Palaeomagnetic studies of Lower Jurassic rocks in England and Wales

Paleomagnetic data from late Lower Jurassic sediments from Dorset, Gloucestershire and Yorkshire confirm the existence of at least one interval of reversed geomagnetic polarity in Upper Toarcian time (about 175 m.y. ago). The mean pole position calculated from these data lies at 50°N, 37°E, but the field represented by this pole is believed to have been non-axial because of its incompatibility with Mesozoic faunal, palaeoclimatic and palaeomagnetic evidence throughout western Europe.Unstable remanent magnetization found in a large number of samples of various lithologies is shown to have originated during drilling. It is tentatively identified as partial TRM acquired during dissipation of heat from the drill tip. Alternative causes such as superficial contamination and vibration do not explain the majority of the observations.     

Rb-Sr whole-rock study of the precambrian rocks of the Pedernal Hills,New Mexico

Rb-Sr whole-rock investigation of the Pedernal Hills, New Mexico, indicates a 1471 ± 97-m.y. date for the granites and 1364 ± 27-m.y. date for the schists and quartzite (country rocks) with initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7060 ± 0.0040 and 0.7046 ± 0.0019, respectively. The schists and quartzites are older than the granites based on field and petrographic evidence. The open-system nature of these rocks during the cataclastic metamorphism which affected both the country rocks and the granites is responsible for the apparent younger date of the schists and quartzite, and the 1471 ± 97-m.y. date may be a minimum age for the granites.     

Thermal parameters of some precambrian rocks in Sweden

Pure and Applied Geophysics -     

Comparison of electric and elastic parameters of indian precambrian rocks

Summary Examination of the relation between electric resistivity, compressional wave velocity and density of Indian Precambrian rocks is presented.

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Results of paleomagnetic study of Early Proterozoic rocks in the Baikal Range of the Siberian craton

This paper presents paleomagnetic results obtained from the study of Early Proterozoic rocks in the Baikal Range of the Siberian craton, namely, the 1850–1880-Ma volcanicalstic rocks of the Akitkanskian series of the North Baikal volcanic-plutonic belt) and 1674-Ma basic dikes of the Chaya complex within the massif. The data of this work are used to reconstruct the development of the Siberian craton structure in the Early Precambrian. The projections of the inferred paleomagnetic directions onto a sphere form S (southern) and W (western) groups of vectors of characteristic magnetization components. The S group consists of three clusters representing primary magnetization components belonging to different time levels of the end of the Early Proterozoic. The W group is represented by directions associated with a metachronous magnetization probably acquired during the Riphean. Four paleomagnetic poles are obtained. Two of them that can be regarded as key poles correspond to time levels of 1875 and 1670 Ma (the Early Proterozoic). The two other poles can be used for a detailed reconstruction of the Proterozoic segment of the Siberian apparent polar wander path. The data presented in the paper indicate that the formation of the southern Siberian craton structure was accomplished at the end of the Early Proterozoic, which resulted in a synchronous motion of different blocks composing the southern flank of the craton (in particular, the Sharyzhalgai and Baikal Ranges).     

Paleomagnetic study of late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian rocks in terranes of the Amur plate

New paleomagnetic data are presented for Proterozoic metamorphic and Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate complexes of the southern Far East of Russia (Primor’e and the Amur and Trans-Baikal regions). Taking into account our results obtained previously, the paper presents revised positions of the paleomagnetic pole corresponding to the Riphean-Lower Paleozoic segment of the apparent polar wander path for terranes of the Amur plate (the Argun and Bureya-Khanka orogenic belts) in comparison with poles from the Siberian and North Chinese plates. It is shown that the paleolatitude positions of the Amur terranes were stable in space and time during the interval from the late Riphean to the end of the Early Cambrian: they were located in equatorial zones of the Northern and Southern hemispheres.     

Detecting changing river temperatures in England and Wales

Changes in water temperature can have important consequences for aquatic ecosystems, with some species being sensitive even to small shifts in temperature during some or all of their life cycle. While many studies report increasing regional and global air temperatures, evidence of changes in river water temperature has, thus far, been site specific and often from sites heavily influenced by human activities that themselves could lead to warming. Here we present a tiered assessment of changing river water temperature covering England and Wales with data from 2773 locations. We use novel statistical approaches to detect trends in irregularly sampled spot measurements taken between 1990 and 2006. During this 17‐year period, on average, mean water temperature increased by 0.03 °C per year (±0.002 °C), and positive changes in water temperature were observed at 2385 (86%) sites. Examination of catchments where there has been limited human influence on hydrological response shows that changes in river flow have had little influence on these water temperature trends. In the absence of other systematic influences on water temperature, it is inferred that anthropogenically driven climate change is driving some of this trend in water temperature. © 2014 The Authors. Hydrological Processes published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Palaeomagnetic study of some charnockites of the Palni Hills

The intensity of natural remanence magnetisation (NRM) is measured along the three mutually-perpendicular directions using an astatic magnetometer. The intensity of induced magnetisation is measured using an apparatus fabricated in the laboratory. The Koenigsberger ratio has been calculated for all the samples and the ratio has been used to test the stability of NRM in the samples. The mean direction of magnetisation is determined from the three components of the NRM intensity. The palaeomagnetic pole position of the samples is determined using the direction of magnetisation and the site location. An attempt has been made to fix the geological age of the charnockites using palaeomagnetic methods.     

Paleomagnetic results from Permian rocks of the northern Saharan craton and motions of the Moroccan Meseta and Pangea

The characteristic magnetization of redbed samples from the upper part of the Série d'Abadla (probably Early Permian 31°N, 2.7°W) has a mean direction derived from 13 sites of D=129°, I=11°, k=59, α₉₅=6° and a corresponding south paleopole at 29°S, 60°E, A₉₅=5°. All directions have reversed polarity. The paleolatitude of the northern fringe of the Saharan craton was 6°±3°S, which is in excellent agreement with that for the Moroccan Meseta. Therefore, in all probability, there has been no paleolatitudinal displacement greater than about 500 km of the Moroccan Meseta relative to Africa since Permian time. Comparison of results from sedimentary rocks shows no evidence for relative rotation of the Moroccan Meseta since Permian time. Small apparent rotations are indicated by evidence from massive trachyandesite lavas from Morocco, but we argue that these could have arisen from the incomplete averaging of secular variation and uncertainties in estimates of paleohorizontal, rather than from true tectonic rotations. The combined latest Carboniferous/Early Permian paleopole for the Saharan craton and the Meseta differs form the path of apparent polar wandering for North America when the continents are assembled in Wegener's Pangea (Pangea A, in which northwest Africa is opposite North America). It is in reasonable agreement when the continents are assembled in the Pangea B configuration (northwest Africa opposite Europe).     

The extent of soil erosion in upland England and Wales

Following recommendations by the 19th Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, the area, causes and rates of upland soil erosion in England and Wales were investigated between 1997 and 1999. This paper describes the methods and results of the field survey of 1999 in which the extent of eroded ground was determined. 2. The area of degraded soil and the volume of eroded material were both determined from the dimensions of individual erosion features at 399 field sites located on an orthogonal grid across the uplands. Using measurements of individual erosion features, degraded soil extent in upland England and Wales was estimated at almost 25 000 ha, 2·46 per cent of the total upland area surveyed. Half this eroded area was revegetated and no longer subject to continued accelerated soil loss in 1999. The total volume of eroded material was estimated at 0·284 km³. Although deposition of eroded material occurred within 20 per cent of eroded field sites, the total volume of redeposited material was less than 1 per cent of the total volume of eroded soil. 3. Erosion was more extensive on peat soils than on dry, wet mineral or wet peaty mineral soils. In addition, the higher incidence of erosion at high altitudes and on low slopes reinforced the relationship between erosion and areas of peat formation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄土高原北部晚新近纪“吴起古湖”的古地磁年代学与古环境记录

晚新近纪以来中国北方堆积的风成红粘土-黄土序列是古气候信息的良好载体, 在黄土高原北部的吴起地区存在一套湖相沉积物, 层位上介于第四纪黄土与晚新近纪红粘土之间, 但该古湖存在的具体时限尚不清楚. 我们利用岩石磁学及古地磁年代学方法并结合多种气候指标对代表“吴起古湖”的土佛寺剖面进行了初步研究, 结果表明湖相沉积物中特征剩磁的载体主要为磁铁矿和赤铁矿, 在此基础上得到的磁极性序列能很好地与国际地磁极性年表对比, 剖面起始于4.28 Ma B. P.左右, 湖相沉积层起始于3.0 Ma B. P.左右, 结束于1.2 Ma B. P.左右. 岩性、磁化率、粒度和沉积速率变化均反映出这一时期该地区环境变化的总体趋势是由暖湿向冷干发展, 期间“吴起古湖”的演化大致经历了三个阶段: 3.0~2.5 Ma B. P.为古湖形成时期, 水体相对较深; 2.50～2.05 Ma B. P.期间受古气候变化的影响湖水明显变浅; 2.05~1.20 Ma B. P.时古湖中仍有一定量的水体存在, 但随后逐步缩小并最终消亡. 该地区气候条件在1.2 Ma B. P.左右的恶化是导致吴起古湖消亡的主要因素, 区域构造活动引起的北洛河溯源侵蚀并切穿湖盆可能也是原因之一.     

The evolution of early precambrian crustal rocks at Isua,West Greenland — Geochemical and isotopic evidence

Petrographic and chemical evidence suggests that boulders from a conglomeratic unit in the Isua supracrustal succession were derived by the erosion of an acid volcanogenic sediment. Six samples of the boulders and surrounding matrix yield a Rb-Sr whole rock isochron with a slope corresponding to an age of 3860 ± 240 m.y. (2 sigma error), but consideration of the initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio constrains the possible age of formation of 3710 ± 900 m.y. This is in general agreement with a published Pb/Pb age of 3760 ± 70 m.y. on Isua banded ironstones.Pb isotope compositions as well as highly fractionated, heavy element depleted, rare earth element abundance patterns for the boulders suggest that their igneous precursors were derived from a source region with a similar geochemical history to that of some components of the 3700–3800 m.y. old Ami?tsoq gneisses, involving fractionation of garnet during their evolution.A Pb/Pb whole-rock isochron for Ami?tsoq gneisses from Isua yields an age of 3800 ± 120 m.y. (2σ), in good agreement with previously published Rb-Sr age data on the same rocks. The rock leads are highly unradiogenic and demonstrate substantial U depletion at least 3800 ± 120 m.y. ago. A two-stage model for the U-Pb system yields an average²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb (μ₁) value of 9.3 ± 0.2 for the source region, which is significantly different from the published value of 9.9 ± 0.1 for the Isua iron formation. This indicates the existence of U-Pb heterogeneities between the source regions of plutonic and supracrustal rocks by about 3700–3800 m.y. ago. Attempts to apply U-Pb whole-rock dating to the Ami?tsoq gneisses were unsuccessful because of geologically recent U loss, possibly due to groundwater leaching.A Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron on a suite of Ami?tsoq gneiss samples from a different locality in the Isua region has yielded an age of 3780 ± 130 m.y.In contrast to the Godthaab area, there is no geochronological evidence at Isua for major rock-producing or tectonothermal events after about 3700 m.y. ago. The entire gneiss-supracrustal system developed within the approximate interval 3900–3700 m.y. ago.     

The role of serpentine in preferential craton formation in the late Archean by lithosphere underthrusting

Cratons form the cores of continents and were formed within a narrow window of time (2.5–3.2 Gy ago), the majority having remained stable ever since. Petrologic evidence suggests that the thick mantle roots underlying cratons were built by underthrusting of oceanic and arc lithosphere, but paradoxically this requires that the building blocks of cratons are weak even though cratons must have been strong subsequent to formation. Here, we propose that one form of thickening could be facilitated by thrusting of oceanic lithospheres along weak shear zones, generated in the serpentinized upper part of the oceanic lithosphere (crust + mantle) due to hydrothermal interaction with seawater. Conductive heating of the shear zones eventually causes serpentine breakdown at ~ 600 °C, shutting down the shear zone and culminating in craton formation. However, if shear zones are too thin, serpentine breakdown and healing of the shear zone occurs too soon and underthrusting does not occur. If shear zones are too thick, serpentine breakdown takes too long so healing and lithospheric thickening is not favored. Shear zone thicknesses of ~ 18 km are found to be favorable for craton formation. Because the maximal depth of seawater-induced serpentinization into the lithosphere is limited by the depth of the isotherm for serpentine breakdown, shear zone thicknesses should have increased with time as the Earth's heat flux and depth to the serpentine breakdown isotherm decreased and increased, respectively, with time. We thus suggest that the greater representation of cratons in the late Archean might not necessarily be explained by preferential recycling in the early Archean but may simply reflect preferential craton formation in the late Archean. That is, our model predicts that the early Archean was too hot, the Phanerozoic too cold, and the late Archean just right for making cratons.     

River channel adjustments downstream from channelization works in England and Wales

Relatively little attention has been given to river channel adjustments that occur downstream from channelization works. This study is concerned with the nature of channel adjustments downstream from a total of 46 channelization works located in low and high energy environments in England and Wales. Channel changes are identified principally by the method of field survey and by reconstructing the original positions of eroded beds and banks. Use is also made of maps, aerial photographs, and engineering drawings of different dates and the technique of space-for-time substitution is applied. Enlargement of channel cross-sections through erosion had occurred downstream from a variety of types, sizes, and dates of channelization works. The maximum increase of channel size was 153 per cent. Out of a total of 14 sites with enlarged channel cross-sections, seven had undergone a change of width only, at a further three width increased rather than depth, and at the remaining four sites depth increases were dominant. These sites all have relatively high stream powers. Factors causing spatial variation of erosion included tree roots locally binding bank sediments and the occurrence of bends. Planform change had taken place at only one site. A further three high stream power sites had downstream reaches incised into bedrock and therefore did not exhibit adjustment. Channel enlargement is explained in terms of increased flood flows downstream from channelization works causing higher stream velocities, which in turn cause erosion, thereby increasing channel width and/or depth. Examination of flow records for 35 stations revealed flood events which would formerly have spread overbank but are now confined by the channelization works and are therefore likely to alter downstream flows. At sites with downstream change it is proposed that the energy of increased flows was sufficient to exceed a threshold required for erosion of perimeter sediments. By contrast the absence of change at a majority of sites in low energy lowland areas could be a reflection of both the incompetence of increased flows to erode and resistance provided by perimeter sediments. Sites with erosion features appear not to have yet attained new equilibrium conditions.     

Assessing the suitability of OSPAR EcoQOs for eutrophication vs ICES criteria for England and Wales

This paper provides a preliminary evaluation of the suitability of OSPAR Ecological Quality objectives for eutrophication for coastal and offshore waters of England and Wales on the basis of ICES criteria. In principle, EcoQOs are easy to understand, but responses to nutrient enrichment are complex. Few studies provide unequivocal evidence of links between inputs and response. Monitoring is generally feasible and in place, but needs to be improved. The best EcoQO is winter nutrient concentrations. Chlorophyll concentrations are a good indicator in environments susceptible to nutrient enrichment. The EcoQO for zoobenthos/fish kills potentially meets all criteria for a good indicator; EcoQOs for phytoplankton indicator species, oxygen concentrations and zoobenthos changes do not. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on seasonal effects of nutrient inputs and phytoplankton response, natural susceptibility of different water bodies, differences between coastal and offshore environments, and developing longer time series of data.     

Discovery of a late precambrian volcanic ring-complex at Jebel Abu Nahl,Bayouda Desert,Northern Sudan

A photogeologic study of Jebel Abu Nahl in the Bayouda Desert reveals that it is a Late Precambrian ring-complex, larger and more intricate than the three ring-complexes already known from the Northern Sudan. Like the latter, the Abu Nahl complex must have formed as a result of near-surface volcanic activities whereby extrusion of mainly acid lavas and tuffusites and the emplacement of high-level granites were accompanied by repeated subsidence of surface or near-surface blocks along arcuate ring-faults.     

Palaeomagnetic study of the Swedish rapakivi suite: Proterozoic tectonics of the Baltic Shield

The major Proterozoic igneous intrusions in the Swedish sector of the Baltic Shield are the Ragunda complex (1293 m.y., palaeomagnetic pole 165°E, 54°N) and the Nordingrågabbro-granite-anorthosite complex (1385 ± 30 m.y.). The latter body has been partially remagnetised by later post-Jotnian dolerites (1254 m.y.), and sites influenced by the dolerites have a stable magnetisation with a mean direction D = 45°, I = ?39°, (α₉₅ = 4.3°). Elsewhere, the gabbro-anorthosite facies have a magnetisation of dual polarity predating the dolerite and recoverable at various stages of thermal and/or a.f. cleaning with a mean of D = 48°, I = 37° (α₉₅ = 5.3°); medium and high coercivity remanence resides in large magnetite grains and fine, predominantly hematite, rods in feldspar megacrysts. The Nordingrårapakivi granite yields a mean, also including dual polarities, of D = 221°, I = ?25° (α₉₅ = 13°), and the Gävle granite yields a mean of D = 26°, I = 17° (α₉₅ = 13°).New data define the a.p.w. path for the Baltic Shield after final uplift and cooling of the ca. 1800 m.y. Svecofennian mobile belt and prior to intrusion of the post-Jotnian dolerites at 1250 m.y.; this (ca. 1500–1200 m.y.) path defines a double loop similar in size and shape to the contemporaneous path for the Laurentian Shield and the paths can be superimposed to define relative positions of the shields. They were in juxtaposition prior to 1200 m.y. with the optimum reconstruction obtained by rotation of approximately 64° about a Euler pole at 1°E, 36°N. Pre-1500 m.y. palaeomagnetic data are also shown to fit this same unique reconstruction. The main geological correlations are an alignment of the Lower/Middle Proterozoic major strike-slip zones, the structural trends within the pre-1700 m.y. mobile belts, and the Grenville and Sveconorwegian (ca. 1100 m.y.) mobile belts. The anorogenic magmatism characteristic of Proterozoic times became gradually more restricted to one active margin of the continental reconstruction as temperature gradients decreased and the crust consolidated. All of these Proterozoic tectonic/magmatic trends are parallel to the long axis of the continental reconstruction.