Palaeotemperature curve for the Late Cretaceous of the northwestern circum-Pacific

In the northwestern circum-Pacific, two main trends in Late Cretaceous temperatures can be recognized. (1) In general, a recurrent warming trend is thought to have begun in the Turonian–Campanian, reaching temperature maxima in the early Late Santonian and early Late Campanian, and temperature minima in the earliest Santonian and perhaps early Campanian. (2) During the Maastrichtian, temperatures dropped sharply, with only a slight warming in the early Late Maastrichtian. The existence of a thermal maximum at the Coniacian–Santonian transition has previously been expected, but is not confirmed by new isotopic results.     

The Penzhina-West Kamchatka folded zone and the Ukelayat-Sredinnyi block in the structure of the Koryak Highland and Kamchatka

The regional tectonic structure is considered with characterizing the Penzhina-West Kamchatka folded zone as an intracontinental rift and the Ukelayat-Sredinnyi block as a separated part of the Omolon Massif. It is assumed that the Malka-Petropavlovsk (Nachiki) zone of transverse uplifts is a southern continuation of the Penzhina-West Kamchatka folded zone.     

Stratigraphy and radiolarians of upper cretaceous sedimentary cover of the Arakapas ophiolite massif (Cyprus)

In the basal interval, sedimentary cover of the Arakapas ophiolite massif (southern Cyprus) is composed of metalliferous sediments of the Perapedhi Formation that is divided into three sequences based on diverse radiolarian assemblages. These are basal umbers of the Cenomanian age presumably (2–20 m), interlayering cherts and umbers of the Turonian-Coniacian (6–10 m), and opoka-like cherts of the Coniacian-Santonian. Higher in the succession, there are olistostrome deposits of the Moni Formation, which unconformably rest on the eroded underlying strata. In this formation also divisible into three sequences, the lower one 200 to 300 m thick is composed of variegated, presumably Campanian silty clays containing olistoliths of basic, presumably Upper Triassic volcanics, Lower Cretaceous sandstones, and opoka-like cherts and cherty limestones of the Albian-lower Cenomanian. Next sequence (100–200 m) is represented by alternation of variegated silty and green bentonitic clays of the Campaian, which enclose frequent olistoliths and horizons of fine-clastic olistostrome breccias. The upper sequence of upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian bentonitic clays (50–100 m) contains interlayers of ash tuffs and clayey cherty sediments. Carbonate deposits of the upper Maastrichtian-Paleogene, conformably overlie the Moni Formation.     

Biostratigraphy of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary sediments in the Eastern Crimea

The Dvuyakornaya Formation section in the eastern Crimea is described and subdivided into biostratigraphic units based on ammonites, foraminifers, and ostracodes. The lower part of the formation contains first discovered ammonites of the upper Kimmeridgian (Lingulaticears cf. procurvum (Ziegler), Pseudowaagenia gemmellariana Olóriz, Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus (Herbich), Subplanites sp.) and Tithonian (?(Lingulaticeras efimovi (Rogov), Phylloceras consaguineum Gemmellaro, Oloriziceras cf. schneidi Tavera, and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius (Oppel)). Based on the assemblage of characteristic ammonite species, the upper part of the formation is attributed to the Berriasian Jacobi Zone. Five biostratigraphic units (zones and beds with fauna) distinguished based on foraminifers are the Epistomina ventriosa-Melathrokerion eospirialis Beds and Anchispirocyclina lusitanica-Melathrokerion spirialis Zone in the upper Kimmeridgian-Tithonian, the Protopeneroplis ultragranulatus-Siphoninella antiqua, Frondicularia cuspidiata-Saracenaria inflanta zones, and Textularia crimica Beds in the Berriasian. The Cyrherelloidea tortuosa-Palaeocytheridea grossi Beds of the Upper Jurassic and Raymoorea peculiaris-Eucytherura ardescae-Protocythere revili Beds of the Berriasian are defined based on ostracodes. A new biostratigraphic scale is proposed for the upper Kimmeridgian-Berriasian of the eastern Crimea. The Dvyyakornaya Formation sediments are considered as deepwater facies accumulated on the continental slope.     

Pyroxenite veins in spinel peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet,Kuyul ophiolite terrane (Koryak Upland): Origin and setting of formation

Pyroxenite veins in mantle peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet of the Kuyul ophiolite terrane (Koryak—Kamchatka folded area) are composed of clinopyroxenite and websterite crystallized from a boninite-like melt. The host clinopyroxene-bearing spinel harzburgites are moderately depleted residues, whose mineral compositions and conditions of formation correspond to those of peridotites from mid-oceanic and back-arc spreading centers. Mantle peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet may have formed a part of the mantle wedge above a subduction zone and have been intruded by boninitic melts at a certain stage of their evolution.     

Sedimentology and genesis of the Cenozoic sediments of northwestern Himalayas (India)

The paper discusses at length the provenance and the environments of sedimentation of the Cenozoic sediments exposed in the northwestern sector of the Himalayas. The results are based on detailed sedimentological (including mineralogical, petrographical and petrochemical) investigations of more than 3,000 representative samples. It is concluded that the detritus of the Cenozoic formations was derived mainly from metamorphosed rocks exposed in the adjacent Himalayan regions. A comparatively smaller proportion of the sediments was contributed by acid plutonic, volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The detritus of the oldest unit of the Cenozoic sequence was deposited in shallow marine waters. The remaining formations represent the accumulations of nonmarine environments fluctuating in space and time.     

Paleontological characteristics of the Upper Cenozoic sediments and environmental changes in the Peter the Great Bay area (Sea of Japan)

Paleontological assemblages from Cenozoic sediments of the continental slope in the Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) are characterized. Paleontological remains are represented by diverse and abundant siliceous microfossils (diatoms, silicoflagellates, radiolarians) and palynological complexes. The use of high-resolution biostratigraphic zonations made it possible to specify the age of sediments and reconstruct environmental changes during the last 17 Ma. The history of paleontological studies in this area of the Sea of Japan, which is of key importance for development of methods for marine geological works, is reviewed.     

On the biostratigraphy of accretionary complexes in the Far East (critical review of several papers)

Being a relatively simple geological discipline, biostratigraphy requires accuracy and sequential logic. The incorrect use of the biostratigraphic method and inaccurate interpretation of biostratigraphic data lead to a distorted understanding of regional tectonics. Frequently occurring errors are analyzed using three recently published works on biostratigraphy of accretionary complexes in the Russian Far East as an example.     

冲绳海槽表层沉积物放射虫属种空间分布特征及其影响因素

为探究冲绳海槽放射虫属种的空间分布特征及其海洋学意义,对采自冲绳海槽北部、中部和南部3个海域的34个表层沉积物中的放射虫群落组成特征进行了系统研究。总体看来,冲绳海槽表层沉积物放射虫丰度较高,群落组成以热带-亚热带暖水放射虫属种为主,其中优势种为Tetrapyle octacantha group、Spongodiscus resurgens和Euchitonia furcata。结果表明冲绳海槽放射虫属种存在明显的区域差异性,除T.octacantha group以外,其余暖水指示种含量总体上均呈现南高北低的变化趋势。冲绳海槽北部陆架-陆坡区受长江冲淡水的影响,温度和盐度变化较为剧烈,因此可能不利于大多数放射虫暖水指示种的发育,但T.octacantha group却因自身适宜生存的温度范围较大,进而得以在冲绳海槽北部陆坡区呈现出高值。较高的中层水温度可能是抑制亚北极中层水指示种Cycladophora davisiana在冲绳海槽分布的主要因素,而冲绳海槽的高海槛则限制了太平洋深层水种Carpocanistrum papillosum和Cornutella profunda的入侵。冲绳海槽放射虫的空间分布对区域海洋环境特征有着很好的响应,因此可以为古环境重建研究提供重要依据。     

Time-transgressive deposits of repeated depositional sequences within interlobate glaciofluvial (esker) sediments in Köyliö, SW Finland

ABSTRACT Evidence of conspicuous repeated seasonal to annual deposition of glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sequences within a structurally complex interlobate esker segment in SW Finland is presented. The time‐transgressive, overlapping depositional sequences consist of deposits from two successive melt seasons, including three vertically stacked lithofacies associations: (1) massive to stratified coarse gravels = summer deposits; (2) trough and ripple cross‐stratified fine‐grained deposits = autumn to winter deposits; and (3) sandy stratified beds = spring deposits. The depositional environment of each lithofacies association involves a transition from subglacial or submarginal tunnel to a subaqueous re‐entrant environment, which then passes to a proglacial glaciolacustrine environment. The study also presents evidence of headward extension of subglacial tunnel deposits, related to the rapid shifting of a tunnel expansion point during the increasing spring discharge, which occupied the old tunnel exit: this mode of annual deposition has not been reported previously in esker studies. The good preservation of the rhythmic lithofacies associations is suggested as resulting from interlobate depositional conditions associated with rapidly decaying icestreams. Therefore, the depositional model may provide a key to recognizing time‐transgressive interlobate eskers that form an important geomorphological and sedimentological record of meltwater activity during the last deglaciation of the Fennoscandian and Laurentide ice sheets. The identification of time‐transgressive interlobate eskers and associated palaeo‐icestream behaviour is an essential step forward for more accurate models of ice sheet behaviour and palaeoclimatic reconstructions.     

New stratigraphical data on the Middle-Late Jurassic biosiliceous sediments from the Sicanian basin, Western Sicily (Italy)

The reported data present the stratigraphy of several sections across a Middle-Late Jurassic Radiolaritic Unit, well exposed in different thrust sheets pertaining to the Maghrebian chain of Southwestern Sicily. The aim was to define the chronostratigraphical distribution of the Jurassic biosiliceous sedimentation in the Sicanian palaeogeographical zone, a deep water basin belonging to the Southern Tethys continental margin. The radiolarian biostratigraphy indicates that the switching from carbonate to siliceous sedimentation in the Sicanian Basin is referable to the Bajocian, as shown by the section of Campofiorito, near Corleone. The biostratigraphical dataset allows the correlation between the onset of biosiliceous sedimentation and the fall of biodiversity in the Sicanian basin with the carbonate productivity crisis, indicated by the highest eutrophication that affected Western Tethys during Middle Jurassic times. Editorial handling: J.-P. Billon-Bruyat & M. Chiari (Guest)     

Tectonic evaluation of the Indochina Block during Jurassic-Cretaceous from palaeomagnetic results of Mesozoic redbeds in central and southern Lao PDR

Rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic studies were performed on Mesozoic redbeds collected from the central and southern Laos, the northeastern and the eastern parts of the Khorat Plateau on the Indochina Block. Totally 606 samples from 56 sites were sampled and standard palaeomagnetic experiments were made on them. Positive fold tests are demonstrated for redbeds of Lower and Upper Cretaceous, while insignificant fold test is resulted for Lower Jurassic redbeds. The remanence carrying minerals defined from thermomagnetic measurement, AF and Thermal demagnetizations and back-field IRM measurements are both magnetite and hematite. The positive fold test argues that the remanent magnetization of magnetite or titanomagnetite and hematite in the redbeds is the primary and occurred before folding. The mean palaeomagnetic poles for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous are defined at Plat./Plon. = 56.0°N/178.5°E (A₉₅ = 2.6°), 63. 3°N/170.2°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°), and 67.0°N/180.8°E (A₉₅ = 4.9°), respectively. Our palaeomagnetic results indicate a latitudinal translations (clockwise rotations) of the Indochina Block with respect to the South China Block of −10.8 ± 8.8° (16.4 ± 9.0°); −11.1 ± 6.2° (17.8 ± 6.8°); and −5.3 ± 4.7° (13.3 ± 5.0°), for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous, respectively. These results indicate a latitudinal movement of the Indochina Block of about 5–11° (translation of about 750–1700 km in the southeastward direction along the Red River Fault) and clockwise rotation of 13–18° with respect to the South China Block. The estimated palaeoposition of the Khorat Plateau at ca. 21–26°N during Jurassic to Cretaceous argues for a close relation to the Sichuan Basin in the southwest of South China Block. These results confirm that the central part of the Indochina Block has acted like a rigid plate since Jurassic time and the results also support an earlier extrusion model for Indochina.     

Middle to late Pleistocene record of explosive volcanic eruptions in marine sediments offshore Kamchatka (Meiji Rise,NW Pacific)

This paper presents the first detailed study of a late Pleistocene marine tephra sequence from the NW Pacific, downwind from the Kamchatka volcanic arc. Sediment core SO201-2-40, located on the Meiji Rise ~400 km offshore the peninsula, includes 25 tephras deposited within the last 215 ka. Volcanic glass from the tephras was characterized using single-shard electron microprobe analysis and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The age of tephras was derived from a new age model based on paleomagnetic and paleoclimate studies. Geochemical correlation of distal tephras to Kamchatkan pyroclastic deposits allowed the identification of tephras from the Karymsky, Gorely, Opala and Shiveluch eruptive centers. Three of these tephras were also correlated to other marine and terrestrial sites and hence are identified as the best markers for the north-west Pacific region. These are an early Holocene tephra from the Karymsky caldera (~8.7 ka) and two tephras falling into the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 glacial time: an MIS 6.4 tephra from Shiveluch (~141 ka) and the MIS 6.5 Rauchua tephra (~175 ka) from Karymsky. The data presented in this study can be used in paleovolcanological and paleoceanographic reconstructions.     

Mesozoic syncollision siliciclastic sediments of the Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island (New Siberian Islands)

Graywackes and shales of the Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island originally attributed to the Mesozoic were subsequently considered based on microfossils as the Late Proterozoic in age. At present, these sediments in the greater part of the island are dated back to the Permian based on palynological assemblages. In the examined area of the island, this siliciclastic complex is intensely deformed and tectonically juxtaposed with blocks of oceanic and island-arc rocks exhumed along the South Anyui suture. The complex is largely composed of turbidites with members displaying hummocky cross-stratification. The studied mineral and geochemical characteristics of the rocks defined three provenances of clastic material: volcanic island arc, sedimentary cover and/or basement of the ancient platform, and exotic blocks of oceanic and island-arc rocks such as serpentinites and amphibolites. All the rock associations represent elements of an orogenic structure that originated by collision of the New Siberian continental block with the Anyui-Svyatoi Nos island arc. Flyschoid sediments accumulated in a foredeep in front of the latter structure in the course of collision. The Late Jurassic volcanics belonging to the Anyui-Svyatoi Nos island arc determine the lower age limit of syncollision siliciclastic rocks. Presence of Late Jurassic zircons in sandstones of the flyschoid sequence in Bols’shoi Lyakhov Island is confirmed by the fission-track dating. The upper age limit is determined by the Aptian-Albian postcollision granites and diorites intruding the siliciclastic complex. Consequently, the flyschoid sequence is within stratigraphic range from the terminal Late Jurassic to Neocomian. It appears that Permian age of sediments suggested earlier is based on redeposited organic remains. The same Late Jurassic-Neocomian age and lithology are characteristic of fossiliferous siliciclastic sequences of the Stolbovoi and Malyi Lyakhov islands, the New Siberian Archipelago, and of graywackes in the South Anyui area in Chukchi Peninsula. All these sediments accumulated in a spacious foredeep that formed in the course the late Cimmerian orogeny along the southern margin of the Arctic continental block.     

准噶尔盆地二叠系源- 汇系统与古地理重建

源- 汇系统是目前国内外地球科学领域的研究热点,对于含油气盆地古地理重建以及源储预测评价有着重要的指导作用。本文以准噶尔盆地二叠系为研究对象,通过基于盆地地质大剖面的构造- 层序特征分析、定年数据的物源体系演化分析和沉积过程约束的正演模拟等方法,深化了对准噶尔盆地二叠纪古地理格局的认识,探讨了二叠纪源- 汇系统演化特征与二叠系源储分布规律。早二叠世为盆地断陷发育期,以石炭系为主物源,除东南部发育海相- 海陆过渡相沉积外,总体以近物源扇三角洲- 湖相沉积体系为主,多断陷的沉积格局控制了玛湖等凹陷优质烃源岩的分布,与火山岩相关的扇三角洲前缘砂体与混积云质岩构成有利储集体;中二叠世为盆地断- 拗转换期,物源年龄开始趋于复杂,沉积中心、沉降中心较早二叠世明显向盆内迁移,早期断陷趋于连通,盆地西部仍以近物源的扇三角洲群- 湖相沉积体系为主,东南部则转换为远物源三角洲群- 湖盆沉积体系,在盆地中部发育连片分布的规模烃源岩,可与同期（扇）三角洲前缘形成良好的源储组合;晚二叠世进入盆地拗陷发育期,物源供给范围更广,物源年龄进一步复杂化,大型浅水湖盆发育远物源为主的退覆型河流- 三角洲沉积体系,为盆地规模油气成藏奠定了储层基础。     

湘西北地区早奥陶世沉积特征及岩相古地理*

湘西北地区是指位于湖南省内的桃源、沅陵、怀化一线以北及以西的区域。根据2010年以来在区内开展1:5万区域地质调查项目所取得的剖面资料及填图资料,应用优势相成图法编制了早奥陶世特马豆克期、弗洛早期的岩相古地理图。基于岩相古地理研究表明: 沿张家界—古丈—吉首—凤凰一线有古隆起的存在,大致以古隆起为界,两侧沉积分异明显;西北侧属镶边碳酸盐岩台地,沉积地层为桐梓组和红花园组,主要发育局限台地、开阔台地、台地边缘浅滩、台地边缘生物礁、台地斜坡和浅海陆棚6种沉积相和若干亚相、微相;东南侧属浅海陆棚,沉积地层为白水溪组\盘家咀组、桥亭子组,主要有混积陆棚和碎屑陆棚。沉积特征的分析和系列岩相古地理图件的编制,提高了区内下奥陶统的研究程度,同时对金属地质找矿具有一定的指导意义。     

Jurassic radiolarians and age of cherty rocks in the Povorotnyi Cape,the Taigonos Peninsula (northeast Russia)

Radiolaria-based dating of chert intercalations in basaltic sequences of ophiolitic associations, which are widespread in the west of circum-Pacific foldbelt being barren of macrofossils, is an important source of information about tectonic events and factors responsible for opening and destruction of basins floored by oceanic crust and for emplacement of relevant tectonic sheets into accretionary prisms and orogenic structures. Described in the work are the Middle (Bajocian-Callovian), Middle-Late (Callovian-Oxfordian) and Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) radiolarian assemblages. According to taxonomic composition and morphology of radiolarian tests, the first assemblage is of the North Tethyan type, while the other two are of the Boreal affinity.     

Origin and formation pathways of kerogen-like organic matter in recent sediments off the Danube delta (northwestern Black Sea)

The chemical structure, source(s), and formation pathway(s) of kerogen-like organic matter (KL) were investigated in recent sediments from the northwestern Black Sea, off the Danube delta. Three sections from a sediment core collected at the mouth of the Sulina branch of the delta, under an oxic water column, were examined: S₀ (0–0.5 cm bsf), S₁₀ (10–13 cm bsf), and S₂₀ (20–25 cm bsf). The bulk geochemical features of these sediments (total organic carbon, organic C/N atomic ratio, δ¹³C_org) were determined. Thereafter, KL was isolated from the samples, as the insoluble residue obtained after HF/HCl treatment. KL chemical composition was investigated via spectroscopic (FTIR, solid state ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR) and pyrolytic (Curie point pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) methods, and the morphological features were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Similar morphological features and chemical composition were observed for the three KLs and they suggested that the selective preservation of land-plant derived material as well as of resistant aliphatic biomacromolecules (probably derived from cell walls of freshwater microalgae) was the main process involved in KL formation. Besides, some melanoidin-type macromolecules (formed via the degradation-recondensation of products mainly derived from proteinaceous material) and/or some encapsulated proteins also contributed to the KL chemical structure.     

Geological structure of the submarine Vityaz Ridge within the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Seismic Gap</Emphasis> area (Pacific slope of the Kurile island arc)

Results of geological research conducted by the Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Far East Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the submarine Vityaz Ridge during Cruise 37 of R/V Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev in 2005 are discussed. Various rocks constituting the basement and sedimentary cover of the ridge were dredged in three areas of the ridge. Based on isotope geochronology, petrogeochemical, petrographic, and paleontological data and comparison with similar rocks available from the adjacent land and Sea of Okhotsk, they are subdivided into several age complexes. Late Cretaceous, Eocene, Late Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene-Pleistocene complexes are defined among the igneous rocks, while volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks are united into Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene (late Campanian-Danian), undivided Paleogene (Paleocene-Eocene?), Oligocene-early Miocene, and Pliocene-Pleistocene complexes. The obtained data on the age and formation settings of the defined complexes made it possible to reconstruct the geological evolution of the central Pacific slope of the Kurile island arc.     

Platinum-group mineral assemblage of the Prizhimny Creek (Koryak Highland)

In the alluvial deposits of the Prizhlimny Creek (southern part of the Koryak Highland), grains of platinum-group minerals are found along with gold. We have established that the grains are native platinum (Pt, Fe) containing Cu (up to 5 wt.%), Os (up to 8 wt.%), and Rh (up to 2 wt.%). Inclusions in the platinum are native osmium (the content of Ir impurity reaches 12 wt.%, the average content being 0.2–4 wt.%), an unnamed intermetallic compound of composition PtRh, sulfides and arsenides of PGE (cooperite, laurite, malanite, cuproiridsite, cuprorhodsite, sperrylite, hollingworthite, unnamed compounds PdS, (Ir,Ru)S₂, (Ir,Pt)S₂, Cu, and Fe (bornite, chalcopyrite), chromite, and Cr-magnetite. Replacement of native-osmium crystals by compound IrO₂ is described. It has been established that this compound formed during oxidation accompanied by the replacement of isoferroplatinum by native platinum. The data obtained agree with the results of study of platinum-group mineral assemblages from placers localized in weakly eroded Ural–Alaskan-type massifs whose apical parts formed under high oxygen activity conditions. Clinopyroxenites of the Prizhimny massif are considered to be the potential source of PGE.