Syntectonic hydrothermal calcite in a faulted carbonate platform margin (Albian of Jorrios, northern Spain)

ABSTRACT A calcite mass more than 1·5 km long and 20 m wide crops outs along the faulted margin of the Albian carbonate platform of Jorrios in northern Spain. The mass contains abundant dissolution cavities up to 7 m long and 1 m high, filled with cross‐stratified quartz sandstone and alternating sandstone–calcite laminae. Similar cavities are also present in a 50‐m‐wide zone of platform limestones adjacent to the calcite mass that are filled with limestone breccias and sandstone. The calcite mass has mean δ¹⁸O values of 19·6‰ (SMOW), whereas platform limestones have mean δ¹⁸O values of 24·4‰ (SMOW). Synsedimentary faulting of the carbonate margin and circulation of heated fault‐related waters resulted in replacement of a band of limestone by calcite. Soon after this replacement, dissolution by undersaturated fluids affected both the calcite mass and the adjacent limestones. Percolating marine quartz sand filled all dissolution cavities, sometimes alternating with precipitating calcite. The resulting cavities and fills, which recall products of meteoric diagenesis, are attributed to a hydrothermal origin based on their geometry, occurrence along the profile and synsedimentary tectonic relationships. The early faulting and diagenesis are related to local extensional tectonism in a large‐scale strike‐slip setting. Movements occurred during the early dispar/appenninica zone of the Late Albian.     

Pulsating subsidence during a rift episode: stratigraphic and tectonic consequences (Aptian–Albian, northern Spain)

Backstripping analysis has been carried out on nine outcrop sections of the Basque-Cantabrian Aptian and Albian of northern Spain which consist of shallow-water marine deposits up to 7000 m thick. It reveals four main pulses of common accelerated subsidence: I (Early Aptian), II (Early Albian), III (lower Late Albian), and IV (uppermost Late Albian) separated by tectonic quiescent intervals. Tectonic subsidence rates of 70 m Myr^–1 for the Aptian and 101 m Myr^–1 for the Albian were recorded (Sopuerta section). The calculated stretching factor referred to a pre-rift continental crust of 35 km is (β_s=1.32) and represents approximately 8.5 km of crustal thinning. Points of change towards lesser subsidence rate in the curves are correlated with major unconformities in the sections, in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin and in Boreal Europe, suggesting geodynamic changes related with the opening of Bay of Biscay. Minor variations of spreading direction and intensity are proposed to explain the subsidence pulses.     

关于巢北地区中下志留统沉积环境的再认识

本文围绕着巢北地区中下志留统的岩性、沉积构造、生物化石、地层旋回以及大地构造特征等五方面,结合国内外前人研究成果.对巢北地区中下志留统"等深积岩"的沉积特征进行了详细的论述.通过反证与新近发现的大量新证据,得出了与前人不同的认识--巢北中下志留统是与潮汐作用有关的浅海陆棚沉积,而不是早期认为的半深海等深流沉积.这一结论将有助于统一巢北地区早古生代的古地理格局,进一步理清对该区志留纪大地构造背景和构造沉积演化的认识.     

松辽盆地梨树断陷十屋油田营城组层序地层及沉积体系

松辽盆地梨树断陷十屋油田营城组的岩心观察显示,其发育碎屑岩,局部发育安山岩、凝灰岩。营城组可划分为4 个三级层序: S7 ( 营四段) 、S8 ( 营三段) 、S9 ( 营二段) 和S10 ( 营一段) ,反映营城组时期湖平面发生过4 次较大规模的变化,层序发育较完整、连续性较好。层序7 属于深水型沉积,主要发育水下扇; 层序8 属于半深水型盆地边缘沉积,以发育三角洲和扇三角洲为特征; 层序9 和层序10 都属于浅水型沉积,发育棕褐色泥岩。以层序9 为例,区内主要发育的沉积体系类型为扇三角洲沉积体系、三角洲沉积体系和湖泊沉积体系,可进一步识别出扇三角洲前缘、三角洲前缘、三角洲平原、浅湖和半深湖等5 种亚相,水下重力河道、滑塌重力流、河口坝、间湾、水下扇和静水泥等19 种微相,以发育水下扇和水下重力河道沉积为特色。     

Cretaceous paleomargin tilted blocks geometry in northern Tunisia: stratigraphic consideration and fault kinematic analysis

New stratigraphic data, lithostratigraphic correlations, and fault kinematic analysis are used to discuss the basin geometry and sedimentation patterns of the northeastern Tunisia during Cretaceous times. Significant facies and thickness variations are deduced along the northeastern Atlas of Tunisia. The NW-SE 80-km-long regional correlation suggests a high sedimentation rate associated with irregular sea floor. The fault kinematic analysis highlights N-S to NE-SW tectonic extension during Early Cretaceous. During Aptian–Albian times, an extensional regime is recognized with NE-SW tectonic extension. The Cenomanian–Turonian fault populations highlight a WNW-ESE to NW-SE extension, and Campanian–Maastrichtian faults illustrate an NW-SE extension. The normal faulting is associated to repetitive local depocenters with a high rate of sedimentation as well as abundant syntectonic conglomeratic horizons, slump folds, and halokinetic structures. The sequence correlation shows repetitive local depocenters characterizing the basin during Early Cretaceous times. All the above arguments are in favor of basin configuration with tilted blocks geometry. This geometry is shaped by major synsedimentary intra-basin listric normal faults, themselves related to the extensional setting of the southern Tethyan paleomargin, which persisted into the Campanian–Maastrichtian times. The results support a predominant relationship between tilted blocks geometry and sedimentation rather than E-W “Tunisian trough” as it was previously accepted.     

Carbonate aeolianites of western Saurashtra,India: experimental decipherment of the depositional mechanisms

Granular carbonate deposits of Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene age, commonly referred to as ‘miliolite limestone’, occur in a linear belt, parallel to the southern coast of Saurashtra, India. In the present study area these carbonate deposits are found in select valleys between ridges and mounds of pyroclastic material present in the Deccan trap plateau. Two different depositional histories have been proposed for these sediments. The presence of marine bioclasts led to the postulation of a marine origin for these deposits. The second school of thought propounded redeposition of the coastal sediments by aeolian processes. Although a few features could not be explained by the proposed aeolian model, critical comparison of these two views favoured the aeolian origin. The mode of occurrence, lithological and structural attributes, and microscopic evidence presented here, also support a possible aeolian origin for these deposits. Experimental observation indicates that these carbonate aeolianites represent backflow deposits, which accumulated because of the flow separation caused by the presence of topographic highs. The conspicuous concave‐up geometry of the deposit conformed to the shape of the separation bulb. In view of the inferred depositional mechanism, the disposition of the deposits and the signature of the palaeoflow direction suggest that the carbonate particles were derived from the north‐western coast of Saurashtra by strong south‐easterly winds. Massive granular carbonates with outsized basement clasts appear to be the product of avalanching of granular material from the higher contours because of oversteepening of the primary deposit.     

Facies development,depositional settings and sequence stratigraphy across the Ordovician‐Silurian boundary: a new perspective from the Barrandian area of the Czech Republic

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Geological Journal 41(2) 2006, 163–192     

Facies development,depositional settings and sequence stratigraphy across the Ordovician–Silurian boundary: a new perspective from the Barrandian area of the Czech Republic

The Hirnantian and Llandovery sedimentary succession of the Barrandian area has been assigned to middle and outer clastic‐shelf depositional settings, respectively. Deposition was influenced by the remote Gondwanan glaciation and subsequent, long‐persisting, post‐glacial anoxia triggered by a current‐driven upwelling system. High‐resolution graptolite stratigraphy, based upon 19 formally defined biozones—largely interval zones—and five subzones, enabled a detailed correlation between 42 surface sections and boreholes, and enabled linking of the sedimentary record, graptoloid fauna dynamics, organic‐content fluctuations and spectral gamma‐ray curves. The Hirnantian and Llandovery succession has been subdivided into four biostratigraphically dated third‐order sequences (units 1–4). Time–spatial facies distribution recorded early and late Hirnantian glacio‐eustatic sea‐level lowstands separated by a remarkable mid‐Hirnantian rise in sea‐level. A major part of the post‐glacial sea‐level rise took place within the late Hirnantian. The highstand of Unit 2 is apparently at the base of the Silurian succession. Short‐term relative sea‐level drawdown and a third‐order sequence boundary followed in the early Rhuddanian upper acuminatus Zone. Early Aeronian and late Telychian sea‐level highstands and late Aeronian drawdown of likely eustatic origin belong to units 3 and 4. Sea‐level rise culminated in the late Telychian, which may also be considered as a highstand episode of a second‐order Hirnantian–early Silurian cycle. Facies and sequence‐stratigraphic analysis supports recent interpretations on nappe structures in the core part of the Ordovician–Middle Devonian Prague Synform of the Barrandian. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新疆北部卡拉麦里晚古生代走滑构造及其叠加变形序次

大型走滑断裂构造是大陆地壳内部基本的构造变形样式,通常是大陆地壳形成的标志.卡拉麦里构造带是新疆东准地区构造演化研究的重要构造单元.前人的研究认为卡拉麦里构造带是板块碰撞形成的缝合带.本文结合野外考察、构造分析和年代学工作认为,该构造带主要反映了走滑构造带的特点.在遥感影像上,卡拉麦里构造带呈断续的线状延伸特征.地震剖面上,卡拉麦里断裂带主断面产状近于直立向下延伸至基底,与一般张性断层、压性逆冲断层所显示的上陡下缓的铲状特征截然不同.野外考察显示,该构造带发育密集而陡立劈理,主断面附近劈理面倾角近于直立,在相对较浅层次的地层上,劈理面成花状散开,体现花状构造的特点.卡拉麦里构造带内的石炭系、泥盆系地层以及蛇绿岩系受到强烈改造,超糜棱岩化、糜棱岩化、千枚岩化现象普遍.糜棱岩中,硅质岩透镜体拖尾指示右旋走滑特征,与同构造岩脉次级张裂面指示的结果相一致.结合前人研究资料以及地层变形证据,可以推断构造带活动时限为270～260Ma.因此,卡拉麦里构造带是一条在晚古生代-早中生代活动的右旋剪切走滑构造带,准东地区与卡拉麦里构造带相关的缝合带确认,必须以卡拉麦里走滑构造带性质的准确厘定为基础.卡拉麦里构造二叠纪时期的走滑活动性质的确定,指示新疆北部二叠纪大陆地壳已经形成,而且,新疆北部后期叠加构造变形序次研究也显示具有大区域上的共性,指示新疆北部二叠纪以来进入基本统一大陆内部构造演化阶段.     

Carbonate ramp depositional systems from a late Jurassic epeiric platform (Iberian Basin, Spain): a combined computer modelling and outcrop analysis

No counterparts to epeiric-sea carbonate ramps are known in present-day environments. This hinders the interpretation of the factors controlling the growth and evolution of these depositional settings. In this study we analyse the facies and geometries of two Jurassic examples both from outcrop study and through computer modelling. This analysis is constrained by two important features of these Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian ramps: firstly, they are very well exposed, allowing accurate reconstruction of a 200-km section from proximal to distal ramp environments, and, secondly, a time framework for correlation, section reconstruction and modelling is provided by a well-defined ammonite biostratigraphy. The modelling results in a synthetic stratigraphy which closely matches the reconstructed cross-sections and, when integrated with the field study, constrains and provides additional quantitative data on the following aspects of carbonate ramp systems. Resedimentation by storms is an important process in maintaining the ramp profile through time. Down-ramp transport distances of between 25 and 40 km are indicated from the distribution of storm beds and shallow-water allochems and from model-matching known stratigraphic thicknesses and geometries. Modelling sediment production within the time constraints from the ammonite biozones indicates that shallow-water carbonate production was 1–2 orders of magnitude less than that predicted for present-day open-marine carbonate platforms. Deeper-water production rates were reduced by lesser amounts. These proportionally higher, outer-ramp production rates also help to maintain ramp geometries through time. The enigmatic slope crest of ramps is shown to result from a combination of higher, shallow-water production and erosion rates, together with loss of accommodation during highstands and high-stillstands in the modelled sea-level curves. The most parsimonious modelling of the two ramp sequences comes from a relative sea-level curve composed of a linear subsidence component superposed by 20- and 100-kyr cycles on a third-order cycle. The third-order cycles and their timing do not correspond to those of the Exxon curve.     

Lacustrine sedimentation in active volcanic settings: the Late Quaternary depositional evolution of Lake Chungará (northern Chile)

Lake Chungará (18°15′S, 69°09′W, 4520 m above sea‐level) is the largest (22·5 km²) and deepest (40 m) lacustrine ecosystem in the Chilean Altiplano and its location in an active volcanic setting, provides an opportunity to evaluate environmental (volcanic vs. climatic) controls on lacustrine sedimentation. The Late Quaternary depositional history of the lake is reconstructed by means of a multiproxy study of 15 Kullenberg cores and seismic data. The chronological framework is supported by 10 ¹⁴C AMS dates and one ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U dates. Lake Chungará was formed prior to 12·8 cal kyr bp as a result of the partial collapse of the Parinacota volcano that impounded the Lauca river. The sedimentary architecture of the lacustrine succession has been controlled by (i) the strong inherited palaeo‐relief and (ii) changes in the accommodation space, caused by lake‐level fluctuations and tectonic subsidence. The first factor determined the location of the depocentre in the NW of the central plain. The second factor caused the area of deposition to extend towards the eastern and southern basin margins with accumulation of high‐stand sediments on the elevated marginal platforms. Synsedimentary normal faulting also increased accommodation and increased the rate of sedimentation in the northern part of the basin. Six sedimentary units were identified and correlated in the basin mainly using tephra keybeds. Unit 1 (Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene) is made up of laminated diatomite with some carbonate‐rich (calcite and aragonite) laminae. Unit 2 (Mid‐Holocene–Recent) is composed of massive to bedded diatomite with abundant tephra (lapilli and ash) layers. Some carbonate‐rich layers (calcite and aragonite) occur. Unit 3 consists of macrophyte‐rich diatomite deposited in nearshore environments. Unit 4 is composed of littoral sediments dominated by alternating charophyte‐rich and other aquatic macrophyte‐rich facies. Littoral carbonate productivity peaked when suitable shallow platforms were available for charophyte colonization. Clastic deposits in the lake are restricted to lake margins (Units 5 and 6). Diatom productivity peaked during a lowstand period (Unit 1 and subunit 2a), and was probably favoured by photic conditions affecting larger areas of the lake bottom. Offshore carbonate precipitation reached its maximum during the Early to Mid‐Holocene (ca 7·8 and 6·4 cal kyr bp ). This may have been favoured by increases in lake solute concentrations resulting from evaporation and calcium input because of the compositional changes in pyroclastic supply. Diatom and pollen data from offshore cores suggest a number of lake‐level fluctuations: a Late Pleistocene deepening episode (ca 12·6 cal kyr BP), four shallowing episodes during the Early to Mid‐Holocene (ca 10·5, 9·8, 7·8 and 6·7 cal kyr BP) and higher lake levels since the Mid‐Holocene (ca 5·7 cal kyr BP) until the present. Explosive activity at Parinacota volcano was very limited between c. >12·8 and 7·8 cal kyr bp . Mafic‐rich explosive eruptions from the Ajata satellite cones increased after ca 5·7 cal kyr bp until the present.     

Late- and post-glacial depositional environments in the Norwegian Trench, northern North Sea

The late Weichselian sequence in the northern part of the Norwegian Trench is composed of eight units. The two lowermost units are massive, firm to stiff diamictons, interpreted to have been deposited beneath ice-streams that in all likelihood reached the shelf edge. They are overlain by glaciomarine and normal-marine sediments deposited after 15000BP. The first phase of glacial retreat from the Norwegian Trench (15000–14800 BP) was very rapid and left a thin layer of proximal sediments on top of the tills. This was followed by a period with lower accumulation rates (14800–13600 BP), probably as a result of rapid source retreat and cold meltwater inhibiting dropstone fall-out. The end of this interval marks the change from ice-stream calving in cold water to melting on land. According to lithologic and isotopic data, the maximum rate of Fennoscan-dian ice-sheet disintegration took place around 12500 BP. The water temperatures declined significantly and rates of sedimentation and ice-rafting fell in association with the Younger Dryas period. The final retreat of the ice began as early as 10 500 BP, and the transition to normal-marine sedimentation is reflected by precipitation of iron oxide followed by pyrite, reduced sedimentation rates, and a change from terrigenous to biogenic sedimentation.     

Early development of strike-slip faulting: palaeoseismic study along the Petersen Mountain fault,northern Walker Lane,Nevada

Characterising youthful strike-slip fault systems within transtensional regimes is often complicated by the presence of tectonic geomorphic features produced by normal faulting associated with oblique extension. The Petersen Mountain fault in the northern Walker Lane tectonic province exhibits evidence of both normal and strike-slip faulting. We present the results of geologic and geomorphic mapping, and palaeoseismic trenching that characterise the fault's style and sense of deformation. The fault consists of two major traces. The western trace displaces colluvial, landslide, and middle to late Pleistocene alluvial fans and is associated with aligned range front saddles, linear drainages, and oversteepened range front slopes. The eastern trace is associated with a low linear bedrock ridge, a narrow graben, right deflected stream channels, and scarps in late Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits. A trench on the eastern trace of the fault exposed a clear juxtaposition of disintegrated granodiorite bedrock against sand and boulder alluvial fan deposits across a steeply east-dipping fault. The stratigraphic evidence supports the occurrence of at least one late Pleistocene earthquake with a component of lateral displacement. As such, the Petersen Mountain fault accommodates part of the ~7 mm/yr of dextral shear distributed across the northern Walker Lane.     

The Baza Fault: a major active extensional fault in the central Betic Cordillera (south Spain)

In the Guadix-Baza Basin (Betic Cordillera) lies the Baza Fault, a structure that will be described for the first time in this paper. Eight gravity profiles and a seismic reflection profile, coupled with surface studies, indicate the existence of a NE-dipping normal fault with a variable strike with N-S and NW-SE segments. This 37-km long fault divides the basin into two sectors: Guadix to the West and Baza to the East. Since the Late Miocene, the activity of this fault has created a half-graben in its hanging wall. The seismic reflection profile shows that the fill of this 2,000–3,000 m thick asymmetric basin is syntectonic. The fault has associated seismicity, the most important of which is the 1531 Baza earthquake. Since the Late Tortonian to the present, i.e. over approximately the last 8 million years, extension rates obtained vary between 0.12 and 0.33 mm/year for the Baza Fault, being one of the major active normal faults to accommodate the current ENE–WSW extension produced in the central Betic Cordillera. The existence of this fault and other normal faults in the central Betic Cordillera enhanced the extension in the upper crust from the Late Miocene to the present in this regional compressive setting.     

青海西南部乌丽活动断裂系的地质特征及灾害效应

乌丽活动断裂系发育于乌丽山地,是青藏高原北部重要的区域性活动构造体系,由乌丽北山活动断裂、乌丽盆缘活动断裂和乌丽南山活动断裂所组成,主要包括17条不同规模、不同性质的活动断层。大部分活动断层属左旋斜滑断层,部分活动断层为左旋走滑断层。据地质观测资料估算,典型活动断层全新世左旋走滑速度分量为1．2—3．5mm／a、垂直下滑速度分量为0．5—3．5mm／a。沿乌丽活动断裂系发育5条宽100—400m的构造裂缝带、大量串珠状冰丘群与少量移动冰丘,构造裂缝产生的高密度地表破裂和移动冰丘造成的地表拱曲变形是影响青藏铁路、公路线路工程安全的主要地质灾害。     

川西甘孜地区活动断裂与地质灾害分布相关性探讨

活动断裂带的地质灾害效应是工程地质与地质灾害领域研究的重要内容。川西甘孜地区位于青藏高原东南缘,区内新构造运动强烈,地质灾害频繁发生,对人类生命财产安全造成威胁,对社会生活和经济建设起到了破坏作用。文章从活动断裂与地质灾害点空间分布之间关系进行分析研究,总结出两者在空间分布的规律。认为活动断裂是川西甘孜地区地质灾害孕育的内动力条件之一;在空间位置上关系密不可分,在主要活动断裂0~1 km范围内0.095处/km2、1~2 km范围内0.050/km2、2~5 km范围内0.029处/km2频发。在活动断裂沿线开展针对地质灾害的监测和防范工作亟待落实,可为减轻或避免地质灾害提供依据和建议。     

大别造山带北缘中生代冲积体系对源区构造的沉积响应

大别山北缘中生界的沉积学研究表明,三尖铺组向上变细的巨旋回记录了从河川径流到碎屑流、超浓缩洪流到远端河道以及越岸沉积,显示源区在早侏罗世（205－180Ma)之前快速抬升之后经历了相对平静阶段。凤凰台组向上变粗的扇砾岩巨层序记录了碎屑流－超浓缩洪流沉积,反映了在侏罗纪末（135Ma)到早白垩世源区剧烈的持续上升和剥蚀,导致向盆地远端砾岩的进积作用。早白垩世晚期,黑石渡组巨旋回下部的碎屑流沉积是近源堆积,上部发育湖相浊积岩,反映源区的构造演变为转换拉张。晚白垩世、盆地边缘与源区一道抬升,遭受剥蚀。