Stratigraphy and Palaeopedology of the Palaeolithic Cave Site of Combe‐Saunière,Southwest France

The sequence of Combe‐Saunière (southwest France) has been studied with a large suite of methods, including micromorphology, geochemistry, magnetic susceptibility, and organic matter (OM) analysis in order to document the post‐depositional processes that occurred during the last climatic cycle at the cave entrance. This study shows that intense weathering together with the accumulation of OM and phosphates by cave animals and others vectors (including humans) occurred during the phases of low clastic sedimentation. During the latter part of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, the Aurignacian and Gravettian humus‐bearing levels, which may be classified as cryoturbated leptosols, show incomplete decalcification and are dominated by poorly evolved forms of phosphates (bone fragments, coprolites). Phosphatized cambic B‐horizons formed at the beginning of MIS 3 and the Early Glacial and may reflect longer periods of pedological modification. The molecules identified by the analysis of the OM extracted from the Châtelperronian level derive mostly from the degradation of vegetal matter, most notably from conifers and mosses, in addition to bacteria and fungi. The Last Interglacial s.l. (MIS 5) is typified by the development of a phosphatized illuviated B‐horizon. Intense weathering together with phosphate leaching and precipitation took place in this soil, forming thick apatite–CaOH crusts. Although the poor chronological resolution prevents us from drawing clear conclusions as to the respective roles of the factors involved, phosphate accumulation and weathering seem to be controlled primarily by the duration of the soil‐forming periods. This study strongly suggests that a climatic signal has been recorded in the deposits.     

Middle and Late Tertiary Palaeogeography and Palaeoenvironment on the Northern Continental Margin of the South China Sea

Based essentially on research results of calcareous nannofossils, combined with some other microfossil da-ta and several secondary depositional breaks, this paper discusses the criteria of division and comparison of themiddle and late Tertiary marine sediments, palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental evolution andpalaeoclimates on the northern continental margin of the South China Sea, comprising the Tainan basin, PearlRiver Mouth basin. Southeast Hainan basin and Beibu Gulf basin. Study shows that the upper Oligocene toPliocene strata in the whole area consist essentially of marine sediments except in the Beibu Gulf basin. Theyinclude littoral. neritic and deltaic sediments as well as carbonate rock-bioherm limestone. The sea advancedfrom southeast to northwest. During the transgression there appeared three culminations coinciding to thestages of deposition of nannofossil zones NN4-5, NN11 and 13-15.     

晚三叠世中扬子北缘前陆盆地层序地层特征及沉积演化

应用沉积学和层序地层学的基本原理和方法,对中扬子北缘上三叠统4 条实测露头剖面和1 条测井剖面进行了详细的沉积相分析和层序地层划分,同时阐述了沉积相迁移规律、层序界面类型、层序发育特征及其控制因素。研究结果表明,该地区上三叠统可以划分为4 个三级层序（TS1,TS2,TS3 和TS4）,进一步归为1 个二级构造层序。荆门—当阳盆地上三叠统沉积厚度约为1 200 m,4 个层序发育完整;向东至汉川、鄂州一带地层变薄不足40 m,向西越过黄陵背斜至秭归、利川一带层厚100~300 m,后两者保存残留不全的上三叠统只能归为1 个三级层序。层序界面类型主要有不整合面、河流冲刷侵蚀作用面和岩性岩相转换面等。在露头剖面和测井剖面层序地层划分的基础上建立的层序地层格架表明,中扬子北缘晚三叠世从TS1-TS2 到TS3-TS4 沉积组构发生了由低能到高能的转变。在构造、古地理背景和气候因素共同控制层序发育样式的背景下,研究区经历了从湖沼体系到冲积体系的转变,体现了晚三叠世中扬子北缘前陆盆地发育早期的沉积特征。     

北京王府井东方广场工地旧石器遗址的地层

1996年底,北京大学博士生岳升阳在北京王府井东方广场工地发现了古人类活动的遗迹。经专家确认,这是一处旧石器晚期的文化遗址,在北京市区范围内属首次发现,对于研究北京平原地区人类活动的历史和自然环境的演变具有重要的科学价值。东方广场工地地貌上属于由永定河冲积扇构成的山前倾斜平原。该地的第四纪沉积物据钻孔和地基基坑揭示,主要为河流相的粉砂质粘土、粘土质粉砂、砂和砾石层。施工中揭露出来的古人类遗迹,分别见于工地东南区地下10.8m和12.0m的砂层之中。根据岩性特征,可以将地表以下6．68～12．70m之间含有文化层的地层剖面划分为上、中、下三部分。上部粒度较粗,主要由灰黄色细砂和中砂组成,下细上粗,     

Stratigraphy of the Carboniferous-Permian volcanosedimentary sequences of the Northern Pamir, Tajikistan

The point of view on two angular unconformities in the section of the Lower Carboniferous volcanosedimentary sequences of the northern Pamir is disproved. Two terrigenous sequences in contrast to one Beleuli sequence of shales are present in the Beleuli River basin. The first Carboniferous sequence conformably overlaps limestones with Serpukhovian goniatites and the second Permian sequence may be correlated with the Pshikharv Formation of shales from the western regions of the northern Pamir and contacts by the thrust Carboniferous rocks.     

冲积平原古土壤类型的识别及其层序地层意义——以大庆长垣扶余油层为例

基准面旋回控制下的河道沉积速率、河道侧向迁移频率、溢岸沉积速率、溢岸暴露时间等是影响冲积平原古土壤发育特征与成熟度的主控因素。通过分析不同级别基准面旋回变化过程中冲积平原古土壤的地层学与沉积学响应,建立基准面旋回下的冲积平原古土壤演化模式,可以为层序界面的识别和A/S变化分析提供依据。松辽盆地大庆长垣区泉头组扶余油层以河流-冲积平原沉积体系为主,可识别出5种类型的古土壤:红色暴露型、红色加积型、红绿互层加积型、绿色加积型和灰色加积型,其成熟度依次降低。研究认为,在长期(三级)、中期(四级)基准面旋回内,随着A/S增大,古土壤成熟度逐渐降低。古土壤垂向序列和分布范围可以提供河流相基准面旋回的变化信息:广泛发育、可区域对比、高成熟度的红色暴露型古土壤可以作为层序界面或基准面旋回下降到上升的转换面;而厚层分布、可区域对比、低成熟度的灰色古土壤可以作为高级次层序基准面上升到下降的转换面。     

Mineralogical and Geochemical Constraints on the Sediment Sources of Late Stone Age Pottery from the Birimi Site,Northern Ghana

The mineralogy and bulk chemical compositions of 15 Kintampo (Late Stone Age) potsherds from the Birimi site on the Gambaga Escarpment and eight samples of local sediment were determined with the intent of characterizing these wares and identifying the material used in their manufacture. Sediment from clay pits still used by potters north of the escarpment contains iron‐rich laterite clasts (100 × XFeO_t = 100 × FeO_t/[FeO_t + Al₂O₃ + SiO₂] ≥10). Sedimentary clasts in stream sediments are relatively siliceous and iron‐poor (100 × XFeO_t < 10). Bulk geochemical data together with the compositions of lithic clasts (laterite, siltstone/sandstone) link the pottery to sediment sources, including escarpment sediments not presently used by Ghanaian potters. Fresh granite clasts found in some of the sherds were not found in the analyzed sediment samples, although some of their distinctive mineralogical constituents (e.g., variably barian alkali feldspar) are present. The analytical data suggest that pots found at Birimi were made locally by mixing escarpment sediment with clay and stream sediment brought in from below the escarpment. This contrasts with present‐day practice, whereby the pots themselves are imported. The place where Birimi pottery was made and the outcrop source of aluminous sediment (mudstone with an “escarpment” trace element signature) used in these wares, however, remain unidentified. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Alluvial Geoarchaeology of the Sanyangzhuang Site on the Yellow River Floodplain,Henan Province,China

The Sanyangzhuang site, Henan Province, China, has a 12‐m‐deep stratigraphic sequence with remains from the Tang (A.D. 618–907), late Western Han (ca. 140 B.C.–A.D. 23), Warring States (475–221 B.C.), Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (ca. 5000–1500 B.C.), Middle Holocene, and Early Holocene times. All of the paleosols are deeply buried. We investigate four issues relevant to the archaeology of the lower Yellow River Valley. First, we confirm that the Yellow River flowed north toward Bohai Bay throughout most of the Holocene. Second, we expand understanding of Holocene paleoenvironments. Long episodes of landscape stability punctuated by brief periods of Yellow River flooding represent the dominant environmental pattern. Third, we investigate how the complex relationships between climate, culture, and the environment affect Yellow River flooding, which in turn shapes Chinese civilization and history. Flooding in late Western Han times affected a vast area of north‐central China; this catastrophe contributed to the downfall of the late Western Han Dynasty. Finally, this research sheds light on the role of Yellow River alluviation in site burial and preservation. Rapid alluviation in the region has buried many archaeological sites. Settlement pattern research needs to take seriously the limitations placed on site visibility in quickly aggrading floodplains. However, gentle alluviation has also preserved settlements and entire landscapes providing unparalleled opportunities to explore the archaeological and historical record of the lower Yellow River Valley.     

华北东北部晚中生代陆相地层、生物群及其年代学研究

华北东北部晚中生代陆相地层十分发育,从下至上为九龙山组、髫髻山组、土城子组、张家口组、大北沟组、义县组和九佛堂组。它们主要的岩石组合为陆相火山岩熔岩、火山碎屑岩和间夹的河流-湖泊相沉积岩。九龙山组、髫髻山组（165-154 Ma）火山沉积岩系中发育以带毛恐龙（近鸟龙）、哺乳动物、翼龙和昆虫类等为代表的燕辽生物群（J2-J3）,晚侏罗世末期土城子组时期(154-139Ma)该生物群大多数生物属种消亡,并在早白垩世早期（张家口组、大北沟组、义县组和九佛堂组）(144-120Ma)萌生新的生物群-热河生物群（K1）,以恐龙、哺乳类、被子植物、鱼类和昆虫等为特征。中侏罗世-早白垩世燕辽生物群和热河生物群表现了明显的演化关系,响应着古环境变化与重大地质事件发生的复杂地球表层圈层作用。     

华北平原晚更新世以来岩石地层、生物地层及气候地层

前人对华北平原晚更新世以来的地层虽有较多的研究,但由于历史的原因,其所采的样品均过稀(一般为1个样品/2 m),所以,其地层界线的划分不够精细,争论也很大。对华北平原的HG1孔和HN1孔进行了加密采样(HG1孔1个样品/0.20 m,HN1孔1个样品/0.07 m),对HN1孔还加大了其微量14C年龄的测定数量(共测试17个样品),并对HG1孔的有孔虫进行了详细鉴定,对HN1孔的有孔虫进行了高分辨率鉴别。在此基础上,对华北平原晚更新世以来的岩石地层、生物地层及气候地层进行了进一步的研究,厘定了华北平原全新世与晚更新世地层的年龄界线。与此同时,结合前人的研究成果,建立了华北平原第四纪地层的标准模式地层层系。     

The Structure and Stratigraphy of the Western External Sierras of the Pyrenees,Northern Spain

The External Sierras of the southern Pyrenees represent the frontal thrust complex of a south Pyrenean thrust sheet which was active from the late Eocene to early Miocene. Triassic, Cretaceous and Eocene limestones, sandstones and mudstones involved in this thrusting can be divided into eight mappable units. Mapping and the construction of serial sections across the Western External Sierras show that the amount of southward translation of the thrust sheet increases eastwards from the thrust tip. There is an increased slip of at least 5km along 30km of the External Sierras. Structures show a progressive development from a “primitive” form in the west to a more complex thrust and fold geometry in the east. The general pattern is one of thrust and fold development in response to compression from the north. Backthrusting has occurred on the forward side of the frontal thrust complex. These backthrusts cut up section towards the north and form triangle zones where they intersect thrusts which cut up sections towards the south. The latest thrust movements deformed early Miocene fanglomerates and were out-of-sequence reactivations of earlier thrusts.     

The Dynamics of Small Postglacial Lake Basins and the Nature of Their Archaeological Record: A Case Study of the Middle Palaeolithic Site Neumark‐Nord 2, Germany

Due to favorable conditions of preservation, sedimentary basins provide rich records of human behavior and its environmental context. The conditions for the preservation of archaeological material however vary between basin types (large, river‐fed or small, closed basins), while conditions also differ within a particular basin environment. The goal of this paper is to understand how the dynamics of a small postglacial basin such as Neumark‐Nord 2, a context that dominates the Eemian archaeological record, affected the archaeology situated at its basin margin. The approach used here is to correlate the archaeological record with reconstructions of patterns of deposition and the water conditions within the basin, using lithology, micromorphology, pollen, and macroremains from a transect running from the basin center to the margin. The results show that (1) find levels were exposed to overland flow‐induced winnowing, which vertically concentrated finds but did not cause significant transport, (2) find levels correspond to phases of increased water presence in the basin, and (3) lateral shifts in hominin activity areas may reflect adjustments in the water level. The research shows the importance of large‐scale archaeological excavations and a multidisciplinary sampling strategy that covers both the basin center and the margins, when studying postglacial basin localities like Neumark‐Nord 2.     

新元古代”雪球”假说与生命演化的环境

新元古代末期，地球至少经历了两次全球性的冰川作用，研究者提出了“雪球”假说来解释新元古代时期一系列特殊的地质现象，该假说已成为研究新元古代全球冰川作用和其后生物大爆发事件的窗口。但一些学者并不赞成地球曾经是被冰雪完全覆盖的“雪球”，并分别提出了“半融雪球/无冰水体”和“薄冰”假说。尽管每一种假说都不能解释所有的地质、地球化学现象，但越来越越多的证据，特别是分子有机地球化学和古生物学的证据表明，“雪球”时期的海洋并没有完全被冰封盖，在赤道地区的冰盖可能很薄或存在无冰的水体。无冰水体的存在可以使一些光合生物继续生存和演化，这对其后的“寒武纪生物大爆发”事件和生命演化具有重要的意义。     

Late Quaternary Floodplain History of the Brazos River in East-Central Texas

The floodplain along a 75-km segment of the Brazos River, traversing the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas, has a complex late Quaternary history. From 18,000 to 8500 yr B.P., the Brazos River was a competent meandering stream that migrated from one side of the floodplain to the other, creating a thick layer of coarse-grained lateral accretion deposits. After 8500 yr B.P., the hydrologic regime of the Brazos River changed. The river became an underfit meandering stream that repeatedly became confined within narrow and unstable meander belts that would occasionally avulse. Avulsion occurred four times; first at 8100 yr B.P., then at 2500 yr B.P., again around 500 yr B.P., and finally around 300 yr B.P. The depositional regime on the floodplain also changed after 8500 yr B.P., with floodplain construction dominated by vertical accretion. Most vertical accretion occurred from 8100 to 4200 yr B.P. and from 2500 to 1250 yr B.P. Two major and three minor periods of soil formation are documented in the floodplain sequence. The two most developed soils formed from 4200 to 2500 yr B.P. and from around 1250 to 500 yr B.P. These changes on the floodplain appear to be the result not of a single factor, but of the complex interplay among changes in climate, sediment yield, and intrinsic floodplain variables over time.     

大同盆地朔州地区晚第四系划分及古环境分析

大同盆地自形成以来,学者们对其西南部的朔州拗陷盆地的第四纪地层特征、气候及环境变化研究甚少。通过对大同盆地朔州市区实施的两个地质钻孔和收集的钻孔资料分析,结合22个土样的电子自旋共振及光释光测年结果,对研究区晚第四纪地层时代进行了划定,厘定了上、中、下更新统的地层界线。研究表明,区内上、中更新统以河流、洪积相沉积为主,下更新统以河流、湖相沉积为主;通过对12个样品的孢粉测试结果,揭示了研究区早更新世晚期以来的气候环境演变特征。在早更新世晚期和晚更新世晚期气候湿度相对较大,其余时期气候偏干,同时从早更新世晚期开始,朔州盆地内古湖泊开始收缩;最终建立了晚第四纪地层剖面,对本区地层划分具有重要的指导意义。     

辽西义县盆地义县组底部沉积相与沉积环境分析

辽西义县盆地下白垩统义县组底部发育有马神庙、老公沟两个沉积层。马神庙沉积层从下至上可以划分出6个沉积亚层,其下部复成分砾岩沉积层为干旱气候条件下形成的洪（冲）积扇底部沉积相、洪（冲）积扇上的山洪冲槽充填相;中部为复成分砾岩夹凝灰质沉积层;顶部被中基性的火山岩覆盖。老公沟沉积层下部是以泥质粉砂岩为主的滨浅湖相、洪（冲）积扇向湖盆过渡的季节性河流作用形成的粗砂岩—含砾粗砂岩沉积相;顶部为一套滨浅湖相的膨润土化粉砂岩—膨润土—碳酸盐岩沉积岩石组合。义县盆地演化初期气候干旱,盆地边缘地势起伏较大,盆地边缘形成洪（冲）积扇、扇面上发育洪槽充填沉积作用,洪（冲）积扇向湖盆过渡区存在季节性河流;老公沟顶部湖泊相沉积指示受区域季节性变化的半干旱、频繁火山作用影响下,湖盆水深频繁波动的古地理、古气候的沉积特征。义县组底部沉积相表现了该盆地边缘向中心横向上的洪（冲）扇、季节性河流和湖泊沉积的三相发育的古地理特征。     

大庆长垣北部葡萄花上部油层高分辨率层序地层划分

应用高分辨率层序地层学以及沉积学相关理论,依据67口井的岩芯和8000口井的测井资料,将松辽盆地大庆长垣北部喇萨杏地区的葡萄花油组上部油层（PI油层）划分为1个受湖泛面限定的完整中期基准面旋回,并在其内部划分出10～14个短期基准面旋回,指出了PI油层在南北向上存在厚度以及短期旋回个数的差异。通过平行及垂直物源方向上的密井剖面分析并结合前人认识以及构造背景,认为葡I油层存在着三种不同的地层叠覆模式：低可容空间下的主动进积薄层叠覆模式;极低可容空间下的强迫进积过路沉积模式;侵蚀进积的叠合模式。该认知对于指导喇萨杏地区甚至整个长垣地区的高精度地层对比具有指导意义。     

Late Quaternary Stratigraphy, Glacial Limits, and Paleoenvironments of the Marresale Area, Western Yamal Peninsula, Russia

Stratigraphic records from coastal cliff sections near the Marresale Station on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia, yield new insight on ice-sheet dynamics and paleoenvironments for northern Eurasia. Field studies identify nine informal stratigraphic units from oldest to youngest (the Marresale formation, Labsuyakha sand, Kara diamicton, Varjakha peat and silt, Oleny sand, Baidarata sand, Betula horizon, Nenets peat, and Chum sand) that show a single glaciation and a varied terrestrial environment during the late Pleistocene. The Kara diamicton reflects regional glaciation and is associated with glaciotectonic deformation from the southwest of the underlying Labsuyakha sand and Marresale formation. Finite radiocarbon and luminescence ages of ca. 35,000 to 45,000 yr from Varjakha peat and silt that immediately overlies Kara diamicton place the glaciation >40,000 yr ago. Eolian and fluvial deposition ensued with concomitant cryogenesis between ca. 35,000 and 12,000 cal yr B.P. associated with the Oleny and the Baidarata sands. There is no geomorphic or stratigraphic evidence of coverage or proximity of the Yamal Peninsula to a Late Weichselian ice sheet. The Nenets peat accumulated over the Baidarata sand during much of the past 10,000 yr, with local additions of the eolian Chum sand starting ca. 1000 yr ago. A prominent Betula horizon at the base of the Nenets peat contains rooted birch trees ca. 10,000 to 9000 cal yr old and indicates a >200-km shift northward of the treeline from the present limits, corresponding to a 2° to 4°C summer warming across northern Eurasia.     

乌尔逊凹陷北部下白垩统层序地层发育特征

陆相断陷盆地层序的形成和发育主要受控于幕式构造活动,边界断裂的活动强度和基底的沉降速度是形成不同类型层序的主要原因。通过层序地层学分析,乌尔逊凹陷北部下白垩统地层可划分出4个三级层序。这些层序由于形成时所经历的构造背景不同,因此形成的层序特征也不同,层序内部体系域的构成和规模也不同。在充分利用钻井、测井、地震资料的基础上建立了乌北地区层序地层充填模式。并指出油气在这些层序和体系域类型中的赋集规律,认为快速断坳层序和同生断坳层序能形成最有利的生储盖组合。