haploxylon t., P. diploxylon t., Picea, Quercus, Ericaceae, Betula, and Ulmus. The fact that the sediments with organic remains underlie the oldest Scandinavian till suggests that they are older than the oldest glacial unit of the South-Polish Complex (Narevian = Menapian, ~ 1.2 Ma).     

Uplift-denudation history of the Qinling orogen: Constrained from the detrital-zircon U–Pb geochronology

This paper presents a great number of detrital zircon U–Pb ages from the Middle Triassic to the Middle Jurassic sediments in the Jiyuan basin, southern North China. The results represent age spectra from 2.9 Ga to 216 Ma, with five peaks at 2.5 Ga, 1.9 Ga, 840 Ma, 440 Ma, and 270 Ma and two grains of ∼220 Ma. The ages of 2.5 Ga and 1.9 Ga are mainly derived from the Precambrian basement of the North China Block, whereas the others are typical characteristics of the Qinling orogenic belt. An important observation is that the Qinling-sourced detrital zircons become older as the strata get younger. Samples from the Middle Triassic to early Late Triassic strata are characterized by the age peak at 270 Ma, whereas the Late Late Triassic to Early Middle Jurassic samples are dominated by age peaks at 840 Ma and 440 Ma and minor grains within 800–650 Ma. Two grains of ∼220 Ma are preserved in the Late Middle Jurassic sample, which may be contributed by the Carnian deep plutons. These signatures indicate that the unroofing pattern of the Qinling orogenic belt developed by the denudation of materials from young covers to old basements and the Carnian deep plutons. Integrated with the data reported from the Hefei Basin, it is well-established that the intensity of unroofing increased from the Qinling to the Dabie orogen in the Early Jurassic, and the denudation timing of the ultra-high pressure (UHP) and high pressure (HP) rocks or Carnian plutons changed successively from the Early Jurassic in the Dabie to the Late Middle Jurassic in the Qinling orogen.     

Linking the Tengchong Terrane in SW Yunnan with the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet through magmatic correlation

New zircon U–Pb data, along with the data reported in the literature, reveal five phases of magmatic activity in the Tengchong Terrane since the Early Paleozoic with spatial and temporal variations summarized as Cambrian–Ordovician (500–460 Ma) to the east, minor Triassic (245–206 Ma) in the east and west, abundant Early Cretaceous (131–114 Ma) in the east, extensive Late Cretaceous (77–65 Ma) in the central region, and Paleocene–Eocene (65–49 Ma) in the central and western Tengchong Terrane, in which the Cretaceous–Eocene magmatism migrated from east to west. The increased zircon ε_Hf(t) of the Early Cretaceous granitoids from − 12.3 to − 1.4 at ca. 131–122 Ma to − 4.6 to + 7.1 at ca. 122–114 Ma, identified for the first time in this study, and the magmatic flare-up at ca. 53 Ma in the central and western Tengchong Terrane indicate increased contributions from mantle- or juvenile crust-derived components. The spatial and temporal variations and changing magmatic compositions over time in the Tengchong Terrane closely resemble those of the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet. Such similarities, together with the data of stratigraphy and paleobiogeography, enable us to propose that the Tengchong Terrane in SW Yunnan is most likely linked with the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet, both of which experienced similar tectonomagmatic histories since the Early Paleozoic.     

Paleozoic multi-stage accretionary evolution of the SW Chinese Tianshan: New constraints from plutonic complex in the Nalati Range

We conducted field investigations, whole-rock geochemical, Sr-Nd and zircon U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotopic analyses on a suite of intrusive complex in the southern Nalati Range, SW Chinese Tianshan in order to better understand the Paleozoic tectonic and magmatic evolution of the belt. The intrusive complex comprises weakly foliated diorite, low-grade altered diabase, and deformed monzogranite; these plutonic rocks were in turn crosscut by undeformed coarse-grained diorite, granodiorite as well as granite stock. Foliated Late Silurian diorites (421 ± 4 Ma) show arc-type geochemical features, slightly negative whole-rock εNd(t) value (− 1.7; T_DM-Nd = 1.52 Ga) and variably positive zircon εHf(t) values (2.34 to 7.27; T_DM-Hf: 0.95– 1.26 Ga). Deformed Early Devonian porphyritic monzogranites (411 ± 4 Ma) show geochemical features similar to A-type granite, and their zircon εHf(t) values range from − 6.63 to 1.02, with T_DM-Hf ages of 1.82 to 1.33 Ga. Metamorphosed Early Devonian diabases (ca. 410 Ma) have OIB-like REE patterns, εNd(t) values of − 2.0 ~ − 0.8 and T_DM-Nd ages of 1.37– 1.25 Ga. The undeformed Early Carboniferous diorite and granodiorite (353– 344 Ma) exhibit arc-type geochemical features, positive εHf(t) values of 6.11– 7.91 with T_DM-Hf ages of 0.97– 0.86 Ga, and positive εNd(t) value of 1.9 with T_DM-Nd age of 1.04 Ga. The Early Permian granite stock (292 ± 5 Ma) has highly differentiated REE pattern, slightly negative εNd(t) value (− 4.4) and variable zircon εHf(t) values of − 9.73– 6.36. Combining with available data, Early Paleozoic (500– 410 Ma) arc-related magmatic rocks occurring on both sides of the suture zone along the southern Nalati Range, likely resulted from a bi-directional subduction of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean beneath the Yili Block to the north and the Central Tianshan to the south. Occurrences of A-type granites and OIB-like diabases (ca. 410 Ma) along the Nalati Range likely indicate a hot extensional regime probably induced by the break off of the northward subducting slab of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean. The closure of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean and subsequent amalgamation during Early Carboniferous resulted in the regional deformation and metamorphism of the Early Paleozoic arc-related magmatic rocks. From Early to Late Carboniferous, a magmatic arc that corresponded to the well-developed Late Paleozoic Balkhash-Yili active continental margin, superimposed upon the southern Yili Block, most likely resulted from the southward subduction of the Junggar-North Tianshan Ocean. After the closure of the North Tianshan Ocean in Late Carboniferous, the study area was dominated by post-orogenic magmatism.     

Sedimentological and geochronological constraints on the Carboniferous evolution of central Inner Mongolia,southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Inland sea deposition in a post-orogenic setting

Sedimentological and geochronological analyses were performed on Carboniferous strata from central Inner Mongolia (China) to determine the tectonic setting of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Sedimentological analyses indicate that the widespread Late Carboniferous strata in central Inner Mongolia were dominated by shallow marine clastic-carbonate deposition with basal conglomerate above the Precambrian basement and Early Paleozoic orogenic belts. Based on lithological comparison and fossil similarity, five sedimentary stages were used to represent the Carboniferous deposition. The depositional stages include, from bottom to top, 1) basal molassic, 2) first carbonate platform, 3) terrigenous with coeval intraplate volcanism, 4) second carbonate platform, and 5) post-carbonate terrigenous. These five stages provide evidence for an extensive transgression in central Inner Mongolia during the Late Carboniferous. Detrital zircon geochronological studies from five samples yielded five main age populations: ~ 310 Ma, ~ 350 Ma, 400–450 Ma, 800–1200 Ma and some Meso-Proterozoic to Neoarchean grains. The detrital zircon geochronological studies indicate that the provenances for these Late Carboniferous strata were mainly local magmatic rocks (Early Paleozoic arc magmatic rocks and Carboniferous intrusions) with subordinate input of Precambrian basement. Combining our sedimentological and provenance analyses with previous fossil comparison and paleomagnetic reconstruction, an inland sea was perceived to be the main paleogeographic feature for central Inner Mongolia during the Late Carboniferous. The inland sea developed on a welded continent after the collision between North China Craton and its northern blocks.     

Chronology and geochemistry of Mesozoic granitoids in the Bengbu area,central China: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the eastern North China Craton

We performed zircon U–Pb dating and analyses of major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes for granitoids in the Bengbu area, central China, with the aim of constraining the magma sources and tectonic evolution of the eastern North China Craton (NCC). The analyzed zircons show typical fine-scale oscillatory zoning, indicating a magmatic origin. Zircon U–Pb dating reveals granitoids of two ages: Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous (²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 160 Ma and 130–110 Ma, respectively). The Late Jurassic rocks (Jingshan intrusion) consist of biotite-syenogranite, whereas the Early Cretaceous rocks (Huaiguang, Xilushan, Nushan, and Caoshan intrusions) are granodiorite, syenogranite, and monzogranite. The Late Jurassic biotite-syenogranites and Early Cretaceous granitoids have the following common geochemical characteristics: SiO₂ = 70.35–74.56 wt.%, K₂O/Na₂O = 0.66–1.27 (mainly < 1.0), and A/CNK = 0.96–1.06, similar to I-type granite. The examined rocks are characterized by enrichment in light rare earth elements, large ion lithophile elements, and U; depletion in heavy rare earth elements, Nb, and Ta; and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7081–0.7110) and low ε_Nd (t) values (? 14.40 to ? 22.77), indicating a crustal origin.The occurrence of Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons (850 Ma) and inherited early Mesozoic (208–228 Ma) metamorphic zircons within the Late Jurassic biotite-syenogranites, together with the occurrence of Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons (657 and 759 Ma) and inherited early Mesozoic (206–231 Ma) metamorphic zircons within the Early Cretaceous Nushan and Xilushan granitoids, suggests that the primary magmas were derived from partial melting of the Yangtze Craton (YC) basement. In contrast, the occurrence of Paleoproterozoic and Paleoarchean inherited zircons within the Huaiguang granitoids indicates that their primary magmas mainly originated from partial melting of the NCC basement. The occurrence of YC basement within the lower continental crust of the eastern NCC indicates that the YC was subducted to the northwest beneath the NCC, along the Tan-Lu fault zone, during the early Mesozoic.     

Mid-Wisconsinan environments on the eastern Great Plains

Few sites on the eastern Great Plains contain paleobotanical records for the mid-Wisconsin. We report on four sites, two stream cutbanks and two quarry exposures, ranging in age from >50 to ～23.4 ka. The oldest site at >50 ka contains a suite of macrofossils from prairie and disturbed ground habitats, with no representation of trees, indicating an open prairie. By ～38 ka the assemblages include aquatic, wetland, mudflat, and prairie elements with rare specimens of Populus, Betula cf. papyrifera, Salix and at the most northerly site, Picea. This assemblage suggests a prairie/parkland with interspersed marshes, cooler temperatures and increased moisture. Populus and Salix continued to be represented from ～36 to ～29 ka, but the only other taxon was Carex. A hiatus may be present at some time during this interval. After ～29 ka, Picea became dominant on the uplands and it was joined by sedges in local wetlands. At sites near riverine loess sources, loess accumulation began to fill in the wetlands and organic deposition ceased some time after 29 ka.     

Fluorite (U–Th)/He thermochronology: Constraints on the low temperature history of Yucca Mountain,Nevada

Fluorite is one of the secondary minerals precipitated in pore spaces at the future nuclear waste repository site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The authors have conducted (U–Th)/He dating of this fluorite in an attempt to constrain the temperature and timing of paleo-fluid flux into the site. Repeated analysis of colourless fluorite yielded a weighted average age of 9.7 ± 0.15 Ma (2σ), younger than previously determined sanidine ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹ Ar ages (12.8 Ma) for deposition of the tuff.Laboratory He-diffusion experiments conducted on the Yucca fluorite yield a preliminary He closure temperature (T_c) of 90 ± 10 °C (cooling rate of 10 °C/Ma) and previous studies have determined that the fluorite precipitated from warm fluids (65–80 °C) at depths of <400 m. However, minerals can experience partial He loss at temperatures well below the T_c and therefore the (U–Th)/He age of 9.7 Ma is interpreted to be a cooling age. This result implies that the last period of elevated temperature fluid circulation through the Yucca site was approximately 9.7 Ma ago.It was observed that the purple coloured outer portion of the fluorite nodule yielded non-reproducible and invariably older ages than colourless fluorite. Several possible reasons are suggested.     

Ages and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from Paleozoic strata in the Chagan Obo Temple area,Inner Mongolia: Implications for the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), as one of the largest accretionary orogens in the world, was built up through protracted accretion and collision of a variety of terranes due to the subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Neoproterozoic to Early Mesozoic. Located in the Uliastai continental margin of the southeastern CAOB, the Chagan Obo Temple area is essential for understanding the tectonic evolution of the southeastern part of the CAOB and its relation with the “Hegenshan Ocean”. In this study, detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology coupled with Hf isotopic analysis was performed on Paleozoic sedimentary strata in this area. Most detrital zircons from the studied samples possess oscillatory zoning and have Th/U ratios of 0.4-1.73, indicative of an igneous origin. Detrital zircons from the Ordovician to Devonian sedimentary strata yield a predominant age group at 511-490 Ma and subordinate age groups at 982-891 Ma, 834-790 Ma and ~ 574 Ma, and have a large spread of ε_Hf(t) values (-20.77 to + 16.94). Carboniferous and Early Permian samples yield zircon U-Pb ages peaking at ~ 410 Ma and ~ 336 Ma, and have dominantly positive ε_Hf(t) values (+ 1.30 to + 14.86). Such age populations and Hf isotopic signatures match those of magmatic rocks in the Northern Accretionary Orogen and the Mongolian arcs. A marked shift of provenance terranes from multiple sources to a single source and Hf isotope compositions from mixed to positive values occurred at some time in the Carboniferous. Such a shift implies that the Northern Accretionary Orogen was no longer a contributor of detritus in the Carboniferous to Early Permian, due to the opening of the “Hegenshan Ocean” possibly induced by the slab rollback of the subducting Paleo-Asian Ocean.     

The Bonneville Estates Rockshelter rodent fauna and changes in Late Pleistocene–Middle Holocene climates and biogeography in the Northern Bonneville Basin,USA

Excavations at Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada recovered rodent remains from stratified deposits spanning the past ca. 12,500 ¹⁴C yr BP (14,800 cal yr BP). Specimens from horizons dating to the late Pleistocene and early Holocene include species adapted to montane and moist and cool habitats, including yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) and bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea). Shortly after 9000 ¹⁴C BP (10,200 cal yr BP) these mammals became locally extinct, or nearly so, taxonomic diversity declined, and the region became dominated by desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida) and other species well-adapted to xeric, low-elevation settings. The timing and nature of changes in the Bonneville Estates rodent fauna are similar to records reported from nearby Homestead and Camels Back caves and provide corroborative data on terminal Pleistocene–early Holocene environments and mammalian responses to middle Holocene desertification. Moreover, the presence of northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) at Bonneville Estates adds to a sparse regional record for that species and, similar to Homestead Cave, it appears that the ca. 9500 ¹⁴C yr BP (10,800 cal yr BP) replacement of the northern pocket gopher by Botta's pocket gopher in the Great Salt Lake Desert vicinity was also in response to climate change.     

Western Palaearctic palaeoenvironmental conditions during the Early and early Middle Pleistocene inferred from large mammal communities,and implications for hominin dispersal in Europe

Large-scale fluctuations in global climate and resulting changes in ecology had a profound effect on human evolution and dispersal. Though hominin remains are scarce, studies focussing on the more abundant records of fossil land mammal communities can contribute greatly to our knowledge of the palaeoenvironmental circumstances that influenced and directed the global spread of hominins. To produce a comprehensive and accurate account of the evolution of western Palaearctic habitat diversity between 2.6 and 0.4 Ma BP, information generated from large mammal communities from 221 key sites has been included in this study.The palaeoecological conditions of the western Palaearctic during the Early and early Middle Pleistocene were principally controlled by the following key factors: (1) a widespread trend of temperature decrease, (2) the periodicity of the global temperature record, (3) the intensity of single climatic stages, (4) the temporal pattern of climatic variation, (5) geographical position, and (6) the distribution of continental water resources. A general picture of the evolution of western Palaearctic habitat diversity saw the replacement of extensive forested terrain by an alternating sequence of varied savannah-like and forested habitats during the 2.6–1.8 Ma span, as well as an alternation between different types of predominantly open habitats between 1.8 and 1.2 Ma. Both of these processes were governed by 41 ka temperature periodicity. During the 1.2–0.9 Ma time span, irregular climatic fluctuations were more common and habitat variability increased. The subsequent 0.9–0.4 Ma interval, a period controlled by 100 ka periodicity, was by comparison more stable, with longer climatic cycles alternating between open and forested landscapes. During the entire Early and early Middle Pleistocene, assemblages of large mammal communities reveal a distinct trend of decreasing continentality between Eastern and South-Eastern Europe on the one hand, and South-Western and North-Western Europe on the other. This trend was due to the effect of the Atlantic Ocean, while in Southern Europe the relatively low continentality was balanced by influences from the Mediterranean Sea.When plotted against evidence of hominin occurrence, the data on western Palaearctic habitat diversity inferred from large mammal communities indicate clear environmental stimuli for the earliest human dispersal in Europe. These are: (1) a wide range of habitats, implying a high diversity of resources; (2) mild climates with low seasonality, implying a lack of strong environmental fluctuations. Around 1.8 Ma at the latest, hominins of African origin entered the western Palaearctic for the first time, taking advantage of the diversity of habitats and resources, particularly along large river systems. Their subsequent westward spread between 1.7 and 1.3 Ma was restricted to Mediterranean-influenced areas, which offered a high variability of habitats and relatively low seasonality. The increase in environmental diversity, which occurred from 1.2 Ma onwards, opened up South-Eastern and Eastern Europe for hominin occupation. According to the available records, North-Western and Central Europe were initially colonized during late Early to early Middle Pleistocene interglacials, when these regions experienced periods of low seasonality and considerable habitat diversity.     

First paleomagnetic data for the New Siberian Islands: Implications for Arctic paleogeography

In this paper we present new paleomagnetic and paleontological data from the Ordovician and Silurian carbonate rocks of Kotelny Island (the Anjou Archipelago), and from the Ordovician turbidities of Bennett Island (the De Long Archipelago). It is assumed that both archipelagos belong to the NSI (New Siberian Islands) terrane — a key tectonic element in the Arctic region. Ages of the studied rocks have been established by paleontological data and lithological correlations. Our new data on conodonts combined with those from previous studies of Ordovician and Silurian fauna indicate a biogeographic similarity between the shelves of the Siberian paleocontinent and the NSI in the Early Paleozoic. Three new paleomagnetic poles for the NSI (48.9°N, 13.8°E, A₉₅ = 18.1° for 475 Ma; 45.5°N, 31.9°E, A₉₅ = 11.0° for 465 Ma, and 33.7°N, 55.7°E, A₉₅ = 11.0° for 435 Ma) fall between the south-eastern part of Central Europe and the Zagros Mountains. The similarity of paleomagnetic directions from Kotelny and Bennet islands confirms that both the Anjou and De Long archipelagos belong to the same terrane. Calculated paleolatitudes indicate that in Ordovician–Silurian times this terrane has been located between 30° and 45°, possibly in the northern hemisphere. Based on this observation, we suggest a linkage between the NSI and the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane. Comparison of apparent polar wander paths (APWPs) of the NSI, Siberia and other cratons/terranes suggests that the NSI drifted independently. We demonstrate that the structural line between Svyatoy Nos Peninsula and Great Lyakhovsky Island is the continuation of the Kolyma Loop suture on the Arctic shelf, and expect that the continuation of the South Anyui suture is to be found east of the NSI.     

Multi-stage metamorphic evolution of retrograde eclogite with a granulite-facies overprint in the Zhaigen area of the North Qinling Belt,China

Retrograde eclogite from the central part of the Qinling Complex, Zhaigen area of the North Qinling Belt, was studied using integrated petrology, mineral chemistry, pseudosection modeling, and geochronology. Microstructures and mineral relationships reveal five metamorphic stages and associated mineral assemblages as follows: (1) pre-peak stage M₁, which is recorded by the inner cores of garnets together with mineral inclusions of clinopyroxene (Cpx₁) + amphibole (Am₁) + plagioclase (Pl₁) ± quartz ± rutile, occurred under conditions of 760–770 °C and 11.4–14.0 kbar; (2) eclogite-facies stage M₂, recorded by garnet cores + relic omphacite (with a high jadeite content up to 31%) + rutile + quartz under conditions of > 16.7 kbar and 679–765 °C; (3) high-pressure granulite-facies stage M₃, characterized by clinopyroxene (Cpx₂) + plagioclase (Pl₂) symplectites under conditions of 14.5–15.6 kbar and 800–850 °C; (4) medium-pressure granulite-facies stage M₄, characterized by the growth of plagioclase + orthopyroxene coronas around garnet under conditions of 8.3–10 kbar and 795–855 °C; and (5) retrogressive amphibolite-facies stage M₅, which is represented by amphibole (Am₃) + plagioclase (Pl₃) kelyphitic rims around garnet at conditions of < 4 kbar and < 620 °C. Based on Laser Raman analysis of mineral inclusions, cathodoluminescence images, in situ trace element concentrations from different domains within zircon grains, and LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb dating, the protolith age of the Zhaigen retrograde eclogite is suggested at 786 ± 10 Ma and the eclogite-facies metamorphic age recorded by metamorphic zircon cores is limited within 501–497 Ma. The retrograde zircon rims display ages of 476–447 Ma and 425 Ma that probably reflect the timing of two stages of retrograde metamorphism, respectively. The mineral assemblages, P–T conditions, and zircon U–Pb data define a clockwise P–T–t path for the retrograde eclogite, suggesting that the Neoproterozoic protolith of the retrograde eclogite might evolved into continental subduction and eclogite-facies metamorphism during 501–497 Ma before undergoing retrograde metamorphism during an initial stage of exhumation to middle–upper crust level at 474–447 Ma and subsequent exhumation to shallow upper crust at ~ 420 Ma.     

Tephrochronology,magnetostratigraphy and mammalian faunas of Middle and Early Pleistocene sediments at two sites on the Old Crow River,northern Yukon Territory,Canada

Alluvial and lacustrine sediments exposed beneath late Pleistocene glaciolacustrine silt and clay at two sites along the Old Crow River, northern Yukon Territory, are rich in fossils and contain tephra beds. Surprise Creek tephra (SZt) occurs in the lower part of the alluvial sequence at CRH47 and Little Timber tephra (LTt) is present near the base of the exposure at CRH94. Surprise Creek tephra has a glass fission-track age of 0.17 ± 0.07 Ma and Little Timber tephra is 1.37 ± 0.12 Ma. All sediments at CRH47 have a normal remanent magnetic polarity and those near LTt at CRH94 have a reversed polarity — in agreement with the geomagnetic time scale. Small mammal remains from sediments near LTt support an Early Pleistocene age but the chronology is not so clear at CRH47 because of the large error associated with the SZt age determination. Tephrochronological and paleomagnetic considerations point to an MIS 7 age for the interglacial beds just below SZt at CRH47 and at Chester Bluffs in east-central Alaska, but mammalian fossils recovered from sediments close to SZt suggest a late Irvingtonian age, therefore older than MIS 7. Further studies are needed to resolve this problem.     

Paleoecology and radiocarbon dating of the Pleistocene megafauna of the Brazilian Intertropical Region

During the Pleistocene a fauna composed of large (biomass > 44 kg) and giant mammals (biomass > 1000 kg) that are usually associated with open environments lived in the Brazilian Intertropical Region. We present here new information concerning the paleoecology and chronology of some species of this megafauna. Carbon isotope analyses were performed for a better understanding of the paleoecology of the species Eremotherium laurillardi (Lund, 1842), Notiomastodon platensis (Ameghino, 1888) and Toxodon platensis (Owen, 1849). The δ¹³C data allow attributing a generalist diet to these species, which varied according to the kind of habitat in which they lived. In more open habitats all species were grazers; in mixed habitats E. laurillardi and T. platensis were mixed feeders, and N. platensis was grazer; and in more closed habitats all species were mixed feeders.     

New insights on Late Quaternary Asian palaeomonsoon variability and the timing of the Last Glacial Maximum in southwestern China

A ～6.35 m core (06SD) was retrieved from Lake Shudu, Yunnan Province, China. The sediments spanning the period ～22.6–10.5 kcal. yr BP (6.35–1.44 m) were analysed using a combination of variables including pollen, charcoal, particle size, magnetic susceptibility and loss-on-ignition. The resulting palaeorecord provides a high-resolution reconstruction of Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene climatic and environmental changes in southwestern China. Our findings indicate that from c. 22.6 to 17.7 kcal. yr BP, vegetation assemblages were primarily aligned to sparse xerophytic grassland/tundra or cold-tolerant boreal Pinus forest, indicating that climatic conditions in southwestern China were cold and dry. However, from c. 17.7 to 17.4 kcal. yr BP, the Lake Shudu record is punctuated by marked environmental changes. These include the establishment of denser vegetation cover, a marked expansion of boreal Pinus forest and enhanced hydrological activity in the catchment over centennial timescales, perhaps suggesting that stepwise variations in the Asian Monsoon were triggering fundamental environmental changes over sub-millennial timescales. Thereafter, the pollen record captures a period of environmental instability reflected in fluctuations across all of the variables, which persists until c. 17.1 kcal. yr BP. After c. 17.1 kcal. yr BP, the expansion of steppe vegetation cover and cold–cool mixed forest consisting of mesophilous vegetation such as Tsuga and Picea, thermophilous trees including Ulmus and deciduous Quercus inferred from the Lake Shudu pollen record point to the establishment of warmer, wetter and perhaps more seasonal conditions associated with a strengthening Asian Summer Monsoon during the shift from Pleistocene to Holocene climatic conditions.