冰碛石的形态和表面特征

沉积物中砾石的各种形态参数(磨圆度、球度和扁平度)及表面特征对研究搬运介质和沉积过程是很有用的。有些作者的工作表明,冰碛中的砾石随搬运距离的增加,其磨圆度和球度的提高是明显的;还有人用A.Cailleux的计算磨圆度的公式(2R/a×100)成功地揭示了冰碛、冰水沉积、冰川接触沉积和融冻泥流沉积之间的     

对冰水沉积形成的一些认识

冰水沉积是和冰川发育密切相关的,系由冰川融水造成的一种颗粒较细、磨圆较好、分选性好、有一定层理的沉积物。在冰水砾石中仔细观察,往往可以找到残留有某些冰碛砾石特征的条痕石、马鞍石、压凹石及碎裂石等。这些特征,使冰水沉积既区别于冰碛物,又区别于一般的流水沉积。在山区,特别是在高山区,冰水沉积并不是很难辨认的。     

拉萨北部旁多群坠石沉积的发现及其意义

报道了新发现的旁多群中部的打鲁雄剖面及其含有典型坠石的沉积特征。该剖面旁多群中部以陆源碎屑少、悬浮泥质沉积为主的欠补偿的深水盆地相沉积为特征，同时夹有水下冰碛岩、重力流沉积等。纹层状一薄层状的粘土质岩层内分布着粒径是基质的100-1000倍的棱角状一次棱角状、长轴垂直近垂直于纹层面或层面的碎屑和砾石。砾石上下的泥质岩具有顶凸下挠的现象。碎屑和砾石及其对上下地层的影响表明其为坠石沉积。旁多群中指示冰川、冰筏沉积作用存在的坠石的发现，有力地证明了青藏高原石炭纪——二叠纪冈瓦纳相地层形成于受到冈瓦纳大陆冰川影响的海相环境。     

论内蒙古第四纪冰川和冰臼群的成因

通过内蒙古林东地区第四纪冰川地质和冰臼群成因专项调查工作,发现了晚更新世冰碛泥砾层和龟背石、熨斗石、龟裂石等典型的冰碛砾石及冰斗、刃脊、角峰、冰川槽谷中的表皮构造等山谷冰川遗迹。在花岗岩体中发育的岩臼群,可划分为冰期冰雪融水形成的冰臼、现代季节性降水形成的瓯穴和风蚀作用为主形成的风龛3种类型。本区冰臼同山谷冰川相伴随,未发现远源巨型漂砾等大陆冰盖证据。     

论内蒙古第四纪冰川和冰臼群的成因

通过内蒙古林东地区第四纪冰川地质和冰臼群成因专项调查工作，发现了晚更新世冰碛泥砾层的龟背石、熨斗石、龟裂石等典型的冰碛砾石及冰斗、刃脊、角峰、冰川槽谷中的表皮构造等山谷冰川遗迹。在花岗岩体中发的岩臼群，可划分为冰期冰雪融水形成的冰臼、现代季节性降水形成的瓯穴和风蚀作用为主形成的风翕3种类型。本区冰臼同山谷冰川相伴随，未发现远源巨型漂砾等大陆冰盖证据。     

晋西北的早白垩世砾石层及其成因之探讨

近年在晋西北地区发现一套早白垩世的红色粗碎屑岩,其砾石的特征与第四纪冰碛砾石及一些现代山谷冰川的砾石极相似,然而,在我国白垩纪的冰川遗迹尚无报导。这里的现象不仅事关“冰川遗迹”的鉴定问题,而且涉及红层的成因等问题。为此,本文侧     

西藏札达盆地及周缘高山区第四纪冰川遗迹与冰期的初步划分和对比

札达盆地及周缘高山区的第四纪冰川遗迹分布广泛,类型齐全、发育连续.特征的冰碛及冰水堆积地貌有:冰水堆积平原或冰水堆积平台、冰碛丘陵等.挤压构造遗迹有:褶皱、断裂表皮构造、压坑、压裂构造、变形砾石等.ESR年代测定结果表明,冰碛形成的最大年龄为2.33Ma.依据冰碛、冰水堆积的特征、分布和形成年代等,区域冰川发育由老到新可划分出:7次冰期、6次间冰期、1次冰缘期、1次新冰期.该区是目前所知青藏高原第四纪冰川遗迹发现最多、保存最全和发育最连续的地区,为青藏高原地区的第四纪冰川演化研究、冰期的划分和对比、古气候古环境的研究,提供了重要的实际资料和依据.      

桂林地区的冰川遗迹

王克锡根据在桂林地区进行第四纪地质研究获得的实际资料,说明桂林确实存在冰川遗迹。理由是: 1.是否存在冰碛砾石层。据调查研究冰碛粘土砾石层堆积多呈高出20～40米的垄岗,不受漓江及其支流控制,普遍无层理可寻,砾石成分中没有花岗岩砾石。因此,桂林地区冰碛砾石无论从地貌特点、砾石层结构、砾石成分还是从砾组性状上看,都与现代河床上的冲积层不同。     

波堆藏布谷地冰碛丘陵形成机制及其环境意义

波堆藏布谷地中分布着大面积的冰碛丘陵, 通过考察发现其个体大小、外形、分布规模及内部砾石组成等方面都与高纬大冰盖外围形成的冰碛丘陵有很大的区别. 以冰川沉积学理论为基础, 从沉积动力学的角度讨论中低纬度波堆藏布谷地中冰碛丘陵的形成机制. 结果表明: 气候变化造成冰川的大面积死冰加之宽阔的河谷、海洋性冰川的特性促使波堆藏布谷中形成如此大面积的冰碛丘陵; 同时,大规模的冰碛丘陵表明气候转暖(抑或变干)的过程是突变的.     

石冰川形成机制、运动特征及水文效应研究进展

石冰川是含冰的舌状或叶状多年冻结地质体,广泛分布于全球范围内的高海拔和高纬度冰缘区,是多年冻土边界的重要代用指标。活动型石冰川沿山谷/坡向下缓慢蠕动,其活动性在全球变暖背景下逐渐增强,成为一种日益重要的寒区地质灾害。此外,石冰川内部含有大量冰体,是干旱与半干旱地区一种重要的淡水资源。基于国内外研究进展,将石冰川分为倒石堆型、岩屑覆盖型、冰碛型、昆仑山型,并分别讨论了不同类型石冰川的形成机制。石冰川的运动主要由多年冻土蠕变、冻胀融沉、整体前进,以及岩屑与冰的补给等过程组成,其时空变化主要受到气候条件、地形环境、内部结构,以及外力作用等多种因素的共同影响。石冰川对全球变暖的响应主要表现为地温增加引起的局部区域运动加速或失稳以及多年冻土融化导致的石冰川失活。在冰川退缩及季节性积雪持续时间缩短背景下,冰碛型石冰川表面的岩屑覆盖层作为保温隔热层,可以保护下伏冰体减缓融化,延缓和降低石冰川对气候变化的响应,成为干旱与半干旱地区一种日益重要的水资源。我国目前已有超过13 511条石冰川纳入编目,总面积超过945.51 km²,但仍然十分缺乏系统性的石冰川编目及长期的现场监测和模...     

Glacial sedimentary processes and environmental reconstruction based on lithofacies

Glacigenic sediments exposed in pits around Villeneuve, near Edmonton, Alberta, are subdivided into facies based on grain size, sedimentary structure, glacially-induced deformation and faulting, and groove marks. Two diamicton facies are recognised, one of which is interpreted as a primary till, deposited directly from glacier ice, and the other as a product of mass-movement. The diamicton facies are closely associated with current bedded facies interpreted as fluvioglacial deposits. The stratigraphic sedimentological and tectonic aspects of these fluvial deposits suggest subglacial deposition in channels and cavities. At any one place the glacier appears to have alternated between being attached to the bed, causing thrusting and sole marking, and being separated from the bed by a cavity in which fluvial and mass-movement sediments accumulated. The net result is a highly complex and laterally variable stratigraphy produced by a single glacial advance. The correct interpretation of such sequences is essential if lithostratigraphy is to be used to establish glacial history. In addition, the interpretations presented here have implications regarding the formation of soft zones in ‘till’. They indicate that the soft zones are beds of sorted sediment redeposited by mass-movement.     

Late Weichselian and Holocene seismostratigraphy and depositional history of the Gulf of Riga,NE Baltic Sea

The Lateglacial and postglacial sequence in the northern Gulf of Riga is sedimentologically subdivided into nine distinctive layers. In the seismo‐acoustic sequence these layers are correlated with seven seismic/acoustic units, which largely reflect different stages in the development of the Baltic Sea. A uniform layer of the Late Weichselian till, a layer of waterlain glacial diamicton (WGD), a varved succession of the Baltic Ice Lake, a brackish‐water/freshwater sandy/silty clay of Yoldia Sea, a FeS‐rich layer of Ancylus Lake and discordantly bedded sand of the Litorina Sea and present‐day gyttja are revealed both in sediment cores and in acoustic recordings. In general, the lateral extent of the distinguished sediment layers is gradually shrinking upwards in the Quaternary sequence towards the deepest, central depression of the gulf. Two distinguished regional discontinuities divide the Lateglacial and postglacial sediment sequence into three allounits: glacial diamicton deposits in the lower part; ice‐proximal WGD, glaciolacustrine and postglacial lake/marine deposits in the middle; and brackish‐water marine deposits in the uppermost part of the sequence. The presented detailed seismostratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary sediment sequence of the Gulf of Riga permits a correlation/comparison with similar sequences across the Baltic Sea and in other former glaciated basins.     

Constraining the chronology of Pleistocene glaciations on Svalbard: Kapp Ekholm re‐visited

The Kapp Ekholm site, in central Spitsbergen, shows alternating units of glaciomarine sandy silt and diamicton representing three glacial cycles and is key in reconstructing the Late Pleistocene glacial history of Svalbard. Part of the site is reinvestigated here by focusing on re‐dating two units (B and F) interpreted as interglacial/interstadial glaciomarine deposits, in order to constrain the controversial chronology. A combination of Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) on quartz, infrared stimulated luminescence with a 50 °C readout temperature (IRSL₅₀) and post infrared‐infrared stimulated luminescence (pIR), both on feldspar, was applied. While Formation B was beyond the dateable range of OSL, IRSL₅₀ and pIR ages lead to the conclusion that this unit represents the Last Interglacial, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e, and the underlying diamicton the MIS 6 glacial. Formation F yielded ages implying that the formation represents the MIS 5a interstadial and the underlying diamicton is interpreted to represent the MIS 5b stadial. This agrees with conclusions drawn concerning the Pleistocene glaciations elsewhere on Svalbard.     

Stratigraphy and sedimentology of Devensian (Dimlington Stadial) glacial deposits,east Yorkshire,England

The stratigraphy and sedimentology of the glacial deposits exposed along the coast of east Yorkshire are reviewed. Critical sections at Filey Brigg, Barmston and Skipsea are examined to reassess the stratigraphy of Devensian Dimlington Stadial glacial deposits in the light of recent developments in glacial sedimentology. Sedimentary and glaciotectonic structures studied in the field and by using scanning electron microscopy are emphasised. Two hypotheses are considered for the genesis of the interbedded diamictons and stratified sediments. The first involves the deposition of lodgement till and/or deformation till followed by meltout till, which was overridden to produce more deformation till, reflecting periods of ice stagnation punctuated by glacier thickening. The second hypothesis, which is favoured on the basis of field evidence and micromorphology, involves the vertical accretion of a deforming till layer associated with cavity/channel or tunnel valley fills, beneath active ice. At Barmston the upper part of the diamicton contains elongate pendant structures containing gravels, indicating that the diamicton was saturated and able to flow. The diamictons, therefore, represent a complex sequence of tills deposited and deformed by active ice during the Dimlington Stadial. Previously published stratigraphical schemes involving classifications of multiple tills in east Yorkshire should be simplified and it is more appropriate to assign these to a single formation, the Skipsea Till Formation. Rhythmic glaciolacustrine and proglacial glaciofluvial sediments overlie the tills at Barmston and Skipsea. These were deposited in sag basins during deglaciation as the tills settled and deformed under thickening sediment and as buried ice melted out. Extensive sands and gravels cap the succession and were deposited on a sandur during the later stages of deglaciation.     

Characterization of diamictons on the basis of their mineral magnetic properties in Murchisonfjorden,Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Different grain-size fractions of 12 lithologically defined and 2 non-defined Weichselian glacial stage diamicton units from Nordaustlandet, Svalbard were studied for their mineral magnetic properties. The applied measurements included magnetic susceptibility (χ), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), ‘backfield’ isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) and several of their parametric ratios. The results indicated a poor correlation between the magnetic fingerprint of dry-sieved and wet-sieved diamicton samples. The dry-sieved samples had higher χ, ARM and SIRM values, suggesting a higher concentration of ferrimagnetic grains. This was probably because washing of the samples resulted in the loss of the most fine-grained ferrimagnetic material. Both sieving methods seem to be capable of discriminating different diamictons, but they cannot be used contemporaneously. The results only partially support previous findings of the chronostratigraphic correlation of diamictons. They indicate that in suitable conditions and within a limited area it is possible to discriminate (and group) glacigenic sequences based on the magnetic signature of their fine-grained fractions in the sample. For example and based on the mineral magnetic fingerprint, a diamicton unit that was described from the marine core (MUR 09/sor1/125–150) obtained from Isvika region most probably represents diamicton material that were derived from provenance areas related to the Middle Weichselian glacial stage. It was also noted that certain mineral magnetic parameters, such as SIRM/χ and SIRM/ARM ratio, had greater potential in discriminating diamicton units than others.     

Glacial deposits at the Boyne Bay Limestone Quarry,Portsoy, and their place in the late Pleistocene history of northeast Scotland

The glacial deposits at the Boyne Bay Limestone Quarry near Portsoy, a key Quaternary Site of Special Scientific Interest, comprise (i) a sandy, partly weathered diamicton (Craig of Boyne Till Formation, CBTF) resting on decomposed bedrock, (ii) a central, variably glaciotectonised assemblage of dark clay, diamicton and sand, with rafts of sand and weathered diamicton (Whitehills Glacigenic Formation, WGF), and (iii) an upper dark sandy diamicton (Old Hythe Till Formation, OHTF). The CBTF was probably derived from the west or southwest, and the WGF from seawards. Structures within the OHTF conform to deposition by east‐ or southeast‐moving ice from the Moray Firth, but some erratics indicate derivation from the south. The CBTF is believed to pre‐date the last (lpswichian) interglacial, but the WGF and OHTF both post‐date the early Middle Devensian, and are probably of Late Devensian age. It is proposed that the OHTF was deposited by ice from inland which was directed eastwards near the coast by a vigorous glacier in the Moray Firth, and that the complex, Late Devensian glacial history of the south coast of the Moray Firth as a whole is the result of the interplay of these two contemporary ice‐masses. British Geological Survey. © NERC 2000.     

Sedimentation and Iithostratigraphy of the North Sea Drift and Lowestoft Till Formations in the Coastal cliffs of northeast Norfolk,England

The most complete terrestrial sequence of Anglian (Elsterian) glacial sediments in western Europe was investigated in northeast Norfolk, England in order to reconstruct the evolution of the contemporary palaeoenvironments. Lithostratigraphically the glacial sediments in the northeast Norfolk coastal cliffs can be divided into the Northn Sea Drift and Lowestoft Till Formations. Three of the diamicton members of the North Sea Drift Formation (Happisburgh, Walcott and Cromer Diamictons) were deposited as lodgement and/or subglacial deformation till by grounded ice, but one, the Mundesley Diamicton, is waterlain and was deposited in an extensive glacial lake. Sands and fine sediments interbedded between the diamictons represent deltaic sands and glaciolacustrine sediments derived not solely from the melting ice in the north but also from extra-marginal rivers in the south. The Lowestoft Till Formation is not well preserved in the cliffs but includes lodgement till (Marly Drift till) and, most probably, associated meltwater deposits. Extensive glaciotectonism in the northern part of the area is shown to relate to oscillating ice that deposited the Cromer Diamicton and also partially to the ice sheet that deposited the Marly Drift till. It is suggested that during the Anglian Stage the present day northeast Norfolk coast was situated on the northwestern margin of an extensive glaciolacustrine basin. This basin was dammed by the Scandinavian ice sheet in the north and northeast. Because the grounding line of this ice sheet oscillated in space and time, part of the North Sea Drift diamictons were deposited directly by this ice. However, during ice retreat phases glaciolacustrine deposition comprised waterlain diamicton, sands and fines. When the Scandinavian ice sheet was situated in northernmost Norfolk, the British ice sheet (responsible for depositing the Marly Drift facies) entered the area from the west. This ice sheet partially deformed the North Sea Drift Formation sediments in the northern part of the area but not in the south, where the British ice sheet apparently terminated in water. The interplay of these two ice sheets on the northern and western margins of the glacial lake is thought to be the major determining factor for the accumulation of thick glacial deposits in this area during the Anglian glaciation.     

Heritage stone in South Australia

South Australia has the greatest utilisation of heritage or building stone in Australia because of its lack of timber resources. Consequently, natural stone was intensively used from the beginning of European colonisation. Building stones in South Australia, notable for their variety given the State’s diverse geology, can be challenging to designate as to their international importance. However, dimension stone in South Australia can also be designated as having national, regional, local or prospective importance. Commonly, stone in South Australia is restricted in use to a specific town, or even a single construction, and has only local significance except where use involves special stone characteristics, unusual stone masonry or use in a building with significant heritage. For instance, the town of Second Valley has a localised use of marble, likely the earliest use (1849) of this rock type in the State. Another example, ‘Adelaide Black Granite’, quarried since 1958, should probably be recognised internationally as a ‘Global Heritage Stone Resource’, as it has had intensive monumental use around Australia, utilisation as cladding in modern buildings, as well as paving and walling in Australia’s National Parliament in Canberra. It has also been exported, notably used for the Australian Embassy in Japan and for a major War Memorial at Le Hamel, France. South Australian slate quarries also provide significant heritage stone. For example, the Willunga Slate quarry south of Adelaide has been sourced for roofing slate and walling since 1840 and is arguably the longest continuous mining operation in Australia; this resource has obvious national significance given a period of quarrying extending to the present, coupled with national distribution of its products. Probably the most widespread stone sourced in South Australia is the surface limestone or calcrete, quarried in the Adelaide area until the 1850s and used for general construction. The stone continues to be used in rural areas. While arguably only of local significance, it could be considered to have national importance because of its extensive use in churches, public building, hotels, houses and simple walling across a vast area of South Australia. Additional research is needed to clarify the heritage status of many building stones used in South Australia.     

Middle pleistocene interglacial sediments at Tye green,Stansted Airport,Essex, England

Interglacial lake deposits at Tye Green, Stansted, resting on unweathered till and overlain by a weathered diamicton are correlated with the temperate Hoxnian Stage. The sediments represent the infilling of an isolated kettle-hole type of lake basin formed at the end of the cold Anglian Stage. Through the temperate period this basin was infilled by inorganic and organic sediments that record the development and decline of deciduous forest. Later periglacial conditions are indicated by the final infilling of the basin by reworked till. The sedimentary sequence and vegetational development recorded in the sediments at Tye Green are compared with other Hoxnian sites in eastern England. Changes in deposition rates are interpreted as representing water-table fluctuations resulting from changes in precipitation. The deposits at Tye Green provide a useful stratigraphical marker in the glacial sequence of the district. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin of friable sediments of the Barents Sea shelf

The origin of friable sediments blanketing the Barents Sea shelf is considered. It is shown that their characteristic seismoacoustic record patterns reflect low degree of diagenetic transformations and indicates continuous sedimentation. According to traditional views, this single sedimentary complex also includes diamicton, and the section is interpreted as a three-unit structure: diamicton, which is considered a till; the overlying friable sediments accumulated under different conditions of deglaciation in glaciomarine settings; and the postglacial marine sediments. It is demonstrated that such views are inconsistent with geomorphologic features (datings by physical methods included) indicating a prolonged hiatus that separates epochs of the diamicton accumulation and formation of friable sediments. The analysis revealed that the composition, vertical succession, and lateral distribution of different lithological types of friable sediments are related to the regular spatiotemporal replacements of different facies settings in the transgressing Arctic sea rather than by the glacial process. This inference is confirmed by the composition of foraminiferal assemblages.