New geological and paleontological data on Alba Guyot (Magellan Seamounts, Pacific Ocean)

New materials obtained in the Pacific during cruises of the R/V Gelendzhik carried out by the State Scientific Center Yuzhmorgeologiya in 2000–2001 make it possible to specify the geologic and geomorphologic structure of Alba Guyot and clarify lithological and paleontological characteristics of lithotectonic rock complexes ranging from the Early Cretaceous to Pleistocene in age. Based on macro-and microfossils from sedimentary rocks several “transgressive” phases are distinguished in the guyot development: Cenomanian-Turonian, late Campanian-Maastrichtian, late Paleocene-middle Eocene, and Late Cenozoic. Finds of Paleogene molluscan and coral remains, together with planktonic foraminifers, imply relatively shallow sedimentation settings on Alba Guyot during the early Paleocene.     

New data on the structure of the sedimentary section on the Ita Mai Tai Guyot (Magellan Seamounts,Pacific Ocean)

The geological-prospecting investigations carried out by scientists from the Yuzhmorgeologiya State Scientific Center in the eastern segment of the Magellan Seamounts of the Pacific during the cruise of the R/V Gelendzhik in 2003–2010 brought new data on the topography of the Ita Mai Tai Guyot and its Lower Cretaceous-Pleistocene sedimentary section. The guyot is characterized by its complex irregular morphology with angular outlines being complicated by numerous relief mesoforms: spurs, scarps, and volcanic cones and domes. It is shown that the sedimentary cover was formed during a long period. The analysis of the organic macro- and microfaunal remains from the sedimentary rocks made it possible to define transgressive phases in the guyot’s development: the Albian-Cenomanian, the Late Campanian-Maastrichtian, and the late Paleocene-early Eocene. The oolitic limestone sequence recovered by DSDP Hole 202 is determined to be the Albian in age. Based on the original and published data, the geological development of the guyot was analyzed in comparison with other similar structures of the Magellan Seamounts.     

The first finds of cretaceous belemnites from the Magellan Rise, Pacific Ocean

The occurrence of belemnites in Mesozoic sediments of the Pacific guyots is established for the first time (rostra Dimitobelidae gen. et sp. indet. from the late Campanian-Maastrichtian detrital limestone of the DVGI Guyot, Belemnitella? sp. from oolitic limestone of the Gelendzhik Guyot, which are presumably of the Santonian-Maastrichtian age, and Belemnitidae? gen. et sp. indet. from the Maastrichtian oolitic limestone of the Butakov Guyot, the Magellan Rise). In recent years, fossil cephalopods important in stratigraphic and paleobiogeographic aspects have been found at five guyots of that rise. New data on fossil invertebrates from the study region suggest breaks in the sedimentation here at the terminal Maastrichtian, Paleogene, and initial Neogene time. Possible limits of vertical migration in the tropical Pacific are estimated for the Late Cretaceous belemnites based on preliminary results of the oxygen isotope analysis.     

维嘉海山沉积过程及其对西太平洋海山演化的意义

海山沉积过程与全球气候变化和古海洋演化有着紧密联系,维嘉海山保留了西太平洋晚中生代以来的完整沉积记录,是探索西太平洋海山构造演化的理想场所.基于浅地层剖面、大洋钻探和最新相关研究成果,通过研究海山的沉积特征、火山活动和沉降速率等,探索西太平洋维嘉海山晚中生代以来的沉积过程.结果显示维嘉海山顶部发育3个沉积单元,并发现了...     

Iron-formation and glaciogenic rocks of the Rapitan Group,Northwest Territories,Canada

In northwestern Canada, iron-formation occurs as part of the Rapitan Group, a dominantly sedimentary succession of probable Late Precambrian age. The Rapitan Group contains abundant evidence of glaciogenic deposition. It includes massive mixtites which contain numerous faceted and striated clasts. Finely bedded and laminated sedimentary rocks of the Lower Rapitan contain many large isolated (ice-rafted?) intra- and extra-basinal clasts. The Lower and Middle Rapitan are interpreted as products of a glacial marine regime. The iron-formation is interbedded with thin mixtite beds and contains large exotic clasts which are probably indicative of the existence of floating ice at the time of deposition of at least part of the iron-formation. If the apparently low paleolatitudes are confirmed, then glacial marine interpretation of the Rapitan, and the probably correlative Toby Conglomerate of southern British Columbia, support the postulate of a very extensive Late Precambrian ice sheet in North America.Similar iron-formations of similar age are present in South America (Jacadigo Series), in South-West Africa (Damara Supergroup) and in South Australia (Yudnamutana Sub-Group). All of these iron-formations are associated with glaciogenic rocks. In addition to the iron-formations, dolostones, limestones and evaporites (?) are intimately associated with Late Precambrian mixtites, considered by many to be glaciogenic.Huronian (Early Proterozoic) and correlative sequences of North America, and rocks of similar age in South Africa also contain closely juxtaposed undoubted glaciogenic rocks, iron-formations, dolostones and aluminous quartzites. The dolostones and aluminous sedimentary rocks have been interpreted as having formed under warm climatic conditions, but might also be explained by invoking higher P_CO2 levels in the Early Proterozoic atmosphere. By analogy with the Huronian succession, preservation of “warm climate” indicators in mixtite-bearing Late Precambrian sequences does not preclude a glacial origin for the mixtites.     

Age and sources of granitoids in the junction zone of the Caledonides and Hercynides in southwestern Mongolia: Geodynamic implications

The paper reports newly obtained geological, geochronological (U-Pb zircon method), Nd isotopic, and geochemical data on Middle and Late Paleozoic granitoids and metamorphic rocks from the southern slope of the Mongolian Altai and Gobi Altai and on granitoids from the Trans-Altai Gobi. Tectonically, the former rocks are hosted in the margin of a Caledonian paleocontinent, and the latter are localized among island-arc and oceanic complexes related to the development of the Hercynian Southern Mongolian Ocean. According to their geological setting, the intrusive complexes are subdivided into two major groups: (i) related to processes of regional metamorphism and (ii) separated from these processes. Geochemical data suggest that the source of most of the granitoids and metamorphic rocks contained island-arc rocks and their erosion products. Nd isotopic evidence indicates that practically all of the allochthonous granitoids, regardless of their composition, age, and structural setting, have positive ?_Nd(T) values [i.e., belong to the ?(+) type] and could not be formed by the melting of metaterrigenous rocks widespread at the modern erosion level. These granitoids in both the Caledonian and the Hercynian structures have practically identical Late Riphean Nd model ages [T_Nd(DM) = 0.97–0.60 Ga], which become slightly younger in the granitoids of the Hercynides. The exception are ultrametamorphic subautochthonous ?(?) granites of the first group localized in the peripheral part of migmatite fields. The sources of these granitoids could be the host metaterrigenous rocks. The results obtained in the course of this research suggest, with regard for preexisting data on granitoids in the isotopic provinces in Central Asia, that the sources of the Paleozoic granitoids were the rocks of the “juvenile” Caledonian and Hercynian island-arc crust and of the older crust of cratonic blocks with a Early Precambrian and Late Riphean basement, respectively. The Late Riphean crustal material in Caledonian and Hercynian structures related to the development of the corresponding oceanic basins most probably consisted of clastic sediments or relatively small fragments of the Late Riphean crust. The occurrence of this crustal material in the sources of the granitoids can be explained by the involvement of sediments in subduction zones and the participation of these sediments and fragments of Late Riphean complexes in the accretionary-collision processes during the closure of the paleoceanic basins. Simultaneously, the subduction zones received juvenile material that could be later involved in the melting processes together with older rocks.     

Age and source of terrigenous rocks of the turan group of the bureya terrane of the eastern part of the central Asian foldbelt: Results of geochemical (Sm-Nd) and geochronological (U-Pb LA-ICP-MS) studies

According to Sm-Nd isotopic-geochemical studies, the t _Nd(DM) of the terrigenous rocks of the Turan Group of the Bureya terrane is 1.4–1.5 Ga and their sources are Precambrian rocks and (or) younger effusive rocks, the formation of which is related to the reworking of the Late Precambrian continental crust. The U-Pb LA-ICP-MS geochronological studies indicate dominant Vendian-Cambrian (588–483 Ma) and Late Riphean (865–737 Ma) detrital zircons. Our data point to their accumulation at the beginning of the Paleozoic rather than in the Precambrian as is accepted in modern stratigraphic schemes.     

Accumulation and Reformation of Silurian Reservoir in the Northern Tarim Basin

Silurian sandstone in Tarim Basin has good reservoir properties and active oil and gas shows, especially thick widely-distributed bituminous sandstone. Currently, the Silurian was found containing both bitumen and conventional reservoirs, with petroleum originating from terrestrial and marine source rocks. The diversity of their distribution was the result of "three sources, three stages" accumulation and adjustment processes. "Three sources" refers to two sets of marine rocks in Cambrian and Middle-Upper Ordovician, and a set of terrestrial rock formed in Triassic in the Kuqa depression. "Three stages" represents three stages of accumulation, adjustment and reformation occurring in Late Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Late Himalayan, respectively. The study suggests that the Silurian bitumen is remnants of oil generated from Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks and accumulated in the sandstone reservoir during Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian and Late Hercynian stages, and then damaged by the subsequent two stages of tectonic uplift movements in Early Hercynian and Pre-Triassic. The authors presumed that the primary paleo-reservoirs formed during these two stages might be preserved in the Silurian in the southern deep part of the Tabei area. Except for the Yingmaili area where the Triassic terrestrial oil was from the Kuqa Depression during Late Himalayan Stage, all movable oil reservoirs originated from marine sources. They were secondary accumulations from underlying Ordovician after structure reverse during the Yanshan-Himalayan stage. Oil/gas shows mixed-source characteristics, and was mainly from Middle-Upper Ordovician. The complexity and diversity of the Silurian marine primary properties were just defined by these three stages of oil-gas charging and tectonic movements in the Tabei area.     

Late Riphean episode in the formation of crystalline rock complexes in the Dzabkhan microcontinent: Geological,geochronologic, and Nd isotopic-geochemical data

The Early Caledonian Central Asian Orogenic Belt hosts fragments of continental blocks with Early and Late Precambrian crystalline basement. One of the structures with an Early Precambrian basement was thought to be the Dzabkhan microcontinent, which was viewed as an Early Precambrian “cratonal terrane”. The first geochronologic data suggest that the basement of the Dzabkhan microcontinent includes a zone of crystalline rocks related to Late Riphean tectonism. Geological, geochronological (U-Pb zircon dates), and Nd isotopic-geochemical data were later obtained on the northwestern part of the Dzabkhan microcontinent. The territory hosts the most diverse metamorphic complexes thought to be typical of the Early Precambrian basement. The complexes were determined to comprise the Dzabkhan-Mandal and Urgamal zones of high-grade metamorphic rocks. Gabbrodiorites related to the early metamorphic episode and dated at 860 ± 3 Ma were found in the Dzabkhan-Mandal zone, and the gneiss-granites marking the termination of this episode were dated at 856 ± 2 Ma. The granitoids of the Dzabkhan batholith, whose emplacement was coeval with the termination of the late high-grade metamorphic episode in rocks of both zones, have an age of 786 ± 6 Ma. Similar age values were determined for the granitoids cutting across the Late Precambrian rocks of the Songino and Tarbagatai blocks, which mark the stage when the mature Late Riphean continental crust was formed. The Late Riphean magmatic and metamorphic rocks of the Dzabkhan microcontinent were found out to have Nd model ages mostly within the range of 1.1–1.4 Ga at ?_Nd(T) from +1.9 to +5.5. The Nd model age of the metaterrigenous rocks is 2.2?1.3 Ga at ?_Nd(T) from ?7.2 to +3.1. The results of our studies provide evidence of convergence processes, which resulted in the Late Riphean (880?780 Ma) continental crust in Central Asia. Simultaneously with these processes, divergence processes that were responsible for the breakup of Rodinia occurred in the structures of the ancient cratons. It is reasonable to suggest that divergence processes within ancient continental blocks and Rodinia shelf were counterbalanced by the development of the Late Riphean continental crust in the convergence zones of its surrounding within established interval.     

澜沧江南带三叠纪火山岩岩石学、地球化学特征、Ar-Ar年代学研究及其构造意义

滇西三江地区澜沧江南带广泛发育三叠纪火山岩。在北部云县一带,中晚三叠世火山岩出露齐全,自下而上可划分为中三叠统忙怀组(T₂m),上三叠统小定西组(T₃x)和上三叠统芒汇河组(T₃mh)。忙怀组以酸性火山岩为主,为一套流纹岩夹火山碎屑岩组合;小定西组发育为中基性火山熔岩夹火山碎屑岩;芒汇河组具有流纹质火山碎屑岩与玄武岩共存的"双峰式"火山岩特征。地球化学特征表明,南澜沧江带三叠纪火山岩具有弧火山岩与大陆板内火山岩的双重属性,推测其形成环境为过渡型的大陆边缘造山带环境。对南澜沧江带南部景洪附近采集到的石英安山岩样品进行Ar-Ar年龄测试,得到的坪年龄为236.7±2.2Ma,为中三叠世。结合火山岩年代学结果,推测澜沧江洋主碰撞期为早三叠世,中三叠世与晚三叠世早期分别为碰撞后的应力松弛阶段与洋盆继续俯冲期,到晚三叠世末期,俯冲作用结束,澜沧江洋关闭。     

Isotope geochronological study of Late Palaeozoic granitic rocks in the Nanling Region,South China

Fourty-four isotopic ages have been determined by K-Ar and U-Th-Pb methods for Late Palaeozoic granitic rocks in the Nanling Region, South China. All dating values vary within the range of 231–348 m.y. From the obtained dates, further evidence has been found that there do exist Late Palaeozoic granitic rocks, which can be subdivided into Late Devonian and Permian granitic rocks. Within a Late Devonian terrain, there is a granitic pluton, namely granodiorite with a zircon U-Th-Pb age of 348 m.y., while ten granitic plutons have been recognized within a Permian terrain where granites are predominant, yielding biotite K-Ar ages of 236–289 m.y. (λ _β =4.72×10^?10yr.^?1,λ _K=5.57×10^?11yr.^?1) and zircon U-Th-Pb ages ranging from 231 to 280 m.y., respectively. It is obvious from the dates that intrusive activity of granitic magma extensively took place in the Nanling Region during Late Palaeozoic, although no records of orogenie movements have been found, indicating that the faults are the main factor controlling the activity of granitic magma, whereas the orogenic movements are not the only prerequisite for the formation of granitic magma and the intrusive activity.     

中部拉萨地体南侧吉瓦地区早白垩世则弄群火山岩的发现及意义

西藏尼玛县吉瓦地区措勤-多瓦后陆拗陷带内分布的火山岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为120.3~126.5Ma左右,重新厘定为早白垩世则弄群,否定了前人归属为上新世乌郁群(N2wy)及始新世帕那组(E2p)的认识。岩石以酸性火山岩为主,中基性火山岩为辅,酸性岩类主要为火山碎屑岩类和熔岩类,典型岩石类型为流纹质熔结凝灰岩和流纹岩等,中基性岩主要为玄武安山岩,安山玄武岩等,杏仁构造普遍发育。研究区大量的流纹质熔结凝灰岩的出现反映了吉瓦地区的火山岩主要为陆相火山喷发形成。地球化学特征显示轻稀土富集,负Eu异常明显,富集K、Rb、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,相对亏损Nb、Ta、P、Ti等高场强元素。酸性火山岩具有A型花岗质岩浆岩特征,基性岩具有板内玄武岩亲缘性,这一特征可能与班公湖-怒江洋壳岩石圈南向俯冲过程中发生的板片断离有关。中部拉萨地体南侧早白垩世火山岩的发现,使班公湖-怒江洋壳南向俯冲在晚侏罗世-早白垩世的岩浆活动在原来的基础上向南延伸70~80km,火山岩地层时代的重新归位对研究冈底斯带早白垩世地球动力学背景及建立地质年代学格架提供了新的约束资料,具有重要的科学意义。吉瓦地区早白垩世则弄群火山岩可能受到了班公湖-怒江特提斯洋壳向南、雅鲁藏布江洋壳向北的双向俯冲制约。     

Paleoclimate changes in the late precambrian: Evidence from the upper precambrian section of the South Urals

The climatic impact on the formation of fine-grained rocks from the Riphean stratotype and Vendian Asha Group on the western slope of the South Urals during the time interval lasting approximately 1200 Ma is considered. It is shown that these rocks are largely represented by “tectonosilicate-dominated” shales. This feature combined with changes in the average K₂O/Al₂O₃ values disavows the hypothesis in (Kennedy et al., 2006), according to which the growth of free oxygen concentration in the Late Riphean and Vendian atmosphere was determined by gradual intensification of the organic carbon extraction from the biosphere by clays. The average values of the hydrolyzate module, chemical index of alteration (CIA), and several lithogeochemical parameters calculated for the Riphean and Vendian clayey rocks provide grounds for the conclusion that intensity of weathering in paleodrainage areas during the accumulation of the Upper Precambrian sedimentary successions was low. The curve reflecting changes of the average CIA values in the Upper Precambrian fine-grained siliciclastic rocks of the South Urals is similar to some extent with the “standard” CIA_correct. curve (GonzalezAlvarez and Kerrich, 2012). It is assumed that changes in microand macrobiotic communities during the Late Precambrian were controlled to a variable extent by climate fluctuations as well. At the same time, these fluctuations most likely left the chemical composition of water in the ocean virtually unchanged, which is evident from analysis of the redox conditions in the ocean and the distribution of primary producers with the average CIA_correct. and CIA values.     

Early Paleozoic gabbro-granitoid associations in eastern segment of the Mongolian-Okhotsk foldbelt (Amur River basin): Age and tectonic position

Magmatic rocks of the Pikan and Un’ya massifs situated in eastern segment of the Mongolian-Okhotsk foldbelt are studied using isotopic-geochronological (U-Pb zircon dating) and geochemical methods. Two rock complexes different in age are recognized in the Pikan massif: the high-Al gabbro-tonalite association of the Middle Ordovician (468 ± Ma) and granodiorite-granite association of the Late Silurian-Early Devonian (415 ± 7 Ma). The Late Ordovician age (454 ± 5 Ma) is established for leucocratic granites of the Un’ya massif. As is suggested, the Pikan and Un’ya massifs are “allogenic blocks” detached from continental framework of the Mongolian-Okhotsk foldbelt and tectonically emplaced into the foldbelt structure at the last stage of its development.     

Mafic microgranular enclaves in Late Paleozoic granitoids in the Burgasy quartz syenite massif, western Transbaikalia: Composition and petrogenesis

The paper presents original data on the inner structure, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Late Paleozoic Burgasy quartz syenite massif in western Transbaikalia and mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) in its rocks. The composition of the mafic microgranular enclaves is close to that of phase-1 monzonitoids of this pluton, but the enclaves are not xenoliths of these rocks but were produced by the crystallization of an individual portion of dispersed hybridized basalt melt. The basaltoid nature of the enclaves follows, first of all, from the relict assemblage of calcic plagioclase (An _73–60) and clinopyroxene and from the magmatic dolerite and microgabbro textures of the rocks. The monzonitoid composition of the enclaves was caused by hybridism, which was responsible for the crystallization of quartz, potassic feldspar, and sodic plagioclase due to the introduction of silica, potassium, and some other components. Hybridism was restricted to a boundary crystallization layer in the deep portion of the magmatic chamber (near its bottom). The scatter of the enclaves throughout the whole volume of the pluton is explained by the density inversion of the hybrid layer and material transfer by convective flows. The mafic enclaves crystallized from basaltic melt of within-plate geochemical type. In spite of intense hybridism, the enclaves preserved typical compositional signatures of mafic magma related to the generation of granites in western Transbaikalia in the Late Paleozoic. The basaltoid nature of the mafic enclaves of the Burgasy Massif testifies that magma was simultaneously generated in the mantle and crust during the development of the Late Paleozoic province in the area.     

Geochemistry of the Paleocene Clastic Rocks in Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin: Implications for Tectonic Background and Provenance

The Lishui Sag, in the East China Sea Shelf Basin, is rich in hydrocarbons, with the major hydrocarbon-bearing layers being the Paleocene Mingyuefeng clastic rocks. Analysis of the implicit geologic background information of these Paleocene clastic rocks using petrological and geochemical methods has significant practical importance. These Paleocene sandstones are mainly lithic arenite, lithic arkose and greywacke, composed of K-feldspar, plagioclase, authigenic clays, silica and carbonates. As continental deposits, Yueguifeng clastic rocks have high aluminosilicate and mafic detritus contents, while the Lingfeng and Mingyuefeng Formations are rich in silica due to an oscillating coastal marine depositional environment. The major element contents of these Paleocene sandstones are low and have a concentrated distribution, indicating that the geochemical composition is non-epigenetic, transformed by sedimentary processes and diagenesis. The Yueguifeng detritus comprises recycled sediments, controlled by moderate weathering and erosion, while the Lingfeng and Mingyuefeng detritus is interpreted as primarily first-cycle materials due to low chemical weathering. In the Late Cretaceous to Early Paleocene, the Pacific Plate began subducting under the Eurasian Plate, causing an orogeny by plate collision and magma eruption due to the melting of subducted oceanic crust. This resulted in the dual tectonic settings of “active margin” and “continental island arc” in the East China Sea Shelf Basin. During the Late Paleocene, the Pacific Plate margin migrated eastward along with development of the Philippine Ocean Plate, and the tectonic setting of the Lishui Sag gradually turned into a passive continental margin. Detrital sources included both orogenic continental blocks and continental island arcs, and the parent rocks are primarily felsic volcanic rocks and granites.     

Geochemistry,geochronology and Hf isotope of granitoids in the northern Alxa region:Implications for the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The tectonic setting of the northern Alxa region during the Late Paleozoic is highly controversial.The key to resolve this controversy is to recognize the Late Paleozoic magmatic processes in the northern Alxa.In this paper,we present new zircon U-Pb ages,Hf-isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemical data of four granitoids along the Zhusileng-Hangwula Tectonic Belt in the northern Alxa region that could provide critical information about the tectonic evolution of this region.The zircon U-Pb data could be grouped as two phases:Late Devonian granite and diorite(ca.373-360 Ma),and Late Carboniferous granodiorite(ca.318 Ma).The Late Devonian granites and diorites are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios of 0.90-1.11 and0.95-2.19,respectively.The Late Devonian diorites are characterized by high MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,together with variable ε_(Hf)(t) values from-1.0 to+1.3 and old T_(DM2) ages varied from 1283 Ma to 1426 Ma,indicating the primary magma was potentially derived from magma mixing of depleted mantle with Mesoproterozoic continental crust.Even though the Late Devonian granites yielded most positive and minor negative e_(Hf)(t) values between-1.1 to+5.7(three grains are negative) with two-stage model ages(T_(DM2)) of 1003-1438 Ma,they display low MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,suggesting that they were mainly derived from juvenile crustal materials,mixed with a small amount of ancient crust.The Late Carboniferous granitoids are metaluminous and medium-K calc-alkaline series,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 and1.75 to 1.90,respectively.These rocks were potentially derived from juvenile crustal materials mixed with depleted mantle,as evidenced by their high ε_(Hf)(t) values(+11.6 to+14.1) and young TDM2 ages(427 Ma to 586 Ma),as well as high Mg#values,and MgO,Ni and Cr contents.Our data,along with available sedimentary evidence and previous researches,indicate that the Late Devonian and Late Carboniferous rocks are arc-related granitoids under the subduction setting.The identification of arc-related granitoids in the northern Alxa region not only reveals the Late Paleozoic magmatic process in response to the subduction of Paleo Asian Ocean,but also provide significant constrains to the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

Saghro Group in the Ougnat Massif (Morocco), an evidence for a continuous Cadomian basin along the northern West African Craton

The Saghro Group (SG) is a folded, low-grade volcano-sedimentary series up to 8 km thick that crops out within and to the north of the Pan-African suture zone in the central and eastern Anti-Atlas. Here we describe the SG of the Ougnat inliers that are exposed in the easternmost Anti-Atlas beneath the unconformable, Late Ediacaran Ouarzazate Group (OZG) volcanic rocks. The Ougnat SG mostly consists of volcaniclastic greywackes accumulated in a peritidal-to-shallow basin. The basin infilling was deformed by NNE-trending, mostly upright folds with axial-planar slaty cleavage and low-grade metamorphism. The deformed SG rocks were intruded by the ～550 Ma Mellab hypovolcanic granodiorite. The latter also crosscuts the lowest OZG rocks that are dated to 574–571 Ma in the western Saghro region. The SG rocks that form the Siroua and Saghro inliers have an oldest age of 620–610 Ma and were folded at ～610–580 Ma at the onset of the Cadomian orogenic events. We show that the SG rocks are similar to the “Série verte” (SV) rocks that are exposed in the Ougarta and western Hoggar east of the Pan-African suture. We infer that the SG and SV rocks accumulated in a same, continuous basin that was bounding the West African Craton to the north and the east. This strongly subsiding basin formed close to a volcanic arc and was folded during the last Pan-African synmetamorphic events. Fold orientation and age of folding differ however along the edge of the West African Craton. The orogenic greywackes that form the remnants of the SG-SV basin thus constitute a precious record of the diachronic Cadomian event s.l. along the West African Craton northern margin.     

New structural and petrologic data on Mesozoic schists in the Rhodope (Bulgaria): geodynamic implications

Structural analysis of low-grade rocks highlights the allochthonous character of Mesozoic schists in southeastern Rhodope, Bulgaria. The deformation can be related to the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous thrusting and Tertiary detachment faulting. Petrologic and geochemical data show a volcanic arc origin of the greenschists and basaltic rocks. These results are interpreted as representing an island arc-accretionary complex related to the southward subduction of the Meliata–Maliac Ocean under the supra-subduction back-arc Vardar ocean/island arc system. This arc-trench system collided with the Rhodope in Late Jurassic times. To cite this article: N.G. Bonev, G.M. Stampfli, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Scarcity of the C30 sterane biomarker, 24-n-propylcholestane,in Lower Paleozoic marine paleoenvironments

24-n-Propylcholestane (24-npc), a C₃₀ sterane compound derived from sterol precursors which are the major sterol constituents of modern pelagophyte microalgae, occurs in certain Neoproterozoic rocks and oils and throughout the Phanerozoic rock record. This broad distribution leads 24-npc to be widely considered a reliable indicator of open to partially restricted marine depositional conditions for source rocks and oils. Here we report two significant hiatuses in the occurrences of 24-npc in the Lower Paleozoic marine rock record: the first in the Middle–Late Cambrian and the second in the Late Ordovician–early Silurian transition for a range of lithofacies (carbonates and siliciclastic rocks), organic carbon contents (both organic-lean and organic-rich), and paleoceanographic environments (shelf and deeper water marine settings) and observed offshore of two paleocontinents, Laurentia and Baltica. The Ordovician–Silurian gap is at least 9 million years, and possibly up to 20 million years, in duration. Robust older occurrences of 24-npc steranes in some Neoproterozoic rocks and oils suggest that oceanographic conditions in our intervals of Lower Paleozoic time were unfavorable for the proliferation of pelagophyte algae as phytoplankton. Caution should therefore be applied when interpreting a lacustrine versus marine depositional environmental setting for source rocks and oils in these intervals of Early Paleozoic time using lipid biomarker assemblages.