Tri-lateral workshop on natural hazards: towards a comprehensive assessment of risks due to natural hazards,Canada - U.S.A. - Mexico

Summary This workshop was primarily motivated by the goals of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), one of which is that each country should have a comprehensive national assessment of risks due to natural hazards by the year 2000. It was sponsored by the Environmental Adaptation Research Group (EARG) of Environment Canada, the International Partnerships of Environment Canada, the Geological Survey of Canada, Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Canadian National Committee of the IDNDR. The National Science Foundation of the U.S. and the Government of Mexico supported travel costs related to their delegates. The workshop dealt with both atmospheric hazards such as tornadoes and floods, and geological hazards such as earthquakes and landslides. Nine U.S., eight Mexican and 24 Canadian participants included academia, government and the private sector. Six projects were selected as being of joint interest to all three countries, with lead country and agencies identified for possible future cooperative work.     

The 41st Tectonic Conference of the Interagency Tectonic Committee, Division of Earth Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences

The 41st Tectonic Conference on General and Regional Problems of Geotectonics and Geodynamics was held January 29–February 2, 2008 by the Interagency Tectonic Committee, Division of Earth Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). The Geological Institute, RAS, and the Faculty of Geology, Moscow State University (MSU), participated in the organization of the conference.     

Development of geological research in U.S.S.R Academy of Sciences and U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves

On October 12, 1962, a joint session of the Presidium of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the Collegium of the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves adopted a resolution “On the present state of the geological sciences in the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the U. S. S. R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves and their prospects for the future.” Important contributions of Russian geologists are acknowledged, but attention is drawn to many shortcomings. Future goals of geological study and work are given in detail. Twenty-one lines of research to be concentrated on are given, covering all phases of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry. In discussing the failings of the geological profession in Russia, it is of interest to note the following comment: “Geological research in other countries is still insufficiently studied and applied, and we are not making adequate use of geologic information from abroad.” The list of the Russian geologists' shortcomings sounds vaguely familiar. —J. R. Hayes     

中央地质调查所奉命改组为中国科学院地质研究所的史实

中央地质调查所作为中华民国时期成立最早、规模最大、最具国际声誉的国家级研究机构,在南京解放后它的演变过程目前尚缺少详实而准确的文献资料。本文基于历史档案,结合有关文献,较为详细地梳理了1949~1951年中央地质调查所先后被南京市军管会文化教育委员会(1949年5月~1950年6月)、华东军政委员会教育部(1950年7月~1950年12月)、中国地质工作计划指导委员会(1951年1月3日~1951年5月6日)接管的过程。本文还整理了1949年11月1日中国科学院正式成立后,中央地质调查所全所工作人员一致希望隶属中国科学院的经过,以及最终于1951年5月7日奉命改组为中国科学院地质研究所的过程。     

Flameless Atomic Absorption Determination of Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium in Geologic Materials

Platinum, palladium and rhodium have been determined in 18 U.S. Geological Survey reference materials by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by the classical leadfree assay technique. A comparison with literature values shows clearly the need for additional data on these samples before "best" values can be assigned.     

Geology and Geochemistry of the Shizitou Molybdenum Deposit,Jiangxi Province: Implications for Geodynamic Setting and Metallogenesis

The Shizitou molybdenum(Mo) deposit in Yongping, Jiangxi, is an important, recently discovered deposit in the eastern section of the Qin–Hang metallogenic belt. The Mo deposit is located in the outer contact zone between the porphyritic biotite granite and the Neoproterozoic migmatite, and present in the deep central part of the intrusion. Re–Os dating and S and Pb isotopic analysis have been conducted to assess the metallogenesis of the Shizitou Mo deposit. S, Pb and Re isotopes show that the ore–forming materials were derived from the porphyritic biotite granitic magma, which originated from the mixing of mantle and crust. Re–Os dating of molybdenite from the ores gives a model age from 156.9±2.2 to 158.5±2.4 Ma, with a weighted mean age of 158±1 Ma and an isochron age of 158.0±2.5 Ma. Geological and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposit and the related granitoids indicate that the Shizitou deposit is a Climax–type Mo deposit. Based on previous studies of the Qin–Hang metallogenic belt, two metallogenic events are believed to have occurred during 172–145 Ma and 137–132 Ma. These two metallogenic periods are consistent with the timing of two metallogenic peaks during the middle to late Jurassic and the Cretaceous in South China. These events represent responses to the partial back–arc extension associated with the subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Eurasian continent and the rapid northeastward movement of the subducting Izanagi plate.     

中国地质调查局、中国地质科学院2014年度地质科技十大进展新鲜出炉

中国地质调查局、中国地质科学院于2015年1月15—16日在北京召开了2014年度科技成果汇报交流暨十大进展评选会。对择优推荐的45个项目进行了汇报交流。来自国土资源部、科技部、教育部、中国科学院、国家自然科学基金委员会、中国地震局、中国石油化工集团公司等部门的34位院士专家组成的评选委员会,经过认真、严谨的评审和投票,评选出了中国地质调查局、中国地质科学院2014年度地质科技十大进展,并逐一进行了点评。本次评选的"地质科技十大进展"集中代表了2014年度全国地质调查和地学研究重要进展,充分体现了地质调查工作在科技创新、成果应用与转化方面的能力与水平。     

Formal ratification of the Quaternary System/Period and the Pleistocene Series/Epoch with a base at 2.58 Ma

In June 2009, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) formally ratified a proposal by the International Commission on Stratigraphy to lower the base of the Quaternary System/Period to the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Gelasian Stage/Age at Monte San Nicola, Sicily, Italy. The Gelasian until then had been the uppermost stage of the Pliocene Series/Epoch. The base of the Gelasian corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage 103, and has an astronomically tuned age of 2.58 Ma. A proposal that the base of the Pleistocene Series/Epoch be lowered to coincide with that of the Quaternary (the Gelasian GSSP) was also accepted by the IUGS Executive Committee. The GSSP at Vrica, Calabria, Italy, which had hitherto defined the basal boundary of both the Quaternary and the Pleistocene, remains available as the base of the Calabrian Stage/Age (now the second stage of the revised Pleistocene). In ratifying these proposals, the IUGS has acknowledged the distinctive qualities of the Quaternary by reaffirming it as a full system/period, correctly complied with the hierarchical requirements of the geological timescale by lowering the base of the Pleistocene to that of the Quaternary, and fully respected the historical and widespread current usage of both the terms ‘Quaternary’ and ‘Pleistocene’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Decisions of the Standing Stratigraphic Commission on Ordovician and Silurian of U.S.S.R.

The Committee on Ordovician and Silurian Stratigraphy of the U. S. S. R. defines a number of time-stratigraphic subdivisions of the Russian Ordovician and Silurian Systems. — C.G. Tillman.     

北祁连山西段巴个峡-黑大坂一带几个花岗闪长岩体的侵入时代讨论--兼论古阿尔金断裂活动时间

北祁连山西段巴个峡-黑大坂一带分布一套花岗闪长岩,前人未做同位素年龄测定,根据岩体与围岩的接触关系确定为华力西晚期;笔者根据单颗粒锆石U-Pb年龄测定确定了这套岩石的侵入年龄为481.6±3.3 Ma,为加里东晚期.应属早中奥陶世,并对其进行了讨论;进而指出阿尔金断裂的形成时代可能大于481.6±3.3 Ma,且进行了论证.其地质意义有两点①阿尔金断裂带可能穿入敦煌地块-北山杂岩中,但为后期近Ew向推覆构造所"掩盖",侵入活动是一重要证据;②区域加里东期岩浆活动应为一期重要的岩浆-热事件.     

Decisions of the Standing Stratigraphic Commission on Paleogene of U.S.S.R.

The committee on the Paleogene of the U. S. S. R. presents a tabulation of the lithologic and faunal characteristics of a complete Paleogene section in the Crimea. The Committee proposes that this section serve as a new type of section for the Paleogene of Europe. — C.G. Tillman.     

内蒙古红花尔基钨钼矿云英岩化白云母Ar-Ar定年及其地质意义

红花尔基钨多金属矿是近年在大兴安岭中北部地区发现的一处大型钨多金属矿床,主要矿化蚀变为云英岩化、绢英岩化,主要有用金属矿物为白钨矿和辉钼矿,岩体内辉钼矿与白钨矿有上钼下钨的带状分布特点,地质特征显示该矿床为一高温热液型钨(钼)矿床。为准确限定成矿热液活动时间,本文对矿区典型蚀变矿物——云英岩化蚀变带白云母进行Ar-Ar同位素定年,获得Ar-Ar坪年龄为174.4±1.2 Ma,等时线年龄为173.2±4.3 Ma。根据矿区云英岩化带与钨钼矿化带空间上重合和密切共生的关系,可知白云母的形成是与白钨矿、辉钼矿形成同源、同时,且辉钼矿Re-Os年龄(176.8±2.2 Ma)与Ar-Ar年龄在误差范围内具有一致性,该年龄代表了钨钼矿热液成矿时代。结合野外地质特征及锆石U-Pb、辉钼矿Re-Os年龄,进一步限定该矿床成矿时代为早中侏罗世,属燕山期构造岩浆活动的产物。     

Uranium series dating of stalagmites from Blanchard Springs Caverns,U.S.A.

Because stalagmites are enriched in ²³⁴U beyond the equilibrium value at the time of deposition, they are potentially datable by measuring their progress toward equilibrium. Procedures for uranium-thorium and uranium disequilibrium dating of speleothems were developed, making use of alpha spectrometry for thorium determinations and mass spectrometry for uranium determinations. The stalagmites tested were generally beyond the age range of the U-Th age dating method and, as a result, ²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratios provided the most useful dating technique. The estimated age range for a stalagmite from Blanchard Springs is 135,000 to 785,000 years BP with an interval of slow or suspended growth from about 320,000 to 570,000 years BP.     

Geologic position,age, and petrogenesis of plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai

The geologic position, age, petrologic composition, and petrogenesis of mesoabyssal plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai, dated earlier at the Early–Middle Devonian, are considered. The Middle Carboniferous (322–318 Ma) age of granitoids has been substantiated by isotope-geochronological data (U–Pb zircon dating and Ar–Ar amphibole and biotite dating). Geologic-structural studies showed that the intrusion of granitoids took place at the time when compression was changed by sinistral faulting. This led to the conclusion that the granitoids formed at the peak of the collision between the Siberian and the Kazakhstan paleocontinents. Geochemical and isotope studies showed that most of the analyzed plagiogranites belong to high-alumina (continental) type and resulted from the deep melting (~ 15 kbar) of metabasic substrates compositionally similar to N-MORB (judging from results of geochemical modeling and the Nd isotope composition). The presence of plagiogranites of low-alumina (oceanic) type in the postgranite dike series testifies to the melting of the Rudny Altai heterogeneous crust at different depths during its collisional thickening.     

鄂西崆岭杂岩的组成,时代及地质演化

崆岭杂岩包括下部基底片麻岩和上部表壳岩两部分。作者采自下部的１３个斜长角闪岩样品获得ＳｍＮｄ等时线年龄３２９０±１７０Ｍａ（２σ），加入４个伴生灰色片麻岩样品后等时线年龄变为３１５０±７９Ｍａ（２σ）。采自上部的变粒岩和斜长角闪岩分别获得锆石Ｕ＿Ｐｂ一致曲线年龄为２４２７±４２Ｍａ（２σ）和２０３１±４Ｍａ（２σ）。基于这些新的数据和前人的工作成果，探讨了崆岭杂岩的形成和地质演化。     

Radiocarbon dates and late-Quaternary stratigraphy from Mamontova Gora,unglaciated central Yakutia,Siberia, U.S.S.R.

A fine exposure of perennially frozen ice-rich silt and associated flora and vertebrate fauna of late-Quaternary age exists at Mamontova Gora along the Aldan River in central Yakutia, Siberia, U.S.S.R. The silt deposit caps a 50-m-high terrace and consists of three units. An upper layer 1–2 m thick overlies a 10–15-m-thick brownish to black silt layer. The lower silt layer is greenish to gray and about 15 m thick. All the silt is well sorted with 60% of the particles falling between 0.005 and 0.5 mm in diameter and is generally chemically and mineralogically homogeneous. The middle unit contains may extinct vertebrate mammal remains and ice wedges. The lower unit contains little vegetation and no ice wedges. The silt is widespread and exists as a loamy blanket on terraces at various elevations on both sides of the lower Aldan River. The origin of the silt blanket of late-Quaternary age in central Yakutia has long been controversial. Various hypotheses have been suggested, including lacustrine and alluvial, as well as frost-action origins. It is sometimes referred to as loess-like loam. Péwé believes the silt at Mamontova Gora is loess, some of which has been retransported very short distances by water. The silt probably was blown from wide, braided, unvegetated flood plains of rivers draining nearby glaciers. The silt deposits are late Quaternary in age and probably associated with the Maximum glaciation (Samarov) and Sartan and Syryan glaciations of Wisconsinan age. On the basis of biostratigraphy, 10 radiocarbon dates, and their relation to the nearby glacial record, it is felt that the upper unit at Mamontova Gora is Holocene and the middle unit is Wisconsinan. The youngest date available from the middle unit at this particular location is 26,000 years. Dates greater than 56,000 years were obtained in the lower part of the middle unit. The lower unit is definitely beyond the range of radiocarbon dating and probably is older than the last interglacial. The sediment, fauna, ice wedges, stratigraphy, and age of perennially frozen slit deposits in central Alaska are remarkably similar to those of the deposits exposed in central Yakutia. Both areas consist of unglaciated rolling lowlands and river terraces surrounded by high mountains that were extensively glaciated in Pleistocene time. The glaciers extended from the high mountains to the edges of the ranges. In both regions, extensively braided, silt-charged rivers drained the mountains and flowed through the lowlands on their way to the sea. It follows that there should be a similar late-Quaternary history.     

Geological Society of Africa

History and objectives,The ambitious and forward-looking decision to establish a pan-African geological society was taken during the course of a conference on African geology held in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1970. A Steering Committee was convened at that meeting under the Chairmanship of Professor Russell Black of the Department of Geology, Haile Selassie University, Addis Ababa, and the provisional constitution drafted by his Committee was approved at a second conference on African geology in Addis Ababa in 1973. Thus was the Geological Society of Africa (GSA.t) born. Its first President was Professor M O Owawoye (Nigeria) and Dr S M E1 Rabba (Sudan) became its first Secretary General.     

U.S.G.5. II Revisited*

Based on the most recent compilation of analytical data, a new set of “usable values” is calculated for six of the best known silicate rock reference samples produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The latest version of the “best laboratories” method is described and results are compared with other recently published values.