Salt diapirs in the Dead Sea basin and their relationship to Quaternary extensional tectonics

Regional extension of a brittle overburden and underlying salt causes differential loading that is thought to initiate the rise of reactive diapirs below and through regions of thin overburden. We present a modern example of a large salt diapir in the Dead Sea pull-apart basin, the Lisan diapir, which we believe was formed during the Quaternary due to basin transtension and subsidence. Using newly released seismic data that are correlated to several deep wells, we determine the size of the diapir to be 13×10 km, its maximum depth 7.2 km, and its roof 125 m below the surface. From seismic stratigraphy, we infer that the diapir started rising during the early to middle Pleistocene as this section of the basin underwent rapid subsidence and significant extension of the overburden. During the middle to late Pleistocene, the diapir pierced through the extensionally thinned overburden, as indicated by rim synclines, which attest to rapid salt withdrawal from the surrounding regions. Slight positive topography above the diapir and shallow folded horizons indicate that it is still rising intermittently. The smaller Sedom diapir, exposed along the western bounding fault of the basin is presently rising and forms a 200 m-high ridge. Its initiation is explained by localized E–W extension due monoclinal draping over the edge of a rapidly subsiding basin during the early to middle Pleistocene, and its continued rise by lateral squeezing due to continued rotation of the Amazyahu diagonal fault.     

The structure and formation of diapirs in the Yinggehai-Song Hong Basin, South China Sea

The occurrence of shale diapirs in the Yinggehai-Song Hong (YGH-SH) Basin is well documented, as is their association with big petroleum fields. In order to better understand how and why the diapirs form we performed a detailed geophysical analysis using a new regional compilation of high-resolution two- and three-dimensional seismic reflection data, as well as drilling data that cover the diapirs in YGH-SH Basin. As many as 18 diapirs were identified and are arranged in six N-S-striking vertical en échelon zones. On seismic reflection sections gas chimney structures, diapiric faults and palaeo-craters are genetically linked with the process of diapirism. Here we use geophysical and geological observations to propose a three-stage model for diapirism: initiation, emplacement, and collapse. During these three stages, different diapiric structure styles are formed, which we describe in detail. These include buried diapirs, piercing diapirs and collapsed diapirs. We link the diapirism to activity on the offshore continuation of the Red River Fault, as shown on our high-resolution seismic reflection data, which is also related to a high paleogeothermal gradient caused by crustal thinning. We also recognize the role of loading by the very large volume of sediment eroded from the edges of the Tibetan Plateau and delivered by the Red River to the basin.     

Paleoecological Relations of Foraminifera in a Desert-Enclosed Sea -The Gulf of Aqaba (Elat), Red Sea

Abstract. Planktonic and benthonic foraminifera live in the desert-enclosed, hypersaline and oligotrophic Gulf of Aqaba and northernmost Red Sea near the edge of their ecological tolerance. Marked changes in foraminiferal abundance patterns in the past, resulting from hydrological shifts related to global climatic fluctuations, facilitate a high-resolution ecostratigraphic subdivision of deep-sea records covering the last 150,000 years. Of particular significance are the foraminiferal plankton/benthos ratios, the presence/absence pattern of such species as Globigerinoides sacculifer , as well as the frequency variation of Globigerina bulloules-falconensis, Buliminacea, Miiiolacea and various "rotaliform" species. Paleoceanographic interpretation of the shifts in assemblage composition and of stable oxygen isotope data obtained on planktonic foraminifera and pteropods indicates that during glacial intervals - because of global cooling, lowered sea-level and reduced water exchange at the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb - the temperature of the upper waters fell by about 4–6 ^oC (to 15–17 ^oC), salinity rose by about 10%o to more than 50%₀ while residence time of the water became longer and the input/output ratio of nutrients became higher. As a consequence, fertility of the photic zone was higher, the organic content of the sediments increased and oxygen levels in the deep basin became reduced. Thus, sea level-oscillations and strait-dynamics played a major role in the foraminiferal paleoecology of the Red Sea.     

Structure of the basins of the White Sea rift systems

For the first time, the structure of the sedimentary basins of the Late Proterozoic rift system in the White Sea is characterized based on a set of new marine geological geophysical data such as the results of the common depth point seismic method, gravity and magnetic data, and seismoacoustics. The main tectonic structures in the topography of the heterogeneous basement within the basin of the White Sea are distinguished and described. A structural tectonic scheme of the basement surface is presented. The thicknesses of the sediments are estimated and the stratigraphic confinement of the seismic units recognized is done.     

Tectonostratigraphy and sedimentary architecture of rift basins, with reference to the northern North Sea

A tectonostratigraphic model for the evolution of rift basins has been built, involving three distinct stages of basin development separated by key unconformities or unconformity complexes. The architecture and signature of the sediment infill for each stage are discussed, with reference to the northern North Sea palaeorift system. The proto-rift stage describes the rift onset with either doming or flexural subsidence. In the case of early doming, a proto-rift unconformity separates this stage from the subsequent main rift stage. Active stretching and rotation of fault blocks during the rift stage is terminated by the development of the syn-rift unconformity. Where crustal separation is accomplished, a break-up unconformity commonly marks the boundary to the overlying thermal relaxation or post-rift stage. Tabular architectures, thickening across relatively steep faults, characterize the proto-rift stage. Syn-rift architectures are much more variable. Depending on the ability of the sediment supply to fill the waxing and waning accommodation created during rotation and subsidence, one-, two- or three-fold lithosome architectures are likely to develop. During the post-rift stage, an early phase with coarse clastic infilling of remnant rift topography often precedes late stage widening of the basin and filling with fine-grained sediments.     

Distribution and Diversity of Ibla cumingi Darwin [Crustacea, Cirripedia) from the Gulf of Elat (Red Sea)

Abstract. The distribution of Ibla cumingi DARWIN on different types of hard substrata along 30 km of coast in the Gulf of Elat was studied. I. cumingi was found among and underneath Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta , in oyster beds, underneath slabs of beachrock, and in fissures in igneous rocks. In the Tetraclita belt, I. cumingi is most frequent in empty shells of dead Tetraclita while in the oyster bed it is common inside the meshwork made by the oysters. The distribution is regarded as clustered distribution. The density and size of the clusters of I. cumingi is determined by the available sheltered space within the midlittoral zone. The form of the habitat determines the shape of the animals. Those found in the oyster bed and fissures are usually longer than those found in the Tetraclita belt due to the depth of the fissures or to the bigger spaces within the oyster bed. I. cumingi is orientated so that the capitulum with the cirri is projecting towards the open water, and the water current. It is concluded that I. cumingi can withstand the physical stress encountered in a tropical intertidal zone, but that the distribution pattern is caused by predation.     

Isostasy and paleotemperatures in the Southern Tyrrhenian Basin,Mediterranean Sea

The present-day basement depth of the seafloor in the absence of sediment loading was inferred along a traverse crossing the Southern Tyrrhenian Basin. A correction for sediment loading was proposed on the basis of density, seismic velocity and porosity data from selected deep boreholes. The empirical relation between sediment correction and seismic two-way travel time was extrapolated downward by applying the Nafe–Drake curve and a specific porosity–depth relation. The sediment loading response of the basement calculated for flexural isostasy is on average about one hundred meters lower than results for local isostasy. A pure lithosphere extensional model was then used to predict quantitatively the basement subsidence pattern on the margins of the basin. The basement depth is consistent with uniform extension model predictions only in some parts of the margins. The observed variability in the region of greatest thinning (transition from continental to oceanic crust) is attributable to the weakening effect caused by diffuse igneous intrusions. Subsidence of the volcanic Calabrian–Sicilian margin is partly accounted for by magmatic underplating. The comparison of the calculated subsidence with an oceanic lithosphere cooling model shows that subsidence is variable in some areas, particularly in the Marsili Basin. This argues for a typical back-arc origin for the Tyrrhenian Basin, as a result of subduction processes. By taking into account the geodynamic setting, stratigraphic data from the deepest hole and the terrestrial heat flow, we reconstructed the paleotemperatures of cover sediments. The results suggest that low temperatures generally have prevailed during sediment deposition and that the degree of maturation is expected not to be sufficient for oil generation processes.     

Wave prediction in the Southern North Sea

Predictions of maximum wave height H_max are made at Cromer, Happisburgh and Lowestoft on the East Anglian Coast using the formula H_max = CK_RK_S U²/g where C is a constant, K_R, K_S are refraction and shoaling cofficients, U is wind speed and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Comparisonsare made with the models of Darbyshire Draper (1963) and Bretschneider (1958) Using this wave prediction formula, an estimate of the wave climate in the southern North Sea is deduced for the gales of 2–3 January 1976.     

Vertical transport of particulate organic matter in the deep Bering Sea and gulf of Alaska

Sediment trap arrays were deployed at two deep ocean stations, one in the Bering Sea and the other in the Gulf of Alaska, in the summer of 1975. The sediment trap was constructed of a pair of polyethylene cylinders (0.185 m² opening) with funnel-shaped bases. The trap is equipped with a lid which is closed before recovery by a tripping messenger system triggered by an electric time release. 37–68% of the total organic carbon fluxes (37–38% in the Bering Sea; 48–68% in the Gulf of Alaska) were represented by large particles (67µm<) such as fecal matter and fecal pellets which contributed minor fractions to the total particulate organic matter concentration in sea water. The total fluxes were 11.1 and 14.2 mg C m^–2d^–1 at 1,510 and 2,610 m respectively at the station (3,800 m) in the Bering Sea, and were 7.60, 4.66 and 3.27 mg C m^–2d^–1 at 900, 1,500 and 1,875 m respectively at the station (4,150 m) in the Gulf of Alaska. The former values are several times greater than the latter, suggesting that there is a regional variation in the vertical carbon flux in deep layers. The fluxes were approximately equivalent to 1 to 3% of primary productivity in the overlying surface layers. These observations suggest that deep-water ecosystems may be influenced by relatively rapid sinking of large particles such as fecal matter and fecal pellets from near surface production.     

黄海南部的溶解无机氮

根据 1998年 5月的调查资料 ,分析并讨论了春季黄海南部海区溶解无机氮的分布特征。结果表明 :( 1)因受长江冲淡水及沿岸流的影响 ,NH+4 - N、NO-2 - N浓度的平面分布基本呈周边高、中央低 ,NO-3 - N的浓度则基本呈长江口外海域高、中北部深水区低的分布规律。 ( 2 )调查海域深水区的溶解无机氮存在明显的层化现象 ,且底层等值线上凸密集。 10 m以浅水体 ,NO-3 - N的浓度分布均匀 ,10 m以深水体 ,NO-3 - N的浓度急剧增加 ,且呈现出随深度增加而增加的趋势 ,NH+4 - N、NO-2 - N浓度的垂直分布比较均匀。 ( 3)黄海南部表层叶绿素 a的浓度呈现周边高、中央低的分布特征。     

Distribution of Dissolved Inorganic Phosphate in Nansha Islands Sea Area,Southern South China Sea

Based on the survey data from the program Multidisciplinary Expedition to Nansha Islands Sea Area, the distribution of dissolved inorganic phosphate ( PO4^3--P ) in the sea water of Nansha Islands Sea Area is comprehensively analyzed in this paper. The results show that PO4^3--P concentration in the sea water of southeastern Nansha Islands Sea Area is commonly higher than that in the other sea areas; the vertical distribution of PO4^3--P concentration varies inconspicuously in different seasons; the concentration of PO4^3--P increases with water depth and changes most greatly in the layer of 50-100m. The diurnal variation of PO4^3--P concentration differs in different seasons and at different observation stations. The distribution and variation of PO4^3--P concentration result from the physical and biological processes together.     

南海南部海域的多涡结构

基于美国海军的空间分辨率为0.5°×0.5°月平均的GDEM三维温盐资料,采用P矢量方法,计算了南沙南部海域的三维环流结构。结果表明,南沙南部海域不仅存在多涡结构,而且此多涡结构还存在明显的季节性变化。冬季,存在南沙海槽反气旋式涡、东南沙反气旋式涡和较弱的南沙气旋式涡;夏季,存在南沙反气旋式涡、巴拉望海槽西侧的气旋式涡和东南沙气旋式涡。     

Physico-chemical study of Dead Sea waters: II. Density measurements and equation of state of Dead Sea waters at 1 atm

The densities (p) of artificial solutions of Dead Sea waters have been measured at 20°, 25°, 30°, 35° and 40°C using a vibrating tube densimeter. The resulting relative densities (p — p_o, where p_o is the density of water) have been used to determine an equation of state for Dead Sea waters. The average deviation between experimental values and those calculated from the obtained equation was 0.000020 g ml^?1. A thermal expansion coefficient and the coefficients characterizing the influence of the changes in salt or ionic concentrations on the density of Dead Sea waters were calculated, and they were shown to be temperature and concentration dependent. The densities of Dead Sea waters were found to be very sensitive to any changes in ionic composition. The partial molal volumes of salt components were calculated and discussed.     

Dangerous Sea Phenomena in the Southern Part of Matua Island,Kuril Ridge

Oceanology - The results of an analysis of wave observations in Dvoinaya Bay at the southern part of Matua Island (Kuril Ridge) are reported. Experimental studies were carried out in order to...     

4万年中没有变化的死海裂谷地震体系

我们从死海Lisan组的70～14 ka湖相沉积物中提取了古地震记录,并对此进行了研究,认为其中约30个角砾层是由震级大于5.5级的地震产生的.如果在死海沉积物中能发现类似角砾层的年龄与历史地震匹配的话,这种解释是很有意义的,然而,Lisan组记录的中等强度的地震与强地震之间不存在任何差异,并且它们的震中距也不好界定.本研究只是尝试分辨Lisan组古地震记录中的较强地震,以确定震源的位置.     

南黄海浮游动物群落结构研究

根据2014年春、秋季南黄海16个站位的生物样品进行了浮游动物群落结构研究。共鉴定出99种浮游动物,其中春季68种,秋季78种。除浮游幼虫外,种类较多的类群是桡足类(34种,占总种类数的34.3%)、水螅水母(13种,13.1%)和端足类(5种,5.0%)。春季优势种为夜光虫(Y=0.259 7)、桡足幼体(Y=0.135 3)、拟长腹剑水蚤(Y=0.060 8)和伪长腹剑水蚤(Y=0.022 4),秋季时桡足幼体(Y=0.335 9)、伪长腹剑水蚤(Y=0.115 7)、强额拟哲水蚤(Y=0.053 3)、桡足类无节幼虫(Y=0.051 4)和拟长腹剑水蚤(Y=0.041 0)是优势种。春季浮游动物平均生物量为1 555.1 mg/m~3,秋季为425.8 mg/m~3。春季平均丰度为9 551.4个/m~3,秋季为2 103.7个/m~3。秋季香农-威纳指数、丰富度和均匀度结果皆比春季的高。浮游动物生物量与温度和水深相关性更高;丰度和温度相关性最高,其次和水深相关。     

中国东部边缘海冬季硅酸盐的分布特征及主要来源

利用2007年1～2月的调查资料,分析讨论了中国东部陆架边缘海(南黄海、东海)冬季硅酸盐的分布特征及其主要影响因素。结果表明:近岸海域硅酸盐的高值区位于受长江冲淡水影响的区域;东海的硅酸盐浓度高于南黄海。长江冲淡水和黑潮水是影响东海和南黄海硅酸盐分布的主要因素。黑潮中层水是东海陆架区硅酸盐的主要来源。     

伶仃洋南部断裂构造特征

利用综合地球物理调查资料研究了伶仃洋南部断裂构造的位置、延伸方向和产状特征。结果表明,在伶仃洋南部的断裂是陆域断裂在海域的延伸,以基岩断裂为主,少数断裂影响到第四系沉积物,并表现出分段活动性。海域NE—ENE向断裂与两侧陆域的NE—ENE向断裂连接在一起,构成一条完整的NE—ENE向断裂构造体系。NW向断裂活动时代晚于NE—ENE向断裂,其右行走滑运动将NE—ENE向断裂截切和错移。形成这一构造格局的主要动力来自新生代以来南海的拉张作用以及澳洲板块南北向的推挤作用。