New seismo-stratigraphic and marine magnetic data of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Naples Bay, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): inferences for the tectonic and magmatic events of the Phlegrean Fields volcanic complex (Campania)

A detailed reconstruction of the stratigraphic and tectonic setting of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Naples Bay) is provided on the basis of newly acquired single channel seismic profiles coupled with already recorded marine magnetics gathering the volcanic nature of some seismic units. Inferences for the tectonic and magmatic setting of the Phlegrean Fields volcanic complex, a volcanic district surrounding the western part of the Gulf of Naples, where volcanism has been active since at least 50 ka, are also discussed. The Gulf of Pozzuoli represents the submerged border of the Phlegrean caldera, resulting from the volcano-tectonic collapse induced from the pyroclastic flow deposits of the Campanian Ignimbrite (35 ka). Several morpho-depositional units have been identified, i.e., the inner continental shelf, the central basin, the submerged volcanic banks and the outer continental shelf. The stratigraphic relationships between the Quaternary volcanic units related to the offshore caldera border and the overlying deposits of the Late Quaternary depositional sequence in the Gulf of Pozzuoli have been highlighted. Fourteen main seismic units, both volcanic and sedimentary, tectonically controlled due to contemporaneous folding and normal faulting have been revealed by geological interpretation. Volcanic dykes, characterized by acoustically transparent sub-vertical bodies, locally bounded by normal faults, testify to the magma uprising in correspondence with extensional structures. A large field of tuff cones interlayered with marine deposits off the island of Nisida, on the western rim of the gulf, is related to the emplacement of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff deposits. A thick volcanic unit, exposed over a large area off the Capo Miseno volcanic edifice is connected with the Bacoli-Isola Pennata-Capo Miseno yellow tuffs, cropping out in the northern Phlegrean Fields.     

The SW African volcanic rifted margin and the initiation of the Walvis Ridge,South Atlantic

The continental margin of SW Africa is typical of a volcanic rifted margin associated with a hotspot trail characterized by a large volcanic ridge, the Walvis Ridge, defining the hotspot migration, and extensive extrusive volcanism that produced seaward-dipping reflectors (SDR). Previously unpublished seismic data show two significant anomalies of the SW African Margin when compared to other typical volcanic rifted margins: (1) Hyaloclastitic outer highs are rare, and (2) the SDR in the North dip towards the Walvis Ridge. We explain these anomalies by a major transform segment close to the centre of volcanism combined with pulsed volcanism. The Walvis Ridge represents an east-west striking extrusive centre which produced a SDR sequence. Following break-up the northern boundary of the Walvis Ridge became a left lateral transform fault. Our data support the idea that a transform fault system interacting with a ridge jump were responsible for the accretion of the São Paulo Plateau to the American plate.     

Some aspects of volcanic ash layers in the Central Indian Basin

Intercalated volcanic ash layers in two deep-sea sediment cores from the Central Indian Basin (CIB) are examined for the possibility of an in situ source of suboceanic volcanism. An in situ source has been predicated based on the bottom morphological structures and activation of seamounts during the geological past. The tentative correlation between depositional ages of the ash layer horizons and the period of global climatic cooling events reinforces the hypothesis that the suboceanic volcanic episode might have been initiated during the onset of glaciation.     

Some aspects of volcanic ash layers in the Central Indian Basin

 Intercalated volcanic ash layers in two deep-sea sediment cores from the Central Indian Basin (CIB) are examined for the possibility of an in situ source of suboceanic volcanism. An in situ source has been predicated based on the bottom morphological structures and activation of seamounts during the geological past. The tentative correlation between depositional ages of the ash layer horizons and the period of global climatic cooling events reinforces the hypothesis that the suboceanic volcanic episode might have been initiated during the onset of glaciation. Received: 20 June 1995 / Revision received: 11 May 1998     

Holocene stratigraphy and depositional architecture of eastern Pozzuoli Bay (eastern Tyrrhenian Sea margin,Italy): the influence of tectonics and wave-induced currents

Pozzuoli Bay is located in the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea and is an area characterized by active tectonics and volcanism. On the basis of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles, it was possible to reconstruct the stratigraphy and three-dimensional stratal architecture of the Holocene succession. Two volcanic units and three sedimentary ones were recognized. The basal unit NC consists of volcanic deposits and dates at 10.0-8.0 ka B.P. It is followed by unit D, deposited between 8.0 and 5.5 ka B.P., which displays a backstepping configuration in the central area and a forestepping configuration in the northern area. Unit D is covered by the progradational unit B which is elongated in a SE-NW direction. Unit C is interbedded between unit B and is interpreted as the volcanic products of the Agnano-Monte Spina eruption which occurred 4.4 B.P. Unit A, the youngest unit, shows a progradational configuration and is elongated in a E-W direction. The sedimentary units record the transgressive and highstand of the eustatic sea level. They show vertical and lateral variations in the depositional architecture. Changes in the stacking pattern record variations in tectonic subsidence and hydrodynamic regimes.     

A Compilation of Geophysical Data from the Lazarev Sea and the Riiser-Larsen Sea, Antarctica

On the basis of new geophysical data acquired by the Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Polar Marine Geological Research Expedition (PMGRE) as well as existing data new geophysical maps were compiled for the Lazarev Sea and the Riiser-Larsen Sea between 10°W and 25°E. The new results are: – The drastic change in the strike direction of the volcanic Explora Wedge between longitudes 10°W and 5°W is accompanied with a gradual change from one major wedge, i.e. the Explora Wedge, into at least two wedge-shaped volcanic constructions, each manifested by a sequence of seaward-dipping reflectors in the seismic records. – The southern Lazarev Sea is best described as a continental margin affected by multiple rifting episodes accompanied with transient volcanism. – A distinct N80°E striking basement depression separates the volcanic-prone continental margin of the southern Lazarev Sea from oceanic crust upon which the Maud Rise rests. The southern scarp of the narrow depression was presumably aligned with the eastern scarp of the Mozambique Ridge during the Early Cretaceous. – The Astrid Ridge proper occupies the transition from the volcanic-prone continental margin of the Lazarev Sea to old oceanic crust of the Riiser -Larsen Sea, and it rests upon a large volcanic apron which covers the basement of the southwestern Riiser-Larsen Sea. – No evidence was found that prolific volcanism has affected the early opening of the Riiser-Larsen Sea. – The Lazarev Sea is a sediment-starved region.     

Geological reconstruction of Fangataufa atoll, South Pacific

Several boreholes drilled by the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique have reached and passed through the volcanic bedrock of Fangataufa atoll. The sampled volcanic rocks under the coral ring were produced during both aerial and submarine activity, whereas rocks drilled under the lagoon were erupted during submarine volcanism only. The bathymetric data show that the atoll has a “starfish” shape. The rift zones are elongated in N-S, N70–80 and N120 directions; these three main directions are also the directions of structural discontinuities in the lithosphere. Reconstruction of the atoll's topography before erosion using a slope angle of about 16° shows that the maximum height reached by the volcano was about 1300 m above sea level. For comparison, the maximum height of Méhetia island (southeast of Tahiti) is approximately 435 m. The successive construction stages are: (1) initiation of volcanism along the rift zones and construction of a central volcano; (2) production of brecciated lavas; (3) emergent volcanism; and (4) central and aerial activity. The present day position of the aerial volcanic rocks under the coral reef and the submarine products under the lagoon is discussed with reference to two hypotheses. The first is based on sea level changes and the second on a tectonic origin (collapse of the atoll's flanks). Using recent geochronological data, the submarine construction of the atoll related to the hot-spot activity lasted about 1.1 Ma. The accumulation rate was approximately 0.7 cm/yr (1.5 × 10⁻³ km³/yr) and the aerial volcanic activity lasted about 2 Ma (1.5 × 10⁻⁵ km³/yr).     

The ocean/continent transition along a profile through the Lofoten basin,Northern Norway

The Cenozoic margins of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea offer ideal conditions for passive margin studies. A series of structural elements, first observed on these margins, led to the concept of volcanic passive margins. Questions still remain about the development of such features and the location of the boundary between oceanic and continental crust. Despite the thin sediment cover of the margins, seismic reflection data are not able to image the deeper structures due to the occurrence of igneous rocks at shallow depth.This paper presents a 320-km long profile perpendicular to the strike of the main structural units of the Lofoten Margin in Northern Norway. A geological model is proposed, based on observations made with ocean bottom seismographs, which recorded seismic refraction data and wide angle reflections, along with a seismic reflection profile covering the same area. Ray-tracing was used to calculate a geophysical model from the shelf area into the Lofoten basin. The structures typical of a volcanic passive margin were found, showing that the Lofoten Margin was influenced by increased volcanic activity during its evolution. The ocean/continent transition is located in a 30-km wide zone landwards of the Vøring Plateau escarpment.The whole margin is underlain by a possibly underplated, high velocity layer. Evidence for a pre-rift sediment basin landwards of the escarpment, overlain by basalt flows, was seen. These structural features, related to extensive volcanism on the Lofoten Margin, are not as distinct as further south along the Norwegian Margin. Viewed in the light of the hot-spot theory of White and McKenzie (1989) the Lofoten Margin can be interpreted as a transitional type between volcanic and non-volcanic passive margin.     

Controls on the tectono-magmatic evolution of a volcanic transform margin: the Vøring Transform Margin,NE Atlantic

Ocean bottom seismograph (OBS), multichannel seismic and potential field data reveal the structure of the Vøring Transform Margin (VTM). This transform margin is located at the landward extension of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone along the southern edge of the Vøring Plateau. The margin consists of two distinctive segments. The northwestern segment is characterized by large amounts of volcanic material. The new OBS data reveal a 30–40 km wide and 17 km thick high-velocity body between underplated continental crust to the northeast and normal oceanic crust in the southwest. The southeastern segment of the mar is similar to transform margins elsewhere. It is characterized by a 20–30 km wide transform margin high and a narrow continent-ocean transition. The volcanic sequences along this margin segment are less than 1 km thick. We conclude from the spatial correspondence of decreased volcanism and the location of the fracture zone, that the amount of volcanism was influenced by the tectonic setting. We propose that (1) lateral heat transport from the oceanic lithosphere to the adjacent continental lithosphere decreased the ambient mantle temperature and melt production along the entire transform margin and (2) that right-stepping of the left-lateral shear zone at the northwestern margin segment caused lithospheric thinning and increased volcanism. The investigated data show no evidence that the breakup volcanism influenced the tectonic development of the southeastern VTM.     

Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Labrador margin, Atlantic Canada

The Labrador continental margin provides a rich source of data with which to study the relationships between stratigraphy, tectonics and paleoenvironment. We have completed a regional seismic interpretation and integrated this with new biostratigraphic data, based on analyses of palynomorphs from wells in the Hopedale and Saglek Basins which occur on this margin. Our results are summarized in a tectonostratigraphic chart, which displays new and consistent age control for the major lithostratigraphic units and provides more precise evaluation of their depositional and paleoenvironmental history. We have identified and dated six regional unconformities in the wells and we can recognize several others on the seismic data. The older unconformities (Cretaceous) are related to the tectonics of rifting and seafloor spreading, and may delineate the onset of different stages of the rift process. In the Paleocene-Early Eocene, unconformity development was influenced by episodic volcanism due to the passage of the proto-Iceland hotspot to the north and to a major change in spreading direction in the Labrador Sea. Many of these unconformities are also identified in offshore southwest Greenland and the Grand Banks, suggesting widespread controlling mechanisms. During the post-seafloor spreading stage the effects of mass wasting and slumping, and of paleoenvironmental controls on the stratigraphy, were more pronounced. We discuss the petroleum potential of the Hopedale Basin in terms of the structures we see on the seismic data, and highlight the Bjarni Formation, which likely contains the most prospective source and reservoir rocks in this Basin.     

Structural Configuration of Mahanadi Offshore Basin,India: An Aeromagnetic Study

Aeromagnetic data collected over the Offshore Mahanadi Basin along the Eastern margin of India display high amplitude magnetic anomalies. The presence of a Cretaceous volcanic sequence masks the seismic response from the underlying basement and results in poor quality seismic data. In this study spectral analysis of the aeromagnetic data collected over this part of the Offshore Mahanadi Basin was carried out. Results of this analysis indicate the presence of a high density, highvelocity (6.45 km/s) mafic layer within the crystalline basement varying from 4–6 km depth. This intra-basement layer seems to have been affected by a number of lineaments, which have played a role in the evolution of the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. The western part of the offshore basin is affected by the volcanism related to the 85°E Ridge, whereas the intense anomaly band (900 nT) offshore Puri, Konark and Paradip is interpreted as a combined effect of crystalline Precambrian basement overlain (i) by Cretaceous volcanic rocks of variable thickness (25–860 m) and (ii) by a mafic layer within the basement.     

Geochemical features of the Okhotsk Sea Cenozoic volcanism

Cenozoic volcanic rocks were discovered on major rises of the inner Okhotsk Sea. In this paper, these rocks are geochemically typified, and the geodynamic conditions of their formation reconstructed. For this purpose, mineralogical and geochemical analyses as well as radioisotope age determinations were carried out. The radioisotope age determinations show that the Cenozoic volcanic rocks were formed during the Paleogene–Pleistocene. Within this period, Eocene and Plio-Pleistocene volcanic complexes are particularly prominent. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses show that the rocks belong to the calc-alkaline volcanic series. The Eocene volcanic rocks were formed under subaerial conditions, whereas the Plio-Pleistocene volcanics were formed under submarine conditions. The results of the study suggest that the Okhotsk Sea Basin was formed during the destruction of the Asian continental margin, the Eocene volcanism reflecting subaerial, the Plio-Pleistocene volcanism submarine stages of the Okhotsk Sea evolution.     

Internal structure of the 85°E ridge,Bay of Bengal: Evidence for multiphase volcanism

The 85°E Ridge, located in the Bay of Bengal of the northeastern Indian Ocean is an enigmatic geological feature as it possesses unusual geophysical signatures. The ridge's internal structure and mode of eruptions are unknown due to lack of deep seismic reflection and borehole data control. Here, we analyze 10 km of long-streamer seismic reflection data to unravel the ridge's internal structure, and thereby to enhance the understanding of how the ridge was originated and grew over a geologic time. Seismic facies analysis reveals the ridge structure consisting of volcanic vent and several stratigraphic units including packs of prograding clinoforms. The clinoform sequences are interpreted as volcanic successions, and led to the formation of lava-delta fronts. Interpreted features of lava-fed deltas and intervening erosional surfaces, and mass flows along ridge flanks suggest that the 85°E Ridge is a volcanic construct, and was built by both subaqueous and multiphase sub-marine volcanism during the Late Cretaceous (approximately from 85 to 80 Ma). At later time, from Oligocene-Miocene (∼23 Ma) onwards the ridge was buried under the thick sediments of the Bengal Fan system.     

Seismic stratigraphy and evolution of the Raggatt Basin,southern Kerguelen Plateau

Six major seismic stratigraphic sequences in the Raggatt Basin on the southern Kerguelen Plateau overlie a basement complex of Cretaceous or greater age. The complex includes dipping reflectors which were apparently folded and eroded before the Raggatt Basin developed. The seismic stratigraphic sequences include a basal unit F, which fills depressions in basement; a thick unit, E, which has a mounded upper surface (volcanic or carbonate mounds); a depression-filling unit, D; a thick unit C which is partly Middle to Late Eocene; and two post-Eocene units, A and B, which are relatively thin and more limited in areal extent than the underlying sequences. A mid or Late Cretaceous erosional episode was followed by subsidence and basin development, interrupted by major erosion in the mid Tertiary. Late Cenozoic sedimentation was affected by vigorous ocean currents.     

Accretion,structure and hydrology of intermediate spreading-rate oceanic crust from drillhole experiments and seafloor observations

Downhole measurements recorded in the context of the Ocean Drilling Program in Hole 504B, the deepest hole drilled yet into the oceanic crust, are analyzed in terms of accretion processes of the upper oceanic crust at intermediate spreading-rate. The upper part of the crust is found to support the non steady-state models of crustal accretion developed from seafloor observations (Kappel and Ryan, 1986; Gente, 1987). The continuous and vertical nature of borehole measurements provides stratigraphic and structural data that cannot be obtained solely from seafloor studies and, in turn, these models define a framework to analyze the structural, hydrological, and mineralogical observations made in the hole over the past decade.Due to the observed zonation with depth of alteration processes, and its relation to lava morphologies, the 650-m-thick effusive section penetrated in Hole 504B is postulated to be emplaced as the result of two main volcanic sequences. Massive lava flows are interpreted as corresponding to the onset of these sequences emplaced on the floor of the axial graben. The underlying lava made of structures with large porosity values and numerous cm-scale fractures is thus necessarily accreted at the end of the previous volcanic episode. On top of such high heterogeneous and porous intervals, the thick lava flows constitute crustal permeability barriers, thereby constraining the circulation of hydrothermal fluids.Accreted in the near vicinity of the magma chamber, the lower section is that exposed to the most intense hydrothermal circulation (such as black smokers activity). Once capped by a massive flow at the onset of the second volcanic phase, the lower interval is hydrologically separated from ocean-waters. A reducing environment develops then below it resulting, for example, in the precipitation of sulfides. Today, whereas the interval corresponding to the first volcanic episode is sealed by alteration minerals, the second-one is still open to fluid circulation in its upper section. Thus, upper part of the volcanic edifice is potentially never exposed to fluids reaching deep into the crust, while the lower one is near the ridge axis.Considering that most of the extrusives are emplaced within a narrow volcanic zone, the first unit extruded for a given vertical cross-section is necessarily emplaced at the ridge-axis. In Hole 504B, the 250-m-thickTransition Zone from dikes to extrusives is interpreted as the relict massive unit flooding the axial graben at the onset of the first volcanic sequence, and later ruptured by numerous dikes. Further from the axis, the same massive unit constitutes a potential permeability cap for vertical crustal sections accreted earlier. Also, the upper 50 meters of the basement might be considered as the far-end expression of massive outpours extruded near the ridge-axis.     

Depositional environment of near-surface sediments,King George Basin,Bransfield Strait,Antarctica

Four sediment cores were collected to determine the depositional environments of the King George Basin northeast of Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. The cored section revealed three distinct lithofacies: laminated siliceous ooze derived from an increased paleoproductivity near the receding sea-ice edges, massive muds that resulted from hemipelagic sedimentation in open water, and graded sediments that originated from nearby local seamounts by turbidity currents. Clay mineral data of the cores indicate a decreasing importance of volcanic activity through time. Active volcanism and hydrothermal activity appear to be responsible for the enrichment of smectite near the Penguin and Bridgeman Islands.     

四国海盆起源与沉积环境演化

四国海盆位于西太平洋最大的边缘海——菲律宾海的东北部，是太平洋板块向欧亚板块俯冲而形成的一个目前已不活动的弧后盆地，具有高的热流值和洋壳裂开历史，并且具有双翼不对称扩张模式。其磁条带具有“东西不对称、南北不对等”的特点，从而造成四国海盆“北宽南窄、东凸西平”的地形、地貌特征。四国海盆具有典型的弧后盆地沉积特征，主要包括半远洋沉积、火山碎屑沉积和少量的远洋沉积。在早中新世、中中新世、晚中新世、上新世、更新世盆地发育的不同阶段，都有一定的岩相组合特征，并反映了当时的沉积环境。中中新世在盆地的北部和东部，晚中新世在盆地的北部、东北部，上新世和更新世在盆地的北部、东北部和西北部均发育有碎屑沉积。由于中更新世南海海槽的形成及其对物源的阻隔作用，在盆地北部发育了远洋粘土和钙质生物沉积。中中新世，盆地的北部、东侧和西侧均有火山活动发育，晚中新世仅在东部岛弧区有火山活动；上新世仅盆地的北部有少量的火山活动，晚更新世火山活动在盆地北部发育。     

The flexural margin,the foredeep,and the orogenic margin of a northern Cordilleran foreland basin: Cretaceous tectonostratigraphy and detrital zircon provenance,northwestern Canada

Reconstructions of the Albian to Campanian foreland basin adjacent to the northern Canadian Cordillera are based on outcrop and well log correlations, seismic interpretation, and reconnaissance-level detrital zircon analysis. The succession is subdivided into two tectonostratigraphic units. First is an Albian tectonostratigraphic unit that was deposited on the flexural margin of a foreland basin. At the base is a shallow marine sandstone interval that was deposited during transgressive reworking of sediment from cratonic sources east of the basin that resulted in a dominant 2000–1800 Ma detrital zircon age fraction. Subsequent deposition in a west-facing muddy ramp setting was followed by east-to-west shoreface progradation into the basin.Near the Albian–Cenomanian boundary, regional uplift and exhumation resulted in an angular unconformity at the base of the Cenomanian–Campanian tectonostratigraphic unit. Renewed subsidence in the Cenomanian resulted in deposition of organic-rich, radioactive, black mudstone of the Slater River Formation in a foredeep setting. Cenomanian–Turonian time saw west-to-east progradation of a shoreface-shelf system from the orogenic margin of the foreland basin over the foredeep deposits. Detrital zircon age peaks of approximately 1300 Ma, 1000 Ma, and 400 Ma from a Turonian sample are consistent with recycling of Mississippian and older strata from the Cordillera west of the study area, and show that the orogen-attached depositional system delivered sediment from the orogen to the foreland basin. A near syndepositional detrital zircon age of ca. 93 Ma overlaps with known granitoid ages from the Cordillera. After the shelf system prograded across the study area, subsequent pulses of subsidence and uplift resulted in dramatic thickness variations across an older structural belt, the Keele Tectonic Zone, from the Turonian to the Campanian.The succession of depositional systems in the study area from flexural margin to foredeep to orogenic margin is attributed to coupled foreland propagation of the front of the Cordilleran orogen and the foreland basin. Propagation of crustal thickening and deformation toward the foreland is a typical feature of orogens and so the distal to proximal evolution of the foreland basin should also be considered as typical.     

冲绳海槽宫古段中央地堑中的火山分布及地质意义

采用中国科学院海洋研究所“科学1号”调查船及国家海洋局“向阳红9号”调查船,于20世纪90年代以来在冲绳海槽宫古段进行海底地形及反射地震调查,所取得的数据,首次详细展示了冲绳海槽宫古段南北长约200km区域内海底火山的形态及其空间分布特征。在本段冲绳海槽发育的中轴火山和岛弧火山,分别位于中央地堑和海槽盆地东部边缘紧靠琉球岛弧的西侧。岛弧火山连续性强,总体上自东北而西南都有分布;中轴火山不如岛弧火山的连续性强,只在崂山段、黄岛段、胶南段、莱西段、城阳段和李沧段分布。中轴火山是在中央地堑之后发育的。中轴火山的发育不仅改变了原来中央地堑的位置,也改变了原来中央地堑的形态。中央地堑的左旋雁行排列,以及其形态的改变都是由于中轴火山发育的结果。中央地堑的右旋展布以及海底火山对中央地堑的改造,标志着冲绳海槽的演化已经在拉张和沉降的基础上进入到一个更高级的演化阶段(海底扩张),在岩浆供应不太充足的条件下,海底火山活动是冲绳海槽低速扩张的一种形式,海底扩张沿中央地堑正在进行。     

琉球群岛以东海区沉积物重矿物分布及来源

琉球群岛东部海区沉积物中富含大量火山碎屑矿物、岛屿岩石遭受风化蚀变形成的普通角闪石以及水生的铁锰微结核,其重矿物种类、特征、组合分区等与火山作用、沉积环境、地形、物质来源等内外生因素密切相关。通过对本区重矿物的种类、特征及组合分区的研究,初步判断位于研究区北部、菲律宾板块向欧亚大陆俯冲而导致的正在活动的的琉球岛弧区为火山碎屑的主要源区,重矿物成分主要为水携成因来源,受同期火山作用控制;少量紫苏辉石来自先期形成的海岭或海底高原(如冲大东海岭、奄美海岭及九州海岭等)上的火山岩系,是经过剥蚀、搬运再沉积的产物;琉球群岛、九州等火山活动产物受海底高地等阻隔而在本区表现为向南或东南影响力逐渐减小;本区地质历史上的及正在进行的岩浆活动主要以基性及中性岩浆为主。此外,流经本区的黑潮对自生铁锰微结核的富集具有重要影响。