洛川黄土剖面的古地磁研究

Paleomagnetic measurements were conducted on 96 ariented loess specimens collected from the Lochuan section in Shanxi Prov., the total thickness of which is up to 130 m and more. The results have provided evidence that the deposition of Late Pleistocene Malan Loess and Middle Pleistocene Lishih Loess in the Lochuan section took place during the Brunhes normal epoch. The lower limit of the Lishih Loess which represents the boundary between the Brunhes epoch and the Matuyama epoch is located at the top of the lower silt bed, corresponding to a depth of 75 m. The Wucheng Loess, which recorded the Jalomillo normal polarity event, deposited during the middle-late period of the Matuyama reversed epoch. The upper limit of the Jalamillo is set at a depth of 100 m. and the lower limit at 110 m. Experiments have shown that rotated remanent magnetization of the specimen resulted from AF demagnetization Can be effectively eliminated by means of magnetic cleaning in opposite directions,despite of the differences in magnetic stability and ages of various strata (loess, silt bed, buried soil and weathered beds) in the Lochuan section.     

The Loess in the Qinling Mountains and Its Records of Palaeoenvironmental Changes

The Fengzhou loess section is very typical in the Qinling Mountains. The section, which is about 82 m thick and underlain by Neogene red clays, consists of 33 layers of loess and 33 layers of palaeosol. It covers the Brunhes normal polarity zone and Matuyama reversed polarity zone, and the B/ M boundary is located in the middle part of loess layer 8 (L8). The loess of the Matuyama reversed polarity zone records the Jaramillo, Olduvai and Reunion normal polarity subchrons. The boundary between the Matuyama reversed polarity zone and Gauss normal polarity zone (M / Ga) appears on the lithological boundary between loess and Neogene red clays. Loess accumulation in the Fengzhou section started before 2.48 Ma B.P. Based on the stratigraphical structure, the material composition and magnetic susceptibility curve of the Fengzhou loess section, the palaeoclimatic changes during the last 2.48 Ma in the Qinling Mountains are subdivided into 66 cold-dry and warm-humid stages, equivalent to 33 climatic cycles. The     

洛川北韩寨黄土磁性地层学的初步研究

The stratigraphic sequence of the Beihanzhai loess section at Luochuan is similar to that of the typical Heimugou loess secdon of Pleistocene age. Loess samples were collected from the major output of the Beihanzhai section for determining the B/M boundary. The NRM of specimens was measured on a cryogenic fluxgate magnetometer in the Palcomagnetic Lab. of A.N.U. The stepwise TH and AF demagnetization of the specimens were carried out, respectively. The analysis of orthogonal diagrams constructed on the basis of demagnetization data indicates that TH demagnetization is better than AF demagnetization to obtain the characteristic NRM components. The data on inclination, declination and latitude of V.G.P. show that the B/M boundary approximately lies between loess bed L8 and palaeosol bed S7, and the Jalamillo subchron is at least recorded at the portion from S10 to L10. By comparing the magnetic data from the Beihanzhai loess section with those from the Heimugou loess section reported in 1977, it is obvious that the Olduvia subchron is recorded at the second palaeosol complex in the middle part of Early Pleistocene loess at Wucheng, Evidence shows that the Luochuan loess began depositing in Early Matuyama at abont 2.3--2.4 m.y. ago.     

黄土剖面中氧化物的比值和相对淋溶、积聚值在地质上的意义

As have been determined, the ratios of oxides and the contents of CaCO3 show a tendency to increase from bottom to top in Luochuan loess section, whereas an opposite tendency is observed for the relative values of weathering leaching or accumulation of loess, Moreover, the limits of oxide ratios from less to greater than the average value coincide with the boundary between Wucheng and Lishi loess strata, as well as with the boundary of magnetic polarity reversal. The ratios of oxides and the variations of relative weathering-leaching or accumulation extents are synchronous with the fluctuation of CaCO3 contents. From this investigation, it is shown that the ratios of oxides in the superimposed loees and paleosols from the loess profile are found rhythmically varied. These Characteristics might be explained by the hypothesis of repeated climatic fluctuation from dry (loess) to humid (paleosol) during the Quaternary period.     

河北衡水地区钻孔岩芯的古地磁研究

Paleomagnetic measurements were carried out on 134 vertically oriented spccimens taken from a Cenozoic drilling core in the Hengshui area, North China Plain.An alternating magnetic field with a peak value of 160 Oe, was adopted for oppositedirection-magnetic cleaning to eliminate secondary viscous and rotated remanent magnetization. The results proved greatly successful. It is evident from the paleomagnetic studies that geomagnetic polarity epochs and events were recorded in this set of loose sediments during the last 3 m.y. with the boundary between the Brunhes normal epoch and the Matuyama reversed epoch (ca. 0.7m.y.) at a depth of 140m and the Matuyama-Gauss boundary (ca. 2.43m.y.) at 489 m depth with respect to the drilling cores. At present, it is acceptable that the beginning of the Quarternary should be dated back at 1.8--2 m.y., rightly corresponding to the basal limit of the Olduvia event at the depth of 360m. The area is characterized by a high and constant rate of sedimentation (ca. 200mm per 1,000 years).     

A preliminary paleomagnetic result of quaternary drilling core from southern Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong Province

313 orientated samples were collected from Drilling Core ZK1 in southern Leizhou Peninsula for the study of Quaternary paleomagnetic strato-chronology.Te polarity measurement results indicate that the core recorded paleomagnetic information in three main parts:the upper one of the core,from the ground surface to the depth of 39m ,is normally magnetized in polarity,the middle one,from 39m 59 210m in depth,mainly shows reversed polarity and the lower one recorded normal polarity again.They correspond to the Brunhes normal chron,the Matuyama reversed chron and the Guass normal chron in the geomagnetic polarity time scale,respectively.The age of he core could be over 3.4Ma.Meanwhile,the magnetic susceptibility was measured and its result is significant for stratigraphic division and paleoclimatic research.     

The Paleo－Environmental Significance of Sr and Ca Contained in Acid－Soluble Fraction of Plateau Loess Deposits in Xining Basin

The Xining Basin,located on northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,is adjacent to the Qaidam Bsim and Gobi-desert.Therefore,thick,integrated deposits of loess or paleo-sol sequence were well developed.As is well known,there is much paleo-environmental information recorded in loess and plaeo-sol.So if we deal with paleo-environmental index from different an gles ,especially from loess geochemistry,some important and detailed paleo-environmental evolutional information will be acquired.Based on this,the authors determined the contents of Sr and Ca contained in acid-soluble fraction from the bottom to the top of the Panzishan section.This section was obtained through making a well about 17 m in depth,including S1 paleo-sol that was developed during the last interglacial period.According to the results,it is found that variations in contents of Sr and Ca are well correlated with conversion of loess and paleo-sol.In loess deposits,the contents of Sr and Ca are higher than those in paleo-sol deposits.It is known that loess was deposited under cold-dry climate conditions and paleo-sol was developed during warm-humid climate episodes.It is concluded that due to their mobile behaviors,under cold-dry climate conditions,Sr and Ca are stagnant during weak weathering,but under warm-humid climate conditions,Sr and Ca are easily leached and transported in aqueous solution.Therefore,they can be utilized as indicatiors of climate changes.Moreover,variations in contents of Sr and Ca are more sensitive than susceptibility.The mobile behaviors of Sr and Ca contained in acid-soluble fraction can serve as a new quantitative index to evaluate paleo-environmental changes on the plateau.     

Mineral Composition of Loess—Paleosol Samples from the Loess Plateau of China and Its Environmental Significance

34samples of loess-paleosol from the Luochuan and Xifeng sections in the Loess Plateau,northern China were eparated into sand,silt and clay fractions and analyzed for their mineral compositions.The results indicate that there is almost no difference between loess and paleosol in mineral composition.Major mineral species are quartz,mica,feldspar and chlorite,accounting for about 88-92% of the total;other minerals are kandite,smectite,vermiculite and a few heavy minerals.The calcite,magnetite and hematite were not taken into consideration because of their removal in the process of sample preparation.The main difference with respect to the mineral composition of samples collected from different sections and different statigraphic levels lies in the amount and grain size of minerals hosted.Comparisons between the Luochuan section and the Xifeng section,between paleosol and loess and between the upper part and the lower part of some paleosol layers show that the formers contain less feldspar but more mica and vermiculite and are finer in grain size,indicating the co-occurrence of both biochemical weathering process responsible for mineral change and physical weathering process leading to grain-size change during the soil-forming processes.This result favours such an explanation of the soil-forming mechanism that loess deposition and paleosol development occurred synchronously,though the rate of soil formation was greater than that of loess deposition,thus leading to soil development.     

Discovery and Significance of Malan Loess on the Piedmont Plain in Pinggu District,Beijing

The platforms on both sides of the Malangou River （a lateral ditch of the Qingshui River that is a tributary of the Yongding River） where Malan Village in Zhaitang Town of Mentougou District of Beijing is located are the place of China＇s typical section of the Quaternary Malan loess. During the investigation in the eastern suburbs of Beijing City, the authors not only clarified 5 grades of terraces on the Pinggu piedmont plain, but also found a clayey silt section mixed with a small amount of alluvial-diluvial gravel layers at a height of 15-25 m above the river level near a Fishpond in Xinli Village of Nandule Town. Results of the study of grain size of the section document that the loess mostly is silty soil （0.05--0.005 mm）, and that the grain size probability cumulative curves of the section are dominated by single-peak, coarse-grained segment I and coarse-grained segment II types, reflecting that its depositional environment is similar to eolian phase. Identification results of heavy minerals from the section show that their contents account for 0.01%-0.11%, averaging 0.04%. There are 24 kinds of heavy minerals, most of which are stable heavy minerals, and the clay minerals mostly are illite, which is consistent with the Malan loess on the Loess Plateau. The chemical composition data reflect that the source area of the loess is relatively arid. The six grade classification of sporopollen in the section further shows the subdivision of the history of alternating warm and humid phases in this geological period. The thermoluminescence dating results range from 21.0 ka to 59.2 ka, convincingly demonstrating that the section indeed consists of Malan loess. The above studies provide a new basis for overall understanding of the distribution of the Malan loess at the northeast margin of the North China Plain and its environment change in the Late Pleistocene.     

顺5孔的磁性地层学和早松山世的北京海侵

Vertically oriented samples collected from the care S-5 in the county of Shunyi,Beijing Plain, were measured on an astatic magnetometer, after demagnetized with a peak value of 150 or 200 Oe. The results have shown that the loose sediments up to a thickness of 640 m have recorded the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary at the depth of 160m, the Matuyama-Gauss boundary at the. depth of 468 m, and the short events corresponding to the polarity events during each epoch. 28 species of foraminiferal fossils were isolated from the sample at the depth of 428 m, 31% of this fauna is composed of planktonic foraminifera. Such an assemblage in dicates the warm, shallow-water, open-sea palaeoecological environments.According to the ages of magnetostratigraphic sequences, this marina bed composed of silts and sands with foraminiferal fossils marked by classical HyaliNea baltica,has been dated to be about 2.26 re.y, B.P., approximating the age of FAD of Hyalinea baltica in the section at Santa Maria in Italy (about 2.1 m.y.B. P). Its equivalent is also found in the other coree from the Beijing Plain. From these facts, it is postulatsd that during the early Matuyama epoch, an extensive transgression took place on the Beijing Plain. A new datum level of benthonic and planktonic foraminifera marked by the appearance of Hyalinea baltica has been found in Early Matuyama strata in the Beijing Plain. The first appearance of cold forms in the Vrica Section in Italy has been dated to be about 2:4 m.y.B.P. Based upon the up-to-date reports on calcareous nannoplankton, the interval of 2.3--1.6 m.y. is a distinet alternating stage in their evolution history. The climate in the Northern Hemisphere began to become obviously colder at about 2.5 m.y. ago. From the foregoing discussion, it is reasonable to set the Pliocene-Pleistoecne boundary in the Beijing Plain at the basal limit of the Matuyama epoch (2.43 m.y.).     

Quaternary Volcanic Activities in Shandong Peninsula and Northern Parts of Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces

Quaternary volcanic rocks often coexist with loess,as observed in the same geologic sections in the Shandong Peninsula and northern parts of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.The development age of Shandong loess in close to that in the middle reaches of the Yellow River.Loess strata are of synchronous implication in the loess belt of North China.So the ages of volcanic activities can be es-timated approximately from the stratigraphic relations between loess layers and volcanic rocks.The re-sults of dating of the Quaternary volcanic rocks,baked layers and the TL dates of loess samples sug-gest that the Quaternary volcanic activity can be divided into 4 stages in the region studied,with the ages being 1.15-1.03,0.86-0.72,0.55-0.33 and 0.02 Ma B.P.respectively .The occurrence of tephra in the Shandong loess sections is possible due to multiple episodes of volcanism during the Quaternary time.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Eolian Deposits on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Implications for Provenance

Eolian dust deposition is intimately related to atmospheric circulation and environmental setting of the source region, and therefore is an invaluable tool for studying the evolutionary history of atmospheric circulation patterns and paleoclimatic change. Identifying the provenance of any eolian deposit is crucial not only for reconstructing the paleoenvironmental history of the dust source region, but also for understanding the paleoclimatic significance of various indices. Loess and paleosol samples from the Garze region on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau(TP) were analyzed for their elemental(major and trace elements) and isotopic(Sm-Nd) geochemistry and compared with those of Northern Chinese(NC) loess formed at the same age. The results show that the geochemical compositions of the Garze loess and paleosol samples are similar to those eolian deposits on the Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP), and also resemble the average UCC. This indicates that the eolian deposits on the eastern margin of the TP were derived from well-mixed sedimentary protoliths that had undergone numerous upper crustal recycling processes, just as with the CLP loess deposits. However, compared with NC loess, the Garze samples have higher ∑REE, Li, Rb, Zr, Cs, Hf and Bi concentrations, higher TiO2/Al2O3, Hf/Nb, La/Nb, Th/Nb and lower K2O/TiO2, Zr/Hf, Ba/Rb ratios. From the Sm-Nd isotopic geochemistry, εNd(0) and 147Sm/144Nd values of Garze loess and paleosol samples are clearly lower than the NC loess. The higher Bi, Zr and Hf concentrations are relevant to the widely distributed acid-magmatic rocks in this region, whereas the higher contents of Li, Cs, Rb are attributed to the high background values of the TP. The geochemical characteristics of the Garze loess and paleosol samples further prove that the local glacial and other Quaternary detrital sediments are predominantly the contributors for the eolian deposits on the eastern margin of the TP. Stable element concentrations and their ratios in the Garze loess and paleosol samples formed at different times have relatively greater variation ranges in comparison with the NC loess, indicating that the source regions for eolian deposits have been unstable since the late Early Pleistocene. We attribute the instability of dust sources to variable earth surface conditions and the changeable TP winter monsoon in direction and intensity, which are in turn related to the uplift of the TP.     

A third superchron during the Early Paleozoic

Research on geomagnetic reversal chronology has established the existence of two superchrons, one during the Cretaceous and the other (Kiaman) during the Late Paleozoic.Over the past few years, we have performed several magnetostratigraphic studies on Early Paleozoic (Cambrian and Ordovician) sedimentary sequences from Siberia. Our results show high magnetic reversal frequencies during the Middle Cambrian. In contrast, several records show the occurrence of a -20 Myr long reversed polarity interval in the Lower and Middle Ordovician, suggesting the presence of a third superchron. We propose to give the name of “Moyero” to this new superchron; this name is attributed to the Siberian section which first yielded a complete record of this reversed polarity interval.     

Palaeomagnetic Study of Permian Strata at the Yuzhou-Dafengkou Section, Henan

In western Henan, Late Palaeozoic coal measures are completely developed and well exposed. A great deal of research work on biostratigraphy was done by predecessors. After systematic palaeomagnetic studies, we have confirmed the existence of the Permian Kiaman reversed polarity epoch in the study region. Its palaeolatitude varied from 11.2° N(P,) to 15.6°N(P2). This provides important evidence for the view that this region was situated in a low latitude climatic zone in this period and gradually moved northwards from the tropic rain forest climate area to the tropic arid-humid seasonal climate area during this stage.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Eolian Deposits in the Chengdu Plain of Sichuan Province and the Implications for Provenance

In this study Chengdu Red Earth （CRE） from the Chengdu Plain （CP）,Sichuan province,was analyzed for its elemental （major and trace elements） and isotopic （Sm-Nd） geochemistry and compared with Pleistocene loess and paleosol samples from the Chinese Loess Plateau （CLP） in Northern China.The geochemical composition of CRE is similar to north China loess,and also resembles the average UCC.This indicates that CRE,as loess deposits in Northern China,was derived from well-mixed sedimentary protoliths that have undergone numerous upper crustal recycling processes.However,obvious differences in the geochemical characteristics of CRE and the north China loess are also revealed in our results.For chemically stable elements,CRE has higher Ti,Zr,Hf and lower ΣREE,Ba contents in comparison with loess samples from the CLP.Further analysis shows that CRE has higher TiO2/Al2O3,SiO2/Al2O3,Ba/Rb and lower Ce/Yb,Eu/Yb,LaN/YbN and ΣLREE/ ΣHREE ratios.In Sm-Nd isotopic geochemistry,Sm and Nd content and the εNd（0） value in CRE are significantly higher than those in north China loess.The higher TiO2 content in CRE coincided with a high background concentration of Ti in the Sichuan Basin and the surrounding regions.The lower ΣREE and higher Sm,Nd,εNd（0） values are related to the wide distribution of basalt in the southwest Sichuan Basin.The elemental and isotopic geochemistry of CRE indicates that eolian materials in the CP predominantly come from the Sichuan Basin and the surrounding regions,which differs from loess deposits in the CLP.     

Aeolian dust dynamics in the Fergana Valley,Central Asia,since ～30 ka inferred from loess deposits

Knowledge of the interactions among atmospheric dynamics, dust emissions and climate system is essential to understand the physical mechanisms for the dust lifecycle, their role in loess formation as well as the predictions of future dust concentration. However, these issues still remain relatively poorly known in Central Asia(CA). The extensive loess deposits on the CA pediments provide a promising archive to explore atmospheric dust dynamics and climatic conditions in the past and their association with loess formation. This study investigates the granulometric and magnetic properties of a loess section(named Osh section) in the Fergana Valley, which provides a sensitive record of atmospheric dust dynamics since 30 ka based on radiometric(AMS~(14)C) dating. The frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility(χfd) and the mean grain size are used to reconstruct the broadscale effective moisture and summer atmospheric dynamics pattern in CA, respectively. The results show that the precession forcing exerts a huge influence on the wind-regime variabilities in CA, but with different physical processes under the impact of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheet(NHIS) before and after 15 ka. The origin of the sedimentation rate variations in the Osh loess is also linked to the NHIS-modulated changes of the atmospheric circulation patterns. Either the strengthened westerlies or the increased surface roughness from higher vegetation cover in loess-deposition areas have significantly accelerated the loess accumulation. As a result, these complicated influence factors of sedimentation rate change in the Osh loess section, especially during the Holocene epoch, may hamper accessibility of the authentic dust emission flux and atmospheric dust concentration in CA.     

A Comparison of the Geochemical Features of Some Loess Sections in New Zealand and China

A comparison of the geochemical features of loesses of New Zealand and China indicates that the distributions of the elements and their variations reflect the fluctuations of climate which can be compared with the oxygen isotope stages and glacial periods.New Zialand loess is different in source from Chinese loess.Therefore ,some differences are also noticed in their chemical compositions .Loess accumulation in New Zealand is later than that in China.Because of more rainfall in New Zealand and different distributions of loess the elements in loess have suffered stronger leaching than in China.     

TL dating of loess in China

TL ages of 56 loess samples collected from Xinjiang and the middle reaches of the Yellow River were determined by using fine-grained quartz and man-made light source bleaching techniques.The results indicate that :1.The well-preserved loess sections in Xinjiang began depositing 400000 a ago.The loess/paleosol series may be comparable with that observed in the middle reaches of the Yellow River but the depositing time was probably delayed by 30000-50000a.2.The bottom boundary age of the Malan loess varies from one place to another.The TL dates can be divided into two group:70000-130000 a and 30000-50000 a.The TL data are con-sistent with the appearance of two warmer climate periods since the Pleistocene,indicating obvious regional differences in stratigraphic development of loess,i.e.,paleosol occurred in the warm climate period in the same location,but loess was deposited in other locations.The initial age of loess deposition tends to become older from west to east and from south to north .In contrast ,the cold cli-matic belt showed an opposite trend.The TL ages of loess provide strong evidence for the Quaternary stratigraphy throughout geological times and the shift tendency of climatic belt.3.The depositing rate of the Malan loess along the middle reaches of the Yellow River varies from place to place but the TL age shows a linear relationship with the depositing thickness.The de-positing rate of loess in the north is higher than that in the south,suggesting that loess materials are derived from desert areas of northern China.     

Apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology from the Archean Tanzania Craton: Contributions to cooling histories of Tanzanian basement rocks

Borehole and surface samples from the Archean Tanzania Craton were analysed for apatite fission track(AFT) and(U-Th)/He data with the aim of deciphering cooling histories of the basement rocks. Fission track dates from borehole and outcrop samples are Carboniferous-Permian(345± 33.3 Ma to271±31.7 Ma) whereas(U-Th)/He dates are Carboniferous-Triassic(336±45.8 Ma to 213±29 Ma) for outcrop grains and are consistently younger than corresponding AFT dates. Single grain(U-Th)/He dates from the borehole are likely to be flawed by excessive helium implantation due to their very low effective uranium contents, radiation damage and grain sizes. All AFT and(U-Th)/He dates are significantly younger than the stratigraphic ages of their host rocks, implying that the samples have experienced Phanerozoic elevated paleo-temperatures. Considerations of the data indicate removal of up to 9 km overburden since the Palaeozoic.Thermal modelling reveals a protracted rapid cooling event commencing during the early Carboniferous(ca. 350 Ma) at rates of 46 m/Ma ending in the Triassic(ca. 220 Ma). The model also suggests minor cooling during the Cretaceous of the samples to surface temperatures. The suggested later cooling event remains to be tested. The major cooling phase during the Carboniferous is interpreted to be associated with compressional tectonics during the Variscan Orogeny sensu far field induced stresses. Coeval sedimentation in the Karoo basins in the region suggests that most of the cooling of cratonic rocks during the Carboniferous was associated with denudation.     

Magnetostratigraphy and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility of the Lulehe Formation in the Northeastern Qaidam Basin

The timing of onset of deposition of the Lulehe Formation is a significant factor in understanding the genesis of the Qaidam basin and the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we describe a detailed magnetostratigraphic and magnetic fabric study of the middle and lower parts of the Lulehe Formation. A total of 234 samples were collected from 117 sites throughout a thickness of almost 460 m of fluvial and lacustrine deposits at the Xitieshan section in the northeastern Qaidam basin. Out of these sites, 94 sites yielded well-defined characteristic remanent magnetization components by stepwise thermal demagnetization and were used to establish the magnetostratigraphy of the studied section. Based on correlation with the geomagnetic polarity timescale, the studied section spans the period from 53.8 Ma to 50.7 Ma. Our results show a three-fold decrease in sedimentation rates as well as marked change in facies from braided river to delta and shore–shallow lake around 52.6 Ma, which suggests tectonic uplift of the northeastern Qaidam basin margin ridge was rapid at the onset of formation of the Qaidam basin and subsequently weakened after 52.6 Ma. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results indicate that tectonic compression stress had reached the northeastern Tibetan Plateau by the early stages of Indo–Eurasian plate collision and that the direction of stress in the study area was NE–SW. Furthermore, a weakening of tectonic compression stress around 52.6 Ma is consistent with sedimentary records. The age of initial deposition of the Qaidam basin (around 53.8 Ma) was almost synchronous with that of the Qiangtang, Hoh Xil, Xining, and Lanzhou basins, which implies that stress was transferred rapidly through the Tibetan Plateau during or immediately after the onset of Indo–Eurasian collision.