Some Pleistocene periglacial problems in southern Africa

Amplification is made to some of Butzer's comments on various Pleistocene 'periglacial' phenomena in southern Africa. In particular, the 'nivation' cirques occurring above 2,000 m in the Drakensberg-Lesotho upland are now thought to have been formed by a combination of frost-shattering and solifluction wasting. Because of a gradational sequence from purely frost-shattered forms in central Lesotho to pronounced cirques in the Drankensberg, a lateral palaeoclimatic variation is suggested with a somewhat higher precipitation in the latter area. This contention is supported by palaeosol evidence.     

长江三角洲地层中的冷杉和云杉花粉的来源推测

孢粉通常被用作古气候的代用指标,长江三角洲地区已经进行了许多相关的孢粉-古气候的研究工作。通过对长江三角洲地区7个晚更新世钻孔的孢粉资料进行提取对比,发现冷杉和云杉两种花粉在地层中分布有一定的规律性。现代长江流域这两种耐寒植物集中分布在青藏高原区,长江中下游地区极少分布,但其花粉确出现在近河口区的晚更新世以来的暖期地层中（MIS1,3和5期）,并且达到了一定数量,这很可能是长江从其上游地区搬运至此沉积下来的。同时,我们也发现西部内陆平原区由于受长江物源影响较少,其晚更新世以来地层中的冷杉和云杉花粉分布与河口区差别很大,这也为河流携带冷杉和云杉花粉至河口地区提供了证据。这一发现如果成立,冷杉和云杉花粉即可作为长江物源的一个判别指标。     

Late Quaternary climatic changes,and associated human responses,during the last ~ 45 000 yr in the Eastern and adjoining Western Cape,South Africa

Palaeoenvironmental evidence indicative of former climatic conditions in the Eastern and adjoining Western Cape during the last ~ 45 000 yr is presented and summarised. Interstadial conditions began before 43 000 BP but were succeeded by stadial conditions at ~ 24 000 BP. These climatic phases are designated the Birnam Interstadial and the Bottelnek Stadial after the type sites at which they were identified in the Eastern Cape. The Bottelnek Stadial apparently equates with the Last Glacial Maximum. Late Glacial warming was apparent by 18/17 000 BP. Sea level rose markedly by ~ 14 000 BP. Climatic oscillations marked the end of the Late Glacial. The Early Holocene was drier than the Late Holocene and, at least in the Drakensberg, there was marked aridity in the mid-Holocene. Human responses to these climatic events are briefly described.     

Aminostratigraphic results from Cape Lookout, N.C., and their relation to the preserved Quaternary marine record of SE North Carolina

Aminostratigraphic data were obtained for Mulinia lateralis samples from closely spaced drillholes on the Cape Lookout, North Carolina barrier islands. Two major aminozones are recognized in the subsurface section based upon D-alloisoleucine/L-isoleucine (A/I) values. These major aminozones can each be subdivided into two additional aminozones based upon direct comparisons with Mulinia A/I data from other North Carolina localities. Correlation of the Cape Lookout Mulinia aminostratigraphy with U-series calibrated A/I data in N.C. indicates that the sampled units represent deposition during the middle to late Pleistocene. The four Cape Lookout aminozones may be assigned to late and early stage 5 (or possibly stages 5 and 7), a portion of the interval during stages 17–19, and at least one interglacial in stages 25–31 of the oxygen isotope record based on correlation to calibrated sites and kinetic model extrapolation.

The aminostratigraphic data obtained from the Cape Lookout barrier islands and nearby areas indicate that there are significant differences in the extent of preservation of the Pleistocene sedimentary record to the southwest of Cape Lookout compared with that to the north-northeast. All four of the recognized Cape Lookout aminozones are present in the subsurface section to the north-northeast of Cape Lookout. In contrast, the two late Pleistocene aminozones are almost completely absent in the subsurface of the barrier islands, and in Onslow Bay, to the southwest of Cape Lookout. These aminostratigraphic interpretations are consistent with the incomplete stratigraphic record recognized by previous investigators for the Cape Lookout-Onslow Bay area. The calibrated kinetic model age estimates for the Cape Lookout aminostratigraphic data now permit quantification of these stratigraphic gaps. The detailed aminostratigraphic results from Cape Lookout also have significant consequences for regional aminostratigraphic correlations on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and provide valuable information with which to test contrasting models proposed for regional correlation within the context of the preserved stratigraphic record.     

呼包盆地第四纪地层与环境演化*

通过对呼包盆地钻孔岩芯进行系统的岩石学、年代学和孢粉带的分析,综合盆地已有的研究成果,并与邻区对比,划分了盆地第四纪地层单位,同时探讨了河套古湖泊在第四纪的演化特征。结果为:1)剖面存在两个假整合接触面(Q₁/Q₂和Q₂/Q₃),可划分为4个沉积旋回,7个孢粉带。2)剖面第四纪地层从下至上依次可划分下更新统(1070±150~844±126kaB.P.)、中更新统沟子板组(520±78~271±40kaB.P.)、上更新统萨拉乌苏组和城川组(108.7±7.8~14.80±1.03kaB.P.),以及全新统。3)河套盆地在第四纪存在4个古湖泊发育时期,即早更新世(80.0~107.0万年或更早),湖盆处于强氧化环境;中更新世早期(43.0~45.1万年),湖盆氧化强度降低;中更新世晚期(19.2~38.5万年),湖盆处于强烈的还原环境;晚更新世(2.4~11.3万年),湖盆处于还原环境。其间隔期为湖泊消亡或大规模萎缩时期,意味着盆地停止下降甚至处于上升隆起的剥蚀状态。     

Late Quaternary dietary shifts of the Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) in southern Africa

The Cape grysbok is endemic to southern Africa's Cape Floral Region where it selectively browses various species of dicotyledonous vegetation. Fossil evidence indicates that the grysbok persisted under glacial and interglacial conditions throughout the late Quaternary and inhabited a range of environments. This study employs mesowear analysis to reconstruct grysbok diets over time and in response to changing environments at Nelson Bay Cave, Die Kelders Cave 1, Klasies River Mouth, and Swartklip 1. Results indicate that the amount of grasses (monocots) versus leafy vegetation (dicots) included in the diet fluctuated over time and largely in agreement with changes in faunal community structure. The case for dietary flexibility is particularly clear at Nelson Bay Cave, where there is a significant trend from mixed feeding towards increased browsing from the late Pleistocene (~ 18,500 ¹⁴C yr BP) through the Holocene. Dietary shifts at Nelson Bay Cave are consistent with the hypothesis that declining grassland productivity is responsible for the terminal Pleistocene extinction of several large ungulates in southern Africa. Furthermore, the short-term dietary shifts demonstrated here (100s to 1000s of years) provide an important caution against relying on taxonomic uniformitarianism when reconstructing the dietary preferences of fossil ungulates, both extant and extinct.     

Paleoanthropological implications of the Nonarcheological Bone Assemblage from Swartklip I,South-Western Cape Province,South Africa

The relative frequencies of different skeletal elements within the bone assemblage recovered from a late Pleistocene fissure fill at Swartklip (South-Western Cape Province, South Africa) are shown to resemble those in the assemblage from the Transvaal australopithecine site of Makapansgat. Since there is evidence that carnivores, probably hyenas, accumulated the bones at Swartklip, it follows that carnivores, rather than hominids, may have accumulated the bones at Makapansgat.     

广西崇左三合大洞新发现的巨猿牙齿化石及其演化意义

文章报告了在广西崇左生态公园三合大洞中新发现的巨猿牙齿化石,这些新化石材料为研究巨猿演化及华南地区更新世动物群时代演化及环境变迁有着重要意义。三合大洞共出土巨猿牙齿56枚,除上犬齿,其他上、下颌牙齿种类齐全;从牙齿发育及磨损情况判断,这些材料代表了婴幼年、青少年、青壮年、中年及老年各年龄阶段的至少5个个体。测量了牙齿大小,并与其他的巨猿化石点的材料进行对比,认为三合大洞的巨猿牙齿与武鸣、巴马的巨猿有可比性。在此基础上,结合动物群组合特征及时代意义,探讨巨猿的牙齿大小时代演化趋势,同时提出存在的问题。     

河海交互作用与苏北平原成因*

苏北平原向海侧分布着大冈、上冈两列古贝壳堤以及依此而建的范公堤;西侧有低山丘陵环绕,江淮水系河流汇入平原内侧的湖泊群,发育了伸出型三角洲;兴化、里下河地区是平原的最低洼处。这一系列地貌组合与分布特点,启迪着探究平原的成因。146m深的宝应望直港钻孔,穿透了2.58Ma以来的第四纪地层。沉积相、微体古生物、古地磁测定与沉积层常量元素分析等综合研究,阐明了4次主要的海洋作用沉积环境,尤其是晚更新世3.9~2.6万年前的浅海环境沉积更为显著。河湖相泛滥平原沉积与潮滩浅海沉积交互成层,证实了苏北平原是第四纪时期由河-海交互作用,从古海湾发育堆积成宽大平原。进一步工作需探索相关时期的江-海分布变化及黄河和黄渤海通道与苏北平原发育的关系。     

港仔地裂缝——雷州半岛西部一条纵贯晚全新世砂堤地裂缝的发现

港仔地裂缝发生于新生代以来强烈活动的琼雷凹陷北部雷州半岛的西海岸,沿构造带展布,形成于凸起和凹陷交界地区。地裂缝局部纵贯沿海岸展布的晚全新世砂堤,切过中更新世火山岩及其风化土和全新世海成阶地。根据其展布区的构造、地形地貌和形成特征,并与近几十年雷州半岛大量发生的地裂缝比较,认为港仔地裂缝可能属构造蠕变地裂缝。该地裂缝揭示了被纵贯砂堤的沉积学特征和形成于巨砾海滩和高能海浪下的古环境。砂堤上部约海拔5m砂堤岩取样¹⁴C测年为1360±60aB.P.,结合雷州半岛西海岸、西南海岸其他抬升特征,推测该地裂缝是在晚全新世该地海岸抬升或抬升后形成的。     

Ecometrics and the paleoecological implications of Pleistocene faunas from the western coastal plains of the Cape Floristic Region,South Africa

The Pleistocene ungulate communities from the western coastal plains of South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR) are diverse and dominated by grazers, in contrast to the region's Holocene and historical faunas, which are relatively species-poor and dominated by small-bodied browsers and mixed feeders. An expansion of grassy habitats is clearly implied by the Pleistocene faunas, but the presence of ruminant grazers that cannot survive the summer dry season typical of the region today suggests other important paleoecological changes. Here we use dental ecometrics to explore the paleoecological implications of the region's Pleistocene faunas. We show that the dental traits (hypsodonty and occlusal topography) of the ungulates that occurred historically in the CFR track annual and summer aridity, and we use these relationships to reconstruct past aridity. Our results indicate that the Pleistocene faunas signal paleoenvironments that were on average less arid than today, including during the summer, consistent with other lines of evidence that suggest a higher water table and expansion of well-watered habitats. Greater water availability can be explained by lower temperature and reduced evapotranspiration during cooler phases of the Pleistocene, probably coupled with enhanced groundwater recharge due to increased winter precipitation.     

中国的多年冻土──过去与现在

中国多年冻土区的总面积约占中国陆地面积的２２．４％，达２１５００００ｋｍ²。多年冻土的分布特征受气候条件在三度空间的变化所制约。自晚更新世以来，其分布情况已有相当的变化。在东次冰期最盛期，东北地区多年冻土南界曾推进到北纬４１—４２°，在全新世暖期，南界向北退缩，但晚更新世形成的冰楔和多年冻土至今仍存在于大兴安岭北部，全新世中期严寒期冻土有所扩展并形成冰楔。随着气候变化，中国西部高山和高原区高海拔冻土的分布下界已上移８００—１０００ｍ，但高山和高原的主要部分仍处于冰缘环境，有的地方在全新世还发育了共生型多年冻土。     

A geological record of multiple Pleistocene tsunami inundations in an oceanic island: The case of Maio,Cape Verde

In the Central Atlantic archipelagos – the Canaries, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores – tsunami hazard is often regarded as low, when compared with other extreme wave events such as hurricanes and storms. The geological record of many of these islands, however, suggests that tsunami hazard may be underestimated, notwithstanding being lower than in areas adjacent to subduction zones, such as the margins of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Moreover, tsunamis in oceanic islands are generally triggered by local large-scale volcanic flank collapses, for which little is known about their frequency, making it difficult to estimate the probability of a new occurrence. Part of the problem lies in the fact that tsunami deposits are usually difficult to date, and few islands in the world exhibit evidence for repeated tsunami inundation on a protracted timescale. This study reports on the presence of abundant tsunami deposits (conglomerates and sandstones) on Maio Island (Cape Verde) and discusses their stratigraphy, sedimentological characteristics, probable age and tsunamigenic source. Observations indicate that four distinct inundation events of variable magnitude took place during the Pleistocene. One of the tsunami deposits yielded a high-confidence U/Th age of 78·8 ± 0·9 ka, which overlaps within error with the 73 ± 7 ka age proposed for Fogo volcano's flank collapse, an event known to have had a significant tsunami impact on nearby Santiago Island. This shows that the Fogo tsunami also impacted Maio, resulting in runups in excess of 60 m above coeval sea-level at ca 120 km from the source. Two older deposits, possibly linked to recurrent flank collapses of the Tope de Coroa volcano in Santo Antão Island, yielded lower-confidence ages of 479 to 390 ka and 360 to 304 ka. A younger deposit (<78 ka) remains undated. In summary, the geological record of Maio exhibits well-preserved evidence of repeated tsunami inundation, reinforcing the notion that tsunami hazard is not so low at volcanic archipelagos featuring prominent and highly-active volcanoes such as in Cape Verde.     

Tertiary volcanism in the Cape Hillsborough area,North Queensland

Potassium‐argon ages on alkali feldspar phenocrysts from trachyte lavas and on trachyandesites of the Cape Hillsborough Beds, which crop out north of Mackay, Queensland, yield concordant ages of 32.5 ± 0.4 m.y. This age is Early Oligocene and by correlation provides much firmer control than previously available on the age of the sediments deposited in the Hillsborough Basin. Isotopic ages on an altered biotite and on alkali feldspar from the Mount Jukes Syenite Complex, to the southwest of Cape Hillsborough, are indistinguishable from those measured on the Cape Hillsborough Beds, suggesting a possible genetic relationship between the lavas and the syenite intrusions. Present evidence indicates that Cainozoic volcanism in Queensland occurred in two main eruptive episodes. The earlier episode covered much of the Oligocene and its products are widespread in the southern half of the State. After a long hiatus of little or no volcanism there followed a later episode of volcanism in the Pliocene and Quaternary when widespread basaltic eruptions occurred, mainly in North Queensland.     

Mineral dissolution in the Cape Cod aquifer, Massachusetts, USA: I . Reaction stoichiometry and impact of accessory feldspar and glauconite on strontium isotopes, solute concentrations, and REY distribution

To compare relative reaction rates of mineral dissolution in a mineralogically simple groundwater aquifer, we studied the controls on solute concentrations, Sr isotopes, and rare earth element and yttrium (REY) systematics in the Cape Cod aquifer. This aquifer comprises mostly carbonate-free Pleistocene sediments that are about 90% quartz with minor K-feldspar, plagioclase, glauconite, and Fe-oxides. Silica concentrations and pH in the groundwater increase systematically with increasing depth, while Sr isotopic ratios decrease. No clear relationship between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sr concentration is observed. At all depths, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of the groundwater is considerably lower than the Sr isotopic ratio of the bulk sediment or its K-feldspar component, but similar to that of a plagioclase-rich accessory separate obtained from the sediment. The Si-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-depth relationships are consistent with dissolution of accessory plagioclase. In addition, solutes such as Sr, Ca, and particularly K show concentration spikes superimposed on their respective general trends. The K-Sr-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr systematics suggests that accessory glauconite is another major solute source to Cape Cod groundwater. Although the authigenic glauconite in the Cape Cod sediment is rich in Rb, it is low in in-grown radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr because of its young Pleistocene age. The low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are consistent with equilibration of glauconite with seawater. The impact of glauconite is inferred to vary due to its variable abundance in the sediments. In the Cape Cod groundwater, the variation of REY concentrations with sampling depth resembles that of K and Rb, but differs from that of Ca and Sr. Shale-normalized REY patterns are light REY depleted, show negative Ce anomalies and super-chondritic Y/Ho ratios, but no Eu anomalies. REY input from feldspar, therefore, is insignificant compared to input from a K-Rb-bearing phase, inferred to be glauconite. These results emphasize that interpretation of groundwater chemistry, even in relatively simple aquifers, may be complicated by solute contributions from “exotic” accessory minerals such as glauconite. To detect such peculiarities, groundwater studies should combine the study of elemental concentration and isotopic composition of several solutes that show different geochemical behavior.     

Volume of Antarctic Ice at the Last Glacial Maximum, and its impact on global sea level change

The volume of Antarctic ice at the Last Glacial Maximum is a key factor for calculating the past contribution of melting ice sheets to Late Pleistocene global sea level change. At present, there are large uncertainties in our knowledge of the extent and thickness of the formerly expanded Antarctic ice sheets, and in the timing of their release as meltwater into the world’s oceans. This paper reviews the four main approaches to determining former Antarctic ice volume, namely glacial geology, glacio-isostatic studies, glaciological modelling, and ice core analysis and attempts to reconcile these to give a ‘best estimate’ for ice volume. In the Ross Sea there was a major expansion of grounded ice at the Last Glacial Maximum, accounting for 2.3–3.2 m of global sea level. At some time in the Weddell Sea a large grounded ice sheet corresponding to c. 2.7 m of global sea level extended to the shelf break. However, this ice expansion has not yet been confidently dated and may not relate to the Last Glacial Maximum. Around East Antarctica there was thickening and advance offshore of ice in coastal regions. Ice core evidence suggests that the interior of East Antarctica was either close to its present elevation or thinner during the last glacial so the effect of East Antarctica on sea level depends on the net balance between marginal thickening and interior thinning. Suggested East Antarctic contributions vary from a 3–5.5 m lowering to a 0.64 m rise in global sea level. The Antarctic Peninsula ice sheet thickened and extended offshore at the Last Glacial Maximum, with a sea level equivalent contribution of c. 1.7 m. Thus, the Antarctic ice sheets accounted for between 6.1 and 13.1 m of global sea level fall at the Last Glacial Maximum. This is substantially less than has been suggested by most previous studies but the maximum figure matches well with one modelling estimate. The timing of Antarctic deglaciation is not well known. In the Ross Sea, terrestrial evidence suggests deglaciation may have begun at c. 13,000 yr BP¹ but that grounded ice persisted until c. 6,500 yr BP. Marine evidence suggests the western Ross Sea was deglaciated by c. 11,500 yr BP. Deglaciation of the Weddell Sea is poorly constrained. Grounded ice in the northern Antarctic Peninsula had retreated by c. 13,000 yr BP, and further south deglaciation occurred sometime prior to c. 6,000 yr BP. Many parts of coastal East Antarctica apparently escaped glaciation at the LGM, but in those areas that were ice-covered deglaciation was underway by 10,000 yr BP. With existing data, the timing of deglaciation shows no firm relation to northern hemisphere-driven sea level rise. This is probably due partly to lack of Antarctic dating evidence but also to the combined influence of several forcing mechanisms acting during deglaciation.     

中国直立人变异的初步研究

已发现的化石表现中国直立人的分布北至39°41′N,南至25°45′N,东达118°09′E,西抵101°55′E。中更新世可供比较的重要化石有周口店、和县及汤山的头骨,周口店、陈家窝及和县的下颌骨;早更新世有公王岭和郧县曲远河口的头骨,元谋和郧县梅铺的门牙。比较的结果显示各地的化石之间有同也有异,目前还没有足够的证据表明各地点化石之间的变异足以表现那时中国的人类可以像现代和新石器时代那样划分为南、北两大人群。中国的直立人有许多形态特征与中国的化石智人一致,个别标本还有个别特征与中国大多数标本不同,却在西方有较多的出现,这些现象支持中国古人类“连续进化附带杂交”的假说。     

苏北平原2.58Ma以来的海陆环境演变历史* ——宝应钻孔沉积物的常量元素记录

苏北盆地是一个以箕状断陷为特点的复合型沉积盆地。文章根据2004年夏采集的苏北盆地宝应钻孔(BY1)97m沉积物的124个样品11种常量元素SiO₂,Al₂O₃,TiO₂,Fe₂O₃,MgO,MnO,CaO,K₂O,Na₂O,P₂O₅和SO₂的地球化学特征分析,探讨了海相沉积环境与陆相沉积环境的元素分布特点、成因、相互之间的联系和物质来源。根据沉积物常量元素含量的垂向变化,结合沉积相、岩性特征、有孔虫分析、古地磁及¹⁴ C定年,分析了苏北盆地2.58Ma以来不同阶段海陆交互作用下的常量元素变化特点,反映了苏北平原在第四纪曾经历了4次海水淹覆, 海-陆交互堆积作用明显, 经滨浅海→泻湖→湖泊→洼地,最后由河流冲积物覆盖成陆。     

The Eastern Beringian vole Microtus deceitensis (Rodentia, Muridae, Arvicolinae) in Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene faunas of Alaska and Yukon

The fossil vole Microtus deceitensis occurs in Early Pleistocene deposits at Fort Selkirk, Yukon Territory, and Late Pliocene beds at the type locality, Cape Deceit, Alaska. Analyses of simple vs complex morphotypes in the cheek teeth, and of differentiation of tooth enamel, show that the Cape Deceit sample of M. deceitensis is less derived, and thus appears to be older, than the Fort Selkirk sample. The fossiliferous deposits at Fort Selkirk are well constrained by fission-track and radiometric dates and are 1.5 to 1.7 myr. Sediments at Cape Deceit bear a normal magnetic polarity, are correlated with the Olduvai subchron, and probably are latest Pliocene.     

Quaternary glaciation of Mt. Qomolangma-Xixabangma region

The uplift of the Himalaya and Qinghai-Xizang plateau began at the end of Pliocene to the beginning of Early Pleistocene, changing the atmospheric circulation in Asia, enhancing the South Asian monsoon and enormously effecting the climatic conditions and glacial development.According to the evidence of glacial deposits, geomorphology, paleobiology, paleopedology, etc., at least four glaciations can be recognized. The uplift of the Himalayas was earlier than that of other mountains, so that the glaciation occurred in Early Pleistocene, forming small piedmont glaciers on the N slope, whilst at the same time there were wide short valley glaciers on the S slope. During the Middle Pleistocene, the height of Himalaya was about 4000 m a s l, the monsoon was strong, and much water vapour reached the interior of the plateau, the most favourable period for glacial development. Great piedmont glaciers and small ice caps formed on the mountains N of Himalayas and great valley glaciers occurred on the S slope, but no great ice sheet covered the plateau.During the early Late Pleistocene, the Himalayas had risen to over 5000 m asl, forming a barrier against the incursion of the Indian monsoon, so that the precipitation decreased sharply on the plateau N of Himalayas, thus diminishing the extent of the glaciation. But on the high mountains of the S part of Xizang and on several high mountains of the S slope of the Great Himalaya, the precipitation increased and the extent of glaciation reached a maximum. Since Last Glaciation, the precipitation of the alpine zone has decreased more sharply, the climate has become drier and colder, becoming unfavourable for glacial development.During the Holocene, three stages may be distinguished, i.e. the recession in Early Holocene (10,000-8000 BP); the disappearance of most glaciers in the Hypsithermal period in Middle Holocene, (8000-3000 BP); and the neoglacial fluctuations in Late Holocene (3000 BP up to present). The glaciers of the Neoglaciation advanced several hundred meters or even 3–5 km farther than existing glaciers.