Plio-Pleistocene transpressional reactivation of Paleozoic and Paleogene structures in the Rhine-Bresse transform zone (northern Switzerland and eastern France)

Pliocene to recent uplift and shortening in the southern Rhinegraben is documented by deformation of Pliocene fluvial gravels, deposited on a nearly planar surface, as well as by progressive deflection and capture of rivers. This deformation is suggested to result from thick-skinned tectonic movements as evidenced by observations on seismic records, which demonstrate a spatial coincidence between en-échelon anticlines at the surface and faults located in the crystalline basement. These findings contradict the often invoked thin-skinned tectonism in the recent tectonic history of the Rhinegraben. In particular the transfer zone between the Rhinegraben and the Bressegraben is very suitable for reactivation under the present day stress field. Thick-skinned reactivation of faults in the basement is also expressed by focal plane mechanisms of recent earthquakes showing strike-slip- rather than reverse faulting characteristics. This is of importance for the densely populated and industrialised southern Rhinegraben, previously affected by large earthquakes in historical times (e.g. Basel 1356).     

中国西北盆山地区中-新生代古地理及地壳构造演化

中国西北地区的盆山地形和该地区地壳结构具有明显的一致性,反映了现代盆山构造的一个重要特征。文中讨论了中国西北盆山区在中-新生代不同时期的古地理面貌和它们的发展演化过程。本区在中-新生代不同时期具有不同的古地理面貌,而且随着地壳上地幔的构造演化而不断发展,盆山构造的形成受到了地壳活动和演化的控制。一般来说,中国西北的主要山系是古生代或早中生代的造山带,但它们形成现在这样巨大的山系主要发生在晚新生代。如天山山脉的构造演化,三叠纪天山曾经一度隆起成山,两侧的准噶尔和塔里木盆地中堆积了巨厚的磨拉石;侏罗纪时由于剥蚀夷平成为一个准平原,形成了广泛分布且可以对比的含煤岩系;从白垩纪到早新生代,它再度隆升,直至第四纪时形成雄伟的高大山系,两侧形成相应的大型沉积盆地。其他一些山脉,如祁连山和昆仑山,也具有类似的发展演化过程。最后,控制这一过程的根本原因则是地壳、甚至整个岩石圈的构造发展演化。     

Tectonics and quaternary evolution of the Northern Apennines watershed area (upper course of Arno and Tiber rivers,Italy)

This work examines the connection between Quaternary tectonics and erosion/incision processes in the primary Tuscan‐Romagna watershed of the Northern Apennines, which essentially coincides with the topographic culmination of the Nero Unit structural ridge. Tectonic and geomorphic information were collected in the area where this ridge is crossed by the upper Tiber River course forming a deep gorge. Structural analysis and field mapping have revealed that the region experienced polyphase tectonics with superposed thrust folding events identifiable both at the map and mesoscopic scales. Hinterland‐SSW‐verging thrusts and thrust‐related folds deformed the whole thrust pile during the latest deformation phase. Backthrusts/backfolds controlled the development of intermountain basins nearby the main watershed during the Early Pleistocene and seemingly deformed, in the Tiber gorge, a low‐relief landscape developed in the Early Pleistocene (ca. 1.1 Ma). Successively, the upper Tiber River course area and Apennines axial zone underwent a generalized uplift, which is manifested by the deep incision of palaeo‐morphologies. This proposed sequence of events correlates well with the major geodynamic change of the Apennines revealed by an acceleration of uplift rates in the Middle–Late Pleistocene. This latter event may also correlate with increased rates of river incision recorded in Europe as a consequence of uplift and/or climate change. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

郯庐断裂带（安徽部分）动力学演化及其构造意义

依据区域构造层划分,从最新地层内的断裂动力学分析开始,层层深入,层层筛选,采用计算机程序对所获的断层面上的擦痕统计分析计算,求得每个点上的古应力场状态,继而求得区域古构造应力场状态。确定发生于各个不同时代断裂活动的古应力场特征。最后确定了一个连续的、完整的古应力场演化序列表,结合区域构造变形特征分析,阐述断裂带的构造事件演化序列及其构造意义。     

晚第四纪长江源区水系演化对断裂活动和气候变化的响应

河流沉积/侵蚀过程和水系演化对构造活动、气候变化和侵蚀基准面的响应过程与机制是流域地貌的重要科学问题。长江源地区河流受高寒气候和走滑断层引起的局部多种构造活动样式的影响, 是河流地貌过程对气候变化和构造活动响应的典型案例。文章通过野外考察、地貌指数(陡峭指数(k_sn)、Chi(χ)、Gilbert指数、河谷宽高比(Vf))的计算、沉积学和地形分析, 探讨了长江源水系演化对构造活动和气候变化的响应过程。通天河和澜沧江支流从上游相对年老的谷地(北西-南东向低k_sn值、高Vf值的宽谷)转变为下游相对年轻的谷地(南西-北东向高k_sn值、低Vf值的陡峭峡谷), 表明南西-北东向河流对北西-南东向河流的袭夺。通天河和澜沧江支流上游地区显示的高χ值、低起伏地形向下游方向快速转变为低χ值、高起伏地形, 也指示澜沧江和通天河向上游溯源侵蚀、袭夺分水岭地区原有老年期水系。局部分布的北西-南东向河谷(风口)、一系列间隔分布低洼地内河流沉积物和初步光释光年测年结果(13.3ka和>115ka)表明该地区在晚第四纪(可能在暖期)发育一条南东流向的古河流。随后断层走滑运动导致的局部构造抬升将河流分割成相互独立的内流湖。后期通天河和澜沧江干流(局部侵蚀基准面)侵蚀下降导致南西-北东向支流溯源侵蚀, 袭夺内流湖; 水系由树枝状演化为倒勾状。区域构造活动和局部侵蚀基准面变化是控制该地区水系演化的主要因素。晚第四纪气候变化引起河流堆积/侵蚀过程的改变也对水系的连通/中断有一定的影响, 后期需要进一步的研究。

     

Evolution of the late Quaternary San Gregorio Magno tectono‐karstic basin (southern Italy) inferred from geomorphological,tephrostratigraphical and palaeoecological analyses: tectonic implications

The Pantano di San Gregorio Magno is a 4.7 km² large tectono‐karstic basin located in the axial belt of the Southern Apennines, an area affected by intense seismicity. The basin was formed in the Middle Pleistocene and is presently undissected. It is filled by lacustrine sediments (clays, silts and pyroclastic sands) passing laterally into alluvial fan deposits. Geomorphological investigations were integrated with tephrostratigraphical, palynological and palaeoecological analyses of a 61 m thick core (not reaching the bedrock). The multiproxy analysis of the S. Gregorio Magno record shows that, over the last 200k yr, the basin hosted a freshwater lake with an oscillating level. Age constraints provided by the tephrostratigraphic record allowed estimation of the sedimentation rate, which varied strongly through time. Evolution of the basin resulted from the complex combination of tectonic subsidence, karst processes and changing amounts of sedimentary inputs. The latter was influenced by allogenic contributions related both to primary and reworked volcanoclastic inputs and was climate‐driven. The overall evidence, which indicates that in the long‐term the accumulation rate substantially counterbalanced the accommodation space created by faulting, suggests that the basin evolution was also modulated by changing subsidence rates. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic granitoids marginal to the Jeceaba-Bom Sucesso lineament (SE border of the southern São Francisco craton): Genesis and tectonic evolution

The sialic crust of the southern São Francisco craton along the Jeceaba-Bom Sucesso lineament, central-southern part of Minas Gerais (Brazil), encompasses, among other rock types, Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic granitoids. These granitoids, according to their petrographic, lithogeochemical and geochronologic characteristics, were grouped into two Neoarchean suites (Samambaia-Bom Sucesso and Salto Paraopeba-Babilônia) and three Paleoproterozoic suites (Cassiterita-Tabuões, Ritápolis and São Tiago). Varied processes and tectonic environments were involved in the genesis of these suites. In particular, the lithogeochemistry of the (Archean and Paleoproterozoic) TTG-type granitoids indicates an origin by partial melting of hydrated basaltic crust in a subduction environment. In the Neoarchean, between 2780 and 2703 Ma, a dominant TTG granitoid genesis related to an active continental margin was followed by another granite genesis related to crustal anatexis processes at 2612–2550 Ma. In the Paleoproterozoic, the generation of TTG and granites s.s. occurred at three distinct times: 2162, 2127 and 1887 Ma. This fact, plus the rock-type diversity produced by this granite genesis, indicates that the continental margin of the southern portion of the São Francisco craton was affected by more than one consumption episode of oceanic crust, involving different island arc segments, and the late Neoarchean consolidate continent. A Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution in three stages is proposed in this work.     

Facies and basin architecture of the Late Carboniferous Salvan-Dorénaz continental basin (Western Alps, Switzerland/France)

The Salvan‐Dorénaz Basin formed during the Late Palaeozoic within the Aiguilles‐Rouges crystalline basement (Western Alps) as an asymmetric, intramontane graben elongated in a NE–SW direction and bounded by active faults. At least 1700 m of fluvial, alluvial fan and volcanic deposits provide evidence for a strong tectonic influence on deposition with long‐term, average subsidence rates of > 0·2 mm yr^?1. The early basin fill was associated with coarse‐grained alluvial fans that were dominated by braided channels (unit I). These issued from the south‐western margin of the basin. The fans then retreated to a marginal position and were overlain by muddy floodplain deposits of an anastomosed fluvial system (unit II) that drained towards the NE. Deposition of thick muds resulted from a reduction in the axial fluvial gradient caused by accelerated tectonic subsidence. Overlying sand‐rich meandering river deposits (unit III) document a reversal in the drainage direction from the NE to the SW caused by synsedimentary tectonism, reflecting large‐scale topographic reorganization in this part of the Variscides with subsidence now preferentially in the W and SW and uplift in the E and NE. Coarse‐grained alluvial fan deposits (unit IV) repeatedly prograded into, and retreated from, the basin as documented by coarsening‐upward cycles tens of metres thick reflecting smaller scale tectonic cycles. Volcanism was active throughout the evolution of the basin, and U/Pb isotopic dating of the volcanic deposits restricts the time of basin development to the Late Carboniferous (308–295 Ma). ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of detrital white mica indicate rapid tectonic movements and exhumation of the nearby basement. In unit I, youngest ages are close to that of the host sediment, but the age spectrum is wide. In unit II, high subsidence and/or sedimentation rates coincide with very narrow age spectra, indicating small, homogeneous catchment areas. In unit III, age spectra became wider again and indicate growing catchment areas.     

Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Upper Prealpine nappe (Switzerland and France): nappe formation by Late Cretaceous-Paleogene accretion

Abstract

The Upper Prealpine nappe of the Swiss and French Prealps consists of a composite stack of various tectonic slivers (Gets, Simme, Dranse and Sarine sub-nappes, from top to bottom). The structural superposition and stratigraphic content of the individual sub-nappes suggests a successive stacking at the South Penninic/Adriatic transition zone during the Late Cretaceous and Early Paleogene. The present paper deals with two aspects. (1) new data obtained from the Complexe de base Series of the Dranse sub-nappe which underlies the Helminthoid Sandstone Formation, and (2) the development of a geodynamic accretionary model for the Upper Prealpine nappe stacking.

The Complexe de base Series reveals a succession of black shales at the base, grading upward into variegated red/green and red shales which were deposited in an abyssal plain environment starved of clastic input. It is overlain by the Helminthoid Sandstone Formation. The combined analysis of planktic and agglutinated benthic foraminifera and comparisons with other Tethyan series suggest an Albian to Campanian age of the Complexe de base succession. Tectonic transport of the abyssal plain segment into a trench environment allowed for the stratigraphic superposition by the Helminthoid sandstone sequence. The present findings combine well with the general scheme of the Upper Prealpine nappe stack and several single results on parts of the nappe stack. We take that opportunity to present a comprehensive model for the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Upper Prealpine nappe.

We suggest that Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous asymmetric (?) extension at the South Penninic-Adriatic margin created an extensional alloehthon. Later during the mid-Cretaceous, the start of convergence drove the obduction of oceanic crust on the northern margin of the extensional allochthon. The resulting ophiolitic/continental source supplied clasts to the trench basin in front (Manche turbidite series), and the backarc basin (Mocausa Formation) and abyssal plain (Perrières turbidite series) to the South. During Middle to Late Coniacian the main Adriatic margin was thrusted over the obductionrelated mixed belt and established an incipient accretionary prism containing the former trench, backarc and abyssal plain basin fill series. During this stage the Gueyraz (melange) Complex formed, which separates the trench series from the retroarc and abyssal plain formations. On top of the incipient accretionary prism a forearc basin developed hosting the Hundsrück Formation. The frontal abyssal plain formation (Complexe de base) still received few turbiditic intercalations. From Campanian time on, the forearc basin was bypassed and deposition of the Helminthoid Sandstone Formation occurred on the Complexe de base succession. During the Maastrichtian the abyssal plain and trench fill succession (Dranse nappe) was accreted to the incipient wedge, and in front of a newly active buttress, the Gurnigel trench basin was established. Another accretionary event during latest Paleocene/earliest Eocene added parts of that trench series to the base of the wedge (Sarine nappe). During the Late Eocene the accretionary wedge and remaining trench fill series (Gurnigel nappe) were thrusted en-bloc over the Middle Penninic limestone nappes and partly overtook the latter. Continued shortening of the resulting nappe pile and out-of-sequence thrusting accomplished the overriding of the Middle Penninic units over the former South Penninic Gurnigel trench series (inversion of palaeogeographic domains).     

胶莱盆地及其邻区白垩纪－古新世沉积构造演化历史及其区域动力学意义

基于野外和钻孔测井资料分析、火山岩同位素年代学分析 (40Ar-39Ar and SHRIMP U-Pb)、地震剖面的构造解释、断层运动学的野外分析结果,综合研究了胶莱盆地及其邻区白垩纪－古新世沉积构造演化历史。岩性地层分析表明,胶莱断陷盆地由三套地层单元所充填：早白垩世莱阳群和青山群、晚白垩世－古新世王氏群。青山群火山岩的同位素年代学测试结果给出了该火山岩的喷发时代在120～105 Ma。地震剖面的构造解译结果揭示胶莱盆地伸展构造受到深部两个拆离构造系统控制：一个发育于盆地南部地区,拆离断面位于深部8~10 km,向南缓倾于苏鲁造山带之下;另一个拆离系统由一系列北倾的犁式断层组成、分布于宽阔的胶莱盆地北部地区,主拆离面向北倾。这两个拆离系统分别形成于早白垩世莱阳群和晚白垩世-古新世王氏群沉积阶段。通过对不同地层单元断层滑动矢量的野外测量和古构造应力场反演,以及地层时代和同位素年代学测试结果的制约,建立了白垩纪－古新世构造应力场演替的年代序列。结果表明,胶莱盆地在白垩纪-古新世之间经历了伸展－挤压应力体制的交替演化。早白垩世伸展作用经历了两个不同的阶段：早期NW-SE向伸展和晚期近W-E向伸展。在早白垩世末期至晚白垩世初期,盆地遭受NW-SE向挤压,导致了胶莱盆地的缩短变形和郯庐断裂带的左旋走滑活动。晚白垩世－古新世时期,构造应力场转变为N-S向伸展,直到古新世末期,构造应力场转换为NE－SW向挤压。胶莱盆地和沂沭裂谷系白垩纪－古新世沉积构造演化历史对华北地区岩石圈减薄过程的动力学背景提供了重要的构造地质学制约。笔者推断,早白垩世两期引张应力作用是分别对华北地区增厚地壳或岩石圈的重力垮塌和岩石圈拆沉的响应,而早白垩世末期NW-SE向挤压记录了古太平洋板块与亚洲陆缘俯冲碰撞产生的远程效应。晚白垩世-古新世的引张伸展作用完全不同于早白垩世伸展构造,它指示了沿NNE向郯庐断裂带的右旋走滑活动及其拉分作用,在动力学上受到青藏地区块体的陆－陆碰撞产生的远程效应和古太平洋板块向亚洲大陆俯冲作用的联合应力场控制。     

茫崖二长花岗岩、石英闪长岩的年代学、地球化学及岩石成因:对阿尔金南缘早古生代构造-岩浆演化的启示

阿尔金南缘茫崖地区出露着早古生代二长花岗岩体和石英闪长岩体,测得其LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为472.1±1.1Ma和458.3±6.2Ma。地球化学特征显示,前者属于钾玄质过铝质S型花岗岩,具高的(La/Yb)N和Sr/Y比值,低的HREE、Yb和Y值;后者为高钾钙碱性准铝质-过铝质I型花岗岩,具低的(La/Yb)N和Sr/Y值,高的Yb和Y含量。通过岩石成因和构造背景分析,二长花岗岩是陆壳深俯冲作用下,上地壳沉积岩(杂砂岩和少量泥质岩)被俯冲带入到50~80km深处,在高压(1.5GPa)低温(779.8~792.9℃)条件下主要由云母分解脱水而发生部分熔融,残留相为石榴石+金红石(无角闪石),在岩浆演化过程中发生了以斜长石为主(无角闪石)的强烈分离结晶作用;石英闪长岩是在陆壳深俯冲后的折返抬升作用下,上地壳变质玄武岩被抬升至30km处,在低压(0.8GPa)高温(811.0~821.0℃)条件下发生部分熔融,残留相为角闪石+斜长石(无石榴石),在岩浆演化过程中发生了以辉石、金红石和磷灰石为主(无角闪石和斜长石)的分离结晶作用。结合前人研究成果,分析了阿尔金南缘早古生代岩浆活动特征及其形成机制,将该地区早古生代构造-岩浆演化分为三个阶段:1)505~472Ma陆-陆碰撞阶段,以高压环境下岩浆活动为特征,在陆壳深俯冲的同时,存在俯冲陆壳的初步熔融拆离作用;2)467~450Ma板片拆离阶段,由于俯冲板片的完全断离,强大的浮力主要使上地壳发生抬升折返,以低压高温环境下上地壳岩浆活动为特征,同时存在幔源岩浆的底垫作用,具同折返双峰式岩浆活动的特征;3)424~385.2Ma后碰撞伸展拉张阶段,持续的应力释放松弛使构造应力从前期的垂向抬升转换为侧向伸展,存在地幔岩浆的底侵上涌作用,以低压高温环境下A型花岗岩岩浆活动为特征。     

Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism in the Strona-Ceneri Zone (Southern Alps of southern Switzerland and northern Italy)

The Strona-Ceneri Zone comprises a succession of polymetamorphic, pre-Alpidic basement rocks including ortho- and paragneisses, metasedimentary schists, amphibolites, and eclogites. The rock pile represents a Late Proterozoic or Palaeozoic subduction accretion complex that was intruded by Ordovician granitoids. Eclogites, which occur as lenses within the ortho-paragneiss succession and as xenoliths within the granitoids record a subduction related high-pressure event (D1) with peak metamorphic conditions of 710 ± 30 °C at 21.0 ± 2.5 kbar. After isothermal uplift, the eclogites experienced a Barrowtype (D2) tectonometamorphic overprint under amphibolite facies conditions (570-630 °C, 7-9 kbar). U-Pb dating on zircon of the eclogites gives a metamorphic age of 457 ± 5 Ma, and syn-eclogite facies rutile gives a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 443 ± 19 Ma classifying the subduction as a Caledonian event. These data show that the main tectonometamorphic evolution of the Strona-Ceneri Zone most probably took place in a convergent margin scenario, in which accretion, eclogitization of MOR-basalt, polyphase (D1 and D2) deformation, anatexis and magmatism all occurred during the Ordovician. Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism, subsequent magmatism and Barrow-type metamorphism are believed to be related to subduction and collision within the northern margin of Gondwana. Editorial handling: Edwin Gnos     

钦-杭成矿带南段(广东廉江)南和地区区域地质特征及构造演化分析

南和地区位于钦-杭成矿带南段的广东廉江幅范围内,该地区的地质特征记录了钦-杭结合带南段的构造演化过程。根据对地层沉积建造的统计,发现研究区沉积地层形成的水动力环境主要为滨海相、浅海相和深海相3种海相沉积以及少量河流相与沼泽相沉积。研究区的岩浆活动具有明显的多期多阶段特征,总体可划分为加里东期和燕山期两个大的构造岩浆旋回。从研究区的岩性变化可以得到南和地区的变质作用规律,岩浆的参与程度因迁移距离的增加而降低,导致距离越远的变质作用与岩浆的关系越低,形成了变质程度逐级降低的混合岩→片岩→千枚岩(图幅外)→变质砂岩。上述区域地质特征反映南和地区主体经历了伸展-挤压地质演化过程,也指示了钦-杭成矿带南段与北段、中段具有类似的大地构造演化历史,即整体"两开、三合"历程。     

塔里木盆地西北缘乌什地区上寒武统—下志留统碎屑锆石U- Pb年代学及对物源体系和构造演化的指示

早古生代塔里木盆地构造背景发生急剧突变的地球动力学来源一直是一个争议的焦点。本文针对塔里木盆地西北缘乌什地区寒武系—志留系剖面的砂岩样品进行了碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学测试,以此厘定研究区物源体系并刻画该地区的沉积构造演化过程。结果表明,碎屑锆石样品记录了～500Ma、～800Ma、～1000Ma、～1800Ma、～2500Ma共5期构造热事件。对比潜在物源区,上寒武统物源主要为盆地内碎屑物的再循环沉积,直接来源于柯坪或邻近地区的局部隆起,最终来源于盆地内更古老岩石的风化剥蚀。至早志留世,物源区则可能增加了昆仑造山带,同时也说明早志留世西昆仑洋已经俯冲闭合,甚至隆升形成高山。综合前人研究结果,晚奥陶世塔里木盆地构造背景突变、台地消亡的原因,可能主要来自于盆地南侧的洋盆的俯冲闭合造山,而是否有来自北侧洋盆的影响还需要进一步的工作,但即使有来自北侧洋盆活动的影响,其力度和范围也远小于南边。     

Late Neogene–Quaternary evolution of the intermontane Clusone Basin (Southern Alps,Italy): integration of seismic and geological data

In the Clusone Basin (a large intermontane basin filled by thick late Neogene–Quaternary sediments in the Middle Val Seriana, Southern Alps), two high‐resolution seismic profiles have been acquired in order to reconstruct the geometries of the sediments that fill the depression, with a maximum thickness of more than 200 m as documented by available well data, and to define their relationships with the bedrock, consisting of Late Triassic carbonates. In addition to standard seismic reflection processing, a seismic refraction inversion technique has been applied. The integration of geological (both surface and well data) and seismic data indicates a complex history of the drainage patterns of the Clusone Basin, documenting a shift of the Serio River from a palaeodrainage toward the southeast (Val Borlezza) to the present situation, toward the south (Val Seriana): between the older and the present‐day drainages an important depositional stage occurred, as documented by the thick sediments that fill the Clusone Basin, controlling the capture of the Serio River along the Val Seriana. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural evolution of the Irtysh Shear Zone (northwestern China) and implications for the amalgamation of arc systems in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The NW–SE Irtysh Shear Zone is a major tectonic boundary in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which supposedly records the amalgamation history between the peri-Siberian orogenic system and the Kazakhstan/south Mongolia orogenic system. However, the tectonic evolution of the Irtysh Shear Zone is not fully understood. Here we present new structural and geochronological data, which together with other constraints on the timing of deformation suggests that the Irtysh Shear Zone was subjected to three phases of deformation in the late Paleozoic. D₁ is locally recognized as folded foliations in low strain areas and as an internal fabric within garnet porphyroblasts. D₂ is represented by a shallowly dipping fabric and related ∼ NW–SE stretching lineations oriented sub-parallel to the strike of the orogen. D₂ foliations are folded by ∼ NW–SE folds (F₃) that are bounded by a series of mylonite zones with evidence for sinistral/reverse kinematics. These fold and shear structures are kinematically compatible, and thus interpreted to result from a transpressional deformation phase (D₃). Two samples of mica schists yielded youngest detrital zircon peaks at ∼322 Ma, placing a maximum constraint on the timing of D₁–D₃ deformation. A ∼ NE–SW granitic dyke swarm (∼252 Ma) crosscuts D₃ fold structures and mylonitic fabrics in the central part of the shear zone, but is displaced by a mylonite zone that represents the southern boundary of the Irtysh Shear Zone. This observation indicates that the major phase of D₃ transpressional deformation took place prior to ∼252 Ma, although later phases of reactivation in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic are likely. The late Paleozoic deformation (D₁–D₃ at ∼322–252 Ma) overlaps in time with the collision between the Chinese Altai and the intra-oceanic arc system of the East Junggar. We therefore interpret that three episodes of late Paleozoic deformation represent orogenic thickening (D₁), collapse (D₂), and transpressional deformation (D₃) during the convergence between the Chinese Altai and the East Junggar. On a larger scale, late Paleozoic sinistral shearing (D₃), together with dextral shearing farther south, accommodated the eastward migration of internal segments of the western CAOB, possibly associated with the amalgamation of multiple arc systems and continental blocks during the late Paleozoic.     

Deformation during exhumation of medium‐ and high‐grade metamorphic rocks in the Variscan chain in northern Sardinia (Italy)

The Anglona and SW Gallura regions represent key places to investigate the tectonic evolution of medium‐ and high‐grade metamorphic rocks cropping out in northern Sardinia (Italy). From south to north we distinguish two different metamorphic complexes recording similar deformation histories but different metamorphic evolution: the Medium Grade Metamorphic Complex (MGMC) and the High Grade Metamorphic Complex (HGMC). After the initial collisional stage (D1 deformation phase), both complexes were affected by three contractional deformational phases (D2, D3 and D4) followed by later extensional tectonics. The D2 deformation phase was the most significant event producing an important deformation partitioning that produced localized shearing and folding domains at the boundary between the two metamorphic complexes. We highlight the presence of two previously undocumented systems of shear belts with different kinematics but analogous orientation in the axial zone of Sardinia. They became active at the boundary between the MGMC and HGMC from the beginning of D2. They formed a transpressive regime responsible for the exhumation of the medium‐ and high‐grade metamorphic rocks, and overall represent a change from orthogonal to orogen‐parallel tectonic transport. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

青藏米巴勒地区中新世钠质方沸石(霞石)响岩中单斜辉石环带研究:对岩浆-构造演化的启示

在拉萨地块中部米巴勒地区产出的中新世钠质方沸石(霞石)响岩中的单斜辉石发育大量环带结构,环带结构包括正环带、反环带和韵律环带。其中正环带结构从核部到边部Mg^#、MgO、Cr₂O₃呈逐渐降低趋势,而FeO、Na₂O、Al₂O₃、TiO₂呈逐渐升高的趋势,它反映了岩浆正常结晶的历史。反环带结构中Mg^#、MgO、Cr₂O₃从核部到边部呈升高的趋势,FeO、Na₂O、Al₂O₃的含量总体上呈降低趋势,本文认为响岩中单斜辉石的这种环带结构是受到了和它共存的钾质-超钾质火山岩岩浆混合或混染所致,两种岩石应是各自独立的母岩浆的结晶产物。具韵律环带结构的单斜辉石从核部到边部出现成分规律性波动,Na₂O、Al₂O₃、TiO₂、Cr₂O₃含量的变化在正反环带的范围内,Mg^#值的变化范围较小,在正环带斑晶和基质的范围内,它是岩浆多次混合作用的结果。该地区钠质过碱性岩的出现可能指示青藏高原在这套火山岩喷发时(13~12Ma),构造体制发生了显著的改变,进入到一个典型的陆内伸展阶段。     

Holocene hydrological and vegetation changes in southern France inferred by the study of an alluvial travertine system (Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Hérault)

A geobotanical study of the travertine system of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (southern France) was carried out in order to reconstruct the local Holocene environment in a region where the postglacial vegetation history is poorly documented. The travertinisation process has started at ca. 8500 cal. BP, in a landscape dominated by Pinus sylvestris type (probably Pinus nigra sub sp. salzmannii). Around 7000 cal. BP, the travertine system recorded torrential events not evidenced at the regional scale, showing the particularity of the Verdus hydrological regime. More recently, ca. 5100 cal. BP, a lake or a marsh was filled within the Verdus plain, as attested to by sand and silt particles accumulated in the sequence. The present-day vegetation dominated by Quercus ilex, on south facing slopes, was most likely established between the Bronze Age and the Gallo-Roman period correlatively to the decline of Pinus nigra and deciduous Quercus, most probably under human influence.