The sedimentary and tectonic setting of the Transvaal Supergroup floor rocks to the Bushveld complex

The Palaeoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup floor to the Bushveld complex comprises protobasinal successions overlain by the Black Reef Formation, Chuniespoort Group and the uppermost Pretoria Group. The protobasinal successions comprise predominantly mafic lavas and pyroclastic rocks, immature alluvial-fluvial braidplain deposits and finer-grained basinal rocks. These thick, laterally restricted protobasinal sequences reflect either strike-slip or small extensional basins formed during the impactogenal rifting and southeasterly-directed tectonic escape, which accompanied collision of the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons during Ventersdorp times. The erosively-based sheet sandstones of the succeeding Black Reef Formation reflect northwand-directed compression in the south of the basin. Thermal subsidence along the Ventersdorp Supergroup and Transvaal protobasinal fault systems led to shallow epeiric marine deposition of the sheet-like Chuniespoort Group carbonate-BIF platform succession. After an estimated 80 Ma hiatus, characterized by uplift and karstic weathering of the Chuniespoort dolomites, slower thermal subsidence is thought to have formed the Pretoria Group basin. Widespread, closed basin alluvial fan, fluvial braidplain and lacustrine sedimentation, as well as laterally extensive, subaerial andesitic volcanism (Rooihoogte to Strubenkop Formations), gave way to a marine transgression, which laid down the tuffaceous mudrocks, relatively mature sandstones and subordinate subaqueous volcanic rocks of the succeeding Daspoort, Silverton and Magaliesberg Formations. Poorly preserved post-Magaliesberg formations in the Upper Pretoria Group point to possible compressive deformation and concomitant rapid deposition of largely feldspathic detritus within smaller closed basins.     

Submarine fan and slope-apron deposition in a Cretaceous Forearc Basin: The Gürsökü Formation (Kavak–Samsun, N. Turkey)

The Late Cretaceous Gürsökü Formation represents the proximal fill of the Sinop–Samsun Forearc Basin that was probably initiated by extension during the Early Cretaceous. The succession records sedimentation in two contrasting depositional systems: a slope-apron flanking a faulted basin margin and coarse-grained submarine fans. The slope-apron deposits consist of thinly bedded turbiditic sandstones and mudstones, interbedded with non-channelized chaotic boulder beds and intraformational slump sheets representing a spectrum of processes ranging from debris flow to submarine slides. The submarine fan sediments are represented by conglomerates and sandstones interpreted as deposited from high density turbidity currents and non-cohesive debris flows. The occurrence of both slope apron and submarine fan depositional systems in the Gürsökü Formation may indicates that the region was a tectonically active basin margin during the Late Cretaceous.     

Depositional history and stratigraphical evolution of the Sakamena group (Middle Karoo Supergroup) in the southern Morondava Basin, Madagascar

The Karoo Supergroup in Madagascar is subdivided into three lithostratigraphical units: the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian Sakoa Group; the Late Permian-Middle Triassic Sakamena Group; and the Triassic-Early Jurassic Isalo Group. The Sakamena Group is fairly well exposed in the southern Morondava Basin, where it is approximately 4000 m thick. The Sakamena Group is separated from the Sakoa Group by an angular unconformity. The Lower Sakamena Formation is characterised by two major facies associations: (1) interbedded muddy conglomerates and coarse sandstones; and (2) interbedded sandstones and mudstones, which were deposited in a rejuvenated rift setting by coarse-grained fluvial systems and debris flows on the rift margins. In the Vatambe area, facies represent fandelta deposition in a saline lake or tongue of the ocean. The Middle Sakamena Formation comprises three major facies: (1) laminated mudstones and sandstones; (2) sandstones; and (3) mudstones. The Middle Sakamena facies were deposited by low gradient meandering streams and in shallow lakes. The Upper Sakamena Formation was deposited in similar environments, except that it is comprised predominantly of red beds. The Isalo Group consists predominantly of coarse-grained sandstones (up to 6000 m thick). These sandstones were deposited by braided streams with the coarse detritus derived from a structural uplift in the east.     

Fluvial sedimentation in the lower carboniferous of Clew Bay,County Mayo,Ireland

A succession of about 300 m of fluvial sediments from the Lower Carboniferous of northwest Ireland is described and interpreted. A lower, mainly red, formation contains fluvial channel deposits dominated by flat laminated sandstone. These are separated by interbedded sandstones and mudrocks with local caliche horizons and abundant mudcracks interpreted as levee and flood basin deposits. An upper, mainly non-red, formation contains fluvial channel deposits with common trough cross-stratification and epsilon cross-stratification also separated by interbedded sandstones and mudrocks. Evidence of desiccation is less common in the uppermost beds which pass transitionally upwards into marine sediments.The change in fluvial channel style is interpreted as due to increasing sinuosity and permanence of flow which may have been partly temporally and partly spatially controlled. The predominance of coarse sediments is thought to be largely controlled by limited subsidence. The Lower Carboniferous transgression was the major overall control of alluviation.     

Stratigraphy and structure of Devonian fluvial sediments,western Beara Peninsula,south-west Ireland

A stratigraphic and structural summary of 5 km of Upper Devonian strata of south-west Beara, part of the Munster Basin, south-west Cork is presented. Five formations are recognized on the basis of lithofacies geometries and associations. The lowest Caherkeen Formation comprises rapidly alternating sheet-like, plane-bedded, low-angle, cross-bedded sandstones and laminated, rippled or desiccated mudrocks. The incoming of thin lenticular sandstone packages, commonly with high-angle cross-bedding, distinguishes the overlying Eagle Hill Formation. The succeeding Reen Point Formation comprises thicker bedsets of plane-bedded, low-angle and high-angle cross-bedded sandstones, separated by thick, massive mudrocks. Intraformational breccias and calcareous nodular siltrocks are distinctive features. The Tholane Formation is characterized by thick massive red-green mudrocks and a general absence of coarser grained lithologies. This sequence was deposited in a terminal fluvial fan in a basin characterized by decreasing subsidence rates and gradient with time. The overlying Toe Head Formation represents the deposits of a fluvial coastal plain. It has siltrocks that are predominantly green, often with preserved fish and plant debris. There is a relative absence of high-angled cross-bedded sandstones and an abundance of flat-laminated and inclined parallel-laminated sandstones. The structure of the Beara Peninsula comprises a WSW plunging anticlinorium with a single cleavage formed during the Variscan orogeny. Evidence from locally transecting cleavages and from mapping indicates dextral transpression. Development of the three main fault trends was contemporaneous with the folding. The well-known copper mineralization of the Allihies area is associated with east-west fault trends, a pattern observed elsewhere in the western Munster Basin. Basement involvement during both basin development and deformation is likely, but is difficult to test.     

论淮南生物群

淮南生物群 (Huainan Biota)产于安徽淮南地区新元古代淮南群中 ,由宏观藻类 Chuaria- Tawuia组合和蠕形动物 Pararenicola- Paleolina组合组成 ,可与加拿大西北麦肯齐山新元古代小达尔群 (L ittle Dal Group)小达尔生物群 (L ittle Dal Biota)对比 ,为新元古代大冰期前的一个特有生物群落 ,地质时代为前震旦纪 (本文的震旦纪即目前的南华纪至震旦纪 ) ,时限约为 85 0— 75 0 Ma,从而将前人所定淮南生物群为青白口纪至震旦纪的时代结论修订为前震旦纪。这对我国乃至国际上新元古代地层层序的重新划分与对比 ,以及新元古代早期生命演化研究等都具有重大的理论意义和实际价值。文中还着重论述了淮南生物群的组合特征和特定的生物发展阶段 ,而区别于青白口纪和震旦纪的生物群落 ,并通过洲际对比 ,讨论了淮南生物群的地层学意义     

The Neoproterozoic Mwashya–Kansuki sedimentary rock succession in the central African Copperbelt, its Cu–Co mineralisation, and regional correlations

Rocks of the Neoproterozoic Mwashya Subgroup (former Upper Mwashya) form the uppermost sedimentary unit of the Roan Group. Based on new field and drill hole observations, the Mwashya is subdivided into three formations: (1) Kamoya, characterized by dolomitic silty shales/siltstones/sandstones and containing a regional marker (the “Conglomerate de Mwashya” bed or complex); (2) Kafubu, formed by finely bedded black carbonaceous shales; and (3) Kanzadi, marked by feldspathic sandstones. Rocks of the Mwashya Subgroup are overlain by the Sturtian age Grand Conglomérat diamictite (equivalent to the Varianto/Brazil and Chuos/Namibia diamictites), and conformably overlie rocks of the Kansuki Formation (former Lower Mwashya), a carbonate unit containing volcaniclastic beds. New geochemical data confirm the continental rift context of this magmatism, which is contemporaneous with rift-related volcanism of the Askevold Formation (Nosib Group, Namibia). A gradational lithological transition between rocks of the Kansuki and the underlying Kanwangungu Formations, and similar petrological composition of these two formations, support the hypothesis that the Kansuki is the uppermost unit of the carbonate-dominated Dipeta/Kanwangungu sequence, and does not form part of the Mwashya Subgroup. Base metal deposits, mostly hosted in rocks of the Kansuki Formation, include weakly disseminated early-stage low-grade Cu–Co mineralisation, which was reworked and enriched, or initially deposited, by metamorphic fluids associated with the Lufilian orogenic event.     

The geology of Howth and Ireland's Eye,Co. Dublin

The Cambrian sediments in Howth and Ireland's Eye to the northeast of Dublin have been mapped and the submarine deltaic Censure Group and the overlying Nose of Howth Group, which consists of interbedded turbidites and olistostromes, have been distinguished. Large scale sedimentary disruption has accompanied detachment of quartzitic sandstone beds in the Censure Group, where the bases of detached blocks have slump features while their tops generally do not. This contrasts with the chaotic sedimentary breccias in the olistostromes of the Nose of Howth Group. Blocks in the Censure and Nose of Howth Groups are up to 450 m and 700 m across respectively. The turbidies have come from the southeast and east whereas the slumping appears to have been generated from the southwest. Slumping during sedimentation was followed closely by large-scale folding and sliding of sedimentary or tectono-sedimentary origin, and the bulk appearance of the sediments is due to these sedimentary and tectono-sedimentary mechanisms. The main structure is an easterly facing, steep plunging syncline which locally is associated with a poorly preserved cleavage. This structure predated the main penetrative cleavage which is not axial planar to it.     

Lithofacies attributes, depositional system and diagenetic properties of the Permian Gharif Formation from Haushi–Huqf area, Central Oman

Over 70 m thick interbedded sandstone, siltstone and claystone of the upper member of the Gharif Formation are exposed in western Huqf area in Oman Interior Sedimentary Basin. The Gharif Formation, particularly its upper member hosts major hydrocarbon reservoir in the subsurface of the Oman Interior Sedimentary Basin. The upper member of the Gharif Formation is comprised of interbedded thick sandstone, siltstone, carbonaceous clays and intraformational conglomerates. The sandstone lithofacies, on average, constitute 10 m thick multistoreyed sequences, which are composed internally of 2–3 m thick and 100 s of metres across vertically and laterally amalgamated sandstone bodies. Two major types of sandstones (types 1 and 2) are identified on the basis of their lithofacies association and internal architecture. The type 1 sandstone constitutes the lower part of the member and is comprised of pebbly to coarse-grained, planar and trough cross-bedded sandstone, plane bedded sandstone and pebble lags at the base of major sandstone bodies. The cross-beds are, on average, 30 cm thick exhibiting a dominant paleoflow direction towards NW (280–300° N). It is interpreted to be deposited by low sinuosity braided streams. The type 2 sandstone constitutes the upper part of the member and is comprised of medium-grained sandstone, trough to low angle plane bedding associated with lateral accretion surfaces. It is commonly interbedded with carbonaceous clays. Silicified plant fragments are commonly distributed in the upper part of the sandstone. Interbedded clays and siltstones are red, mottled and extensively bioturbated due to root burrows. It is interpreted to be deposited by high sinuosity meandering streams. In the uppermost part of the section, several dark grey to black carbonaceous clay/coal beds with plant matter are interbedded with sandstone and red clay indicating development of swampy conditions during onset of the coastal setting in the uppermost part of the formation. About 30 cm thick bioclastic sandstone deposited by the marine coastal bars mark transition from the Gharif Formation to carbonate dominated Khuff Formation. The sandstone of the Gharif Formation is arkosic in composition. Very small amount of cement and negligible compaction of constituent grains in sandstone indicates shallow burial before uplift.     

Conditions of kaolin illitization in the Permo-Triassic sandstones from the SE Iberian Ranges, Spain

Kaolin is a widespread authigenic clay mineral in the Permo-Triassic sandstones from the marginal areas of the SE Iberian Basin. However, relatively more extensive illitization of kaolin occurs in the SW basin margin compared with the slight occurrence in the NE margin. SEM analysis of sandstones reveals that illite replaced small kaolinite crystals while blocky dickite remained unaltered. Kaolin illitization is suggested to take place in relation to the maximum burial depth reached during Late Cretaceous post-rift stage. Vitrinite reflectance data denotes a maximum burial temperature of 118  °C and 144 °C in the NE basin margin and in the SW basin margin, respectively. Thus, the extent of illitization in the SW margin is attributed to the higher T_peak reached by the Permo-Triassic succession. Regarding the lack of K-feldspars observed in the sandstones and interbedded mudrocks, the source of K⁺ is mainly related to the alteration of detrital mica.     

The roles of pedogenesis and diagenesis in clay mineral assemblages: Lower Cretaceous fluvial mudrocks,Nova Scotia,Canada

Clay mineral assemblages in alluvial mudrocks are important for paleoclimatic interpretation and for understanding burial diagenetic cementation in sandstones, but it is commonly difficult to unravel the relative importance of source weathering, pedogenesis and diagenesis in their origin. The clay mineral assemblages in fluvial overbank mudrocks from the Lower Cretaceous Chaswood Formation in central Nova Scotia, investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis of the < 2 µm fraction of 45 samples, include kaolinite, illite, vermiculite, and mixed layer kaolinite/expandable clay and mica/vermiculite. The assemblages vary with depositional facies. Wetland organic-rich mudrocks have large amounts of amorphous material and kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral. In the eastern part of the basin, where overbank mudrocks were episodically uplifted by syn-sedimentary strike-slip faulting, cumulate ultisol and alfisol paleosols are common. In the ultisols, hematite is enriched and kaolinite increases at the expense of illite in the B horizon. Alfisols contain more illite and vermiculite and the B horizon is enriched in goethite. In the western part of the basin, where thin sandstones with abundant diagenetic kaolinite cement are interbedded with the mudrocks, the distinctive clay mineral assemblage of mica/vermiculite mixed layer, vermiculite with 15.5 Å peak, and kaolinite/expandable mixed layer clay with a 17.7 Å peak is interpreted to result from bacterially-mediated oxidation of organic matter below the paleo-water table during early burial diagenesis. Deeper burial diagenesis may lead to slightly higher kaolinite crystallinity. Volcanic ash appears to alter to kaolinite/expandable mixed layer clay with a 7.9 Å peak. Comparison with the continuously subsiding and rapidly accumulated Wessex Formation of southern England, formed at a similar paleolatitude, shows the strong role of pedogenic processes and early diagenesis by meteoric water in development of clay mineral assemblages in the locally tectonically uplifted Chaswood Formation.     

River‐dominated,shelf‐edge deltas: delivery of sand across the shelf break in the absence of slope incision

Shelf‐edge deltas record the potential magnitude of sediment delivery from shallow water shelf into deep water slope and basin floor and, if un‐incised, represent the main increment of shelf‐margin growth into the basin, for that period. The three‐dimensional complexity of shelf‐edge delta systems and along‐strike variability at the shelf edge in particular, remains understudied. The Permian–Triassic Kookfontein Formation of the Tanqua Karoo Basin, South Africa, offers extensive three‐dimensional exposure (>100 km²) and therefore a unique opportunity to evaluate shelf‐edge strata from an outcrop perspective. Analysis of stratal geometry and facies distribution from 52 measured and correlated stratigraphic sections show the following: (i) In outer‐shelf areas, parasequences are characterized by undeformed, river‐dominated, storm‐wave influenced delta mouth‐bar sandstones interbedded with packages showing evidence of syn‐depositional deformation. The amount and intensity of soft‐sediment deformation increases significantly towards the shelf edge where slump units and debris flows sourced from collapsed mouth‐bar packages transport material down slope. (ii) On the upper slope, mouth‐bar and delta‐front sandstones pinch out within 2 km of the shelf break and most slump and debris flow units pinch out within 4 km of the shelf break. (iii) Further down the slope, parasequences consist of finer‐grained turbidites, characterized by interbedded, thin tabular siltstones and sandstones. The results highlight that river‐dominated, shelf‐edge deltas transport large volumes of sand to the upper slope, even when major shelf‐edge incisions are absent. In this case, transport to the upper slope through slumping, debris flows and un‐channellized low density turbidites is distributed evenly along strike.     

Geochemical character of the hydrothermal alteration zones around the Madenkoy-Siirt massive sulfide deposit and implications for geochemical exploration

The Madenkoy-Siir region lies in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey to the northeast of Siirt. The study area is in the southeastern Anatolian Thrust Belt, which forms the boundary between the Border Folds on the northern edge of the Arabian plate and the Taurids. In the region, limestones of the Midyat Group of Eocene-Miocene age and alternating marls and sandstones of the Lice Formation of Early-Middle Miocene age are the autochthonous units. Three thrust slices were emplaced over the autochthonous units during the Miocene Epoch. The lowest slice consists of interbedded sandstones, mudstones, marls, limestones, and conglomerates of the Sason flysch, the Madenkoy spilite, and the Toptepe conglomerate, all of Eocene age; the middle slice consists of the Guleman ultramafic rocks of Cretaceous age; and the uppermost slice consists of the Bitlis metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age.     

The origin and alteration of calcite cement in tight sandstones of the Jurassic Shishugou Group,Fukang Sag,Junggar Basin,NW China: implications for fluid–rock interactions and porosity evolution

The Shishugou Group, which consists of Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation and Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation, is currently an important hydrocarbon exploration target in the Fukang Sag of Junggar Basin, China. The Shishugou Group sandstones experienced a complex diagenetic history with deep burial (3600–5800 m) to develop low–ultralow porosity and permeability reservoir with some high-quality reservoirs found in the tight sandstones owing to the reservoir heterogeneity. This integrated petrographic and geochemical study aims to unravel the origin and alteration of calcite cement in the Shishugou Group sandstones and predict fluid–rock interaction and porosity evolution. The Shishugou Group sandstones (Q_43.8F_7.4R_48.8) have a dominant calcite cement with strong heterogeneity forming in two generations: poikilotopic, pore-filling masses that formed at an early diagenetic stage and isolated rhombs or partial grain replacements that formed at a late stage. The Shishugou Group, which are lacustrine sediments formed in low–medium salinity lake water in a semiarid–arid climatic environment, provided the alkaline diagenetic environment needed for precipitation of chlorite and early calcite cements in early diagenesis. The Ca²⁺ of the pore-filling calcite cements was sourced from weathering or dissolution of volcanic clasts in the sediment source or during transport in under oxidising conditions. The δ¹⁸O_V-PDB and δ¹³C_V-PDB values of calcite were significantly controlled by distance from the top unconformity and underlying coal-bearing stratum with carbon sourced from atmospheric CO₂, and organic matter. The early carbonate cement inhibited burial compaction producing intergranular pore spaces with enhanced reservoir properties by late dissolution under acidic conditions. Anhydrite cement reflects reaction of organic acid and hydrocarbon with the sandstones and is associated with fluid migration pathways. The fluid–rock interactions and porosity evolution of the tight deep sandstones produced secondary pores that filled with hydrocarbon charge that forms this deep high-quality reservoir.     

1∶25万开县幅、万县幅地质调查成果与进展

原定为青白口纪的龙潭河组时代应属早南华世;在志留系顶部发现一套岩层,认为存在中泥盆统云台观组;万县与通江两地层小区的下—中侏罗统存在相变过渡关系;城巴断裂以北分布较小型侵入岩体。重点调查研究了具重要控矿作用的城巴断裂和直接影响三峡库区稳定性的七曜山断裂带新构造运动。     

Geochemical fingerprints and pebbles zircon geochronology: Implications for the provenance and tectonic setting of Lower Cretaceous sediments in the Zhucheng Basin (Jiaodong peninsula,North China)

This paper conducts a petrogeochemical analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Group’s sandstones, compares the results with the Neoproterozoic and Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the southern Sulu Orogen (also called the Jiaonan Orogen), and performs an LA-ICP-MS zircon geochronology analysis of the granitic gneisses in the conglomerates of the Laiyang Group and the intrusive rocks in the Jiaonan Orogen. The results show that the major element proportions of the Longwangzhuang Formation (LWZ Fm) and Qugezhuang Formation (QGZ Fm) of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin are similar. The values of various indices for the LWZ Fm are similar to the average sandstone content of active continental margins, whereas, the values for the QGZ Fm are similar to those of continental island arcs. The comparison shows that the REE characteristics of the LWZ Fm and QGZ Fm of Laiyang Group are similar to those of the Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses in the Jiaonan Orogen but obviously different from those of the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks. A tectonic setting discrimination diagram reveals that the provenance of the Laiyang Group includes features of active continental margins and continental island arcs. A number of indicators, e.g., the sandstone type, the Chemical Index of Alteration, the Chemical Index of Weathering, the Plagioclase Index of Alteration and the Index of Chemical Constituent Variation, indicated that the sandstones did not undergo intense weathering and were deposited near the source area. The zircon ages of the granitic gneiss material in the conglomerates at the base of the Laiyang Group are 790 ± 8.4 Ma, close to the ages of the Neoproterozoic granitic gneiss in the Jiaonan Orogen (739–819 Ma), and very different from the ages of the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks. Combining with paleocurrent directions, geochemical character, the Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses in the Jiaonan Orogen may represent the primary provenance of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin. During the depositional period of the Laiyang Group, the source rocks did not experience intense weathering, which indicated the Jiaonan Orogen experienced rapid uplift during this time, and coincided with the high exhumed rate of 2.0 km Ma ^?1 from before ca. 128 to 123 Ma in Jiaonan Orogen. The rapid subsidence during the formation of the Laiyang Group in the Zhucheng Basin and the rapid uplift of the Jiaonan Orogen are the result of a single regional extensional event associated with the lithospheric thinning and destruction of North China and peripheral cratons.     

Feldspar albitization in Cretaceous non-marine mudrocks, Gyeongsang Basin, Korea

Plagioclases and K-feldspars in the sandstones and mudrocks of the Cretaceous non-marine Gyeongsang Basin, Korea, were partially to completely albitized. The preservation of fresh plagioclase grains in early micrite-cemented sandstones suggests the diagenetic origin of albite. Albitization textures in mudrocks were examined using backscattered electron images. In contrast to completely albitized plagioclase grains in sandstones, those in mudrocks are mostly partially albitized. It suggests that mudrocks can be more useful for a provenance study than sandstones by preserving detrital minerals better. K-feldspar is unaltered to partially albitized in both sandstones and mudrocks. In mudrocks albitization starts preferentially along microfractures, cleavages and grain margins. Albitization along grain margins seems to be a characteristic feature in mudrocks where development of microfractures in silt-sized feldspar grains by physical compaction is limited by clayey matrix as well as by overpressure. The extent of albitization in mudrocks is mainly controlled by composition of the detrital plagioclase. Mudrocks containing calcic plagioclase grains tend to be more extensively albitized than those containing sodic varieties.     

Late Mesozoic to Paleogene stratigraphy of the Salar de Atacama Basin, Antofagasta, Northern Chile: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Central Andes

The Salar de Atacama basin, the largest “pre-Andean” basin in Northern Chile, was formed in the early Late Cretaceous as a consequence of the tectonic closure and inversion of the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Tarapacá back arc basin. Inversion led to uplift of the Cordillera de Domeyko (CD), a thick-skinned basement range bounded by a system of reverse faults and blind thrusts with alternating vergence along strike. The almost 6000-m-thick, upper Cretaceous to lower Paleocene sequences (Purilactis Group) infilling the Salar de Atacama basin reflects rapid local subsidence to the east of the CD. Its oldest outcropping unit (Tonel Formation) comprises more than 1000 m of continental red sandstones and evaporites, which began to accumulate as syntectonic growth strata during the initial stages of CD uplift. Tonel strata are capped by almost 3000 m of sandstones and conglomerates of western provenance, representing the sedimentary response to renewed pulses of tectonic shortening, which were deposited in alluvial fan, fluvial and eolian settings together with minor lacustrine mudstone (Purilactis Formation). These are covered by 500 m of coarse, proximal alluvial fan conglomerates (Barros Arana Formation). The top of the Purilactis Group consists of Maastrichtian-Danian alkaline lava and minor welded tuffs and red beds (Cerro Totola Formation: 70–64 Ma K/Ar) deposited during an interval of tectonic quiescence when the El Molino–Yacoraite Late Cretaceous sea covered large tracts of the nearby Altiplano-Puna domain. Limestones interbedded with the Totola volcanics indicate that this marine incursion advanced westwards to reach the eastern CD slope. CD shortening in the Late Cretaceous was accompanied by volcanism and continental sedimentation in fault bounded basins associated to strike slip along the north Chilean magmatic arc to the west of the CD domain, indicating that oblique plate convergence prevailed during the Late Cretaceous. Oblique convergence seems to have been resolved into a highly partitioned strain system where margin-parallel displacements along the thermally weakened arc coexisted with margin-orthogonal shortening associated with syntectonic sedimentation in the Salar de Atacama basin. A regionally important Early Paleocene compressional event is echoed, in the Salar de Atacama basin by a, distinctive, angular unconformity which separates Paleocene continental sediments from Purilactis Group strata. The basin also records the Eocene–Early Oligocene Incaic transpressional episode, which produced, renewed uplift in the Cordillera de Domeyko and triggered the accumulation of a thick blanket of syntectonic gravels (Loma Amarilla Formation).     

Petromineralogic and rock magnetic aspects of clastic sedimentation in the Surma basin, Mizoram

We present here comprehensive petromineralogic, mineral magnetic and lithologic observations from five stratigraphic sections representing the Barail Group, Middle and Upper units of Bhuban Formation, Bokabil Formation and Tipam Group in the Mizoram area. These stratigraphic units mainly display interplay of the grey and buff colored sandstones of the clast compositions varying from sub-lithic to lithic arenites (Q₇₉F₄L₁₇ to Q₅₅F₃L₄₂) including sedimentary, meta-sedimentary and subordinate igneous rock fragments. The buff sandstones with higher lithic fragments [Q₆₉F₄L₂₇ (Ls₆₁Lm₃₈Lv₁)] are dominated by recycled components with higher clast angularity (VA₁A₁₅SA₅₁SR₂₄R₈WR_0.4) relative to the grey sandstones. Mineral magnetic studies decipher bimodal (ferri- and antiferromagnetic) mineralogy with higher concentration in buff sandstones relative to the unimodal ferrimagnetic nature of the grey sandstones. The study infers that the buff sandstones mark the regressive phases driven by hinterland uplifts; whereas the growth of the grey sandstone facies is marked by transgressive basinal processes. Gradual increase in the frequency and appearance of the buff sandstones in the Surma stratigraphy, therefore, can be related to the evolution of the Indo-Burmese ranges.     

Tectonically induced climate and its control on the distribution of depositional systems in a continental foreland basin, Cloverly and Lakota Formations (Lower Cretaceous) of Wyoming, U.S.A.

Continental sediments of the Cloverly and Lakota Formations (Lower Cretaceous) in Wyoming are subdivided into three depositional systems: perennial to intermittent alluvial, intermittent to ephemeral alluvial, and playa. Chert-bearing sandstones, conglomerates, carbonaceous mudrocks, blocky mudrocks, and skeletal limestones were deposited by perennial to intermittent alluvial systems. Carbonaceous mudrocks contain abundant wood fragments, cuticle and cortical debris, and other vascular plant remains representing deposition in oxbow lakes, abandoned channels, and on floodplains under humid to seasonal conditions. Intraformational conglomerates, sandstones, bioturbated and blocky mudrocks with caliche nodules, and bioturbated limestones characterize deposition in intermittent to ephemeral alluvial systems. Bioturbated limestones are encased in bioturbated mudrocks with abundant pseudo-slickensides. The presence of caliche nodules in some of the blocky to bioturbated mudrocks is consistent with supersaturation and precipitation of calcium carbonate from groundwater under semi-arid conditions. Caliche nodules, pseudo-slickensides, and carbonate-rich floodplain sediments are interpreted to have been deposited by intermittent to ephemeral alluvial systems under seasonal to semi-arid climatic conditions. Laminated mudrocks, siltstones, vuggy carbonates, bedded to nodular evaporites, pebbly mudrocks, and diamictites were deposited in evaporative alkaline lakes or playas. Pebbly mudrocks and diamictites are interpreted to represent deposition from channelized and unchannelized hyperconcentrated flows on a playa, resulting from intense rain events within the basin.The areal abundance and distribution of these depositional systems change systematically across the overfilled portion of the Early Cretaceous Cordilleran foreland basin in Wyoming. The lower part (A-interval) of the Cloverly and Lakota Formations is characterized by deposits of perennial to intermittent rivers that existed 300 to 1000 km east of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt. Proximal to the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt, the A-interval of the Cloverly Formation and upper Ephraim Formation of the Gannett Group are typified by deposits of intermittent to ephemeral rivers and their associated floodplains. In the middle part (B-interval) of the Cloverly Formation, intermittent to ephemeral alluvial systems expand to 600 km into the basin. The upper part (C-interval) of the Cloverly Formation is characterized by playa deposits in the Bighorn and Wind River Basins and intermittent to ephemeral alluvial deposits along the front of the ancestral Sevier Mountains. Deposits of perennial to intermittent alluvial systems in the C-interval of the Cloverly and Lakota Formations are restricted to the Black Hills region, almost 900 km to the east of the Sevier Mountains. The change in the areal distribution of depositional systems through time within this continental foreland basin may be attributed to the development of a rain shadow associated with the uplift of the Sevier Mountains in the Early Cretaceous.