A New Progress of the Proterozoic Chronostratigraphical Division

The Precambrian, an informal chronostratigraphical unit, represents the period of Earth history from the start of the Cambrian at ca. 541 Ma back to the formation of the planet at 4567 Ma. It was originally conceptualized as a "Cryptozoic Eon" that was contrasted with the Phanerozoic Eon from the Cambrian to the Quaternary, which is now known as the Precambrian and can be subdivided into three eons, i.e., the Hadean, the Archean and the Proterozoic. The Precambrian is currently divided chronometrically into convenient boundaries, including for the establishment of the Proterozoic periods that were chosen to reflect large-scale tectonic or sedimentary features(except for the Ediacaran Period). This chronometric arrangement might represent the second progress on the study of chronostratigraphy of the Precambrian after its separation from the Phanerozoic. Upon further study of the evolutionary history of the Precambrian Earth, applying new geodynamic and geobiological knowledge and information, a revised division of Precambrian time has led to the third conceptual progress on the study of Precambrian chronostratigraphy. In the current scheme, the Proterozoic Eon began at 2500 Ma, which is the approximate time by which most granite-greenstone crust had formed, and can be subdivided into ten periods of typically 200 Ma duration grouped into three eras(except for the Ediacaran Period). Within this current scheme, the Ediacaran Period was ratified in 2004, the first period-level addition to the geologic time scale in more than a century, an important advancement in stratigraphy. There are two main problems in the current scheme of Proterozoic chronostratigraphical division:(1) the definition of the Archean–Proterozoic boundary at 2500 Ma, which does not reflect a unique time of synchronous global change in tectonic style and does not correspond with a major change in lithology;(2) the round number subdivision of the Proterozoic into several periods based on broad orogenic characteristics, which has not met with requests on the concept of modern stratigraphy, except for the Ediacaran Period. In the revised chronostratigraphic scheme for the Proterozoic, the Archean–Proterozoic boundary is placed at the major change from a reducing early Earth to a cooler, more modern Earth characterized by the supercontinent cycle, a major change that occurred at ca. 2420 Ma. Thus, a revised Proterozoic Eon(2420–542 Ma) is envisaged to extend from the Archean–Proterozoic boundary at ca. 2420 Ma to the end of the Ediacaran Period, i.e., a period marked by the progressive rise in atmospheric oxygen, supercontinent cyclicity, and the evolution of more complex(eukaryotic) life. As with the current Proterozoic Eon, a revised Proterozoic Eon based on chronostratigraphy is envisaged to consist of three eras(Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic), but the boundary ages for these divisions differ from their current ages and their subdivisions into periods would also differ from current practice. A scheme is proposed for the chronostratigraphic division of the Proterozoic, based principally on geodynamic and geobiological events and their expressions in the stratigraphic record. Importantly, this revision of the Proterozoic time scale will be of significant benefit to the community as a whole and will help to drive new research that will unveil new information about the history of our planet, since the Proterozoic is a significant connecting link between the preceding Precambrian and the following Phanerozoic.     

Seismic patterns in Northern China and the characteristics of the epicentral distribution of the medium strong earthquakes before the large events

In this paper, the seismic pattern in Northern China from 30 ° to 42 ° N latitude and 104 ° to 125 ° E longitude, and the characteristics of the epicentral distribution before large events are presented. The results suggest that:

• 1.(1) the earthquakes in the region are mainly located in the orthogonal curvilinear network formed by the seismic belts;
• 2.(2) the larger earthquakes (M ⩾6) occurred mainly in the nodal regions of this grid:
• 3.(3) the strike of the fracture planes of the earthquakes coincided with the directions of the seismic belts;
• 4.(4) the pattern of medium strong earthquakes (M ⩾ 4.7) prior to thirteen large earthquakes (M⩾ 7) are analysed to be of three types:
  • 4.1.(a) mainly arranged along the two intersecting belts,
  • 4.2.(b) randomly distributed,
  • 4.3.(3) forming seismic gaps.

A theoretical basis and rules for drawing the orthogonal grid is presented, and an idea for the prediction of the sites of future earthquakes in Northern China is suggested.     

A subdivision of the Precambrian of China

Precambrian rocks are widely distributed in China. The Precambrian is divided into two time units, i.e., the Archaean and Proterozoic Eon, each of these is separated into three chronological intervals, also with the status of eras, with the prefixes early, middle or late. The time boundary between the Archaean and Proterozoic Eon is placed at ～ 2500 Ma.According to the present isotopic data, the proposed subdivision for the Archaean of China is two-fold. The age of the Fuping Group is younger than 2800–2900 Ma, and that of the Qianxi Group and the corresponding stratigraphic units of eastern Liaoning are older than 2800 Ma, so that 2800+ Ma is selected as the boundary between the early—middle and late Archaean.Based on the representative stratigraphic units, the Wutai and Huto Groups, and an intervening major unconformity formed by the Wutaiian orogeny at 2200–2300 Ma, the early Proterozoic is further divided into two periods, with a time demarcation at 2200+ Ma. A major episode of orogeny known as the “Luliangian Movement” occurred at the end of the early Proterozoic at ～ 1900 Ma. This disturbance was very extensive and is, in a way, responsible for the difference in geological conditions between the lower and middle—upper Proterozoic in China. The boundary (1900 Ma) that relates to the Luliangian Movement is more important than the boundary corresponding to the age of 1600 Ma, which is recommended as the time boundary between Proterozoic I and II, so we propose to use 1900 Ma as the boundary between the early and middle Proterozoic in China.The time boundary between the middle Proterozoic, including the Changcheng System and the Jixian System, and the late Proterozoic, which is composed of the Qingbaikou and Sinian Systems, is ～ 1000 Ma. The age for the boundary between Cambrian and Precambrian, based upon the recent isochron data, is inferred to be 610 Ma.     

Coprecipitation of alkali metal ions with calcium carbonate

The coprecipitation of alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺) with calcium carbonate has been studied experimentally and the following results have been obtained:

• 1.(1) Alkali metal ions are more easily coprecipitated with aragonite than with calcite.
• 2.(2) The relationship between the amounts of alkali metal ions coprecipitated with aragonite and their ionic radii shows a parabolic curve with a peak located at Na⁺ which has approximately the same ionic radius as Ca²⁺.
• 3.(3) However, the amounts of alkali metal ions coprecipitated with calcite decrease with increasing ionic radius of alkali metals.
• 4.(4) Our results support the hypothesis that
  • 4.1.(a) alkali metals are in interstitial positions in the crystal structure of calcite and do not substitute for Ca²⁺ in the lattice, but
  • 4.2.(b) in aragonite, alkali metals substitute for Ca²⁺ in the crystal structure.
• 5.(5) Magnesium ions in the parent solution increase the amounts of alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺) coprecipitated with calcite but decrease those with aragonite.
• 6.(6) Sodium-bearing aragonite decreases the incorporation of other alkali metal ions (Li⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺) into the aragonite.

     

Chondrules in the Murray CM2 meteorite and compositional differences between CM-CO and ordinary chondrite chondrules

Bulk compositions were determined by broad-beam electron microprobe analysis for thirteen of the least aqueously altered chondrules in Murray (CM2). These and literature data reveal compositional differences between CM-CO and ordinary chondrite (OC) chondrules:

• 1.(a) CO chondrules are richer in refractory lithophiles and poorer in Cr, Mn and volatile lithophiles than OC chondrules; much lower refractory lithophile abundances in CM chondrules resulted from aqueous alteration,
• 2.(b) in CM-CO chondrites, abundances of refractory lithophiles are higher in nonporphyritic than porphyritic chondrules, whereas in H-L-LL3 chondrites the converse is true,
• 3.(c) Cr ranges are greater and Cr and Mn correlate more strongly in chondrules in CM-CO than in H-L-LL3 chondrites.

We find evidence for two important lithophile precursor components of CM-CO chondrite chondrules:

• 1.(1) pyroxene- and refractory-rich, FeO-poor;
• 2.(2) olivine-rich, refractory and FeO-poor.

The occurrence of a few FeO-rich chondrules attests to a third component similar to matrix: olivine- and FeO-rich, refractories not characterized. The first two components differ from those inferred for OC chondrules, consistent with formation at different locations. The pyroxene- and refractory-rich, FeO-poor lithophile precursor component probably formed by an incomplete evaporation of presolar silicates that brought these materials into the enstatite stability field.     

Mineralogy and petrology of alkaline granophyric xenoliths from the Thorsmörk ignimbrite,southern Iceland

The Thorsmörk ignimbrite, southern Iceland, contains a suite of granophyre xenoliths displaying magmatic or high-temperature sub-solidus mineral assemblages. These granophyres are consanguineous with the erupting comenditic magma. Four types of mineral assemblages are distinguished:

• 1.(A) oligoclase, edenitic hornblende, salitic pyroxene, magnesian biotite, magnetite and sphene;
• 2.(B) oligoclase, manganoan to sodic ferro-augite, fayalite, richterite, ilmenite and magnetite;
• 3.(C) anorthoclase, ferrohedenbergite to aegirine hedenbergite, ilmenite, magnetite and (riebeckite);
• 4.(D) cryptoperthite, aegirine hedenbergite to (aegirine), aenigmatite, arfvedsonite, ilmenite and magnetite.

Geothermometry shows that the xenoliths have crystallized between 900°C and 500°C at moderate oxygen fugacities, just above the FMQ buffer. It is further demonstrated that a hot vapour phase heavily charged with sodium and halogens, played a major role in the late sub-solidus crystallization of the different types.     

Stratigraphy,type and formation conditions of the late precambrian banded iron ores in south China

Based on research on the “Xinyu-type” Sinian iron deposits in Jiangxi Province and metamorphosed iron deposits in Jiangkou and Qidong of Hunan, Sanjiang and Yingyangguan of Guangxi, Longchuan of Guangdong and some other areas in Fujian, the authors have come to the following conclusions:

1. The metamorphosed late Precambrian iron ores widespread in south China may be roughly assigned to two ore belts, namely the Yiyang-Xinyu (Jiangxi)-Jiangkou(Hunan)-Sanjiang (Guangxi) ore belt or simply the north ore belt, and the Songzheng(Fujian)-Shicheng (Jiangxi)-Bailing (Longchuan of Guangdong)-Yingyangguan (Guangxi) ore belt or the south ore belt. Tectonically, the former lies along the southern margin of the “Jangnan Old Land”, while the latter along the northwestern border of the “Cathaysian Old Land”.
2. Iron deposits of this type occur exclusively in the same interglacial horizon of the Sinian Glaciation in south China. Above and below the ore bed there lie the glacial till-bearing volcanic-sedimentary layers.
3. Based on sedimentary features, the iron formations can be divided into four types: silica-iron-basalt formation, silica-iron-clastic rock formation, silica-iron-tuff formation and silica-iron-carbonate rock formation, which progressively grade into each other.
4. Iron ores were formed at the late stage of late Proterozoic rifting in neritic environments, with their distribution governed by the rift valleys on the margins of the “Jiangnan Old Land” and “Cathaysian Old Land”. Consequently, intense mafic volcanism as well as weathering and denudation of palaeocontinent during rifting provided material sources for the formation of iron deposits. Meanwhile, warm and humid stationary neritic environment during the south China great glacial period constitutes favorable palaeoclimatologic and palaeogeographic conditions for the deposition of iron ores.
5. The iron formations have undergone regional metamorphism of greenschist-amphibolite facies.

To sum up, the late Precambrian banded iron ores should be of metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary type.     

Aridification — Climate change in South-Eastern Europe

Climatic change in SE Europe can be characterized by the term aridification, which means increasing semi-aridity, manifested in an increase of mean annual temperature and at the same time in a decrease in the yearly precipitation.The paper deals with research results obtained within the framework of the MEDALUS II project (funded by the Commission of the European Communities). The project had the following objectives:

• 1.(i) Assessment of the impact of global change on the climate of the investigated area, including possible future climates.
• 2.(ii) Physical processes of aridification, including studies of groundwater level change, soil moisture profile dynamics, soil development, vegetation change and soil erosion.
• 3.(iii) Land use change, involving research on present land use and suggestions for the future.

Various methods were applied with respect to the different research objectives.

• 1.(i) Statistical analysis of climatic oscillations and computer runs of climatic scenarios,
• 2.(ii) Analysis of ground water data, mapping and analysis of soils and vegetation, assessment of present and future soil, and
• 3.(iii) Land capability assessment through ranking environmental conditions according to the demands of the most widely grown arable crops in Hungary.

According to our results i) the average annual warming during the last 110 years was +0.0105 °C, and precipitation decreased by 0.917 mm/year; ii) a decline of −2 to −4 m in the annual mean groundwater level can be detected in the most sensitive areas, with gradual lowering of the water table in alkali ponds; complete desiccation of some of them severs the direct contact between groundwater and salt-affected soils, the solonchak soil dynamics cease, helophile and hygrophile plant associations disappear, and consequent changes in the soil erosion regime are likely to lead to disastrous erosion in the future; iii) the climatic changes induce a transformation in land use from arable crops to plantations, starting with orchards.     

Ore mineralization related to geological evolution of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif (the Sudetes,Poland) — Towards a model

The Karkonosze–Izera Massif is a large tectonic unit located in the northern periphery of the Bohemian Massif. It includes the Variscan Karkonosze Granite (about 328–304 Ma) surrounded by the following four older units:

• -Izera–Kowary (the Early Paleozoic continental crust of the Saxothuringian Basin),
• -Ještĕd (the Middle Devonian to Lower Viséan sedimentary succession deposited on the NE passive margin of the Saxothuringian Terrane), out of the present study area,
• -Southern Karkonosze (metamorphosed sediments and volcanics filling the Saxothuringian Basin), out of the present study area,
• -Leszczyniec (Early Ordovician, obducted fragment of Saxothuringian Basin sea floor).

The authors present a genetic model of ore mineralization in the Karkonosze–Izera Massif, in which ore deposits and ore minerals occurrences are related to the successive episodes of the geological history of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif:

• -formation of the Saxothuringian Basin and its passive continental margin (about 500–490 Ma)
• -Variscan thermal events:
  • -regional metamorphism (360–340 Ma)
  • -Karkonosze Granite intrusion (328–304 Ma)
• -Late Cretaceous and Neogene-to-Recent hypergenic processes.

The oldest ore deposits and ore minerals occurrences of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif are represented by pyrite and magnetite deposits hosted in the Leszczyniec Unit as well as by magnetite deposit and, presumably, by a small part of tin mineralization hosted in the Izera–Kowary Unit. All these deposits and occurrences were subjected to the pre-Variscan regional metamorphism.Most of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif ore deposits and occurrences are related to the Karkonosze Granite intrusion. This group includes a spatially diversified assemblage of small ore deposits and ore mineral occurrences of: Fe, Cu, Sn, As, U, Co, Au, Ag, Pb, Ni, Bi, Zn, Sb, Se, S, Th, REE, Mo, W and Hg located within the granite and in granite-related pegmatites, in the close contact aureole of the granite and within the metamorphic envelope, at various distances from the granite. Assuming world standards, all these deposits are now uneconomic. Various age determinations indicated that ore formation connected with the Karkonosze Granite might have taken place mostly between about 326 and 270 Ma.The last ore-forming episode in the Karkonosze–Izera Massif is related to hypergenic processes, particularly important in the northern part of the massif, in the Izera–Kowary Unit where some uranium deposits and occurrences resulted from the infiltration of ore solutions that originated from the weathering of pre-existing accumulations of uranium minerals. A separate problem is the presence of oxidation zones of ore deposits and occurrences, both the fossil and the recent.A full list of ore minerals identified in described deposits and occurrences of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif together with relevant, key references is presented in the form of an appendix.     

Compositions and textures of relic forsterite in carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

Several percent of the olivine in the C2, C3 and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOC) can be distinguished by blue cathodoluminescence (CL) and an unusual composition for forsterite. This olivine has the following textural features:

• 1.(1) forms cores in single olivine grains;
• 2.(2) shows subhedral to euhedral boundaries against rim olivine;
• 3.(3) rarely contains inclusions;
• 4.(4) has embayments containing olivine like that of the rim;
• 5.(5) occurs within chondrules especially in UOC meteorites.

The blue olivine is always Fe-poor (0.25 < FeO < 1.0%) and shows the following average and maximum values (%): Al₂O₃ (0.25, 0.5), TiO₂ (0.05, 0.09), CaO (0.5, 0.8), Cr₂O₃ (0.15, 0.5), and MnO (0.02, 0.15); vanadium is present. Within a single olivine and within all blue olivines Al, Ca and Ti are strongly positively correlated as are Mn, Fe, and Cr in olivine surrounding the blue. The blue cores are not zoned but each element shows a marked change at the boundary of the blue with Al showing the most rapid change. These are interpreted as diffusion profiles between rim and core olivine.Textures suggest initial free growth probably from a gas and later addition of olivine by liquid crystallization to form single crystals or chondrules. The unusual olivine composition indicates high temperature growth from a refractory-rich reservoir with Al entering olivine in tetrahedral coordination. Vapor growth is suggested as the process allowing the high minor element levels. The occurrence of blue olivine in all primitive meteorites indicates that it is relic material which was widespread prior to chondrule and hence meteorite formation. Similarities in composition exist between this relic olivine and olivine of cosmic dust and Deep Sea Particles pointing to this olivine being a common component in all primitive extraterrestrial material.     

国际前寒武纪地质年代表划分方案研究进展

传统的前寒武纪地质年代表划分方案以全球标准地层年龄（GSSA）为基础,不代表任何特殊的岩石实体,仅以推测的绝对测年值为界线进行单元划分,脱离了客观的岩石记录和地球演化系统,不利于对前寒武纪地球系统的研究。2004年—2008年前寒武纪划分参考方案,以反映地球历史阶段特征的“关键事件”为界线,创建前寒武纪地层划分的“金钉子”,建立客观的、“自然的” 前寒武纪地质年代表,并且通过全球一级事件群把前寒武纪划分为5个宙,即创世宙、冥古宙、太古宙、过渡宙和元古宙。另外,经过综合分析建议将埃迪卡拉纪归到显生宙。因此,对前寒武纪的研究实际上变为对“前埃迪卡拉纪”的研究,使术语“显生宙”在内涵和应用上更加一致。虽然“参考方案”在一定程度上还仅仅是一个理论框架,需要大量的研究去充实和细化,但是对这两种划分方案的系统研究和对比,可以给我国前寒武纪工作者提供重要的研究思路和方向。     

Precambrian geodynamics: Concepts and models

In contrast to modern-day plate tectonics, studying Precambrian geodynamics presents a unique challenge as currently there is no agreement upon paradigm concerning the global geodynamics and lithosphere tectonics for the early Earth. This review is focused on discussing results of recent modeling studies in the context of existing concepts and constraints for Precambrian geodynamics with an emphasis placed on three critical aspects: (1) subduction and plate tectonics, (2) collision and orogeny, and (3) craton formation and stability. The three key features of Precambrian Earth evolution are outlined based on combining available observations and numerical and analogue models. These are summarized below:

• •Archean geodynamics was dominated by plume tectonics and the development of hot accretionary orogens with low topography, three-dimensional deformation and pronounced gravitational tectonics. Mantle downwellings and lithospheric delamination (dripping-off) processes are likely to have played a key role in assembling and stabilizing the hot orogens on a timescale up to hundreds of millions of years. Both oceanic-like and continental-like lithospheres were rheologically weak due to the high Moho temperature (> 800 °C) and melt percolation from hot partially molten sublithospheric mantle.
• •Wide spread development of modern-style subduction on Earth started during Mesoarchean–Neoarchean at 3.2–2.5 Ga. This is marked by the appearance of paired metamorphic complexes and oldest eclogite ages in subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Numerical models suggest that the transition occurred at mantle temperatures 175–250 °C higher than present day values, and was triggered by stabilization of rheologically strong plates of both continental and oceanic type. Due to the hot mantle temperature, slab break-off was more frequent in the Precambrian time causing more episodic subduction compared to present day.
• •Wide spread development of modern-style (cold) collision on Earth started during Neoproterozoic at 600–800 Ma and is thus decoupled from the onset of modern-style subduction. Cold collision created favorable conditions for the generation of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic complexes which become widespread in Phanerozoic orogens. Numerical models suggest that the transition occurred at mantle temperatures 80–150 °C higher than present day values and was associated with stabilization of the continental subduction. Frequent shallow slab break-off limited occurrence of UHP rocks in the Precambrian time.

Further progress in understanding Precambrian geodynamics requires cross-disciplinary efforts with a special emphasis placed upon quantitative testing of existing geodynamic concepts and extrapolating back in geological time, using both global and regional scale thermomechanical numerical models, which have been validated for present day Earth conditions.     

论中国前寒武纪地质时代及年代地层的划分

本文讨论了前寒武纪地质时代和年代地层划分的原则和命名,提出建立隐生宙、原生宙和显生宙。隐生宙包括冥古代和太古代;原生宙分始元代、中元代和新元代。划分中的重要改变是根据新的年龄值数据将五台群归入太古代,将长城系底界改为1700Ma;并根据蠕虫-须腕动物群的出现,将震旦纪归入古生代。文中还阐述了作者对前寒武纪时代划分的新观点。     

Trends,transitions, and events in cryptozoic history and their calibration: apropos recommendations by the subcommission on precambrian stratigraphy

Here I examine the semifinal recommendations of the Subcommission on Precambrian Stratigraphy of the International Union of Geological Sciences (Plumb and James). Although stratigraphy is the subject, the stated objective is ‘subdivision of geologic time’. From that the Subcommission derives a potentially workable set of eons, eras, and Proterozoic systems, arbitrarily separated by radiometric numbers seen as having the virtues of objectivity and stability. The time-transgressive transitions that actually separate the broad succession of prevailing stratigraphic and historical modes thereby become fixed, globally synchronous ‘boundaries’ by decree. What kind of stratigraphy is that?Apart from its essential role in calibration, what does geochronometry have to do with stratigraphy and historical geology? How do practices proposed reconcile with those heretofore applied? Given radiometric ‘boundaries’, are the numbers chosen the most appropriate? Just how is the system recommended to become ‘useful…to working geologists’?Such reflections lead me to conclude that the proposed ‘geochronometric subdivision’ is mistaken in principle, confining in application, and self-contradictory — particularly as concerns the grossly discordant but historically illuminating transition from the mantle-dominated Archean Eon to continent-dominated Proterozoic history. Such matters are the foci of this brief paper.     

An alternative view of the Bayesian probabilistic prediction of strong shocks in the Hellenic Arc

A Bayesian discrete distribution, as developed by Ferraes (1985), is applied to predict the inter-arrival times for strong shocks in the Hellenic Arc on the basis of nine samples of shocks with seismotectonic locations very different from those used by Ferraes. The results suggest an alternative view of the Bayesian probabilistic prediction of strong earthquakes in the Hellenic Arc, and can be summed up as follows:

• 1.(a) Maximum final Bayesian probabilities of various inter-arrival times in a given seismotectonic segment are very dependent on the data set used and particularly on its time length.
• 2.(b) When using this method to determine the time intervals during which large shocks are to be expected in the Western and Eastern Hellenic arcs, it is very difficult to estimate intervals of less than a decade. The determination of the occurrence time, even in the long-term sense, remains the major problem in the prediction of these shocks.
• 3.(c) Bayesian probabilities in conjunction with seismicity observations indicate that large intermediate depth earthquakes in the Hellenic Arc are long overdue. Shocks of this sort can be expected to occur in the next few years.

It is also pointed out that although Bayesian-type predictions may be useful for engineering purposes, they are not a suitable basis for making specific predictions or taking special precautions.     

Precambrian fossils from the Hamersley range,Western Australia,and their use in stratigraphic correlation

The palaeontology, correlation and sedimentation of the Proterozoic sequence in the Hamersley Range, Western Australia, are discussed. Fossil calcareous algal growths, such as stromatolites and onkolites are described, as well as possible medusoid impressions. These indicate shallow water accumulation of the sediments and provide evidence of the extensive existence of plant and animal life in the Late Precambrian of Western Australia.

Distinctive stromatolites are shown to characterize various levels in the Proterozoic succession. A descending sequence of stromatolite assemblages is proposed denoted by:

• Collenia frequens—Conophyton cf. inclinatum

• Collenia australasica—C. undosa

• C. cf. kona—C. brockmani

• C. sp. aff. multiflabella.

Emphasis is placed on the possible significance of these calcareous algae for correlation and age subdivision of the Proterozoic of Western Australia and its relation to other Precambrian successions.     

Development of engineering geology in western United States

Geologic concepts and scientific-technical guidance for the planning-design and construction of engineered works was recognized in Europe by the 1800s and by the early 1900s in North America. This early geologic knowledge and experience provided the rudimentary principles that guided practitioners of the 19th century in serving the emerging projects in western United States. Case studies review the scientific-technical lessons learned and the legacy of geologic principles established in the planning and construction of major civil, mining, and military engineered works in the western states. These contributions to GeoScience knowledge and engineering geology practice include:

• •Tunnels and aqueducts across active fault zones, beneath young volcanic features, groundwater-charged faults, and land subsidence mitigation.
• •Controversial foundation design, Folsom and Auburn dams, Golden Gate Bridge.
• •Protective underground construction chambers, safety dependent geologic setting.
• •Geologic mapping as database management leasing, maintenance railroad trackway.
• •Causeway Great Salt Lake, geo-risks calculated, mitigated ‘as-constructed’.
• •Nuclear powerplants seismic design.
• •Urban Land-Use, on-going processes, acceptable geo-risks.
• •Dwelling Insurance, insuree's responsibilities.
• •Selecting technique/method to mitigate risk, preferably based on extensive database, evaluation of characteristics and historical origin adverse features/conditions that constitute a geo-risk.

     

A quantitative fluorescence technique for evaluating thermal maturity: Instrumentation and examples

Fluorescence microscopy is useful not only for identifying most of the oil-prone organic matter (macerals) in sedimentary rocks and coals but also for assessing their thermal maturities (ranks). This report introduces a violet-light excitation system which induces more than one order of magnitude stronger fluorescence intensity that the commonly used UV-light excitation system. The red/green quotient from violet-light excited fluorescence, Q_v, of sporinite can be easily measured using this system. Several examples using coal and cuttings samples are presented to demonstrate the use of this technique for evaluating the thermal maturities of coals and sedimentary rocks.From the results of our studies we conclude that:

• 1.(1) Violet-light excited fluorescence from sporinites can be routinely measured to assess thermal maturity.
• 2.(2) Spectral (Quantitative) fluorescence technique is useful for evaluating thermal maturity when samples are poorly polished or deficient in vitrinite.
• 3.(3) Visual (Strew-mounted) kerogen slides can not be used for fluorescence measurements unless a non-fluorescent mounting medium is used.

     

The geothermal gradient map of Central Tunisia: Comparison with structural,gravimetric and petroleum data

Five hundred and fifty temperature values, initially measured as either bottom-hole temperatures (BHT) or drill-stem tests (DST), from 98 selected petroleum exploration wells form the basis of a geothermal gradient map of central Tunisia. A “global-statistical” method was employed to correct the BHT measurements, using the DST as references. The geothermal gradient ranges from 23° to 49°C/km. Comparison of the geothermal gradient with structural, gravimetric and petroleum data indicates that:

• 1.(1) the general trend of the geothermal gradient curves reflects the main structural directions of the region,
• 2.(2) zones of low and high geothermal gradient are correlated with zones of negative and positive Bouguer anomalies and
• 3.(3) the five most important oil fields of central Tunisia are located near the geothermal gradient curve of 40° C/km.

Such associations could have practical importance in petroleum exploration, but their significance must first be established through further investigation and additional data.     

Subdivision of the Precambrian — A brief review and a report on recent decisions by the subcommission on Precambrian Stratigraphy

In contrast to the Phanerozoic, for which there exists an internationally accepted, detailed time scale, the Precambrian, representing more than four-fifths of all recorded Earth history, is completely without an accepted scheme for time classification. Inspection of the many published proposals for subdivision of the Precambrian reveals much diversity in underlying concept, means of definition, and nomenclature. Most schemes are based on orogenic or magmatic-tectonic cycles, but others are keyed in principle to sedimentary sequences, to total Earth history, or to combinations of various concepts. Several are reviewed as examples. Considered in terms of basic criteria, few if any of the published proposals are entirely satisfactory, and none appears a likely candidate for international acceptance.The Subcommission on Precambrian Stratigraphy of the International Union of Geological Sciences, at its meeting in Cape Town, 11.7.1977–15.7.1977, has taken the initial step toward formulation of a complete time scale by recommending acceptance of a division of the Precambrian into Proterozoic and Archean. These time units have the status of eons, equivalent to the Phanerozoic, though of much greater duration. The age of the time boundary between Proterozoic and Archean is defined as 2500 Ma.