Periglacial phenomena in the wooded areas of Northern Sweden - relicts from the Tärendö Interstadial

Frost-shattered bedrock and ventifacts interpreted to be abraded by drifting snow or ice particles occur frequently in the wooded areas of northernmost Sweden. Ice-wedge casts and periglacial involutions are encountered more sporadically. The phenomena cannot be explained by the present or the Holocene climate and demonstrably pre-date the last deglaciation. The relation to glacial and non-glacial stratigraphy, and to ice flow during the latest glacial stade, strongly suggests that the periglacial activity dates from the local Tärendö Interstadial, tentatively correlated with Odderade. The presence of the periglacial features implies not only that different morphological formations survived the erosive impact of the last continental ice sheet but also that in wide areas the very ground surface, including ventifacts in primary position, is the same today as during the interstadial. A similar situation appears to prevail in northernmost Dalecarlia and parts of Härjedalen and Jämtland in central Sweden.     

Sedimentary architecture of an ancient linear megadune (Barremian,Neuquén Basin): Insights into the long‐term development and evolution of aeolian linear bedforms

Linear aeolian bedforms are the most abundant bedform type in Earth's dune fields, and are very common in the Solar System. Despite their abundance, the long‐term development of these bedforms and its impact upon the resulting sedimentary architecture in the geological record is still poorly understood. The aim of this paper is to study the exposed record of an ancient linear megadune in order to discuss its development and the factors that impact the sedimentary architecture of aeolian linear bedforms. The outcrops of the ancient Troncoso Sand Sea (Barremian, Neuquén Basin, Argentina) provide a unique opportunity to study a preserved megadune record with an external body geometry that confirms its linear morphology. Architectural analysis reveals significant differences in cross‐stratified set bodies and bounding surfaces’ features and allows for the identification of three architectural complexes within the bedform's record. Analysis of deterministic models, sedimentary body relative chronology and distribution suggest that these architectural complexes result from distinctive phases in bedform development. It also clearly shows that construction of the megadune was achieved by expansion from a core, and that its development was characterized by sustained growth and strong longitudinal dynamics, without net accumulation. This study indicates how sustained bedform growth, rather than accretion, can be a critical factor conditioning linear bedform architecture towards a more ‘classic’ (bimodal bounding surface and cross‐bedding dip directions) concentric sedimentary architecture style. Furthermore, this research reveals how this style of architecture could only be relatively common in the geological record when related to bedform topography preservation.     

Estimating palaeo-water depth from the physical rock record

Palaeo-water depth and its change with time is a key factor in environmental analysis and in sedimentology in general. The literature published on this topic and on related subjects, however, is substantial albeit scattered within and between different communities (geologists, oceanographers, engineers, physicists etc.). Here I focus on proxies for palaeo-bathymetry as obtained from the physical rock record. Floral, faunal and chemical evidence for palaeo-water depth, being equally important, must be dealt with elsewhere. An assessment of the main depth-related parameters in actualistic settings is presented and their applicability to the fossil sedimentary record discussed. The outcome reveals the full complexity of this topic. There is, for example, no such thing as an average wave-base depth applicable to a wide range of fossil case settings. This because wave and current climates in general, and particularly so in neritic and coastal settings, are intriguingly complex. Furthermore, observations from modern oceans are not a priori applicable to fossil ones. Acknowledging these problems and limitations, critically evaluated quantitative proposals for depth indicative facies and features in the sedimentary record are presented and error bars discussed.     

西昆仑山前晚新生代构造活动与青藏高原西北缘的隆升

西昆仑山前晚新生代地貌与沉积特征记录了西昆仑山及青藏高原西北缘的隆升过程。利用沉积学、地貌学、古地磁研究结果,对西昆仑晚新生代构造活动进行了探讨。约25Ma,西昆仑山前沉积面貌发生显著变化,反映西昆仑山整体开始隆升;约5Ma时,西昆仑山前磨拉石发育,表明西昆仑山开始快速隆升。古地磁结果表明:始新世—中新世西昆仑有显著的旋转运动,而第四纪以来水平挤压造成的垂直运动为主,没有明显的旋转运动。河流阶地发育显示,西昆仑地区约在1.2Ma时河流下切开始形成阶地,第四纪中晚期以来西昆仑地区构造抬升幅度与频率加快,全新世中期(约5kaB.P.)有一次快速隆升过程。     

印尼多岛海沉积记录基本特征与云南古特提斯研究

以新生代印度尼西亚多岛海沉积记录作为典型分析对象 ,对陆 (岛 )海相间结构背景下的沉积作用的主要特征及其构造地理意义进行讨论。各种类型的深水沉积作用在多岛海槛式盆地中多有反映 ,但以浊积和半远洋沉积最为突出 ,典型的远洋沉积仅发育于多岛海外围的开放大洋地区。连续而持久的远洋沉积记录是判别古代洋盆规模的最有效的依据之一。云南昌宁—孟连造山带作为古特提斯多岛洋主洋盆 ,包含的以放射虫硅质岩为代表的远洋记录覆盖的地质历史至少达 130Ma。结合明显的等深流记录、可能的巨大火成区记录、巨量陆屑输入记录等多方面的证据 ,笔者认为 ,云南地区所揭示的东古特提斯的规模远非当代的印尼多岛海可比。对多岛海背景下的若干古海洋学问题也进行了讨论     

弧前盆地研究进展综述

综述了弧前盆地的沉降机制,充填序列及主要识别标志,沉降机制分析表明,其沉降速率总体呈下降趋势。沉积充填序列总体表现为一向上变粗,变浅的巨层序,其具体发育规律主要受增生槛高程,充填速率与沉降速率比值控制,特殊的构造部位,弱的变形,变质和富有特色的沉积序列,砂岩碎屑组分是判别化石弧前盆地的主要标志。     

The environmental significance of ventifacts: A critical review

Ventifacts (wind-abraded clasts or rock surfaces) are common features of many terrestrial hot and cold deserts, coastal, periglacial and mountain environments, as well as on Mars, and have a long history of investigation. This review paper discusses some of the main themes in terrestrial ventifact research including their formation and geomorphic controls. The varied morphological forms of ventifacts in terrestrial environments, and their environmental significance as indicators of past and present wind direction and sediment mobility, are critically evaluated. Future research directions are identified.     

Lepisosteoid-type fish scales in the Barremian-Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Sanfranciscana Basin,Southeastern Brazil

Lepisosteoid-type scales are described in detail for the first time from the Barremian-Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) Quiricó Formation of the Sanfranciscana Basin, Southeastern Brazil. The specimens studied herein have been recovered from a new outcrop in northern Minas Gerais state and comprise a few nearly complete posterior scales and hundreds of scale fragments extracted from the sedimentary matrix. The scales are rhombic and preserve both the ganoine and the basal plate. The ganoine layer is thin, pierced by foramina and ornamented by microtubercles, showing the typical arrangement of superimposed sheets. The basal plate is composed by lamellar and woven bone, with flattened and isodiametric osteocytes, canaliculi of Williamson, and Sharpey's fibers. An EDS analysis suggests diagenetic alteration of the basal plate but not the ganoine layer. The morphology of the specimens is similar to that of early neopterygian fishes, including ginglymodians and aspidorhynchids. A less inclusive identification is hampered by the fragmentary condition of the material and the lack of specific diagnostic features in this type of scale. This can be also extended to some isolated scales commonly referred to Lepidotes recovered from several sedimentary basins in the Jurassic-Cretaceous of Brazil. The results add a new record of ganoid scales in the Sanfranciscana Basin, and highlight the importance of more complete specimens rather than isolated scales for a genus-level identification of early neopterygian fishes.     

Principal features of the tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in the Western Chukchi shelf and their petroleum resource potential

The history of the formation of sedimentary basins located predominantly in the western shelf of the Chukchi Sea is considered along with the data on the geology of adjacent areas of the American part of the sea and northern Alaska reported in the available publications on this region. The main lithotectonic complexes that correspond to particular stages of evolution of the region are identified. The tectonic rearrangement of the structural grain in response to the formation of the Canada Basin resulted in the development of the North Chukchi Trough. Intense subsidence of this trough and accumulation of thick sedimentary sequence favored, in turn, the balanced inversion uplift of the Wrangel-Herald Zone spatially related to depocenters of older sediments. Vigorous uplift and folding ceased in the Albian. In the geologic record, these processes are marked by unconformity and overstep of the older structural features. The inversion uplifts continued to rise later. Analysis of the data available provides new insights into the structure and evolution of the region. The sedimentary basins with a great thickness of their fill were favorable for generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons. The large uplifted blocks, extensive wedge-out zones, and stratigraphic unconformities at the walls of troughs and uplift slopes are especially favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Permissive beds are correlated with the Neocomian-Aptian sequence in Alaska that hosts oil and gas fields. The Upper Paleozoic and Lower Mesozoic strata, which are the main petroliferous sedimentary rocks in Alaska, may occur at a shallow depth in the Wrangel-Herald Inversion Zone. The conclusions drawn in this paper should be taken into account during reappraisal of the petroleum resources throughout the entire Chukchi shelf. At present, several oil and gas prospects are outlined in the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea.     

地震岩问题

在过去的82年(1931—2013)中,共出现了39个成因术语。在这39个术语中,只有10个是真正沉积成因的(例如浊积岩),其他29个术语都是比较草率地提出的(just jargons;例如地震岩、海啸岩等)。“地震岩”(seismites)这一成因术语是赛拉赫(Seilacher,1969)提出的,它指沉积记录中的古地震。这是一个误用的(misnomer)术语。赛拉赫仅仅根据美国加利福尼亚州的中新统蒙特雷组(Miocene Montery Formation)10,m厚的露头观察,就匆忙地提出这个术语。他并未对这个露头进行认真的科学研究。最根本的问题是,地震是一个触动因素^①,并不是一个沉积作用。在古代的沉积记录中,鉴别不出各种触动因素(trigger)^②,因为自然界不能保留触动因素曾经存在过的证据。“软沉积物变形构造”(soft-sediment deformation structures,可简称为SSDS),通常被人们用来作为地震岩的鉴别标志,其实它是“液化作用”(liquefacation)的结果。液化作用可以由21种触动因素中的任何一种引起,其中包括地震(earthquake)、陨石冲击(meteorite impact)、海啸(tsunami)、沉积负载(sediment loading)等。在死海盆地中的角砾碎屑,所谓典型的由地震引起的沉积,实际上是常见的同沉积作用的碎屑流的产物,与地震没有关系。其他类型的SSDS,例如 “双向叠层构造”(duplex-like structures)和碎屑注入体(clastic injections),也可以说是同沉积作用的产物,与地震没有关系。世界上广泛分布的砂岩储油层,包括墨西哥湾、北海、挪威海、尼日利亚、赤道几内亚、加逢、孟加拉湾,都表明这些地区的SSDS的第一起因(primary cause)是沉积负载,其证据是可以观察到的和令人信服的。海啸及陨石冲击,都可以形成大量的沉积,例如SSDS的侧向延伸(lateral extent of SSDS),但这些沉积都不能当作地震的鉴别标志。位于印度东部大陆边缘的Krishna-Godavari(KG)盆地中的SSDS,是多种触动因素^①引起的沉积物的失控和液化作用的结果,即多成因的SSDS。由于这些原因,“地震岩”这个成因术语确实没有什么科学价值,应当废弃。     

高速远程滑坡的地貌学与沉积学研究进展

本文总结了当前有关高速远程滑坡远程机制的研究现状,探讨了滑坡地貌学和沉积学对于揭示高速远程滑坡运动学机理的重要意义。通过梳理前人关于高速远程滑坡堆积形态的分类,分析了高速远程滑坡主要的形态学特征、蕴含的运动学信息以及高速远程滑坡的脱落块体、丘体、脊结构、断层等的地貌结构特征,并进一步指出这些地貌结构的形成主要是滑坡体物质不均匀运动的结果,其受地形和内聚力的影响。高速远程滑坡的沉积学特征明显受到岩性、地形和基底等因素的影响,本文对高速远程滑坡的沉积相模式及其运动学意义进行了分析,并对地层不变性与反序结构两个重要堆积特征进行了讨论。最后,指出高速远程滑坡地貌学与沉积学研究当前主要存在的一些问题,建议将大型物理模拟与数值模拟方法相结合,加强对高速远程滑坡地貌微形态和堆积结构的形成机制研究。     

Mass-transport Deposits of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, Songliao Terrestrial Basin, Northeast China: Depositional Characteristics, Recognition Criteria and External Geometry

Extensive mass transport deposits（MTDs）, which form a significant component of the stratigraphic record in ancient and modern deep water systems, mostly distributed in the continental margin of ocean basins worldwide. To date, no large-scale MTDs have been found in Chinese terrestrial basins. Based on integrated analysis of the seismic, drilling, core and logging data, this article report MTDs have been found in Songliao terrestrial basin（SLTB）, Northeast China. During the depositional period of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, slope break of lacustrine basins was an ideal discharge place for gravity depositions. Regional sedimentary study of MTDs reveals that Cretaceous-age MTDs in SLTB were deposited in slope-break environments by slide, slump and debris flow, and MTDs were mixed with little turbidite simultaneously. Besides the massive aspect, key features of MTDs are the common presence of deformational structures or softsedimentary deformation, floating shale clasts, boudins, microfaults, distortion beddings, rotated sand debris. Detailed mapping of two three-dimensional（3-D） seismic surveys acquired in Yingtai（YT） and Haituozi（HTZ） areas reveals that MTDs are characterized by chaotic, mounded, and transparent seismic reflection. Growth fault, slope gully and geomorphology of the slope break greatly influenced the sedimentary process and external geometry of MTDs, and as a consequence, MTDs in SLTB exhibit classic fan-like geometry and some special（non-fan-like） external geometry. Furthermore, fanlike MTDs can be divided into three subcategories, including isolated fan, mother-son fan and stacked fan. Non-fan-like MTDs can be divided into two subcategories, strip-like MTDs and faulted-pit MTDs. A new sedimentary model has been built for MTDs in SLTB. MTDs have become a new exploration and development target in the SLTB.     

走滑挤压盆地──以中晚三叠世下扬子沿江盆地为例

 中晚三叠世,在扬子和华北两大板块碰撞拼接过程中,郯庐断裂产生大规模走滑运动,使下扬子沿江地区处于走滑挤压作用下,从而形成走滑挤压盆地。黄马青群是这一盆地的沉积记录,盆地内沉积中心呈侧向斜列展布,沉积物与其物源区发生错离,盆地随时间推移逐渐收缩。盆地内发育的两组共轭剪切带、斜列分布的褶皱及其伴生的逆冲推覆构造是走滑挤压应力的反映。郯庐断裂是华北、扬子两大板块间斜向拼接所形成的转换断层。     

山东东营凹陷古近系沙河街组湖盆演化及烃源岩赋存相带

确定烃源岩在盆地范围内的纵向变化规律及横向分布特征,建立有效烃源岩和油气藏的时空组合关系,正在成为高勘探程度地区继续寻找隐蔽油气藏的一种新的研究方向。东营凹陷沙河街组四段至沙河街组二段下部沉积时期,主要发育湖泊-三角洲沉积体系,通过对近百口钻井的地球化学、沉积学、古生态学等资料的分析,认为该沉积时期古湖盆演化可以划分为五个阶段,即沙四早中期裂陷初始阶段过补偿间歇湖、沙四晚期裂陷加速阶段欠补偿闭流湖、沙三早期裂陷鼎盛阶段欠补偿闭流湖-敞流湖、沙三中期裂陷稳定阶段均衡补偿深水敞流湖以及沙三晚期至沙二早期裂陷衰退阶段过补偿浅水敞流湖。在湖盆特定演化阶段的特定位置,往往出现独特的沉积环境和水面波动规律,从而形成了具有独特有机地球化学特征的烃源岩赋存相带。其中,沙四晚期闭流湖中可以划分出6种,沙三早期闭流湖－敞流湖中可以划分出4种,沙三中期至沙二早期敞流湖中可以划分出6种各具特色的烃源岩赋存相带,主要反映在有机质丰度和有机质类型方面,从而决定了其中烃源岩的生烃特点及生烃潜力。通过对烃源岩赋存相带的沉积环境与烃源岩特征的对比发现,东营凹陷沙四段至沙二段下部烃源岩生烃潜力以及有机地球化学特征,主要受到古湖盆类型、水深以及物源供应三大因素的控制。     

四川盆地白垩纪沙漠石英沙颗粒表面特征

石英具有较大的硬度和较高的化学稳定性，因而其颗粒表面特征能很好地反映沉积环境。而通过扫描电镜研究石英颗粒表面微细特征是分析沉积环境行之有效的方法。虽然多数人认为四川盆地白垩纪地层存在沙漠沉积(打儿凼组和夹关组)，但仍有人对沙漠沉积的存在持怀疑态度，并认为是河流成三角洲沉积。过去关于其沉积环境的判别主要是根据沉积结构和构造，并未对其石英沙颗粒表面特征进行过系统分析。笔者对采自四川盆地白垩系不同层位地层的样品进行了石英沙颗粒表面特征系统分析。结果表明，石英沙颗粒表面特征分析可以成功地将石英沙区分为风成和水成沉积。因此，本文从石英沙颗粒表面特征方面进一步肯定了四川盆地白垩纪古沙漠的存在。     

Cyclostratigraphy and astrochronology of the Tripoli diatomite formation (pre-evaporite Messinian, Sicily, Italy)

The ongoing debate about the Messinian salinity crisis in the Mediternean is fuelled in part by the lack of an adequate time control. The most accurate and, at the same time, detailed constraints are nowadays provided by the astronomical dating technique. Here we present an astronomical age model for the cyclically bedded Tripoli diatomite Formation on Sicily (pre-evaporite Messinian, Italy) based on an integrated stratigraphic study of three key-sections, Falconara, Gibliscemi and Capodarso. Characteristic sedimentary cycle patterns allow (i) the sections to be cyclostratigraphically correlated, the 'bed-to-bed' correlations being confirmed by high-resolution planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy, and (ii) the Tripoli cycles to be calibrated to the astronomical record. Despite minor misfits the correctness of the tuning is evident from the match between precession-obliquity interference in the astronomical target and its reflection in the sedimentary cycle record. The tuning provides absolute astronomical ages for all sedimentary cycles and planktonic foraminiferal events. The base of the Tripoli is astronomically dated at 7.005 Ma, indicating that the onset of diatomite formation is diachronous in the Mediternean since it started 300 000 years earlier on Sicily than on Gavdos, south of Crete. The top of the Tripoli, and thus the onset of the salinity crisis proper on Sicily, arrives at 5.98 Ma.     

应用精细油藏描述技术实现S3区可持续发展

对S3区开展的精细油藏描述,发现由于储层胶结性差、埋深浅、笼统注采以及防砂措施不配套等因素影响,整个区块出现储量动用不均衡,原开发方式已经不适应油藏的开发形式的需要。在油藏开发调整中,进行平面开发区域的合理划分与重组。针对不同区域储层特征、沉积特点、水驱开发特征、现有井网完整程度和剩余油分布状况,对不同区域采用适合的开发方式,实现在同一区块采用多元的开发方式进行整体二次开发,使该区块生产能力得到改善。     

Alluvial deposits from the strike-slip fault Lo River Basin (Oligocene/Miocene), Red River Fault Zone, north-western Vietnam

The Lo River Basin (LRB) is one of several narrow sedimentary basins associated with the main faults of the Red River Fault Zone separating the South China and Indochina microplates. The basin is located on the NE boundary of the high-grade metamorphic Con Voi Massif and the sedimentary and metasedimentary Viet Bac fold zone in north-eastern Vietnam.The LRB is filled with over 6000 m of Oligocene/Miocene alluvial deposits. The source area was probably located on the NE margin of the basin and was composed mostly of low-grade metamorphic rocks with a minor component of sedimentary rocks. Three alluvial systems are recognised. The oldest system was a proximal braided river system, with the minor occurrence of alluvial fans. The younger systems record changes in clast composition and lithofacies, which suggests a transition from a distal braided river to a distal braidplain system. The LRB fill shows a range of features characteristic of strike-slip fault basins. The origin of the LRB is correlated with the left-lateral transtensional regime. The present shape of the basin is a result of post-sedimentation tectonic activity.     

The sedimentology of river confluences

Channel confluences are key nodes within large river networks, and yet surprisingly little is known about their spatial and temporal evolution. Moreover, because confluences are associated with vertical scour that typically extends to several times the mean channel depth, the deposits associated with such scours should have a high preservation potential within the rock record. Paradoxically, such scours are rarely observed, and their preservation and sedimentological interpretation are poorly understood. The present study details results from a physically‐based morphodynamic model that is applied to simulate the evolution and alluvial architecture of large river junctions. Boundary conditions within the model were defined to approximate the junction of the Ganges and Jamuna rivers, Bangladesh, with the model output being supplemented by geophysical datasets collected at this junction. The numerical simulations reveal several distinct styles of sedimentary fill that are related to the morphodynamic behaviour of bars, confluence scour downstream of braid bars, bend scour and major junction scour. Comparison with existing, largely qualitative, conceptual models reveals that none of these can be applied simply, although elements of each are evident in the deposits generated by the numerical simulation and observed in the geophysical data. The characteristics of the simulated scour deposits are found to vary according to the degree of reworking caused by channel migration, a factor not considered adequately in current conceptual models of confluence sedimentology. The alluvial architecture of major junction scours is thus characterized by the prevalence of erosion surfaces in conjunction with the thickest depositional sets. Confluence scour downstream of braid bar and bend scour sites may preserve some large individual sets, but these locations are typically characterized by lower average set thickness compared to major junction scour and by a lack of large‐scale erosional surfaces. Areas of deposition not related to any of the specific scour types highlighted above record the thinnest depositional sets. This variety in the alluvial architecture of scours may go some way towards explaining the paradox of ancient junction scours, that while abundant large scours are likely in the rock record, they have been reported rarely. The present results outline the likely range of confluence sedimentology and will serve as a new tool for recognizing and interpreting these deposits in the ancient fluvial record.