Ancient Martian aeolian processes and palaeomorphology reconstructed from the Stimson formation on the lower slope of Aeolis Mons,Gale crater,Mars

Reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental context of Martian sedimentary rocks is central to studies of ancient Martian habitability and regional palaeoclimate history. This paper reports the analysis of a distinct aeolian deposit preserved in Gale crater, Mars, and evaluates its palaeomorphology, the processes responsible for its deposition, and its implications for Gale crater geological history and regional palaeoclimate. Whilst exploring the sedimentary succession cropping out on the northern flank of Aeolis Mons, Gale crater, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity encountered a decametre‐thick sandstone succession, named the Stimson formation, unconformably overlying lacustrine deposits of the Murray formation. The sandstone contains sand grains characterized by high roundness and sphericity, and cross‐bedding on the order of 1 m in thickness, separated by sub‐horizontal bounding surfaces traceable for tens of metres across outcrops. The cross‐beds are composed of uniform thickness cross‐laminations interpreted as wind‐ripple strata. Cross‐sets are separated by sub‐horizontal bounding surfaces traceable for tens of metres across outcrops that are interpreted as dune migration surfaces. Grain characteristics and presence of wind‐ripple strata indicate deposition of the Stimson formation by aeolian processes. The absence of features characteristic of damp or wet aeolian sediment accumulation indicate deposition in a dry aeolian system. Reconstruction of the palaeogeomorphology suggests that the Stimson dune field was composed largely of simple sinuous crescentic dunes with a height of ca 10 m, and wavelengths of ca 150 m, with local development of complex dunes. Analysis of cross‐strata dip azimuths indicates that the general dune migration direction and hence net sediment transport was towards the north‐east. The juxtaposition of a dry aeolian system unconformably above the lacustrine Murray formation represents starkly contrasting palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions. Stratigraphic relationships indicate that this transition records a significant break in time, with the Stimson formation being deposited after the Murray formation and stratigraphically higher Mount Sharp group rocks had been buried, lithified and subsequently eroded.     

Shaler: in situ analysis of a fluvial sedimentary deposit on Mars

This paper characterizes the detailed sedimentology of a fluvial sandbody on Mars for the first time and interprets its depositional processes and palaeoenvironmental setting. Despite numerous orbital observations of fluvial landforms on the surface of Mars, ground‐based characterization of the sedimentology of such fluvial deposits has not previously been possible. Results from the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide an opportunity to reconstruct at fine scale the sedimentary architecture and palaeomorphology of a fluvial environment on Mars. This work describes the grain size, texture and sedimentary facies of the Shaler outcrop, reconstructs the bedding architecture, and analyses cross‐stratification to determine palaeocurrents. On the basis of bedset geometry and inclination, grain‐size distribution and bedform migration direction, this study concludes that the Shaler outcrop probably records the accretion of a fluvial barform. The majority of the outcrop consists of large‐scale trough cross‐bedding of coarse sand and granules. Palaeocurrent analyses and bedform reconstruction indicate that the beds were deposited by bedforms that migrated towards the north‐east, across the surface of a bar that migrated south‐east. Stacked cosets of dune cross‐bedding suggest aggradation of multiple bedforms, which provides evidence for short periods of sustained flow during Shaler deposition. However, local evidence for aeolian reworking and the presence of potential desiccation cracks within the outcrop suggest that fluvial deposition may have been intermittent. The uppermost strata at Shaler are distinct in terms of texture and chemistry and are inferred to record deposition from a different sediment dispersal system with a contrasting provenance. The outcrop as a whole is a testament to the availability of liquid water on the surface of Mars in its early history.     

火星陨石和火星表面泥岩中蚀变过程对比研究

火星次生含水蚀变矿物是火星地质历史时期水环境和气候演变历史的真实记录,一直以来都是火星探测、火星陨石研究的重点,是认识火星环境特征和气候演化的重要研究对象。文中对比研究了表土角砾岩NWA7034、火成堆晶岩MIL03346等两块最富蚀变矿物火星陨石,以及Gale撞击坑出露的Sheepbed泥岩3种岩石类型的蚀变程度及其蚀变矿物类型和组合,分析了层状硅酸盐、铁氧化物/氢氧化物、钙硫酸盐等蚀变矿物的成因及环境指示意义。发现这3类岩石的蚀变作用各不相同。火星陨石NWA7034的蚀变作用以氧化和加热作用为主,无蒸发盐类矿物。火星陨石MIL03346的蚀变程度最低,为后期水溶液进入缝隙而引发的,蚀变作用以橄榄石的伊利石化、裂隙和缝隙中填充次生矿物细脉为主。而火星Sheepbed泥岩经历了后期的等化学风化过程(isochemical weathering),次生过程包括成岩蚀变和成岩后蚀变两个阶段。其中,成岩过程中的蚀变以橄榄石蚀变为铁氧化物和蒙皂石矿物为主,成岩后以形成蒸发盐类矿物硫酸钙为主。以上3种岩石蚀变矿物组成差异反映了火星上不同地质背景中、不同气候条件下蚀变过程的复杂性。文中对火星含水矿物及部分典型矿物的形成条件和过程进行系统总结,这对于理解未来火星探测任务、识别含水矿物的形成、揭示火星水环境和地质历史具有重要指导意义。     

Recognizing products of palaeoclimate fluctuation in the fluvial stratigraphic record: An example from the Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian of Cape Breton Island,Nova Scotia

Tectonics and climate are the major extrinsic upstream controls on both the external and internal architectures of fluvial channels. While the role of tectonics has been well‐documented, the role of climate has received less attention. Because both tectonics and climate can produce similar stratigraphic architectures, the ability to recognize and differentiate these has major ramifications for the interpretation of fluvial stratigraphy. The Pennsylvanian to Permian succession of the Maritimes Basin complex on Cape Breton Island is ca 5 km thick, and is composed of predominantly non‐marine strata deposited within a series of depocentres characterized by different subsidence regimes. Basins in the west are transtensional depocentres characterized by episodic fault movement. In contrast, basins in the east were formed during prolonged periods of passive thermal subsidence. The stratigraphy is composed of four second‐order sequences (A to D), each 5 to 10 Myr in duration. These sequences are composed of amalgamated fluvial channel deposits that fine upwards into extensive mud‐dominated floodplain deposits with isolated fluvial channel bodies. A spectrum of fluvial styles is recorded within the study area including perennial, perennial/intermittent and ephemeral. Four stratigraphic intervals (E1 to E4) are recognized in which the deposits of strongly seasonal perennial/intermittent fluvial deposits are predominant. These intervals, 2 to 6 Myr in duration, are correlated across the study area between basins with differing tectonic regimes and do not correlate with a particular position in second‐order sequences. This suggests that climate exerted the dominant influence on the formation of these intervals and can be differentiated from tectonic imprints. While the tectonic regime of a particular basin exerted a fundamental control on the external architecture, a coherent record of climate change is recognized in the internal architecture of fluvial units. This study demonstrates that tectonic and climatic controls can be recognized and differentiated in vertical successions by evaluating the changes in fluvial architecture.     

黄骅坳陷新近系馆陶组Ⅲ段辫状河相高分辨率层序分析

以高分辨率层序地层学理论为指导,以野外露头、钻井岩心、测井及地震资料的综合研究为基础,研究了黄骅坳陷新近系馆陶组Ⅲ段的高分辨率层序地层特征,识别出1个长期、两个中期和若干个短期基准面旋回层序。其中短期、中期旋回都可分为向上“变深”非对称型和向上“变深”复“变浅”对称型两类。深入探讨了不同结构类型和充填样式的各级次基准面旋回层序对储层的控制作用,认为储集砂体主要发育于长期及中期基准面旋回上升的早期。     

Tidal and seasonal controls in the formation of Late Miocene inclined heterolithic stratification deposits, western Amazonian foreland basin

Upper Miocene strata in the Acre sub‐basin, Brazil, consist dominantly of various types of inclined heterolithic stratification and pedogenic horizons. These strata were sedimentologically and ichnologically described to: (i) study different temporal controls responsible for inclined heterolithic stratification generation and their variation in a distal–proximal trend; and (ii) delineate the depositional setting. For this purpose, nine representative outcrops were sedimentologically and ichnologically studied, and their facies associations described. Thickness variations of the heterolithic strata of various orders (lamina, lamina bundles and beds) were analysed by statistical methods (Fourier transform). The deposits were interpreted as tidally and seasonally influenced estuarine or delta‐related and continental strata. The inclined heterolithic stratification deposits represented vastly different settings ranging from tidally dominated, brackish‐water ichnofossils‐bearing channels to seasonally controlled, articulated Purussaurus (a freshwater alligator) fossil‐bearing channels. Several time cycles were distinguished in the strata, including semi‐diurnal, fortnightly and seasonal. Tidal imprint was best observed in low‐energy brackish‐water settings, whereas seasonal rhythmicity was distinguishable throughout the depositional system. However, the latter was most apparent in riverine channels proximal to the inferred fluvio‐tidal transition. The different temporal controls commonly had distinguishable impact on sedimentological and ichnological properties in the studied sediments. The differing properties included: (i) the degree and nature of lateral variability with respect to lithology and bedforms in inclined heterolithic stratification; (ii) the lateral continuity of inclined heterolithic stratification; (iii) the nature of sedimentary contacts between the inclined heterolithic stratification members; (iv) thickness variation of inclined heterolithic stratification members within a set; (v) the cyclicities observed in inclined heterolithic stratification series; (vi) the degree of bioturbation; (vii) the types of trace fossils observed; and (viii) the distribution of bioturbation in adjacent inclined heterolithic stratification members.     

Climatic signals in lacustrine deposits of the Upper Yacoraite Formation,Western Argentina: Evidence from clay minerals,analcime, dolomite and fibrous calcite

Authigenic clays are an important control on reservoir quality in lacustrine carbonates but remain challenging to predict. Lacustrine depositional systems respond to climatic variations in rainfall, surface runoff and groundwater input, and evaporation, and result in rapid and frequent changes in lake volume; this is expressed through changing water depth and shoreline position. In the upper portion of the Early Palaeocene Yacoraite Formation of the Salta Basin in Argentina, extensive lacustrine deposits were deposited during the sag phase of rifting. Prior high-resolution stratigraphic studies have suggested that climatic factors control microbial carbonate sequences within a ‘balanced fill’ lake, with variation in the lake level having a major influence on facies association changes. This study characterizes the evolution of facies and mineralogy within the Yacoraite Formation, focusing on the distribution of clay minerals, making a link between the high, medium and low-frequency sequence stratigraphic cycles. The low-frequency transgressive hemicycle of the upper portion of the Yacoraite Formation is comprised of abundant siliciclastic facies, suggesting a wetter period. Microbialites occurring in this interval are coarse-grained and agglutinated. Detrital clay minerals such as illite and chlorite and associated siliciclastic sediments were input to the lake during high-frequency transgressive periods. During high-frequency regressive hemicycles, sedimentation was dominated by carbonate facies with Ca-rich dolomite and the authigenic clays are comprised of chlorite/smectite mixed-layers. By contrast, the low frequency regressive hemicycle records fine-grained agglutinated microbialite with horizons of fibrous calcite, more stoichiometric dolomite, barite and authigenic magnesian smectite. This indicates elevated ion concentrations in the lake under intense evaporation during an arid period. Understanding the conditions that are favourable for formation and preservation of authigenic clays within the lacustrine environment can improve understanding of reservoir quality in comparable economically important deposits.     

Genetic type,distribution patterns and controlling factors of beach and bars in the second member of the Shahejie formation in the Dawangbei Sag,Bohai Bay,China

As an important reservoir type in the Bohai Bay Basin, China, lacustrine beach and bar sands which refer to the shallow water complex deposited mainly by nearshore, delta‐rim and buried hill‐related beaches as well as longshore bars were developed in a particular stage in the evolution of those faulted Cenozoic continental depressions. In the Chezhen Depression, for example, the Second Member of the Oligocene Shehejie Formation (abbr. as Es2 hereafter) formed during the rifting‐to‐thermal subsidence transitional stage. Although well developed in Es2, beach and bar sands are difficult to recognize owing to their relative thinness. The paper summarizes sedimentary characteristics of lacustrine beach and bar sands on cores and logs. Low‐angle cross‐stratification, swash stratification, as well as occasional small‐scale hummocky cross‐stratification resulted from storms can be observed in beach and bar sands. The paper distinguishes bars and beaches from each other in Es2 mainly based on the grain‐size, bed thickness, facies succession and log responses. In order to predict the distribution of beach and bars, a chrono‐stratigraphic correlation framework of Es2 in the study strata is established using a high‐resolution sequence stratigraphic approach. Es2 strata are sub‐divided into six medium‐scale cycles and the mapping of the high‐frequency cycles allows the geographic and stratigraphic distribution of both beach and bar sands to be predicted. The study shows that beach and bars are better developed in times of base‐level fall than in base‐level rise. Factors such as lake‐level fluctuation, sediment supply, palaeogeomorphology and palaeowind direction have exerted control on the formation and distribution of beach and bar sands. Finally, the genetic pattern of beach and bar sands in the Es2 unit has been constructed, which provides a foundation for the prediction of beach and bars reservoir in continental basins in general. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of diagenetic alterations in fluvial and paralic deposits within sequence stratigraphic framework: Evidence from the Petrohan Terrigenous Group and the Svidol Formation, Lower Triassic, NW Bulgaria

Elucidation of diagenetic alterations in the Petrohan Terrigenous Group (fluvial; highstand systems tract HST) sandstones and Svidol Formation (tide-dominated deltaic and tidal flat, transgressive systems tract TST and highstand systems tract HST, respectively) sandstones and calcarenite, Lower Triassic, NW Bulgaria was constrained within a sequence stratigraphic framework. Eogenetic alterations in the fluvial HST sandstones include (i) formation of grain-coating infiltrated clays as a result of percolation of mud-rich surface waters into underlying coarse-grained and permeable channel-fills and crevasse splay sandstones; (ii) formation of pseudomatrix by mechanical compaction of mud intraclasts that were incorporated into the coarse-grained channel sandstones during their lateral avulsion; and (iii) cementation by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.5‰ to − 3‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.1‰ to − 0.3‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.2‰ to − 5.8‰) in the crevasse splay and floodplain sediments. Mesogenetic alterations that are encountered in the fluvial HST sandstones include (i) illitization of grain-coating clays, mud intraclasts, and mica, possibly because of simultaneous albitization of feldspars; (ii) cementation by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 14.5‰ to − 8.4‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.7‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 15.8‰ to − 5‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.9‰ to + 1.5‰); and (iii) limited amounts of quartz overgrowths in the channel sandstones owing to occurrence of thick grain-coating clays.

Conversely, the tide-dominated deltaic TST sandstones and the tidal flat HST calcarenite were pervasively cemented by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and siderite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 7.2‰ to − 5.7‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = + 0.3‰ to + 0.9‰) particularly below marine and maximum flooding surfaces, due to the presence of abundant bioclasts and prolonged residence time of the sediments under certain geochemical conditions along these surfaces. The remaining open pores were cemented during mesodiagenesis by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰ and δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰ and δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰).

This study shows that constructing a conceptual model for the distribution of diagenetic alterations is possible by integration of diagenesis with sequence stratigraphy. The model shows that tide-dominated deltaic TST sandstones and tidal flat HST calcarenite were pervasively cemented by carbonates during near-surface eodiagenesis, owing to the presence of abundant bioclasts. Conversely, fluvial LST sandstones remained poorly cemented during near-surface eodiagenesis due to the lack of bioclasts, but were cemented by mesogenetic calcite, dolomite and quartz overgrowths instead.     

华南南岭地区石英脉型钨矿床蚀变晕形成机制

中国地质工作者在20世纪80年代已发现南岭地区许多石英脉型钨矿床的蚀变晕宽度随深度递减,然而这一蚀变特征的形成机制至今仍未得到较好的解释。通过模拟热液运移和硅从裂隙带向邻近围岩的扩散过程,发现流体温度和围岩孔隙度是影响石英脉型钨矿床蚀变特征的重要变量。高温和高孔隙度会加速硅从裂隙向邻近围岩扩散,从而形成较宽的蚀变。在围岩孔隙度均一分布的情况下,由于深部温度高于浅部,深部围岩蚀变宽于浅部蚀变。围岩孔隙度随深度递减会抵消温度对硅扩散速率的影响,使深部围岩形成较窄的蚀变。围岩孔隙度随深度递减可能是形成石英脉型钨矿床蚀变宽度随深度减小的有效机制。前人将钨矿蚀变特征归因于岩浆热液过渡性流体不均一的物理性质,该研究为这一科学问题提供新的解释。     

青海省风火山地区砂岩铜矿成矿时代的裂变径迹热年代学证据

风火山盆地古近纪和新近纪沉积包括下部连续沉积的早始新世—早渐新世风火山群和早渐新世雅西措群,以及不整合其上的早中新世五道梁群。风火山地区的砂岩铜矿全部产于风火山群1岩组的灰(绿)色砂岩层中。采自风火山群1岩组含矿层和非含矿层中的3个磷灰石样品,分别获得了(22.5±2.3)Ma、(33.1±6.0)Ma和(28.0±3.6)Ma的裂变径迹年龄数据。其中33.1～28.0 Ma代表了该地区砂岩铜矿的成矿年龄.22.5 Ma则代表了成矿后构造热事件的年龄。风火山砂岩铜矿的成矿年龄处在其上覆的雅西措群沉积年龄范围内.显示砂岩铜矿是盆地早期沉积物压实脱水流体的产物。     

Evidence for a magmatic origin for Carlin-type gold deposits: isotopic composition of sulfur in the Betze-Post-Screamer Deposit, Nevada, USA

We report here new sulfur isotope analyses from the Betze-Post-Screamer deposit, the largest Carlin-type gold deposit in the world. Carlin-type deposits contain high concentrations of arsenic, antimony, mercury, tellurium and other elements of environmental interest, and are surrounded by large volumes of crust in which these elements are also enriched. Uncertainty about the source of sulfur and metals in and around Carlin-type deposits has hampered formulation of models for their origin, which are needed for improved mineral exploration and environmental assessment. Previous studies have concluded that most Carlin-type deposits formed from sulfide sulfur that is largely of sedimentary origin. Most of these studies are based on analyses of mineral separates consisting of pre-ore diagenetic pyrite with thin overgrowths of ore-related arsenian pyrite rather than pure, ore-related pyrite. Our SIMS spot analyses of ore-related pyrite overgrowths in the Screamer zone of the Betze-Post-Screamer deposit yield δ³⁴S values of about −1 to 4‰ with one value of about 7‰. Conventional analyses of realgar and orpiment separates from throughout the deposit yield δ³⁴S values of about 5–7‰ with one value of 10‰ in the Screamer zone. These results, along with results from an earlier SIMS study in the Post zone of the deposit and phase equilibrium constraints, indicate that early arsenian pyrite were formed from fluids of magmatic origin with variable contamination from sulfur in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Later arsenic sulfides were formed from solutions to which sulfur of sedimentary origin had been added. The presence of Paleozoic sedimentary sulfur in Carlin-type deposits does not require direct involvement of hydrothermal solutions of sedimentary origin. Instead, it could have been added by magmatic assimilation of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks or by hydrothermal leaching of sulfur from wall rocks to the deposit. Thus, the dominant process delivering sulfur, arsenic, gold and mineralizing fluids to Carlin-type systems and their surrounding country rocks was probably separation of fluids from a magmatic source. Editorial handling: G. Beaudoin     

Textures, paragenesis and wall-rock alteration of lode-gold deposits in the Charters Towers district, north Queensland: implications for the conditions of ore formation

Ore deposits of the Charters Towers Goldfield (CTGF) are mainly hosted by fault-fill veins. Extensional (∼8% of all veins) and stockwork-like (∼3%) veins are less common and of little economic significance. Crosscutting relationships and published structural and geochronological data indicate a Late Silurian to Early Devonian timing of gold mineralization, coincident with regional shortening (D₄) and I-type magmatism. Paragenetic relationships, which are uniform in veins everywhere within the CTGF, suggest that vein formation commenced with the deposition of large volumes of buck quartz (stage I), followed by buck and comb quartz, and significant pyrite and arsenopyrite precipitation (stage II). Gold was introduced during stage III, after earlier sphalerite and coincident with galena and chalcopyrite. Narrow, discontinuous calcite veins of stage IV mark the waning of gold-related hydrothermal activity or a later unrelated episode. Ore zones within the veins are everywhere composed of comb and/or gray quartz, calcite and/or ankerite and bands or clusters of fractured pyrite that are spatially associated with galena, sphalerite or chalcopyrite. Low-grade or barren vein sections, on the other hand, are mainly composed of milky buck quartz with little evidence for modification, overprinting or interaction with later fluids. Gold-related hydrothermal wall-rock alteration is symmetrically zoned, displaying proximal sericite–ankerite and distal epidote–chlorite–hematite assemblages that may be taken to imply wall-rock interaction with near neutral fluids (pH 5–6). Isocon plots assuming immobile Al, P, Ti, Y and Zr consistently indicate As, K, Pb, S and Zn enrichment and Na, Si and Sr depletion in altered wall-rock specimens relative to the least altered rocks. Alteration assemblages, quartz textures, fault rocks and published fluid inclusion and stable isotope data imply that the veins were formed under conditions of episodic fluid overpressuring (∼0.9–3.8 kbar), at a depth of ∼7 km and a temperature of ∼310°C. The published fluid inclusion data also imply that gold precipitation may have been brought about by fluid mixing. However, physi- and chemisorption of gold complexes onto sulfide surfaces may have been important depositional processes and controls on gold enrichment at the millimeter to centimeter scale, given that most gold particles are attached to the surfaces of pyrite crystals of stage II or to etch-pits and fracture surfaces within the earlier pyrite.     

墙角型陡坡带岩性圈闭油气成藏条件研究——以渤海湾盆地石南陡坡带中段BZ3区古近系东营组为例

BZ3区西部陡坡带位于渤海湾盆地渤中凹陷石南陡坡带中段,构造上处于石臼坨凸起与凸起倾没端相交的夹角地带,石南一号断裂和石南二号断裂在此处相交,形成由多个复杂断阶所组成的复式墙角型陡坡坡折带.通过高精度层序地层学研究认为,BZ3区东营组东二下亚段发育3个4～5级基准面旋回,每个基准面旋回的上升半旋回的下部和下降半旋回均控...