Status of Stratigraphy Research in China

Scientific research and productive practice for earth history are inseparable from the accurate stratigraphic framework and time framework. Establishing the globally unified, precise and reliable chronostratigraphic series and geological time series is the major goal of the International Commission on Stratigraphy(ICS). Under the leadership of the ICS, the countries around the world have carried out research on the Global Standard Stratotype-section and Points(GSSPs) for the boundaries of chronostratigraphic systems. In the current International Chronostratigraphic Chart(ICC), 65 GSSPs have been erected in the Phanerozoic Eonothem, and one has yet been erected in the Precambrian Eonothem. Based on the progress of research on stratigraphy especially that from its subcommissions, the ICS is constantly revising the ICC, and will publish a new International Stratigraphic Guide in 2020. After continual efforts and broad international cooperation of Chinese stratigraphers, 10 GSSPs within the Phanerozoic Eonothem have been approved and ratified to erect in China by the ICS and IUGS. To establish the standards for stratigraphic division and correlation of China, with the support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Geological Survey, Chinese stratigraphers have carried out research on the establishment of Stages in China. A total of 102 stages have been defined in the "Regional Chronostratigraphic Chart of China(geologic time)", in which 59 stages were studied in depth. In 2014, the "Stratigraphic Chart of China" was compiled, with the essential contents as follows: the correlation between international chronostratigraphy and regional chronostratigraphy of China(geologic time), the distributive status of lithostratigraphy, the characteristics of geological ages, the biostratigraphic sequence, the magnetostratigraphy, the geological events and eustatic sea-level change during every geological stage. The "Stratigraphical Guide of China and its Explanation(2014)" was also published. Chinese stratigraphers have paid much attention to stratigraphic research in south China, northeast China, north China and northwest China and they have made great achievements in special research on stratigraphy, based on the 1:1000000, 1:250000, 1:200000 and 1:50000 regional geological survey projects. Manifold new stratigraphic units were discovered and established by the regional geological surveys, which are helpful to improve the regional chronostratigraphic series of China. On the strength of the investigation in coastal and offshore areas, the status of marine strata in China has been expounded. According to the developing situation of international stratigraphy and the characteristics of Chinese stratigraphic work, the contrast relation between regional stratigraphic units of China and GSSPs will be established in the future, which will improve the application value of GSSPs and the standard of regional stratigraphic division and correlation. In addition, the study of stratigraphy of the Precambrian, terrestrial basins and orogenic belts will be strengthened, the Stratigraphic Chart of China will be improved, the typical stratigraphic sections in China will be protected and the applied study of stratigraphy in the fields of oil and gas, solid minerals, etc. will be promoted. On the ground of these actions, stratigraphic research will continue to play a great role in the social and economic development of China.     

成矿地质事件浅析

成矿地质事件作为地壳和地质历史演化中的稀少事件,在相对较短的地质时限内,于全球或一定的空间范围内,具有相同或不同性质的地质体(构造单元)或它们特定的一部分,成矿元素呈大面积聚集或高浓度聚集成矿。成矿地质事件具有3个基本特征:1 层次性,即按成矿事件波及范围,可分为全球性的、洲际性的、区域性的、地方性的等四个层次成矿事件;2 耦合性,不同层次的成矿事件与其对应相配的地质(构造、岩浆、变质等)事件之间存在着节律的耦合关系;3 专属性,不同动力起因的成矿事件有着各自的成矿专属性。     

Metallogenic ‘factories’ and resultant highly anomalous mineral endowment on the craton margins of China

The current margins of the North China and Yangtze Cratons provide arguably the best examples globally of anomalously high mineral endowment within a 100 km buffer zone, hosting 66 diverse world-class to giant ore systems that help explain China’s premier position as a producer of multiple metal and mineral commodities. After the cratonization of these crustal blocks during the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic, with incorporation of iron ores on assembled micro-block margins, the margins of the cratons experienced multiple convergence and rifting events leading to metasomatism and fertilization of their underlying sub-continental lithospheric mantle. The rifted margins with trans-lithosphere faults provided pathways for Cu-Au (Mo-W-Sn)-bearing felsic to Ni-Cu-bearing ultrabasic intrusions and REE-rich carbonatite magmas, and for the development of marginal sedimentary basins with both Cu-Pb-Zn-rich source units and reactive carbonate or carbonaceous host rocks. There was diachronous formation of hydrothermal orogenic gold, antimony, and bismuth systems in the narrow orogenic belts between the cratons. Complexity in the Mesozoic Paleo-Pacific subduction systems resulted in asthenosphere upwelling and lithosphere extension and thinning in the North China Craton, leading to anomalous heat flow and formation of orogenic gold deposits, including those of the giant Jiaodong gold province on its north-eastern margin. These gold deposits, many of which formed from fluids liberated by devolatilization of previously metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle, helped propel China to be the premier gold producer globally. The thick sub-continental lithospheric mantle of the cold buoyant cratons helped the preservation of some of the world’s oldest porphyry-skarn and epithermal mineral systems. Although craton margins globally control the formation and preservation of a diverse range of mineral deposits, China represents the premier example in terms of metal endowment due to the anomalous length of its craton margins combined with their abnormally complex tectonic history.     

Summary of an International Guide to Stratigraphic Classification,Terminology, and Usage

International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification [Report No. 7b; editor H. D. Hedberg]: Summary of an International Guide to Stratigraphic Classification, Terminology, and Usage. Boreas, Vol. 1, pp. 213–239. Oslo, 1st September, 1972. [Co-published with Lethaia, Vol. 5, pp. 297–323]. Six published reports (and some 40 circulars) of the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification (ISSC) constitute the principal bases for the initial edition of an International Guide to Stratigraphic Classification, Terminology, and Usage. The published reports on Lithostratigraphic Units, Biostratigraphic Units, Chronostratigraphic Units, and Stratotypes are advance chapters of the Guide. The following Summary, which with the preceding Introduction will form the first chapter of the completed Guide, provides a concise and condensed statement of principles, definitions, and proposed rules, which are elaborated in more detail in the published reports and individual chapters of the Guide.     

Lithostratigraphic and tectonic features of the formation of hydrocarbon pools on the shelf of the Russian eastern Arctic

Chronostratigraphic, geologic, and tectonic preconditions of the formation of hydrocarbon pools on the shelf of the Russian eastern Arctic are considered. Based on study of the Upper Cretaceous section at Cape Derevyannye Gory (Novaya Sibir Island), it is shown that the Arctic shelf comprises thick deltaic sequences that can accommodate solid and liquid hydrocarbons.     

北祁连山西段同位素测年概况

作者在广泛收集前人资料的基础上,通过课题研究工作,剔除了一些地点、岩性、测试不详及方法不系统的年龄数据,获得了一组有价值的同位素年代学数据。它们可以代表目前北祁连山西段同位素年代学研究的主要成果与认识,对研究本区盆地-构造-岩浆-热事件提供了重要成因信息。综合评价这一成果,方法较全面,数据有一定系统性,从而有力地支持了对本区各类地质体形成与演化的认识,解决在北祁连山西段科研、地质找矿以及区域地质调查中一些长期争议的地层时代问题,对推动本区成矿时代、热历史等问题研究的深入,有重要意义。     

论地震地层的等时特征

地震地层有波系、波组、地震层序、同相轴等几种单元,规模较大的波系、波组可与年代地层学中的统、系甚至界相对应,是等时的地层单元。地震层序以各种不整合作为划分地层的依据,所划的地层不但不穿时,而且具成因意义。同相轴为等时的、平整的、具波阻抗差的古沉积表面的反射所形成,而不是人为想象的、不平整的、具波阻抗差的岩性界面的反射。在它所代表的地层厚度的规模上(通常为30～50m),同相轴可看成一个等时的地层单元,而对小于这一规模的地层来说,同相轴则可能穿时。地震地层对比除具等时性特征外,还有其它一些优越性及局限性。     

A physiographic approach to land use planning

Physiography has been studied in the United States for more than 75 years, but only recently has it been applied to land use planning. Advantages of a physiographic approach are that it 1) focuses on the problems at the proper scale and conserves energy, effort, and time by selecting the critical parameters, 2) stresses geologic structure and process as factors which should control land use, and 3) presents data in a form which the non-geologically trained planner can easily understand. In 1928 Fenneman delineated and described the provinces and sections of the United States. This paper proposes a classification of smaller physiographic units and presents two examples of how they can be used for planning purposes. Below the section, the units used in this paper are the subsection, the land type, and the topographic element. Subsections delineate areas of distinct geologic structure or process whereas land types delineate ranges in the intensity of those processes. Topographic elements delineate units with distinct ranges of slopes or shapes of slopes, such as concave or convex.     

徐宿地区上前寒武系地层单元界面的穿时特征与意义

剖面露头特征显示 ,徐宿地区上前寒武系地层单元 (组、段 )界面普遍是穿时面 ,分别涉及贾园组—望山组各组地层。研究结果表明 ,穿层界面的形态、倾向与界面上下的岩石类型、海进海退、深水方向有着明显的相关性 ;人为选择窄相带浅水相沉积作为地层单元分界面的标志以及沉积相带的侧向迁移是造成界面穿层的原因。鉴于地层单元界面普遍穿时 ,建议采用以斜实线的形式来表述研究区上前寒武系地层柱中穿时界面上下两个地层单元的整合接触和部分同期、部分先后异期的时序关系。     

Transforms to enhance correlation of mechanical well logs

Mathematical correlation of geologic sections from mechanical well logs depends on comparison of frequency components derived from the recorded amplitude variations of the well logs as they respond to changes in lithology. Techniques have been developed that compensate for changes in thickness of units within lithologic sequences and for moderate numbers of missing and truncated beds. However, accurate correlation depends on time stratigraphic units being composed of relatively consistent sequences of rock lithologic units. Correlation is uncertain in areas where time stratigraphic sequences exhibit considerable facies variation. Visual correlation experiences similar problems but the human eye can sort out facies changes more easily and may be better than mechanical correlation in problem areas. Both mechanical and visual correlation can be enhanced by the application of relatively simple transforms to the basic log data. They are applied by computer to digital logs and are designed to magnify specific diagnostics of the more continuous beds while subduing distracting events and noise. Both mechanical and visual correlation are improved by the use of transformed logs; moreover, the digital logs permit optically pleasing displays that maintain the overall advantage of trained geologists over mechanical intervention.     

Subdivision of precambrian time: recommendations and suggestions by the subcommission on precambrian stratigraphy

The Subcommission on Precambrian Stratigraphy, consisting at the time of its last formal meeting in 1982 of 12 titular Members and 30 Correspondents, has been actively working toward an acceptable subdivision of Precambrian time for more than a decade. Comprehensive time-rock charts have been prepared for major Precambrian shields, and this composite record has been analysed for patterns and events common to several or to all. A geochronologic subdivision scheme has evolved that reflects these patterns of major events in Earth history, while still recognizing that those events are typically varied in intensity and timing from one region to another. Time unit boundaries have been selected so as to enclose or delimit principal cycles of sedimentation, orogeny, and magmatism, but the boundaries are defined in years, without specific reference to any bodies of rock.Several recommendations, developed sequentially at formal meetings held at intervals of 2–4 years and announced in geologic journals with calls for comment and criticism, are proposed:

• 1.(1) the recommendation to establish two major time units of Eon rank, Proterozoic and Archaean (Archean), separated by a time boundary at 2500 Ma, is reaffirmed;
• 2.(2) the provisional recommendation to subdivide the Proterozoic Eon into three units of Era rank, provisionally labelled Proterozoic I, II, and III, with time boundaries at 2500, 1600, 900, and (about) 570 Ma, respectively, is confirmed; and
• 3.(3) further subdivision of the Proterozoic into eight time units of Period rank, as yet unnamed, with time boundaries at 2500, 2100, 1800, 1600, 1400, 1200, 900, 700, and (about) 570 Ma, respectively, is provisionally recommended.

The nature of the Subcommission's deliberations and the guidelines developed are described herein. Comment and criticism, both on the procedure followed and on the recommendations themselves are invited.     

油气水界面追溯法——研究烃类流体运聚成藏史的一种重要方法

通过对塔里木盆地多个油气藏的油气水界面演化史与成藏期的综合分析 ,认为油气水界面追溯法是研究烃类流体运聚成藏期与成藏演化史的一种十分有效的方法。其确定成藏期、恢复成藏演化史的基本原理是 ,规则油气藏形成时其油气水界面通常为一水平的界面 ,以后因构造变动等影响 ,油气水界面可能发生变迁 ,直至构造稳定期其油气水界面又重新演变为水平的界面。因此 ,可以通过对油气藏油气水界面演变史的分析 ,研究油气藏的形成演化历史。具体做法是 ,首先编制大比例尺圈闭发育史剖面图 (或平面图 ) ,然后计算现今油气藏的油气水界面在各地质历史时期的古埋深 ,并标于相应时期的剖面图 (或平面图 )上 ,则现今油气水界面埋深最早形成水平直线或水平界面的时间 ,即是油气藏的形成时间。其后的油气水界面变迁则纪录了油气藏形成以后调整、改造乃至破坏的历史     

Diachronous development of master joints of different orientations in different lithological units within the same forearc-basin deposits,Kyushu, Japan

The geometrical and chronological characteristics of joints and subordinate fractures in the Miocene (12–6 Ma) Uchiumigawa Group, Kyushu, Japan, strongly depend on the host lithology. In massive sandstone units (11 stations), joints are normal to bedding and form two suborthogonal sets, a master joint set parallel to the bedding strike and a cross joint set perpendicular to the bedding strike. In interbedded sandstone–mudstone units (11 stations), joints are found only in sandstone layers and have the same characteristics as the joints in the thick sandstone units, except that the chronology is opposite: in nine stations, master joints are perpendicular to the bedding strike and cross joints are parallel to the bedding strike. The observed joint pattern is tentatively explained by a diachronous formation of master joints which appeared first in massive sandstone units and later in the interbedded units, as a result of the superposition in the study area of two different deformation episodes independently documented by regional fault-slip data. Transition between the two jointing events took place around 6 Ma.     

Unit stratotypes for global stages: The Neogene perspective

Recent developments in integrated high-resolution stratigraphy and astronomical tuning of continuous deep marine successions invalidate arguments against the designation of unit stratotypes for global stages, the basic building blocks of the standard Global Chronostratigraphic Scale (GCS). For the late Neogene, Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) sections may also serve as unit stratotypes, covering the interval from the base of a stage up to the level that–time-stratigraphically–correlates with the base of the next younger stage in a continuous and well-tuned deep marine succession. The added value of such sections as unit stratotype lies in the integrated high-resolution stratigraphy and astronomical tuning, which combined, provides an excellent age control with an unprecedented resolution, precision and accuracy within the entire stage. As such they form the backbone of the new integrated late Neogene time scale and provide the basis for reconstructing Earth's history. In this way a stage is also defined by its content and not only by its boundaries. Our unit stratotype concept strengthens the importance of time-rock units by allowing the introduction of astronomically defined chronozones as formal chronostratigraphic units, thereby arguing against the elimination of the dual classification of chronostratigraphy and geochronology.Extending this concept to older time intervals requires that well-tuned, continuous deep marine sections are employed, thus necessitating the employment of multiple hole (I)ODP sites for defining (remaining) stages and stage boundaries in at least the Cenozoic and Cretaceous and possibly the entire Mesozoic. Evidently the construction of the Geological Time Scale (including the GCS) should be based on the most appropriate sections available while, where possible, taking the historical concept of global stages into account.     

Two-stage collision: Exploring the birth of Pangea in the Variscan terranes

The Variscan suture exposed in NW Iberia contains a stack of terranes including two allochthonous units with continental affinity and Gondwanan provenance (Upper and Basal Units), separated by an ophiolite belt where the most common units show protolith ages at c. 395 Ma. Recent Lu–Hf zircon data obtained from these ophiolites indicate interaction between the gabbroic magmas and old continental crust. Hence, the ophiolites could not have originated in a deep ocean basin associated with a mature mid-ocean-ridge or intraoceanic subduction. The tectonothermal evolution of the continental terranes bounding the suture zone records two consecutive events of deep subduction. The Upper Units record an initial high-P/ultra-high-P metamorphic event that occurred before 400–390 Ma, while the Basal Units were affected by a second high-P/low-to-intermediate-T metamorphic event dated at c. 370 Ma. Continental subduction affected the most external margin of Gondwana and developed in a setting of dextral convergence with Laurussia. Development of the two high-P events alternated with the opening of an ephemeral oceanic basin, probably of pull-apart type, in Early Devonian times. This ephemeral oceanic domain is suggested as the setting for the protoliths of the most common ophiolites involved in the Variscan suture. Current ideas for the assembly of Pangea advocate a single collisional event between Gondwana and Laurussia in the Carboniferous. However, the new evidence from the allochthonous terranes of the Variscan belt suggests a more complex scenario for the assembly of the supercontinent, with an interaction between the colliding continental margins that started earlier and lasted longer than previously considered. Based on modern analogs of continental interaction, the development of complex collisions, as here suggested for Gondwana and Laurussia during the assembly of Pangea, could have been the norm rather than the exception throughout Earth history.     

地史时期生物对冰室气候形成的作用

在地质历史时期的碳循环中,生物的作用很大.生物产氧光合作用消耗CO₂而产生有机质与O₂;有机质及生物成因碳酸盐岩埋藏又进一步固定CO₂并减少O₂消耗,所以生物产氧光合事件与冰期、成（增）氧期应存在因果关系.论述了5次事件,分别是:与产氧光合蓝细菌有关的古元古代初期大氧化事件（Early Proterozoic great oxygenation event,GOE）、与真核生物辐射事件有关的新元古代大成氧事件（Neoproterozoic oxidation event,NOE）、与早期陆生植物繁盛事件有关的晚奥陶世增氧和冰期事件、与维管植物繁盛事件有关的石炭纪-二叠纪增氧和冰期事件及与被子植物和浮游微植物繁盛有关的第四纪冰期事件.结果表明,5次成氧事件和冰期与生物事件有因果关系,主要表现为,都有冰期和成氧事件共存或相继出现的证据,反映大气CO₂降低和O₂增加同时或相继发生,而这只能由生物的光合作用及其产物的埋藏造成.这说明生物不仅仅是适应于环境,它也对环境产生重大影响,生物与环境的这种相互作用在漫长的地质历史中表现为协同演化.但是早期生物事件并不立刻产生成氧或冰期等环境效应,这种效应开始是微量的,逐渐积累,达到阈值后才发生质变,所以在时间上是滞后的.随着生物多样性和丰度的增加,这种效应越来越大,速率越来越快,滞后性逐渐减弱,耦合性日渐明显.生物与地球环境之间的相互作用构成了生物与地球系统的自我调节,使地球与其他星球不同,其表层始终保持在生命宜居的环境范围内.今天人类更要理智地、科学地善待地球,避免对地球造成重大的负面影响.      

The structure,depositional style and accumulation characteristics of continental margin with diachronous breakup in the northern South China Sea

ABSTRACT

A typical diachronous breakup developed in the South China Sea (SCS); the breakup has been unequivocally identified, and gradually decreases in age from NE to SW. To illustrate the influence of a diachronous breakup on hydrocarbon accumulation, we used seismic profiles from CNOOC, and analysed crustal extension characteristics, sedimentary style and source rock accumulation. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Because of the diachronous breakup in the SCS, various tectonic units developed in different positions on the northern continental margin with different degrees of extension. The Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB) is closer to the central sea basin of the SCS and has been affected by regional tension stress for a longer time. Tectonic units of proximal domain, necking zone, and distal margin types developed, and the crust structure thinned from the land towards the sea. The Qiongdongnan Basin (QB) is closer to the Southwest Sub-basin. There are symmetrical proximal domains on the southern and northern sides of the QB, with a necking zone in the central part. It presents as an abandoned passive continental margin. (2) The PRMB exhibited rifted cells first, followed by canyon type extensional faulting and horizontal axial transportation, and then by a longitudinal shelf-slope sedimentary style. But the QB has only rifted cells and canyon type faulting stages, no longitudinal shelf-slope sedimentary stage. The major source rocks in the northern SCS become younger from east to west, and the sedimentary facies change from lacustrine facies to marine-continental transitional facies. (3) The diachronous breakup process ultimately affecting oil and gas migration and accumulation process. The PRMB is dominated by deep-water shelf break accumulation with deep-water fan reservoir bodies. The QB is dominated by canyon type accumulation with channels.     

Geoheritage values of consanguineous wetland suites on the Swan Coastal Plain,Western Australia

A wide range of wetland types occur on the Swan Coastal Plain of Western Australia. They vary from basins, and flats, to slopes and channels, and vary in size, shape, water characteristics, sediment types, stratigraphy, vegetation, origin, and maintenance processes. The wetlands range from large linear lakes to small round or irregular seasonally damp wetland basins to seasonally flooded flats, to seasonally flooded or permanently flowing channels. Salinity ranges from fresh to saline to hyposaline; and recharge mechanisms from perching of surface-water to wetting and inundation by groundwater, as determined by regional features such as geology, geomorphology, soils, climate and hydrology, and local physical/chemical processes. The Swan Coastal Plain presents a bewildering array, diversity, and complexity of wetlands, but patterns and ordering can be recognised if the wetlands are aggregated into natural groups. The wetlands, in fact, have been aggregated into natural groupings termed ‘consanguineous suites’, resulting in some 30 different formally named wetland suites related to geomorphic setting varying, for instance, from interdune depressions on a beach-ridge plain (the Becher Suite), to karst-formed linear lakes in limestone-ridge country (the Yanchep Suite), to irregular to round, semi-interconnected basins on a quartz sand subdued dune system (the Jandakot Suite), to linear and round basins formed along the hydrological contact between limestone and quartz sand (the Bibra Suite), among others. The variety of wetland types on the Swan Coastal Plain represents geodiversity that needs to be addressed in geoheritage assessments of the State of Western Australia. Further, as repositories of Holocene to Pleistocene sedimentary sequences, the wetlands present significant reservoirs of information on wetland history, climate changes, and hydrochemical history, and are templates on wetland maintenance and functioning, diagnostic for their geologic/geomorphic setting useful for management of wetlands in Western Australia, nationally, and globally. From a global perspective, the diversity and array of consanguineous suites of the Swan Coastal Plain is unique. An understated aspect of the approach in identifying consanguineous suites of wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain is that in their geological, geomorphological, and hydrological/hydrochemical setting they provide profound insights into gradual and uninterrupted wetland development, sedimentary filling and ecological functioning because, for a given east–west transect, they are located in the same climate setting but in different geologic/geomorphic and hydrochemical settings. They appear to be unrepresented globally, and therefore, in terms of geoheritage, are internationally significant.     

超级火山喷发及其环境效应SCIEI北大核心CSCD

超级火山喷发可以在极短时间内剧烈改变区域地形地貌,引起全球性气候巨变,是人类赖以生存的地球宜居环境的严重威胁。因此,剖析地质历史上的超级火山喷发事件及其环境效应,将有助于我们预测和应对未来可能的超级火山喷发及其造成的自然灾难。本文从超级火山和超级喷发的定义入手,重点介绍超级火山喷发的固相和气相产物、如何鉴别地质历史上的超级火山喷发、以及超级火山喷发可能带来的环境和社会影响。由于最近一次超级火山喷发发生在2.6万年前的新西兰,人类文明并没有经历过超级火山喷发,科学家们主要通过二十世纪以来有记录的小型火山喷发、冰芯和年轮记录、火山-环境-气候模型等来推测、反演和模拟超级火山喷发对气候和环境的影响。已有的研究表明,超级火山喷发产生的碎屑熔岩流和岩浆房塌陷产生的破火山口给周边地区环境造成直接的摧毁;进入平流层的火山气体经过物理化学变化形成气溶胶,有效的反射和吸收太阳辐射,从而导致长达数年的区域甚至全球性的剧烈降温和降水减少。尽管科学家们已经做了很多数值模拟和推演,但超级火山喷发的影响仍然是难以估计的。特别是超级火山喷发发生的季节和地点会带来不同的火山-海洋-大气-植被耦合效应,导致不同规模的气候和环境变化,未来应当加强这方面的研究。