Pennsylvanian glacimarine sedimentation in the Cushamen Formation,western North Patagonian Massif

The metasedimentary sequence of the Cushamen Formation in the western North Patagonian Massif is540 m thick and comprises six sedimentary lithofacies associations related to a glacimarine environment.Four of these lithofacies represent distal glacimarine environments, whereas another one was deposited in proximal glacimarine environments, and the last includes subglacial environments. The organization and configuration of these lithofacies associations represent the advance and retreat of the glacier masses. The maximum glacial advance is correlatable with the G2 glacial interval of the Pennsylvanian Pampa de Tepuel, Las Salinas and Valley Chico, formations of the Extraandean Chubut, and the southern part of Neuquen Cordillera. Contemporaneously, in southern Chile there are marine and glacimarine sediments. The chronostratigraphic relationships between the Silurian to Permian units allow five paleogeographic stages to be distinguished. The middle Silurian-late Devonian igneous rocks represent the first magmatic stage. The second stage, which is transitional to the first, is represented by a marine basin that includes the late Devonian-early Carboniferous Esquel and Rio Pescado formations and the Llanquihue Complex. The third stage(early-late Carboniferous) includes granitoids of the second magmatic event that partially overlapped the first magmatic igneous belt. The fourth stage belongs to the late Carboniferous sedimentation of the Cushamen and equivalent formations. The extended early Permian magmatism was the last Paleozoic event in the studied area.     

The Puesto Piris Formation: Evidence of basin-development in the North Patagonian Massif during crustal extension associated with Gondwana breakup

The Marifil Volcanic Complex, exposed in the eastern North Patagonian Massif, Argentina, includes up to 550 m of red conglomerates, sandstones, black siltstones, limestones, and reworked tuff of the Puesto Piris Formation. The basal part of this unit, which was deposited in high-gradient topographic relief, is composed of conglomerates and sandstones with thin layers of reworked tuffs. The lithofacies associations of the basal part indicate that the depositional mechanisms were mantled and gravitational flows.The middle part of the unit consists of fine sandstones, limestones, and black siltstones that were deposited in low-energy fluvial and lacustrine environments. The outcrops are located along the NEe SW direction and the major thickest units represented by limestones and siltstones, occur near the southeastern border of this NEeS W depocenter. Since the rhyolitic and trachytic lava flows and tuffs of the Marifil Volcanic Complex are interbedded with the sedimentary sequences of the Puesto Piris Formation,both units are coeval. Zircon Ue Pb age was obtained for a trachytic lava flow(193.4 ±3.1 Ma) suggesting that sedimentation and volcanism are Sinemurian. This extensional episode was recorded in the eastern,western, and southwestern sectors of the North Patagonian Massif, and is possibly associated with the Gondwana supercontinent breakup.     

Significance of the Early Jurassic Garamilla formation in the western Nordpatagonian Massif

By means of facial, stratigraphic, petrographic, geochemical and geochronological studies we characterize the Garamilla Formation, cropping out in the western Nordpatagonian Massif.The studies of these volcanic rocks reveal an Early Jurassic volcanic episode formed by three volcanic units that change from normal calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline series. Other geochemical features reveal a progressive change from an initial subduction-related volcanism to one intraplate-related volcanism.This volcanic episode is temporally and geochemically equivalent to those volcanic units located in half-grabens in several areas of the Neuquén Basin.The volcanic units were erupted into different structural designs. A portion of its depocenter was interpreted as a transtensional half-graben, whereas the other exhibits a trapdoor structure. The lineament trends that bound the volcanic system were also recognized in western Nordpatagonian Massif, and were assigned to the Gondwanide Orogeny.     

Contrasting tectonic settings in Northern Chon Aike Igneous Province of Patagonia: subduction and mantle plume-related volcanism in the Marifil formation

ABSTRACT

The northern zone of the Chon Aike Igneous Province, located in the North Patagonian Massif, exhibits extensive outcrops of Jurassic volcanic rocks of the Marifil Formation. In the Arroyo Verde area, the initial volcanic stage of the Marifil Formation, that we denominate V0 (192.6 ± 2.5 Ma), includes coulées, megabreccias and lapilli tuffs assigned to plinian-type volcanism. This magmatism was generated by cold-wet-oxidized magmas that resemble those produced in active continental margins and volcanic arcs. The second stage, located unconformably over the first, includes welded lava-like ignimbrites, massive lapilli tuff and rhyolitic lava flow that resemble the Snake River-type volcanism. The magma that produces this volcanic stage exhibit the characteristics of hot-dry-reduced magmas emplaced in intraplate continental environments associated with continental rifting. This stage coincides with the V1 volcanic episode early recorded in the Marifil Formation.     

Combined U-Pb SHRIMP and Hf isotope Complex, Rio Negro Province, Argentina： of the Patagonia composite terrane study of the Late Paleozoic Yaminué Implications for the origin and evolution

We have carried out zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating and Hf isotope determinations on a biotite paraschist and on a tonalitic orthogneiss of the Yaminue Complex,and re-evaluate this complex in the broader context of the tectonic evolution of the Patagonia composite terrane.In the metasedimentary unit （msuYC）,the youngest detrital zircon dated at 318±5 Ma（Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary） indicates a Pennsylvanian（or younger） depositional age.The three main age populations peak at 474,454 and 374 Ma.Preliminary Hf isotope data for two detrital zircons（447 and 655 Ma） yieldedε（Hf） values of -0.32 and 0.48,indicating that their primary sources contained small amounts of recycled crustal components(of Calymmian age;T_DM 1.56 Ga).Zircons from the orthogneiss（miuYC;intrusive into msuYC） show a crystallization age of 261.3±2.7 Ma（Capitanian;late middle Permian） which is broadly coeval with deformation,and Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic inheritance.Meaningful core-rim relationship between Neoarchean zircon cores and late Permian rims is well defined,indicating the occurrence of Archean crust in this sector of Patagonia.Hf T_DM of Permian zircons is mainly Meso-Paleoarchean（2.97-3.35 Ga）,with highly negativeε（Hf） values（ca.-33）.Hf T_DM of inherited Neoarchean zircon cores is also Meso-Paleoarchean（3.14-3.45 Ga） but more juvenile（ε（Hf） = -0.3）.Hf isotopes reinforce the presence of unexposed ancient crust in this area. Combining geological and isotope data,as well as geophysical models,we identify the Yaminue Complex within the La Esperanza-Yaminue crustal block flanked by two other,distinct crustal blocks:the Eastern block which forms part of the Patagonia terrane sensu stricto,located in the eastern Patagonian region,and the Western block forming part of the Southern Patagonia terrane.Their origins and timing of amalgamation to form the Patagonia composite terrane are also discussed.     

Gondwanan magmatism with adakite-like signature linked to Cu (Mo)-porphyry deposits from the San Rafael Massif,Mendoza Province,Argentina

The gondwanan magmatism in the San Rafael Massif, known as Choiyoi Magmatic Cycle, was emplaced during the inception of a magmatic arc setting during the early Permian. Two different sections can be differentiated in this volcanic sequence. The lower section (∼281 up to ∼265 Ma) consisting of andesites and dacitic to low-silica rhyolitic ignimbrites has geochemical characteristics that indicate a subduction zone setting. The upper section (∼265 up to ∼252 Ma) composed of rhyolitic ignimbrites and lava flows, dacitic to rhyolitic subvolcanics and alkalic basaltic andesites has geochemical characteristics transitional between subduction and continental intraplate settings. Several Cu–(Mo) porphyry deposits are genetically linked to the lower section (Infiernillo, San Pedro and La Chilca-Zanjón del Buitre). In this paper, we discussed the petrogenesis of the magmatism linked to the porphyry deposits from the San Rafael Massif. The petrogenetic analysis suggests that the lower section was produced in a thickened crust resulting in an adakite-like signature magmatism. The U/Pb LA-ICP-MS age of magmatic zircons from an intrusive associated to the San Pedro porphyry (263.1 ± 4.2 Ma) allowed confirming that the emplacement of Cu–Mo porphyry deposits in the San Rafael Massif occurred during the change in the geodynamical conditions from a transpressive to a transtensive tectonic regime.     

The Late Triassic Central Patagonian Batholith: Magma hybridization, 40Ar/39Ar ages and thermobarometry

The Late Triassic Central Patagonian Batholith is a key element in paleogeographic models of West Gondwana just before to the break-up of the supercontinent. The preexisting classification of units of this batholith was mainly based on isotopic and geochemical data. Here we report the results of field mapping and petrography, backed up by three new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite ages, which reveal previously unnoticed relationships of the rocks in the batholith. Based on the new information we present a reorganization of units where the batholith is primarily formed by the Gastre and the Lipetrén superunits. The Gastre Superunit is the oldest magmatic suite and is composed of I-type granites which display evidence of felsic and mafic magma interaction. It is formed by 4 second-order units: 1) equigranular hornblende–biotite granodiorites, 2) porphyritic biotite–hornblende monzogranites, 3) equigranular biotitic monzogranites and 4) hornblende quartz-diorites. Emplacement depth of the Gastre Superunit is bracketed between 6 and 11 km (1.8–3 kbar), and the maximum recorded temperatures of emplacement are comprised between 660 and 800 °C. The recalculated Rb/Sr age is 222 ± 3 Ma and the porphyritic biotite–hornblende monzogranites yielded a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age in biotite of 213 ± 5 Ma. On the other hand, the Lipetrén Superunit is made up by fine-grained biotitic monzo- and syenogranites that postdate magma hybridization processes and intrude all the other units. The recalculated Rb/Sr age for this suite is identical to a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age in biotite extracted from one of its monzogranites (206.4 ± 5.3 and 206 ± 4 Ma, respectively). This and the observed textural features suggest very fast cooling related to a subvolcanic emplacement. An independent unit, the “Horqueta Granodiorite”, which has previously been considered as the record of a Jurassic intrusive stage in the Central Patagonian Batholith, gave a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age in biotite of 214 ± 2 Ma. This and the reexamination of available isotopic data allow propose that this granodiorite unit is part of the Late Paleozoic intrusives in the region. The Late Triassic Central Patagonian Batholith is overlain by 190–185 Ma volcano-sedimentary rocks, suggesting that it was exposed sometime between the latest Triassic and earliest Jurassic times, roughly coeval with a major accretionary episode in the southwestern margin of Gondwana.     

Little Ice Age fluctuations of Glaciar Río Manso in the north Patagonian Andes of Argentina

Little Ice Age (LIA) fluctuations of Glaciar Río Manso, north Patagonian Andes, Argentina are studied using information from previous work and dendrogeomorphological analyses of living and subfossil wood. The most extensive LIA expansion occurred between the late 1700s and the 1830-1840s. Except for a massive older frontal moraine system apparently predating ca. 2240 ¹⁴C yr BP and a small section of a south lateral moraine ridge that is at least 300 yr old, the early nineteenth century advance overrode surficial evidence of any earlier LIA glacier events. Over the past 150 yr the gently sloping, heavily debris-covered lower glacier tongue has thinned significantly, but several short periods of readvance or stasis have been identified and tree-ring dated to the mid-1870s, 1890s, 1900s, 1920s, 1950s, and the mid-1970s. Ice mass loss has increased in recent years due to calving into a rapidly growing proglacial lake. The neighboring debris-free and land-based Glaciar Frías has also retreated markedly in recent years but shows substantial differences in the timing of the peak LIA advance (early 1600s). This indicates that site-specific factors can have a significant impact on the resulting glacier records and should thus be considered carefully in the development and assessment of regional glacier chronologies.     

A forefin of Leptonectes solei from the Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of Dorset,UK

An incomplete forefin in the collections of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, is herein assigned to the rare leptonectid species, Leptonectes solei, known only from the west Dorset coast. It is only the third specimen of the species and is smaller than both the holotype and referred specimen. The new specimen is from the Lower Jurassic (lower Pliensbachian, Charmouth Mudstone Formation, Tragophylloceras ibex Ammonite Zone, Acanthopleuroceras valdani Ammonite Subzone) of Seatown, Dorset, UK. It confirms that all three species of Leptonectes were present in the Pliensbachian and expands the known diversity of ichthyosaurs for that time period. We show that isolated forefins of Leptonectes can be assigned to a species with a high degree of confidence.     

Evidence from the Rio Bayo valley on the extent of the North Patagonian Icefield during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene transition

This paper presents data on the extent of the North Patagonian Icefield during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene transition using cosmogenic nuclide exposure age and optically stimulated luminescence dating. We describe geomorphological and geochronological evidence for glacier extent in one of the major valleys surrounding the North Patagonian Icefield, the Rio Bayo valley. Geomorphological mapping provides evidence for the existence of two types of former ice masses in this area: (i) a large outlet glacier of the North Patagonian Icefield, which occupied the main Rio Bayo valley, and (ii) a number of small glaciers that developed in cirques on the slopes of the mountains surrounding the valley. Cosmogenic nuclide exposure-age dating of two erratic boulders on the floor of the Rio Bayo valley indicate that the outlet glacier of the icefield withdrew from the Rio Bayo valley after 10,900 ± 1000 yr (the mean of two boulders dated to 11,400 ± 900 yr and 10,500 ± 800 yr). Single-grain optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of an ice-contact landform constructed against this glacier indicates that this ice mass remained in the valley until at least 9700 ± 700 yr. The agreement between the two independent dating techniques (OSL and cosmogenic nuclide exposure age dating) increases our confidence in these age estimates. A date obtained from a boulder on a cirque moraine above the main valley indicates that glaciers advanced in cirques surrounding the icefield some time around 12,500 ± 900 yr. This evidence for an expanded North Patagonian Icefield between 10,900 ± 1000 yr and 9700 ± 700 yr implies cold climatic conditions dominated at this time.     

Sedimentary facies and landform genesis at a temperate outlet glacier: Soler Glacier, North Patagonian Icefield

This paper focuses on the structural glaciology, dynamics, debris transport paths and sedimentology of the forefield of Soler Glacier, a temperate outlet glacier of the North Patagonian Icefield in southern Chile. The glacier is fed by an icefall from the icefield and by snow and ice avalanches from surrounding mountain slopes. The dominant structures in the glacier are ogives, crevasses and crevasse traces. Thrusts and recumbent folds are developed where the glacier encounters a reverse slope, elevating basal and englacial material to the ice surface. Other debris sources for the glacier include avalanche and rockfall material, some of which is ingested in marginal crevasses. Debris incorporated in the ice and on its surface controls both the distribution of sedimentary facies on the forefield and moraine ridge morphology. Lithofacies in moraine ridges on the glacier forefield include large isolated boulders, diamictons, gravel, sand and fine-grained facies. In relative abundance terms, the dominant lithofacies and their interpretation are sandy boulder gravel (ice-marginal), sandy gravel (glaciofluvial), angular gravel (supraglacial) and diamicton (basal glacial). Proglacial water bodies are currently developing between the receding glacier and its frontal and lateral moraines. The presence of folded sand and laminites in moraine ridges in front of the glacier suggests that, during a previous advance, Soler Glacier over-rode a former proglacial lake, reworking lacustrine deposits. Post-depositional modification of the landform/sediment assemblage includes melting of the ice-core beneath the sediment cover, redistribution of finer material across the proglacial area by aeolian processes and fluvial reworking. Overall, the preservation potential of this landform/sediment assemblage is high on the centennial to millennial timescale.     

Decoding Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic tectonothermal events in the Rangnim Massif,North Korea: regional correlation and broader implications

Any knowledge about Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic magmatic and metamorphic events in North Korea has the potential to make a significant difference to our understanding of the early tectonic configuration and evolution of East Asia. This zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic study documents multiple Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic tectonothermal events from the meta-igneous complex in the Machollyong ‘Group’ of the Rangnim Massif. Two tonalitic-trondjemitic gneiss samples record a crystallization age of meta-igneous protoliths at ca. 2.56 Ga and multiple migmatization and metamorphism from 2.52 to 1.85 Ga. A meta-dolerite sample yields a magmatic emplacement age of ca. 1.83 Ga. In situ zircon Hf isotopic data indicate that most zircons from the gneiss samples have ε_Hf(t) values from –16.9 to + 3.1 and crustal model ages from 2.84 to 3.73 Ga, whereas magmatic zircons from the meta-dolerite dike record ε_Hf(t) values from –5.2 to + 5.2 and model ages of 2.05–2.44 Ga. The first-recognized Neoarchaean tonalitic-trondjemitic migmatite complex in the Rangnim Massif, together with previously identified tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic (TTG) rocks in the Rimjingang Belt and the coeval counterparts in western Gyeonggi massif, represents the oldest crustal nuclei in the Korean Peninsula. The multiple tectonothermal events in this study present reliable evidence not only for attesting to consanguinity of the basement between the Korean Peninsula and the North China Craton but also for defining the influence scope of the late Palaeoproterozoic orogeny in the Korean Peninsula.     

Geology,structure and age of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area,North Patagonian Massif,Argentina

The low-grade Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area (40°50′S–65°53′W) shows ultramafic to felsic metaigneous rocks forming a sill swarm intercalated in the metasedimentary sequence and a polyphase deformation which permit an integrated study of the magmatic and tectonometamorphic evolution of this geological unit.In this paper we present a geological characterization of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area combining mapping, structural and metamorphic analysis with a SHRIMP U–Pb age and geochemical data from the metaigneous rocks.The metasedimentary sequence consists of alternating metagreywackes and phyllites, and minor metasandstones and granule metaconglomerates. The sills are pre-kinematic intrusions and yielded one SHRIMP U–Pb, zircon crystallization age of 513.6 ± 3.3 Ma. Their injection occurred after consolidation of the sedimentary sequence. A syn-sedimentary volcanic activity is interpreted by a metaandesite lava flow interlayered in the metasedimentary sequence. Sedimentary and igneous protoliths of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation would have been formed in a continental margin basin associated with active magmatic arc during the Cambrian Epoch 2. Two main low-grade tectonometamorphic events affected the Nahuel Niyeu Formation, one during the Cambrian Epoch 2–Early Ordovician and the other probably in the late Permian at ∼260 Ma. Local late folds could belong to the final stages of the late Permian deformation or be even younger.In a regional context, the Nahuel Niyeu and El Jagüelito formations and Mina Gonzalito Complex show a comparable Cambrian–Ordovician evolution related to the Terra Australis Orogen in the south Gondwana margin. This evolution is also coeval with the late and early stages of the Pampean and Famatinian orogenies of Central Argentina, respectively. The late Permian event recorded in the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in Aguada Cecilio area is identified by comparable structures affecting the Mina Gonzalito Complex and El Jagüelito Formation and resetting ages from granitoids. This event represents the Gondwanide Orogeny within the same Terra Australis Orogen.     

Neoarchean Magmatic Events in the Western Songnen Massif,Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Timing and Tectonic Significance

Whether a Neoarchean basement existing in the Songnen massif is currently debated. Identification of Archean magmatism from the Songnen Massif is helpful to resolve this issue. Here, we report newly discovered Neoarchean Shanquan pluton in the Western Songnen Massif. These Neoarchean Shanquan pluton are mainly composed of granites that are exposed near the town of Shanquan in Heilongjiang Province. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the sample 2015TW1 has an upper intercept age of 2801 ± ...     

Monazite ages and the evolution of the Menderes Massif, western Turkey

The Menderes Massif experienced polyphase deformation, but distinguishing Pan-African events from Alpine tectono-metamorphic evolution, and discriminating Eocene–Oligocene shortening from recent extension remain controversial. To address this, monazite in garnet-bearing rocks from the massifs Gordes, Central, and Cine sections were dated in thin section (in situ) using the Th–Pb ion microprobe method. Cambro–Ordovician monazite inclusions in Cine and Central Menderes Massif garnets are ~450 m.y. older than matrix grains. Monazites in reaction with allanite from the Kuzey Detachment, which bounds the northern edge of the Central Menderes Massif, are 17±5 Ma and 4.5±1.0 Ma. The Pliocene result shows that dating of monazite can record the time of extension. The Kuzey Detachment might have exhumed rocks a lateral distance of ~53 km at a rapid rate of ~12 mm/year assuming the present ~20° ramp dip, Pliocene monazite crystallization at ~450°C, and a geothermal gradient of ~25°C/km. Assuming an angle of 60°, the rate decreases to ~5 mm/year, with the detachment surface at ~21 km depth in the Pliocene. Two Gordes Massif monazites show a similar allanite–monazite reaction relationship and are 29.6±1.1 Ma and 27.9±1.0 Ma, suggesting that the Cenozoic extension in the Gordes Massif, and possibly the entire Menderes Massif, might have begun in the Late Oligocene.     

华北地块北缘金银铜铅锌成矿系列综合信息找矿模型

从分析成矿地质背景出发,在划分矿床类型和成矿系列的基础上,建立了华北地块北缘贵金属,有色金属矿床７个重要成矿系列的综合信息找矿模型。     

Lichenometric dating using Rhizocarpon subgenus Rhizocarpon in the Patagonian Andes, Argentina

This study represents the first attempt to develop and apply lichenometric dating curves of Rhizocarpon subgenus Rhizocarpon for dating glacier fluctuations in the Patagonian Andes. Six glaciers were studied along the Patagonian Andes. Surfaces of known ages (historical evidences and tree-ring analyses) were used as control sites to develop indirect lichenometric dating curves. Dating curves developed for the studied glaciers show the same general logarithmic form, indicating that growth rate of subgenus Rhizocarpon decreases over time. The strong west–east precipitation gradient across the Andean Cordillera introduces statistically significant differences in the growth curves, with faster growth rates in the moist west sites than the drier eastern sites. Latitudinal difference among the studied glaciers does not appear to be a major factor regulating lichen growth rates. Therefore, we developed two lichenometric curves for dating glacier fluctuations in wetter and drier sites in the Patagonian Andes during the past 450 yrs. Application of the developed curves to moraine dating allowed us to complement glacial chronologies previously obtained by tree-ring analyses. A first chronosequence for moraine formation in the Torrecillas Glacier (42°S) is presented. Our findings confirm the utility of lichenometry to date deglaciated surfaces in the Patagonian Andes.     

Geochemistry of a Triassic dyke swarm in the North Patagonian Massif,Argentina. Implications for a postorogenic event of the Permian Gondwanide orogeny

Permo-Triassic magmatism is widespread in the eastern North Patagonian Massif and has been related to the Gondwanide orogeny. Although a magmatic arc setting is widely accepted for the Permian plutonic rocks, the origin and geotectonic setting for the Triassic plutonic and volcanic rocks are still unknown. A NW-SE Triassic dyke swarm composed of andesites and latites with minor rhyolites was previously described in the Sierra Grande – Rincon de Paileman area. The dyke swarm was associated with extensional tectonics which was linked to a postorogenic process.In this paper we present new geochemical data of the rocks that form the swarm. Trachyandesites and rhyolites were separated based on their geochemical characteristics. Both groups may be considered originated from different sources. On the other hand, the content of incompatible elements (LILE and HFSE) indicates a strong relation between the swarm and an active continental margin. The samples also show a transitional signature between continental-arc and postcollisional or anorogenic settings.The new geochemical data on the dyke swarm support the idea of a magmatism that was linked to a postorogenic extensional tectonic regime related to a continental magmatic arc. Such an extension started in the Paleopacific margin of Pangea during the Anisian and might indicate the beginning of the Pangea break-up.     

Palaeoweathering of Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the Brabant Massif,Belgium: a mineralogical and petrographical analysis

The Lower Palaeozoic low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Brabant Massif are largely buried below a thick cover of post-Palaeozoic strata. Along the top of the subcrop, they comprise remnants of Cretaceous to Tertiary weathering profiles that represent the lower part of thick saprolites. The alteration of the chlorite- and muscovite-dominated Palaeozoic rocks was characterized by the destruction of chlorite, accompanied by the formation of kaolinite and iron oxides and/or iron hydroxides. The first product of chlorite weathering seems to have been regularly interstratified chlorite-vermiculite or chlorite-smectite, which is now represented by interstratified chlorite-muscovite with regular ordering. Outside the thin transitional zones in which this mineral occurs, the rubefied intervals show only little variation in composition, which is due to the replacement of chlorite by kaolinite over short vertical distances and the stability of muscovite throughout the preserved parts of the saprolite. The rubefied rocks do have a somewhat different composition along the top of some profiles, which is related to an interaction with groundwater after burial, resulting in smectite formation, feldspar weathering and iron dissolution. Groundwater interaction is also responsible for the occurrence of weathering without rubefaction, outside the areas with saprolite remnants, which resulted in vermiculite, smectite and kaolinite formation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.