宁夏贺家口子地区晚新生代地层序列及其构造意义

对宁夏贺家口子新生代剖面进行了详细的岩石地层和磁性地层研究，并重点标定了晚第三纪和早第四纪地层的年代。结合相应的地层接触关系和沉积相研究，获得了该剖面构造事件序列信息。认为：青藏高原东北边缘的海原－同心弧形构造束地区强烈的新生代构造变形开始于10MaBP左右，并经历了多个变形阶段。贺家口子剖面所揭示出来的这种构造变形特征，在青藏高原东北边缘地区具有区域意义。     

Interaction of mantle-derived magma with island crust? Trace element and oxygen isotope data from the Diego Hernandez Formation, Las Cañadas, Tenerife

The Quaternary Diego Hernandez Formation consists of interbedded phonolitic pyroclastics and basanite lavas and scoria beds. Most of the phonolites are mingled-magma units that contain a minor mafic component. The phonolites fall into two stratigraphically bounded groups, based on major and trace element abundances. Nb contents are especially distinctive, due to a varying role for titanite during petrogenesis. Nepheline syenite xenoliths, which are plentiful in some of the phonolitic ignimbrites, fall into the same two compositional groupings but are typically more strongly differentiated. Major and trace element variations during evolution of the phonolites can be modelled by fractional crystallization, by melting of syenite, or by some combination of the two such as AFC. Trace element variations among the basanites require the addition of a highly fractionated felsic component, either phonolitic magma or nepheline syenite. δ¹⁸O values of phonolites vary across twice the range of the basanites, inconsistent with an origin by pure fractional crystallization of a basanitic parent. We conclude that recycling of differentiated rocks within the Tenerife island edifice has played a significant role in Quaternary magmatism on Tenerife.     

Late Cenozoic Stratigraphic Sequence and Its Implication to Tectonic Evolution, Hejiakouzi Area, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＨａｉｙｕａｎ Ｔｏｎｇｘｉｎｓｙｎｔａｘｉｓ ,ｗｈｉｃｈｌｉｅｓｏｎｔｈｅｎｏｒｔｈｅａｓｔｅｒｎｅｄｇｅｏｆｔｈｅＱｉｎｇｈａｉ ＸｉｚａｎｇＰｌａｔｅａｕ ,ｗａｓｆｏｒｍｅｄａｎｄｓｅｖｅｒｅｌｙｄｅｆｏｒｍｅｄａｓｆｏｒｅｌａｎｄｂａｓｉｎｄｕｅｔｏｔｈｅｒｉｓｅｏｆｔｈｅＱｉｎｇｈａｉ ＸｉｚａｎｇＰｌａｔｅａｕｓｉｎｃｅｔｈｅＣｅｎｏｚｏｉｃ .Ｉｎｔｈｅａｒｃ ｌｉｋｅｒｅｇｉｏｎ ,Ｃｅｎｏｚｏｉｃｄｅｐｏｓｉｔｓａｒｅｗｉｄｅｌｙｄｉｓｔｒｉｂｕｔｅｄａｎｄｐｅ…     

Dinoflagellate cysts in recent marine sediments from Thermaikos Gulf, Greece: Effects of resuspension events on vertical cyst distribution

A qualitative and semi-quantitative study of recent dinoflagellate cysts has been undertaken in the NW part of Aegean Sea, Thermaikos Gulf (Eastern Mediteranean), before (September 2001), during (October 2001) and after 120 days (February 2002) of intensive trawling activities. This is the first survey of recent dinoflagellate cysts from Greek marine coastal environments. Sediment samples were collected with a corer and the vertical distribution of the cysts was studied at five different layers, from 0 to 10 cm. Dinoflagellate cysts were both abundant and diverse. Cysts were found over the whole sampling area and periods, with concentrations ranging between 247–3202 cysts cm⁻³. Thirty-six cyst types were encountered, of which 32 were identified to species level, representing 12 genera. It seems that significant local resuspension, related to the onset of the trawling period and stirring up of the sediment, contributed to mixing of the upper layers, resulting to more homogenous cyst profiles in the sediment. Viable cysts constituted 16–60% of the total cyst abundance. The abundance peaks of viable cysts within the subsurface sediment layers, observed during the undisturbed period, disappeared during October. In February, the reduction of cyst concentration was associated to a loss of viable cysts, whilst the ratio of viable/empty cysts ranged between 0.30 and 0.67. The abundance of the different dinoflagellate species, in their active form, was monitored in order to detect any relationship between the concentration of cysts in the top 10 cm of sediment and blooms of algae in the water column. Cysts of potentially toxic species, causing Paralitic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), such as Alexandrium cf. tamarense, A. cf. affine, A. cf. minutum, as well as Gymnodinium catenatum, were detected in the cyst survey.     

Evidence for Quaternary liquefaction-induced features in the epicentral area of the 21 May 2003 Zemmouri earthquake (Algeria, M w = 6.8)

Evidence of ancient liquefaction-in duced features is presented in the area of the 2003 Zemmouri earthquake (M _w 6.8). This earthquake was related to an offshore unknown 50-km long fault. A 0.55-m coseismic coastal uplift was generated and extensive liquefaction has been induced in the most susceptible area which correspond to the seaside and along the hydrographic network, mainly the Sebaou and Isser valley rivers. Field investigations allowed us to identify past liquefaction traces in the Quaternary deposits. The observed features are represented by sand dikes, sills, and sand vents as well as well-preserved sand boiled volcanoes. In this work, we also describe the alluvial environment, the hosted localized stratigraphic layer, the morphology and the geometry of the observed features, as well as the observed deformation (settlement) of the hosted layers that are among characteristics of the seismically induced features as described in worldwide examples. Our observations represent a step towards paleoseismological studies in the region knowing that the May 21st 2003 Zemmouri earthquake is produced by an offshore fault where a direct study of the seismogenic fault is inaccessible.     

The role of alternating outcrops of sediments and basaltic lavas on seismic urban scenario: the study case of Catania, Italy

Experimental data and numerical modelling were used to study the effect of local geology on the seismic response of the Catania area. The town extends on a marly clays bedrock and terraced deposits made up by coastal sands and alluvial conglomerates. This sedimentary substratum is deeply entrenched by paleo-valleys filled by lava flows and pyroclastics. Available borehole data and elastic parameters were used to reconstruct a geotechnical model in order to perfome 1D numerical modeling. Seismic urban scenarios were simulated considering destructive (M _w = 7.0), strong (M _w = 6.2) and moderate (M _w = 5.7) earthquakes to assess the shaking level of the different outcropping formations. For each scenario seven real accelerograms were selected from the European Strong Motion Database to assess the expected seismic input at the bedrock. PGA and spectral acceleration at different periods were obtained in the urban area through the equivalent linear numerical code EERA, and contour maps of different levels of shaking were drawn. Standard and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios were achieved making use of a dataset of 172 seismic events recorded at ten sites located on the main outcropping lithotypes. Spectral ratios inferred from earthquake data were compared with theoretical transfer functions. Both experimental and numerical results confirm the role of the geological and morphologic setting of Catania. Amplification of seismic motion mainly occurs in three different stratigraphic conditions: (a) sedimentary deposits mainly diffused in the south of the study area; (b) spots of soft sediments surrounded by lava flows; (c) intensely fractured and scoriaceous basaltic lavas.     

Structural material complexes in the Late Cenozoic Udokan lava plateau: Patterns of distribution and rock associations

We provide a new scheme to classify Late Cenozoic volcanic rocks in the Udokan lava plateau based on isotope datings of rocks derived during the last 15 years. The scheme distinguishes five structural-material complexes (SMCs): Middle Miocene, Late Miocene, Early/Middle Pliocene, Late Pliocene, and Quaternary. Each SMC has its ejecta of central-type eruptions and subvolcanic emplacement episodes that classify themselves into individual rock complexes, while the ejecta of mass fissure effusions from three SMCs (the Late Miocene, the Early/Middle Pliocene, and the Late Pliocene) can be lumped into three stratigraphic series. Each series includes three suites, with the middle position (in the series section) being occupied by suites composed of basaltic melt differentiates.     

A magnetic model for deep plutonic bodies beneath the central Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand

The central Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) is a region of intense Quaternary rhyolitic volcanism and geothermal activity in the North Island of New Zealand from which about 14,000 km³ of pyroclastics and lavas have been erupted during the last 1.6 Ma. Analysis of aeromagnetic surveys over the TVZ showed the presence of long-wavelength (10 to 25 km) magnetic anomalies which roughly follow the trend of the currently active eastern TVZ, from the north of Lake Taupo to the east of Lake Rotorua. An interpretation of the long-wavelength magnetic anomalies using 3-D magnetic modelling suggests that these anomalies are caused by the magnetic effects of < 3 km thick sequence of volcanic rocks and deeper magnetised bodies within the non-magnetic upper crust (4–7 km depth) beneath the young (age < 0.7 Ma), currently active eastern TVZ. The deep magnetised bodies are interpreted as solidified rhyolitic sub-volcanic plutons that have cooled down to below their Curie temperature.Although the existence of plutonic bodies beneath the TVZ has been postulated prior to this study, this magnetic interpretation result appears to be the first geophysical model of such bodies.     

Intraplate seismicity in the western Bohemian Massif (central Europe): A possible correlation with a paleoplate junction

Locations of the Eger Rift, Cheb Basin, Quaternary volcanoes, crustal earthquake swarms and exhalation centers of CO₂ and ³He of mantle origin correlate with the tectonic fabric of the mantle lithosphere modelled from seismic anisotropy. We suggest that positions of the seismic and volcanic phenomena, as well as of the Cenozoic sedimentary basins, correlate with a “triple junction” of three mantle lithospheres distinguished by different orientations of their tectonic fabric consistent within each unit. The three mantle domains most probably belong to the originally separated microcontinents – the Saxothuringian, Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian – assembled during the Variscan orogeny. Cenozoic extension reactivated the junction and locally thinned the crust and mantle lithosphere. The rigid part of the crust, characterized by the presence of earthquake foci, decoupled near the junction from the mantle probably during the Variscan. The boundaries (transitions) of three mantle domains provided open pathways for Quaternary volcanism and the ascent of ³He- and CO₂-rich fluids released from the asthenosphere. The deepest earthquakes, interpreted as an upper limit of the brittle–ductile transition in the crust, are shallower above the junction of the mantle blocks (at about 12 km) than above the more stable Saxothuringian mantle lithosphere (at about 20 km), probably due to a higher heat flow and presence of fluids.     

Cosmogenic-nuclide burial ages for Pleistocene sedimentary fill in Unaweep Canyon,Colorado, USA

We applied both single-sample and isochron methods of cosmogenic-nuclide burial dating to determine the age of the sedimentary fill in Unaweep Canyon, western Colorado, USA. This stratigraphic sequence is of interest because it documents capture and diversion of the ancestral Gunnison River by the Colorado River during late Cenozoic incision of the Colorado Plateau. Seven ²⁶Al–¹⁰Be burial ages from sedimentary infill penetrated by a borehole in central Unaweep Canyon, as well as a ²⁶Al–¹⁰Be burial isochron age formed by multiple clasts and grain-size separates in a sample from the stratigraphically lower Gateway gravels, indicate that canyon blockage, initiation of lacustrine sediment accumulation, and presumed river capture, took place 1.41 ± 0.19 Ma. Lacustrine sedimentation ceased 1.34 ± 0.13 Ma.     

郯庐断裂带江苏段新生界三维地质构造建模

本文基于SKUA-GOCAD三维建模软件平台的构造-地层实体建模流程,通过整合研究区大量地质、地球物理资料和数据利用地质时间域坐标系转换和离散光滑插值（DSI）技术,并结合非定量化的地质基础利用地质网格功能建立了郯庐断裂带江苏段新生界的三维地质构造模型,该模型包括地表、第四系底部、新近系底部和基岩顶部等四个层面的地层模型和断层模型。该模型定量化地给出了研究区第四系、新近系底界的三维结构和特征,并刻画了主要活动断裂的三维空间分布,通过该模型可以更直观地显示研究区新生代地层单元和断裂的变化规律,对深入分析活动断裂带的沉积与构造具有重要的意义。      

Intraplate seismicity in the western Bohemian Massif (central Europe): A possible correlation with a paleoplate junction

Locations of the Eger Rift, Cheb Basin, Quaternary volcanoes, crustal earthquake swarms and exhalation centers of CO₂ and ³He of mantle origin correlate with the tectonic fabric of the mantle lithosphere modelled from seismic anisotropy. We suggest that positions of the seismic and volcanic phenomena, as well as of the Cenozoic sedimentary basins, correlate with a “triple junction” of three mantle lithospheres distinguished by different orientations of their tectonic fabric consistent within each unit. The three mantle domains most probably belong to the originally separated microcontinents – the Saxothuringian, Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian – assembled during the Variscan orogeny. Cenozoic extension reactivated the junction and locally thinned the crust and mantle lithosphere. The rigid part of the crust, characterized by the presence of earthquake foci, decoupled near the junction from the mantle probably during the Variscan. The boundaries (transitions) of three mantle domains provided open pathways for Quaternary volcanism and the ascent of ³He- and CO₂-rich fluids released from the asthenosphere. The deepest earthquakes, interpreted as an upper limit of the brittle–ductile transition in the crust, are shallower above the junction of the mantle blocks (at about 12 km) than above the more stable Saxothuringian mantle lithosphere (at about 20 km), probably due to a higher heat flow and presence of fluids.     

The Azambuja fault: An active structure located in an intraplate basin with significant seismicity (Lower Tagus Valley, Portugal)

The Azambuja fault is a NNE trending structure located 50 km NE of Lisbon, in an area of important historical seismicity. It is sited in the Lower Tagus Basin, a compressive foredeep basin related to tectonic inversion of the Mesozoic Lusitanian Basin in the Miocene. The fault is evident in commercial seismic reflection data, where it shows steep thrust geometry downthrowing the Cenozoic sediments to the east. It has also a clear morphological signature, presenting a NNE-SSW trending, east facing, 15 km long scarp, reaching a maximum height of 80 m. The fault scarp is the geomorphic appearance of a flexure expressed as a zone of distributed deformation, where Miocene and Pliocene sediments are tilted eastwards and are cut by steeply dipping meso-scale faults presenting reverse and normal offsets, with a net downthrow to the east. This pattern at the surface is compatible with a steep fault in the basement that tilts and branches through the overlying Cenozoic sedimentary cover. In order to constrain the neotectonic activity of this structure, detailed geological studies were conducted. Morphotectonics was studied through aerial photo interpretation, analysis of topographic maps and digital mapping. Those studies indicate Quaternary slip on the fault in the ranges of 0.05–0.06 mm per year. Seismogenic behaviour was assumed for the Azambuja fault based on the evidence of Quaternary tectonic activity and its location in an area of significant historical seismicity. M _w 6.4–6.7 maximum earthquakes, with recurrence intervals of 10000–25000 years, were estimated based upon the displaced morphological references, cumulative offsets and fault length.     

柴达木盆地东部新生代盆地结构与演化

本文对柴达木盆地东部新生代盆地结构和构造演化进行了研究.地震剖面揭示柴达木盆地东部新生界分别向南、北盆地边缘变薄和尖灭,盆地北部被欧龙布鲁克山和埃姆尼克山隆起强烈改造.通过对新生代地层厚度横向变化以及地层剖面分析,确定欧北断裂自中新世晚期开始向北逆冲,导致欧龙布鲁克山发生隆升和德令哈凹陷的形成.埃北断裂从上新世开始活动,与欧北断裂同时向北逆冲,导致德令哈凹陷进一步沉降,形成厚度达2600m的狮子沟组.埃南断裂在第四纪开始大规模向南逆冲,不仅造成其北侧的欧龙布鲁克山和埃姆尼克山隆起强烈抬升和向南推覆,而且导致南侧霍布逊凹陷的形成,成为柴达木盆地第四纪沉积中心.早期提出的前陆盆地和背驮式盆地模型显然不能解释柴达木盆地东部新生代构造格架和演化历史.本次研究认为柴达木盆地东部的形成是强烈的水平挤压作用导致地壳发生大规模褶皱的结果,即柴达木盆地东部新生代是一个大规模向斜.该向斜盆地模型很好地解释了新生代地层向盆地边缘减薄以及沉积中心主要位于盆地中部等现象.了解柴达木盆地东部构造发展对了解青藏高原侧向扩展具有重要意义.     

Thermal regime transition in eastern North China and its tectonic implication

Many evidences published in recent years reveal that the thickness,chemical composition and thermal state of lithosphere in eastern North China have ex-perienced dramatic transition during the Phanero-zoic.Comparative study[1—8]of early Paleozoic dia-mond-and xenoliths-bearing kimberlites to Cenozoic mantle peridotite xenoliths-bearing alkali basalts indi-cates that the early Phanerozoic lithosphere is thick and stable to depths within the diamond stability field(180–200km)with depleted ma…     

Influence of Quaternary paleoclimate change on the permeability of the loess–paleosol sequence in the Loess Plateau,northern China

Permeability differences in multi-cycle loess–paleosol aeolian sediments, which are still poorly understood, have the potential to significantly improve our understanding of climatic change during the glacial–interglacial periods of the Quaternary. In this study, the permeability of a well-preserved and continuous loess–paleosol sequence in the South Jingyang Plateau was investigated. Weathering intensity was inferred using a series of climate proxies including grain-size distribution, magnetic susceptibility and mineralogy. The results of laboratory tests showed that the average saturated hydraulic conductivity of loess layers is higher than that of paleosol layers. Also, clear differences between loess and paleosol were found in terms of depth variations of the vertical and horizontal saturated hydraulic conductivities. Differences in loess–paleosol were also found for other proxies for pedogenic weathering [i.e. clay content, sand content, Kd value (ratio of coarse silt to clay), magnetic susceptibility, dolomite content and the ratios of hornblende/illite and hornblende/chlorite]. Our results showed a high permeability of loess layers associated with weak pedogenic weathering during cold/dry paleoclimatic conditions in glacial stages. On the contrary, paleosol layers developed in a warm/humid climate during the interglacial stages experienced strong pedogenic weathering that resulted in lower permeability. Based on these results, we construct a connection between Quaternary climate change theory and the modern hydrological system. This provides a scientific basis for investigating the distribution and pollution of groundwater resources in the local region. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Near surface velocity and QS structure of the Quaternary sediment in Bohai basin,China

Heavily populated by Beijing and Tianjin cities, Bohai basin is a seismically active Cenozoic basin suffering from huge lost by devastating earthquakes, such as Tangshan earthquake. The attenuation (Q_P and Q_S) of the surficial Quaternary sediment has not been studied at natural seismic frequency (1?10 Hz), which is crucial to earthquake hazards study. Borehole seismic records of micro earthquake provide us a good way to study the velocity and attenuation of the surficial structure (0?500 m). We found that there are two pulses well separated with simple waveforms on borehole seismic records from the 2006 M_W4.9 Wen'an earthquake sequence. Then we performed waveform modeling with generalized ray theory (GRT) to confirm that the two pulses are direct wave and surface reflected wave, and found that the average v_P and v_S of the top 300 m in this region are about 1.8 km/s and 0.42 km/s, leading to high v_P/v_S ratio of 4.3. We also modeled surface reflected wave with propagating matrix method to constrain QS and the near surface velocity structure. Our modeling indicates that Q_S is at least 30, or probably up to 100, much larger than the typically assumed extremely low Q (~10), but consistent with Q_S modeling in Mississippi embayment. Also, the velocity gradient just beneath the free surface (0?50 m) is very large and velocity increases gradually at larger depth. Our modeling demonstrates the importance of borehole seismic records in resolving shallow velocity and attenuation structure, and hence may help in earthquake hazard simulation.     

太湖富营养化湖区秋季水体和沉积物中硝化微生物分布特征及控制因素

微生物参与下的氮循环是富营养化湖泊十分重要的生物地球化学循环过程.采用基于amoA功能基因和16S rRNA基因的荧光定量PCR、PCR-DGGE与高通量测序等分子生物学技术,调查秋季太湖不同水体和表层沉积物中氨氧化古菌(AOA)、氨氧化细菌(AOB)和亚硝酸盐氧化菌(NOB)群落丰度和组成,探讨影响硝化微生物分布的关键环境因子.结果表明,中度富营养化的梅梁湾湖区水体表层、中层和底层水样和表层底泥中AOA amoA基因的丰度分别低于轻度富营养化的湖心区,而不同层水样中AOB amoA基因的丰度分别高于湖心区.梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水样中AOA群落组成基本相似,2个湖区表层沉积物样品中AOA群落组成亦基本相似,水体中AOA群落组成与表层沉积物中AOA群落组成有差异,AOA群落丰度显著受硝态氮、pH和DO影响;表层沉积物中AOB群落丰度有明显差异且显著受总氮含量影响,表层沉积物中NOB群落丰度也有明显差异且显著受亚硝态氮含量影响.太湖梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水体与表层沉积物AOA群落包括Nitrosopumilium和Nitrosotalea两大属;表层沉积物AOB群落主要包括亚硝化单胞菌(Nitrosomonas)和亚硝化螺菌(Nitrosospira)两大属,NOB群落主要包括硝化刺菌(Nitrospina)和硝化螺菌(Nitrospira)两大属,其中硝化螺菌属是淡水湖泊中比较少见的亚硝酸盐氧化菌.影响太湖水体和沉积物中AOA和AOB丰度的最主要环境因子为总氮、总磷与铵态氮.研究表明典型富营养指标(总氮、总磷、铵态氮、硝态氮和硝态氮等)是影响太湖梅梁湾和湖心区水体和沉积物中AOA或AOB丰度以及硝化微生物群落丰度的重要因素.     

Aminostratigraphy of surface and subsurface Quaternary sediments,North Carolina coastal plain,USA

The Quaternary stratigraphy and geochronology of the Albemarle Embayment of the North Carolina (NC) Coastal Plain is examined using amino acid racemization (AAR) in marine mollusks, in combination with geophysical, lithologic, and biostratigraphic analysis of 28 rotasonic cores drilled between 2002 and 2006. The Albemarle Embayment is bounded by structural highs to the north and south, and Quaternary strata thin westward toward the Suffolk paleoshoreline, frequently referred to as the Suffolk Scarp. The Quaternary section is up to ～90 m thick, consists of a variety of estuarine, shelf, back-barrier, and lagoonal deposits, and has been influenced by multiple sea-level cycles. The temporal resolution of the amino acid racemization method is tested statistically and with the stratigraphic control provided by this geologic framework, and it is then applied to the correlation and age estimation of subsurface units throughout the region. Over 500 specimens (primarily Mercenaria and Mulinia) from the subsurface section have been analyzed using either gas chromatographic (GC) or reverse-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) techniques. The subsurface stratigraphic data are compared with AAR results from numerous natural or excavated exposures from the surrounding region, as well as results from NC beach collections, to develop a comprehensive aminostratigraphic database for the entire Quaternary record within the NC coastal system. Age mixing, recognized in the beach collections, is also seen in subsurface sections, usually where major seismic reflections or core lithology indicate the presence of stratigraphic discontinuities. Kinetic models for racemization are tested within the regional stratigraphic framework, using either radiocarbon or U-series calibrations or comparison with regional biostratigraphy. Three major Pleistocene aminozones [AZ2, AZ3, and AZ4] are found throughout the region, all being found in superposition in several cores. Each can be subdivided, yielding a total of at least eight stratigraphically and statistically distinct aminozones. Kinetic modeling, supplemented with local calibration, indicates that these aminozones represent depositional events ranging from ～80 ka to nearly 2 Ma. Three prominent seismic reflections are interpreted to represent the base of the early, middle, and late Pleistocene, respectively, roughly 2 Ma, 800 ka, and 130 ka. The large number of samples and the available stratigraphic control provide new insights into the capabilities and limitations of aminostratigraphic methods in assessing relative and numerical ages of Atlantic Coastal Plain Quaternary deposits.     

Episodes of cenozoic volcanism in the circum-pacific region

The tempo of Cenozoic volcanism on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean has been examined by compiling the numbers of radiometric dates reported for terrestrial volcanic sequences and the numbers of volcanic ash (glass) horizons recorded in Neogene deep-sea (DSDP) sedimentary sections. Within certain limits these data are believed to provide a reliable record of extrusive and explosive volcanism. Although terrestrial and marine records for individual regions reveal important differences in the episodicity of volcanism, a correlation is found between activity in the Southwestern Pacific, Central America and the Cascade Range of western North America. Two important pulses of Neogene volcanism (the Cascadian and Columbian episodes) occurred during the Quaternary (t = 2 m.y. to present) and within the Middle Miocene (t = 16 to 14 m.y. ago), with less important episodes in the latest Miocene to Early Pliocene (t = 6 to 3 m.y. ago) and Late Miocene (11 to 8 m.y. ago). The names Fijian and Andean are proposed to these episodes. Dating of terrestrial sequences indicates that these episodes of intense volcanism took place in relatively short intervals of time, separated by longer more quiescent periods.It has been suggested that synchronous episodic volcanism is related to changes in rates of sea-floor spreading and subduction. If so, volcanism must amplify these changes, because the variations in tempo of volcanism are much too great for proportional rate changes. An apparent correlation of volcanism in orogenic zones of the circum-Pacific region with world-wide changes of sea level and changes of activity in the Hawaiian-Emperor chain suggests that volcanism records fundamental tectonic changes throughout the entire Pacific region.