Microbial mats implicated in the generation of intrastratal shrinkage (‘synaeresis’) cracks

Intrastratal shrinkage (often termed ‘synaeresis’) cracks are commonly employed as diagnostic environmental indicators for ancient salinity‐stressed, transitional fluvial‐marine or marginal‐marine depositional environments. Despite their abundance and use in facies interpretations, the mechanism of synaeresis crack formation remains controversial, and widely accepted explanations for their formation have hitherto been lacking. Sedimentological, ichnological, petrographic and geochemical study of shallow marine mudstone beds from the Ordovician Beach Formation of Bell Island, Newfoundland, has revealed that crack development (cf. synaeresis cracks) on the upper surface of mudstone beds is correlated with specific organic, geochemical and sedimentological parameters. Contorted, sinuous, sand‐filled cracks are common at contacts between unbioturbated mudstone and overlying sandstone beds. Cracks are absent in highly bioturbated mudstone, and are considered to pre‐date firmground assemblages of trace fossils that include Planolites and Trichophycus. The tops of cracked mudstone beds contain up to 2·1 wt% total organic carbon, relative to underlying mudstone beds that contain around 0·5 wt% total organic carbon. High‐resolution carbon isotope analyses reveal low δ¹³C_org values (?27·6‰) on bed tops compared with sandy intervals lacking cracks (?24·4 to ?24·9‰). Cracked mudstone facies show evidence for microbial matgrounds, including microbially induced sedimentary structures on bedding planes and carbonaceous laminae and tubular carbonaceous microfossils in thin section. Non‐cracked mudstone lacks evidence for development of microbial mats. Microbial mat development is proposed as an important prerequisite for intrastratal shrinkage crack formation. Both microbial mats and intrastratal shrinkage cracks have broad palaeoenvironmental distributions in the Precambrian and early Phanerozoic. In later Phanerozoic strata, matgrounds are restricted to depositional environments that are inhospitable to burrowing and surface‐grazing macrofauna. Unless evidence of synaeresis (i.e. contraction of clay mineral lattices in response to salinity change) can be independently demonstrated, the general term ‘intrastratal shrinkage crack’ is proposed to describe sinuous and tapering cracks in mudstone beds.     

‘Boninitic’ clasts from the Mesozoic olistostromes and turbidites of Angelokastron (Argolis,Greece)

The Lower Unit of the ophiolitic sequence of Northern Argolis comprises turbiditic sediments and olistostromes, both containing ophiolitic clasts, mainly crystal fragments (clinopyroxene, plagioclase, Cr-spinel, amphibole) in the turbidites and cumulitic intrusives (quartz noritic amphibole-bearing gabbros), subvolcanic rocks (dolerites) and various effusive lithologies (mainly Si-rich basalts to basaltic andesites) in the olistostromes. The volcanic rocks belong to three groups. In rare cases the lavas are mineralogically and chemically comparable with MORB; most of them, and the subvolcanic rocks, contain primary quartz and amphibole, orthopyroxene, Ca-rich plagioclase and clinopyroxene±Cr-spinels. All rocks are Si- and Mg-rich and have high concentrations of ‘compatible’ and very low concentrations of ‘incompatible’ elements. The REE profiles are characteristically U-shaped. Many of the observed features are comparable with those of subduction-related lavas and, in particular, with present day boninites and ophiolitic boninitic rocks. The gabbroic rocks have mineralogical and chemical analogies with the dolerites and lavas, thus it may be argued that the gabbros represent the intrusive counterparts of the ‘boninitic’ volcanic clasts. The mineral clasts occurring in the turbidites are chemically comparable with those analysed in the ophiolitic clasts of the overlying olistostrome. It may be concluded that the ophiolitic clasts of both olistostromes and turbidites were derived from a subduction-related sequence. An island arc–back-arc system might explain the occurrence of both boninitic and MORB-type lithologies in the olistostrome of Angelokastron. This may support the hypothesis of the onset of compressive tectonics along the Pindos Ocean during the Jurassic. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The city of Matera and its ‘Sassi’ (Italy): an opportunity to broadcast geology in the European Capital of Culture 2019

Matera is an ancient city located at the top of Italy's high heel that has been anointed the European Capital of Culture 2019 and which, since 1993, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The close relationship between the urban development of the old town and its geology offers the unique opportunity to discover, in one shot, the cultural and geological history of a wonderful city that is often left out of the spotlight. As a corollary to this, the rupestrian old town of Matera and nearby areas are known also for having been the location of several movies (e.g. Bond 25 ‘No time to die’). Accordingly, media and tourists alike are showing a growing interest in Matera.     

《现代地质》2019年(第33卷)总目次

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Geodiversity and the ‘8Gs’: a response to Brocx & Semeniuk (2019)

Abstract

Brocx and Semeniuk’s (2019 Brocx, M., & Semeniuk, V. (2019). The ’8Gs’ – a blueprint for geoheritage, geoconservation, geo-education and geotourism. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 66(6), 803–821. doi:10.1080/08120099.2019.1576767[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) paper is discussed, particularly in relation to the concept of geodiversity and their proposed sequence of ‘8Gs’. Their ideas on these topics are at odds with the majority of published papers and Internet sources on geodiversity. We argue that geodiversity as a concept has real value and that (a) the planet’s geodiversity occurs at all scales from global downwards, (b) it deserves an absolutely central place in any sequence of ‘Gs’ since it is the backbone of international and national geoheritage and geoconservation strategies, and the basis for geoheritage assessments, and (c) that as well as underpinning biodiversity, geodiversity is the source of many other geosystem services, including geotourism. Finally, a revised proposal for the relationship between geology, geodiversity, geoheritage, geoconservation and other ‘Gs’ is presented.     

Stratotypes of Quaternary deposits of the Yaloman-Katun’ zone (Gorny Altai)

We revised geological data substantiating the unified 1983 Regional Stratigraphic Chart of Gorny Altai Quaternary deposits. Based on our own and literature data, we showed that Lower and Middle Quaternary glacial horizons are erroneously distinguished in the Yaloman-Katun’ zone of southeastern Altai. A new correlation is proposed, according to which the glacial complex of the maximum glaciation (MIS-6) corresponds to the Inya catafluvial series and the glacial complex of the first postmaximum glaciation (MIS-4 unit), to the Sal’dzhar catafluvial series. The lectostratotypes of both series are described. The event history of the second half of the Late Neopleistocene in Gorny Altai (MIS-3 and MIS-2) was less catastrophic for ancient biota and Paleolithic man than it was believed earlier.     

The transition between ‘orogenic’ and ‘anorogenic’ magmatism in the western Mediterranean area: the Middle Miocene volcanic rocks of Isola del Toro (SW Sardinia,Italy)

The Isola del Toro is a small island (∼1 km²) about 5 nautical miles SW of Sardinia entirely made up of mildly alkaline sodic evolved rocks (benmoreites and trachytes) related to each other by fractionation processes. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of an anorthoclase mineral separate from a trachyte gave an age of 11.83 ± 0.10 Ma. This age estimate falls within an interval previously considered a‐magmatic in Sardinia. The results of this study shift the beginning of the Middle Miocene–Quaternary anorogenic volcanism of Sardinia back to the Late Serravalian. The transition between orogenic and anorogenic activity in Sardinia is markedly different from that recorded in the rest of the circum‐Mediterranean area, where this transition is much more gradual, both in time and in terms of magma composition. On the other hand, the transition between orogenic and anorogenic magmatism in Sardinia is rather sharp and lacks hybrid compositions. The Isola del Toro volcanic rocks represent the first anorogenic products produced during the opening of the western Mediterranean Sea.     

Définition et datation de la Formation de Venaco (Corse) : dépôt d’origine gravitaire d’âge Priabonien

Priabonian age is highlighted for the first time in Corsica in the Venaco Formation using the presence of specific microfauna (in particular some representatives of Turborotalia cerroazulensis lineage). This silicoclastic formation is mainly represented by coarse facies. It is composed of three members from south to north and from oldest towards youngest: member of Uboli, Cardo and Orsu. The sedimentologic analysis reveals a gravity depositional environment, involving different type of currents. Sedimentologic and chronologic characteristics make the Venaco Formation and the Annot Formation (p.p.) equivalent. Dating the Venaco Fm. brings confirmation that the green schist metamorphism of the Variscan batholith and the related deformation are from the pre-Priabonian period.     

Transients of Giggenbach’s ‘Na‐K‐Mg‐Ca Geoindicators’ preceding the 27 October 2004, Mw = 6.0 earthquake in Vrancea area (Romania)

The Na, K, Mg and Ca contents of certain deep‐origin groundwater discharges have been used by Giggenbach (1988) to define a series of ‘geoindicators’, which may provide hints on the up‐flow depth of origin, on the duration of the fluid ascent to the ground surface and on the associated CO₂ flux. On occurrence of a M_w = 6.0 Vrancea earthquake, significant fluctuations of Giggenbach’s geoindicators have been recorded in a saline spring, some 50 km away from the epicentre. A pre‐seismic overall anomaly was monitored for 1 year and a half, the sharpest variations occurring about 3 months before the earthquake. Processes controlling the geoindicator fluctuations assumedly took place at 7–8 km depth, while the earthquake hypocenter depth was about 100 km. This could be an evidence for a mechanical coupling still existing between the seismogenic body in the lithosphere and the overlying crust.     

Aragonite–calcite veins of the ‘Erzberg’ iron ore deposit (Austria): Environmental implications from young fractures

The well‐known Erzberg site represents the largest siderite (FeCO₃) deposit in the world. It consists of various carbonates accounting for the formation of prominent CaCO₃ (dominantly aragonite) precipitates filling vertical fractures of different width (centimetres to decimetres) and length (tens of metres). These commonly laminated precipitates are known as ‘erzbergite’. This study focuses on the growth dynamics and environmental dependencies of these vein fillings. Samples recovered on‐site and from mineral collections were analyzed, and these analyses were further complemented by modern water analyses from different Erzberg sections. Isotopic signatures support meteoric water infiltration and sulphide oxidation as the principal hydrogeochemical mechanism of (Ca, Mg and Fe) carbonate host rock dissolution, mobilization and vein mineralization. Clumped isotope measurements revealed cool formation temperatures of ca 0 to 10°C for the aragonite, i.e. reflecting the elevated altitude Alpine setting, but unexpectedly low for aragonite nucleation. The ²³⁸U–²³⁴U–²³⁰Th dating yielded ages from 285·1 ± 3·9 to 1·03 ± 0·04 kyr bp and all samples collected on‐site formed after the Last Glacial Maximum. The observed CaCO₃ polymorphism is primarily controlled by the high aqueous Mg/Ca ratios resulting from dissolution of Mg‐rich host rocks, with Mg/Ca further evolving during prior CaCO₃ precipitation and CO₂ outgassing in the fissured aquifer. Aragonite represents the ‘normal’ mode of erzbergite formation and most of the calcite is of diagenetic (replacing aragonite) origin. The characteristic lamination (millimetre‐scale) is an original growth feature and mostly associated with the deposition of stained (Fe‐rich) detrital particle layers. Broader zonations (centimetre‐scale) are commonly of diagenetic origin. Petrographic observations and radiometric dating support an irregular nature for most of the layering. Open fractures resulting from fault tectonics or gravitational mass movements provide water flow routes and fresh chemical reaction surfaces of the host rock carbonates and accessory sulphides. If these prerequisites are considered, including the hydrogeochemical mechanism, modern water compositions, young U‐Th ages and calculated precipitation rates, it seems unlikely that the fractures had stayed open over extended time intervals. Therefore, it is most likely that they are geologically young.     

Exposure dating and reinterpretation of coarse debris accumulations (‘rock glaciers’) in the Cairngorm Mountains,Scotland

Relict rock glaciers have considerable potential for contributing to palaeoclimatic reconstruction, but this potential is often undermined by lack of dating control and problems of interpretation. Here we reinvestigate and date four proposed ‘rock glaciers’ in the Cairngorm Mountains and show that the morphology of only one of these appears consistent with that of a true rock glacier produced by creep of underlying ice or ice‐rich sediment. All four features comprise rockslide or rock avalanche runout debris, and the possibility that all four represent unmodified runout accumulations cannot be discounted. Surface exposure dating of the four debris accumulations using cosmogenic ¹⁰Be produced uncertainty‐weighted mean ages of 15.4 ± 0.8 ka, 16.2 ± 1.0 ka, 12.1 ± 0.6 ka and 12.7 ± 0.8 ka. All four ages imply emplacement under cold stadial conditions, two prior to the Windermere Interstade of ca. 14.5–12.9 cal. ka BP and two during the Loch Lomond Stade of ca. 12.9–11.5 cal. ka BP. The above ages indicate that paraglacial rock‐slope failure on granite rockwalls occurred within a few millennia after deglaciation. The mean exposure ages obtained for runout debris at two sites – Strath Nethy (16.2 ± 1.0 ka) and Lairig Ghru (15.4 ± 0.8 ka) – are consistent with basal radiocarbon ages from Loch Etteridge, 22 km to the southwest (mean = 15.6 ± 0.3 cal. ka BP) and imply widespread deglaciation of the Cairngorms and adjacent valleys before 15 ka and possibly 16 ka. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Automicrite in a ‘nummulite bank’ from the Monte Saraceno (Southern Italy): evidence for synsedimentary cementation

Following introduction of the term ‘nummulite bank’, there has been debate regarding interpretation of these types of deposits as autochthonous (automicrite) or allochthonous (detrital micrite). These banks are made up of large foraminifera and ill‐defined fine‐grained components. The fine‐grained components consist mainly of micrites. The recognition of automicrite has deep implications for the synsedimentary cementation and stabilization of the bank. In order to distinguish between automicrite and detrital micrite, the nanomorphology, geochemistry and organic matter remains in the microfacies of a nummulite bank in the Middle Eocene of Monte Saraceno (Gargano, Southern Italy) were analysed. Optical and scanning electron microscope investigations showed that the micrites have been recrystallized to aggrading microsparite. Epifluorescence observations on selected micrite/microsparite areas with peloidal texture revealed the presence of organic matter. Scanning electron microscope analyses on epifluorescent micrites showed that the microbial peloids have smaller crystal sizes than those in organic matter‐depleted areas. The geochemical characterization of extracted organic matter, performed through the functional group analyses by Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, shows strong prevalence of the aromatic fraction over the aliphatic and carboxylic ones. These characteristics of organic compounds indicate both their thermal maturation and their likely derivation from degradation of bacterial communities. The local presence of peloidal anti‐gravity textures, bright epifluorescence and organic molecules in clotted peloidal areas suggest that the metabolic activity of microbial communities could have induced precipitation of these micrites and, consequently, the syndepositional cementation of the nummulite bank. This type of cementation can rapidly stabilize sediments and promote the depositional bank geometry.     

Middle Devensian (Weichselian) coleopteran assemblages from Earith,Cambridgeshire (UK) and their bearing on the interpretation of ‘Full glacial’ floras and faunas

Macroscopic plant remains from middle Devensian organic lenses, exposed in a gravel pit near Earith in the valley of the River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire, were the object of an extensive study by Frances Bell in the late 1960s, which has been much referred to in the subsequent literature. The floras from each sampling site have been taken to be characteristic of Full‐glacial conditions in general. Coleopteran assemblages taken at the same time from exactly the same sampling sites show that at least two periods of markedly different climatic regimes were involved. The first of these (? the older) was characterised by a cold and continental climate with mean July temperatures at or below 10d°C and mean January/February temperatures about −23°C. The second climatic regime was characterised by warm summers with mean July temperatures about 16°C and mean January/February temperatures close to −5°C. In spite of this temperate climate, pollen analysis shows that no trees grew in Britain at that time. This treeless but temperate episode in the middle of the Devensian (Weichselian) is discussed in the context of coleopteran assemblages from other sites in southern England that probably date from the same period. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aeolian origin and palaeoclimatic implications of the ‘red clay’ (north China) as evidenced by grain‐size distribution

The ‘Red Clay’ is an important deposit underlying the Quaternary loess–palaeosol sequence in the Chinese Loess Plateau, being regarded as an excellent record of palaeoclimate changes in the late Tertiary. Several properties of the ‘Red Clay’ have been measured previously in order to derive climatic information. However, the sedimentary processes involved and the origin of the materials remain controversial. Here we present results of grain‐size analyses of the ‘Red Clay’ from four representative sites in the Chinese Loess Plateau. In particular their grain‐size distribution is compared with that of typical Quaternary aeolian loess–palaeosol, as well as lacustrine and fluvial sediments. It appears from the sedimentological evidence that the major part of the ‘Red Clay’ is of aeolian origin. It is rather similar in some of its properties to the Quaternary loessic palaeosols. The dust forming the ‘Red Clay’ was transported by a wind system that was weaker than that involved in the accretion of the Quaternary loess. Furthermore, the ‘Red Clay’ sediment has been modified by post‐depositional weathering. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new ‘primitive’ family of thrips from Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Insecta, Thysanoptera)

A new family of thrips, Moundthripidae, is described on the basis of a new genus and species, Moundthrips beatificus, from Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber. This taxon has plesiomorphic prognathous mouthparts, a unique type of wing venation and the main apomorphies of the Thysanoptera of the legs and mouthpart structures, suggesting that they were acquired very early during the evolution of this order.