Miocene fossil pinnipeds of the genera Prototaria and Neotherium (Carnivora; Otariidae; Imagotariinae) in the North Pacific Ocean: Evolution, relationships and distribution

Abstract Fossil otariid pinnipeds of the extinct genera Prototaria Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, and Neotherium Kellogg, 1931, known from Middle Miocene deposits bordering the North Pacific Ocean, are small, primitive pinnipeds in the subfamily Imagotariinae. They have a small supraorbital process of the frontal or have lost it entirely, a three-rooted first molar, small paroccipital process, and ear morphology indicating that they belong in the subfamily Imagotariinae. Their unique derived characters include extreme intertemporal constriction and highly modified cheek teeth, the premolars having become molarized by the addition of protocones and lingual cingula. Prototaria Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, the most primitive known imagotariine genus, contains two species, P. primigena Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, and P. planicephala Kohno, 1994, both of early Middle Miocene age from Japan. Prototaria has a few derived characters, including a large antorbital process, narrow intertemporal region, and large orbit, but its primitive characters apparently were inherited from enaliarctine ancestors. The long enigmatic Neotherium mirum Kellogg, 1931, of Middle Miocene age from California, USA, is related to Prototaria, but differs by having an elongate skull, very slender zygomatic arch, ventrally exposed median lacerate foramen, and smaller but more molarized premolars. A more primitive new genus and species, Proneotherium repenningi Barnes, related to N. mirum, is from the early Middle Miocene Astoria Formation, coastal Oregon, USA. It shares some derived characters with Prototaria, and shares many other important derived characters with N. mirum. Imagotariines probably arose from some species of Early Miocene enaliarctines, became diverse in Middle and Late Miocene time, and are only known from the North Pacific realm. Although they might include the ancestors of true walruses of the subfamily Odobeninae, no known imagotariines appear to have been adapted for mollusk feeding as are the highly evolved modern walruses. Instead, imagotariines appear to have retained a primitive piscivorous diet, as did the fur seals and sea lions of the subfamily Otariinae.     

Statistical dynamics of internal gravity waves-turbulence

Abstract

Numerical simulations of internal gravity waves-turbulence are carried out for the inviscid, viscous and forced-dissipative two-dimensional primitive equations using the spectral method. Some of the results are compared with the predictions of the eddy damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) closure for internal waves of Carnevale and Frederiksen, generalized for periodic boundary conditions and possible random forcing and dissipation. The EDQNM reduces to the Boltzman equation of resonant interaction theory in the continuum space limit and as the forcing and dissipation vanish. However, the limit is singular in the sense that as well as conserving total energy, E, and total cross-correlation between the vorticity and buoyancy fields, C, an additional conservation law, viz. z-momentum, P_z , occurs in the limit. This means that the resonant interaction equilibrium (RIE) solution of the Boltzmann equation differs from the statistical mechanical equilibrium (SME) solution of the EDQNM closure.

The statistical stability of the SME and RIE spectra for the primitive equations is tested by integrating the inviscid equations using initial realizations of these spectra with random phases. It is found that E and C are accurately conserved while P_z undergoes large amplitude variations. The approach to equilibrium of initial disequilibrium spectra is monitored by examining the evolution of the entropy. The increase and asymptotic approach to a constant value corresponding to complete chaos is consistent with the behaviour predicted by the EDQNM closure.

For the viscous decay and forced-dissipative experiments, the behaviour of the entropy is also consistent with that predicted by the EDQNM closure. There is approximate equipartition of potential and total kinetic energies throughout the integrations from initial conditions having equal potential and total kinetic energies and as well equal vertical and horizontal energies, but as expected, the ratio of horizontal to vertical kinetic energy increases with time to a value greater than unity.

With Laplacian viscous dissipation and thermal diffusivity, the statistical steady states produced in the forced-dissipative experiments have k^?3 power laws for k≧7. A comparison with the power laws for kinetic energy and passive scalar variance produced in a numerical simulation of the two-dimensional passive scalar problem is also presented.     

Hydrocarbon source systems and formation of gas fields in Sichuan Basin

The formation of large and middle gas fields in Sichuan Basin is investigated based on source wntrolling theory and hydrocarbon source systems. It is indicated that Є₁, S_l, P₁, P₂ and T₃ are the main source beds and Є₁/Z₂ d, C₂ h/S₁, P₁/P₂, P₂ ch/P₂, T_1,2/P,T3 x /T3 x are important hydrocarbon source systems in the basin. All these source systems are the prospective formations and exploration spaces of large and middle gas fields. It is also emphasized that hydrocarbon generation intensity is the most important geochemical factor to estimate large and middle gas fields. Project supported by the “85–102” Chinese National Key Science and Technology Project.     

Review of methods used to estimate catchment response time for the purpose of peak discharge estimation

Abstract

Large errors in peak discharge estimates at catchment scales can be ascribed to errors in the estimation of catchment response time. The time parameters most frequently used to express catchment response time are the time of concentration (T_C), lag time (T_L) and time to peak (T_P). This paper presents a review of the time parameter estimation methods used internationally, with selected comparisons in medium and large catchments in the C5 secondary drainage region in South Africa. The comparison of different time parameter estimation methods with recommended methods used in South Africa confirmed that the application of empirical methods, with no local correction factors, beyond their original developmental regions, must be avoided. The T_C is recognized as the most frequently used time parameter, followed by T_L. In acknowledging this, as well as the basic assumptions of the approximations T_L = 0.6T_C and T_C ≈ T_P, along with the similarity between the definitions of the T_P and the conceptual T_C, it was evident that the latter two time parameters should be further investigated to develop an alternative approach to estimate representative response times that result in improved estimates of peak discharge at these catchment scales.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor Qiang Zhang     

An insightful parametrization for the flatlander's interpretation of time‐lapsed seismic data

An approximation is developed that allows mapped 4D seismic amplitudes and time‐shifts to be related directly to the weighted linear sum of pore pressure and saturation changes. The weights in this relation are identified as key groups of parameters from a petroelastic model and include the reservoir porosity. This dependence on groups of parameters explains the inherent non‐uniqueness of this problem experienced by previous researchers. The proposed relation is of use in 4D seismic data feasibility studies and inversion and interpretation of the 4D seismic response in terms of pore pressure and water saturation changes. A further result is drawn from analysis of data from the North Sea and West Africa, which reveals that the relative interplay between the effects of pore pressure and saturation changes on the seismic data can be simplified to the control of a single, spatially variant parameter C_S/C_P. Combining these results with those from published literature, we find that C_S/C_P = 8 appears to be a generality across a range of clastic reservoirs with a similar mean porosity. Using this C_S/C_P value, an in situ seismic‐scale constraint for the rock stress sensitivity component of the petroelastic model is constructed considering this component carries the largest uncertainty.     

Real-time prediction of the peak suspended sediment concentration and sediment yield of the Lao-Nung River during storms

Based on rainfall erosion of soil and suspended sediment transport in storm events, a method is proposed to predict peak suspended sediment concentration and suspended sediment yield in watersheds based on rainfall characteristics prior to peak rainfall intensity. The rainfall characteristics factors that dominate peak suspended sediment concentration C_p are rainfall erosion factor R_ef, first peak rainfall intensity of area-average rainfall i_p1 and antecedent precipitation index I_ap; the rainfall characteristics factors that dominate suspended sediment yield Y_ss in storm events are total rainfall P, suspended sediment yield factor R_sf and antecedent precipitation index I_ap. This research focuses on watersheds in Liau-Kwei observation station along Lao-Nung River in southern Taiwan as the research object, and adopts the PSED-model to simulate the discharge hydrograph, suspended sediment concentration hydrograph and suspended sediment yield in 11 storm events for analysis. The analytical results show that there is a good correlation between the above-mentioned rainfall characteristics factors and C_p as well as Y_ss, thus enabling C_p and Y_ss to be predicted by using Expressions (13) and (14). These two expressions are utilized to predict C_p and Y_ss of Typhoon Morakot in 2009, and the results are compared with those from simulation by using the PSED-model. The result of comparison shows there is a good capability in predicting. For the watersheds where it is necessary to predict C_p and Y_ss of a storm event for the benefit of effective operation of water resource facilities, the aforesaid rainfall characteristics factors can be utilized to establish applicable models for prediction.     

Inversion of gravity and magnetic anomalies over some bodies of simple geometric shape

The general expression for gravity and magnetic anomalies over thin sheets and sloping contacts may be expressed as a polynomial of the formFx ²+C₁Fx+C₂F+C₃x³+C₄x²+C₅x+C₆. The initial parameters of the source are obtained from the coefficientsC ₁, C₂,..., C₆ which may be solved by inverting a 6×6 matrix. The initial parameters are modified by successive iteration process using the difference formula until the root mean square error between the observed and calculated anomalies is a minimum. The regional background which may be in the form of a polynomial is estimated by the computer itself. This method is applied on a number of field anomalies and is found to yield reliable estimates of depth and other parameters of the source.     

A new species of Middle Miocene sperm whale of the genus Scaldicetus (Cetacea; Physeteridae) from Shiga-mura, Japan

Abstract A nearly complete skeleton of a fossil sperm whale from the Middle Miocene age Bessho Formation at Shiga-mura, Nagano Prefecture, the most complete fossil physeterid skeleton found in Japan, is here named Scaldicetus shigensis, new species. Its abruptly tapered rostrum, deep supracranial basin, and high occipital crest are typical of physeterids. Large teeth with crenulate enamel on conical crowns, present in both the palate and mandible, are consistent with the genus Scaldicetus du Bus, 1867, a genus originally based on fossils discovered in the Antwerp Basin, Belgium. Scaldicetus shigensis is relatively primitive, having a relatively long, slender rostrum, large zygomatic arches, large tympanic bullae, prominent occipital condyles, low tooth count and a sloping occipital shield that is deeply emarginated laterally by large temporal fossae. The probable mandibular tooth count is 12, only one more than the primitive eutherian mammalian dentition. Despite its abundant primitive characters, Scaldicetus shigensis has very asymmetrical external nares, comparable to the living sperm whale, Physeter catodon, and is in this way more derived than most of the contemporaneous fossil physeterids. At a time when other sperm whales were more highly evolved, Scaldicetus shigensis retained a primitive occipital shield, large tympanic bullae, and low tooth count, as in primitive Oligocene odontocetes such as Agorophiidae. It was a relict form in Middle Miocene time, and provides an indication of a primitive stage of sperm whale evolution heretofore undocumented. Fossils from elsewhere previously referred to as Scaldicetus, largely on the basis of tooth characters, range in age from Early Miocene to Plio-Pleistocene time. Cranial material that would clarify relationships is lacking for most of these, and this time range seems too long for a cetacean genus. Because of this simplistic approach to identifications, Scaldicetus is probably a grade taxon, not a natural biological grouping. However, the tooth morphology of Scaldicetus shigensis is correct for the genus Scaldicetus, so we provisionally assign it to this genus. Redefinition of the genus Scaldicetus and revision of the Physeteridae are beyond the scope of the present study.     

Influence caused by initial tectonic stress on relative measurement of borehole groundstresinviscoelasticmedia

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Jianshangou Bed of the Yixian Formation in West Liaoning,China

The Jianshangou fossil locality was first found byChang Zhenglu and his colleagures in 1962, now thearea of Jianshangou, Sihetun and Huangbanjigou be-comes famous all over the world for its yielding feath-ered dinosaurs, Confuciusornis and Archaefructus. Thename of Jianshangou Bed was proposed by the firstauthor of present paper as an informal suggesting unitduring the research on Jehol fossils of western Liaon-ing in 1963 and 1964. The unit was named then asJianshan Bed[1], indicating th…     

Early Paleozoic subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean: Geochronological and geochemical evidence from the Dashizhai basalts,Inner Mongolia

Zircon U-Pb results of basalt from the Dashizhai Town in Inner Mongolia, NE China, shows that the basaltic lava was erupted at 439±3 Ma, much older than the “Permian basalts” as previously thought. These rocks show arc-type trace element patterns (i.e., Nb-Ta depletion and light REE and large ion lithophile element enrichment) and unradiogenic Sr and highly radiogenic Nd and Hf isotope compositions. They can be subdivided into two petrogenetic groups: Group 1 basalts have relatively high TiO₂, MgO and compatible elements and low Sr and Th, characterized by mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB)-type Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(i)=0.7028−0.7032, ε_Nd(t)=+9.8−+11.2, ε_Hf(t)=+16.1−+18.4). Group 2 has lower TiO₂, MgO and compatible elements and higher Sr and Th, and relatively evolved Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(i)=0.7037−0.7038, ε_Nd(t)=+5.7−+7.3, ε_Hf(t)=+12.6−+13.0). Both groups were interpreted as melts derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge formed during the subduction of Paleo-Asian Ocean. The mantle source for Group 1 was probably a highly isotopically depleted oceanic mantle modified by predominant slab fluids; whereas subducted sediments had an important contribution to the melting source for Group 2. The petrogenesis of the Dashizhai basalts provides clear evidence for early Paleozoic subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, and the highly radiogenic Nd and Hf compositions in these rocks suggest that these lavas and their possible intrusive counterparts were one of the important components for Phanerozoic crustal growth. Our and previous studies on the “Dashizhai Formation” volcanic rocks yield an unrealistic eruption range of 440-270 Ma for different rock types, we thus advise to disassemble the previously defined “Dashizhai Formation” into multiple lithologic units and to reinterpret the spatial and temporal distributions of different volcano-sedimentary associations. Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB403504)     

Intergrain contact density indices for granular mixes II： Liquefaction resistance

Whether the presence of non-plastic silt in a granular mix soil impact its liquefaction potential and how to evaluate liquefaction resistance of sand containing different amounts of silt contents are both controversial issues. This paper presents the results of an experimental evaluation to address these issues. Two parameters, namely, equivalent intergranular void ratio （ec）eq and equivalent interfine void ratio （ef）eq, proposed in a companion paper （Thevanayagam, 2007） as indices of active grain contacts in a granular mix, are used to characterize liquefaction resistance of sands and silty sands. Results indicate that, at the same global void ratio （e）, liquefaction resistance of silty sand decreases with an increase in fines content （Cv） up to a threshold value （Crth）. This is due to a reduction in intergrain contact density between the coarse grains. Beyond Crth, with further addition of fines, the interfine contacts become significant while the inter-coarse grain contacts diminish and coarse grains become dispersed. At the same e, the liquefaction resistance increases and the soil becomes stronger with a fttrther increase in silt content. Beyond a limiting fines content （CrL）, the liquefaction resistance is controlled by interfine contacts only. When Cr〈Crth, at the same （e）eq, the liquefaction resistance of silty sand is comparable to that of the host clean sand at a void ratio equal to （ec）eq. When CF〉CFth, at the same （ef）eq, the cyclic strength of a sandy silt is comparable to the host silt at a void ratio equal to （ef）eq.     

Copper toxicity in the marine copepod Tigropus japonicus: Low variability and high reproducibility of repeated acute and life-cycle tests

The intertidal copeopod Tigriopus japonicus, which is abundant and widely distributed along the coasts of Western Pacific, has been suggested to be a good marine ecotoxicity testing organism. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the reproducibility and variability of copper (Cu) sensitivity of T. japonicus so as to evaluate its potential to serve as an appropriate test species. To understand the seasonal variation of Cu sensitivity, individuals of T. japonicus were collected from the field in summer and winter, and subjected to standard 96 h acute (static renewal) toxicity tests. 96 h-LC50 values of T. japonicus collected from the two seasons were marginally different (p = 0.05), with an overall coefficient of variation (CV) of 33%. Most importantly, our results indicated that chronic Cu sensitivity of T. japonicus was highly reproducible. The CVs of intrinsic rates of increase in the population of the control and Cu treatment (10 μg Cu l⁻¹) groups were only 10–11% between 10 runs of a standardised complete life-cycle test. Moreover, different Cu(II) salts generally resulted in a similar 96 h-LC50 value while Cu(I) chloride was consistently slightly less toxic than Cu(II) salts. Given such a high reproducibility of toxic responses, it is advocated to use T. japonicus as a routine testing organism.     

Petrogenesis of S-type Ladakh granite and mafic microgranular enclaves in the southern margin of Ladakh batholith: An evidence of crust–mantle interaction during the collision between Indian and Eurasian plates

The previous studies revealed the I-type Ladakh magmatism in the Andean-type southern margin of the Ladakh batholith (LB) was related to the subduction of the Neotethyan Ocean and India-Eurasia collision. However, LB's S-type granitic magmatism and associated mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) are poorly constrained. Here, we present the new data for S-type Ladakh granite (LG) and associated monzodiorite MMEs in the Andean-type orogeny in the southern margin of the Eurasian plate. The low SiO₂ (47.4–53.9 wt%), high K₂O (1.56–3.21 wt%), Mg^# (52–65), continental-arc tracer patterns, and slightly depleted to evolved Sr-Nd isotopic composition ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i = 0.7047–0.7166; ℇ_Nd (t = 50 Ma) = (+1.40 to −8.92)) for MME suggest that they were derived from the phlogopite-bearing deep lithospheric mantle-source at a depth of 5.4–10.5 km depth with 810–870°C, 1.4–2.8 kbar, and enriched by sediment-melts addition into the mantle-wedge from subducting Neotethyan Oceanic slab. The mantle-derived ascending hot mafic magma mixing with felsic magma of the ancient northern Indian margin-derived, generates monzodiorite MME by assimilation and magma mixing processes. Plagioclase, amphibole, and biotite chemistry support the magma mixing processes. LG are characterized by high SiO₂ (63.4–75.0 wt%), K₂O (3.93–5.67 wt%), CaO/Na₂O ratio of >0.3, differentiation index (90.27–97.46), normative corundum (1.0–2.8), A/CNK values (1.00–1.18), hypersthene (0.7–5.7), and low Al₂O₃, MgO, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃. They also exhibit peraluminous, variable tracer elemental abundances, variable (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i ratios (0.6967–0.7191), and high whole rock ℇ_Nd (t = 50 Ma) values of −4.15 to −11.92) and ancient two-stage Nd model age of 1160 and 1858 Ma. These features suggest that S-type Ladakh granites were derived from the melting of ancient metagreywacke-dominated metasedimentary rocks of the northern Indian margin by a large amount of mafic magma underplating after subducted Neotethyan slab-rollback. The formation of LG and MMEs related to the Andean-type orogeny in the southern margin of the Eurasian plate.     

The evolution of the Kuroshio Current over the last 5 million years since the Pliocene: Evidence from planktonic foraminiferal faunas

Meridional heat transport of the western Pacific boundary current (the Kuroshio Current) is one of the key factors in global climate change. This current is important because it controls the temperature gradient between low latitudes and the North Pacific and so significantly influences mid-latitude atmosphere-ocean interactions. Here we reconstruct changes in hydrological conditions within the mid-latitude mainstream of the Kuroshio Current based on faunal analysis of planktonic foraminifera in core DSDP 296 from the Northwest Pacific Ocean. This approach enabled us to deduce evolutionary processes within the Kuroshio Current since the Pliocene. A total of 57 species in the coarser section (>150 µim) were identified; results indicate that planktonic foraminiferal faunal evolution has mainly been characterized by three major stages, the first of which comprised mixed-layer warm-water species of Globigerinoides ruber which first appeared between 3.5 and 2.7 Ma and then gradually increased in content. Percentages of another warm-water species of G. conglobatus also gradually increased in number over this interval. Variations in warm-water species indicate a gradual rise in sea surface temperature (SST) and imply initiation of Kuroshio Current impact on the Northwest Pacific Ocean since at least 3.5 Ma. Secondly, over the period between 2.7 and 2.0 Ma, thermocline species of Globigerina calida, Neogloboquadrina humersa, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata started to appear in the section. This fauna was dominated by G. ruber as well as increasing G. conglobatus contents. These features imply a further rise in SST and its gradually enhanced influence on thermocline water, suggesting strengthening of the Kuroshio Current since 2.7 Ma. Thirdly, between 2.0 Ma and present, increasing contents of thermocline species (i.e., G. calida, N. dutertrei and P. obliquiloculata) indicate a gradual rise in seawater temperature at this depth and also imply more intensive Kuroshio Current during this period. On the basis of comparative records from cores ODP 806 and DSDP 292 from the low latitude Western Pacific, we propose that initiation of the impact of the Kuroshio Current in the Northwest Pacific and it subsequent stepwise intensifications since 3.5 Ma can be closely related to the closure and restriction of the Indonesian and Central American seaways as well as variations in the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) and equatorial Pacific region.

     

An event-based stochastic model of phosphorus loading into a lake

In most lakes, phosphorus (P) is the nutrient controlling the trophic state. Thus, for effective control of eutrophication, the uncertainty in P-loading should be encoded as a probability density function (pdf). Specifically, the pdf of P-loading Y from non-point agricultural sources is sought by means of an event-based stochastic model.P-loading events are triggered by precipitation events (X₁, X₂, T), in which X₁ is the rainfall amount, X₂ the duration, and T the interarrival time between events. (X₁, X₂) are dependent random variables, while T is assumed to be exponentially distributed. The precipitation event causes runoff, which carries dissolved P into the lake with a concentration C₁ and sediment yield, Z, which carries fixed or sorbed P into the lake in a fraction C₂ of Z. Seasonal loading of P is calculated by adding random numbers of random variables. The model accounts separately for dissolved P and sorbed P. Explicit expressions are given for the mean and variance of each type of P-loadings. The case study of a sub-watershed of Lake Balaton, Hungary, is used to illustrate the methodology. Precipitation data, empirical rainfall-runoff-sediment yield relationships and a small number of observations of events are used to calibrate the model and estimate the means and variances of loading per event and per season. Then a simulation method is used to estimate complete pdf of these random variables. Use of the model for alternative methods of controlling P-loading is briefly discussed, as well as the economics of control.     

Evidence for isotopic equilibration of SmNd whole-rock systems in early Archaean crust of Enderby Land, Antarctica

SmNd isotopic data indicate that differential REE mobility occurred on a whole-rock scale during transitional amphibolite- to granulite-facies regional metamorphism ( 700°C, 7 kbar) in early Archaean rocks ( 3930 Ma) of the Napier Complex of Enderby Land, Antarctica. The degree of mobility is independent of metamorphic grade but correlates directly with development of tectonic fabric. Whole-rock samples with D₃-M₃ internal fabrics lie along an array corresponding to an age of 2410 ± 100Ma, whereas samples preserving only earlier fabrics preserve an older, albeit imprecisely defined isochron age. In contrast to a widely held belief, such changes did not require the presence of a large hydrous fluid flux. If the mechanism responsible for SmNd resetting at this locality (where T_CHUR ages range from 1990 Ma to 6090 Ma) is more widespread than is currently recognised, isolated SmNd model ages, particularly in complex terrains should be treated with caution.     

Geochemical characteristics and Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotope compositions of Late Triassic post‐collisional A‐type granites in Sarudik,SW Sumatra,Indonesia

Late Triassic A‐type granites are identified in this study in Sarudik, SW Sumatra. We present new data on zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole‐rock major and trace elements and Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotope geochemistry, aiming to study their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of zircon separated from one biotite monzogranite sample yields a concordia age of 222.6 ±1.0 Ma, indicating a Late Triassic magmatic event. The studied granites are classified as weakly peralumious, high‐K calc‐alkaline granites. They exhibit high SiO₂, K₂O + Na₂O, FeO/(FeO + MgO) and Ga/Al ratios and low Al₂O₃, CaO, MgO, P₂O₅ and TiO₂ contents, with enrichment of Rb, Th and U and depletion of Ba, Sr, P and Eu, showing the features of A‐type granites. The granites have zircon ε_Hf(t) values from ?4.6 to ?0.4 and whole‐rock ε_Nd(t) values from ?5.51 to ?4.98, with Mesoproterozoic T_DM2 ages (1278–1544 Ma) for both Hf and Nd isotopes. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the source of these A‐type granites is the Mesoproterozoic continental crust, without significant incorporation of mantle‐derived component, and their formation is controlled by subsequent fractional crystallization. The Sarudik A‐type granites are further assigned to A2‐type formed in post‐collisional environment. Combined with previous knowledge on the western SE Asia tectonic evolution, we conclude that the formation of the Late Triassic A‐type granites is related to the post‐collisional extension induced by the crustal thickening, gravitational collapse, and asthenosphere upwelling following the collision between the Sibumasu and the East Malaya Block.     

Plio-pleistocene paleomagnetic record from the Michoacán-Guanajuato Monogenetic Volcanic Field (Western Mexico)

The paleosecular variation (PSV) and polarity transitions are two major features of the Earth’s magnetic field. Both PSV and reversal studies are limited when age of studied units is poorly constrained. This is a case of Central and western Mexico volcanics. Although many studies have been devoted to these crucial problems and more than 200 paleomagnetic directions are available for the last 5 Ma, only few sites were dated directly. This paper presents new paleomagnetic results from seventeen independent cooling units in the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field (MGVF) in western Mexico. Twelve sites are directly dated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar or K-Ar methods and span from 2.78 to 0.56 Ma. The characteristic paleodirections are successfully isolated for 15 lava flows. The mean paleodirection (inclination I and declination D) obtained in this study is I = 28.8°, D = 354.9°, and Fisherian statistical parameters are k = 28, α₉₅ = 7.3°, N=15, which corresponds to the mean paleomagnetic pole position P_lat = 83.9°, P_long = 321.6°, K = 34, A₉₅ = 6.6°. The paleodirections obtained in present study compiled with those, previously reported from the MGVF, are practically undistinguishable from the expected Plio-Quaternary paleodirections. The paleosecular variation is estimated through the study of the scatter of the virtual geomagnetic poles giving S_F = 15.9 with S_U =21.0 and S_L = 12.7 (upper and lower limits respectively). These values agree reasonably well with the recent statistical Models. The oldest sites analyzed (the Santa Teresa and Cerro Alto) yield normal polarity magnetizations as expected for the cooling units belonging to the Gauss geomagnetic Chron. The interesting feature of the record comes from lava flows dated at about 2.35 Ma with clearly defined normal directions. This may point out the possible existence of a normal polarity magnetization in the Matuyama reversed Chron older than the Reunion and may be correlated to Halawa event interpreted as the Cryptochron C2r.2r-1. Another important feature of the geomagnetic record obtained from the MGVF is the evidence of fully reversed geomagnetic field within Bruhnes Chron, at about 0.56 Ma corresponding to the relative paleointensity minimum of global extent found in marine sediments at about 590 ka.