Late Pleistocene terrace deposits at Beckford,Worcestershire, England

The Pleistocene deposits in the area of the village of Beckford, in the Carrant Valley, Worcestershire are described. A radio-carbon date of 27,650±250 years B.P. has been obtained from plant material in the terrace deposits in the valley. Detailed studies have been made of the terrace sediments and of the remains of Mollusca and Coleoptera in fossiliferous layers. Frost structures are described and their stratigraphy considered. The nature of the local environment and regional climate in the final stages of the Upton Warren Interstadial period is reconstructed in detail. The terrace appears to have aggraded in a periglacial environment, dominated initially by solifluction processes. Extensive solifluction may have led to local diversions of drainage. In time, the climate deteriorated, becoming cooler and somewhat less continental with the onset of the main Devensian glaciation. This latter stage was characterised by extensive ice-wedge growth, aeolian activity and, subsequently, by river incision.     

Quaternary mammal remains from the Krasniy Yar locality (Tomsk region,Russia)

The geological structure and faunal content of one of the principal localities for Quaternary mammal remains in Western Siberia, Krasniy Yar (Tomsk region, Russia) are considered. This locality contains 3 layers of bone remains: lower (Middle Neopleistocene), middle (the end of Late Neopleistocene) and upper (end of Neopleistocene—beginning of Holocene). The richest horizon in number of species and the quantity of remains is the middle horizon, which contains the mammoth fauna.     

Late Quaternary fine silt deposits of Jammu,NW Himalaya: Genesis and climatic significance

The fine silt deposits of Jammu (J & K State, India) stretch all along the Siwalik foothills from Jammu to the Potwar Plateau in Pakistan. The post-Siwalik deposits, first discussed by de Terra and Paterson (1939), are attributed to wind action. The deposits termed as ‘Potwar loessic silt’ comprising sandy silt are essentially of late Quaternary age (75–18 ka) and are re-looked herein from the point of view of genesis and climatic significance. The sorting, skewness and kurtosis parameters of fine silts of Jammu suggest fluvial environment of the deposits wherein the water budget fluctuated. The weak pedogenesis of fine silts at certain intervals corroborate to periods of less or no sedimentation. The bivariant plot studies further suggest fluvial environment of deposition for the fine silt at Jammu, with regular fluctuations in the budget of river water that was perhaps in consonance with oscillations in the climate of the region.     

Fossil oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Florisbad Quaternary deposits, South Africa

In a pioneer application of acarology to Quaternary fossil-bearing sediments in southern Africa, the oribatid composition in the Florisbad Quaternary sediments was determined and compared to the currently known distribution of those species. Nine species of oribatid mites were recorded in the Holocene aeolian deposits of the third test pit, three species from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) horizon sediments of the third test pit, and thirteen species from the Holocene spring sediments. The Florisbad results indicate a better agreement between the oribatid fauna of the last interglacial MSA horizon of the third test pit and the organic-rich mid-Holocene deposits near the spring than between either of these and early- and late-Holocene aeolian sediments of the third test pit, suggesting some similarity in microsedimentary environments. The majority of the species recorded in the sediments are parthenogenetic and can be regarded as pioneer species.     

The fish fauna of the Late Jurassic Solothurn Turtle Limestone (NW Switzerland)

The surroundings of Solothurn (NW Switzerland) have been known for their fossil marine turtles since the beginning of the nineteenth century. In more recent history, access to the fossil bearing layers i.e. the Rätschenbank (Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic) has not been possible until 1986 when one of the old quarries in the area re-opened. A series of excavations from 1986 to 1989 provided new material and a unique opportunity to re-investigate the fish fauna of the Solothurn Turtle Limestone that has not been dealt with since Agassiz (1833–1844). Examination and classification of the Solothurn specimens, mainly jaw fragments and teeth, furnished 11 species in 6 major groups: chimaeras (Ischyodus), selachians (Hybodus, Paracestracion, Asteracanthus), semionotids (Lepidotes), pycnodontids (Gyrodus, Proscinetes), caturids and oligopleurids (Caturus, Callopterus, Ionoscopus), and aspidorhynchids (Belonostomus).     

Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental development of Quaternary coarse clastic beach deposits at Plage de Mezpeurleuch,Brittany (France)

Quaternary deposits are described from well‐exposed sections in cliffs at Plage de Mezpeurleuch, Finistère, Brittany (France). The general lithostratigraphic sequence comprises Holocene perched dune sand, calcrete and palaeosol overlying Weichselian head and coarse clastic palaeobeach units attributed to the last interglacial (Eemian–isotope substage 5e). A lower and an upper palaeobeach, separated by a thin head deposit, are reported resting on an irregular palaeorock platform eroded in Hercynian granite. From a comparison with modern coastal environments a palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the palaeobeach deposits is made. Erosionally bounded facies of the lower palaeobeach, are considered to be a transgressive sequence preserved by drowning associated with a rapid rise in relative sea‐level. Its subsequent abandonment is attributed to a relative sea‐level fall, which allowed a terrestrial environment to develop briefly. Facies of the upper palaeobeach however indicate a prograding shoreline developed during a prolonged period of relatively stable sea‐level. These sea‐level observations are in good agreement with other evidence for a brief widespread intra‐Eemian cold event. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amino-acid racemizarion in Quaternary shell deposits at Willapa Bay,Washington

Extents of racemization ($\text{d}\text{l}$ ratios) of amino acids in fossil Saxidomus giganteus (Deshayes) and Ostrea lurida Carpenter were measured on shell deposits exposed at 21 sites on the east side of Willapa Bay, Washington. Amino acids from Saxidomus show less variability in $\text{d}\text{Spl}$ ratios and, therefore, are of greater use in correlation and age estimation than are amino acids from Ostrea. Shells of two different ages, about 120,000 ± 40,000 yr old and about 190,000 ± 40,000 yr old, are present. These ages correspond to Stages 5 and 7 of the marine isotope record defined by Shackleton and Opdyke in 1973 and hence the shell deposits likely formed during two different high stands of sea level. The stratigraphic record at Willapa Bay is consistent with this interpretation.     

Mechanical validation of balanced cross-sections: The case of the Mont Terri anticline at the Jura front (NW Switzerland)

Close to north-west front of the Jura thrust belt in Switzerland, the Mont Terri anticline is located at a disruption of the Muschelkalk decollement, due to a former normal fault. Numerous geological data are available thanks to a motorway tunnel cross-cutting the fold and an underground laboratory. Original field data, two geological maps, a borehole, and a highway tunnel constrain the inner structure. The anticline is characterized by an overturned frontal limb, a steep back limb, and a ramp cross-cutting older normal faults. Three geological cross-sections and three 2D kinematic models are proposed as various combinations of fault-bend folding, fault-propagation folding and detachment folding. The main motivation of this study is to illustrate how geometrical constructions can be constrained by the kinematic approach of limit analysis, which determines the optimal deformation, including faults, that verifies mechanical equilibrium and the Coulomb criterion. Matching some of the important kinematic steps assumed in each three interpretations to the optimal deformation leads us to define the compatible ranges of values of the frictional parameters. These ranges allow us to assess the likeliness of the important kinematic steps of each kinematic model. The present analysis provides a quantitative link between the assumed evolution of the internal structure, and the concomitant evolutions of the topography and of the frictional parameters.     

Native iron in Quaternary deposits of the Darhad Basin (northern Mongolia)

Quaternary sediments from the borehole DBC-1 drilled in the Darhad Basin, northern Mongolia, have been studied by thermomagnetic analysis (248 samples) and probe microanalysis (9 samples) to determine the origin (cosmic or terrestrial) of native iron. Most of the samples showed extremely low contents of native iron. Only 26 samples have iron in contents sufficient for its reliable identification (10^–5–10^–3%). The negligible content of native iron in the Darhad Basin sediments distinguishes them from the earlier studied sediments of different geologic associations of Eurasia and the Atlantic, which we explain by the high sedimentation rate in this basin. However, the bimodal distribution of native-iron contents in the samples with a distinct “zero” mode, similar to that in the objects of Eurasia and the Atlantic, testifies to the predominantly cosmic origin of the native iron.     

Late Pleistocene (Last Interglacial) terrace deposits, Bahia Coyote, Baja California Sur, México

Late Pleistocene age terrace deposits are exposed in the narrow cliffed coastal plain of Bahia Coyote, Baja California Sur, resting unconformably on the lagoonal-shallow water volcaniclastics of the early Miocene Cerro Colorado Member of the El Cien Formation. The terrace is dissected by widely spaced arroyos and partically covered by alluvial fans in the inner and central areas. The marine deposits vary in thickness from 0.5 to 10 m and were laid down in pre-existing erosional channels and depressions in the Pleistocene landscape. The sequence begins with a cobble conglomerate with oyster shells, overlain by poorly bedded molluscan-rich bioclastic sands and coral rubble, beds of massive Porites in growth position and coral-rhodolith sands and marls. Beach sands and gravels and coastal dunes cap the sequence.Samples of Porites panamensis selected for U/Th dating are well-preserved aragonite (>95%). Preliminary results yield U/Th ages of 109–209 ka but the corals have initial δ ²³⁴U values in excess of modern seawater values. This indicates open-system behavior and uncertainty associated with the ages. A corrected age for the top of the massive Porites unit suggests that the corals grew during the last interglacial, marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e sea level high stand.Assuming global sea level during MIS 5e was ca. 4–5 m above present-day sea level (McCulloch and Esat, 2000) and the growth position of the corals was 1–5 m below sea level, the terraces have been uplifted between 12 and 25 m (12–15 cm/kyr). This is consistent with other terrace-based uplift rates for the central Baja California peninsula, north of the La Paz fault.     

Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) ostracods from Highway A16 (NW Switzerland): taxonomy, stratigraphy, ecology, and biogeography

Ostracods are a common microfaunal element of the Kimmeridgian of the Jura Mountains in NW Switzerland. The stratigraphical subdivision within the Kimmeridgian can as clearly be inferred from ostracods as it is the case from the ammonite biozonation. This proves the utiliy of the ostracod biozonation, especially where ammonites are not available or rare. The ostracod-bearing layers of the sequence under study (middle part of the Reuchenette Formation = Banné Member, Courtedoux Member and Lower Virgula Marls) have been deposited in waters with highly brackish to marine salinities (high in the pliohaline range to—predominanttly—brachyhaline according to the Venice System, Oertli 1964). From the base of the section (base of the Banné Member, high brachyhaline in average), salinities slowly decreased, with lowest salinities in the lower dinosaur track levels of Courtedoux Member (high pliohaline on average). They then increased again to higher salinities (high brachyhaline on average) above the upper dinosaur track levels of the Courtedoux Member and the Lower Virgula Marls (lowermost A. eudoxus Zone). These trends perfectly correlate with the increased occurence of ammonites above the upper dinosaur track levels. In terms of Kimmeridgian ostracod palaeobiogeography, the fauna of the NW Swiss Jura Mountains described in this work is most similar to the Aquitan and Paris Basins, a little less to Northern Germany, and even less (with not even half of the species in common) to Southern Germany. The NW Swiss Jura Mountains still belong to a largely boreally influenced “Western and Central European subprovince”, whereas Southern Germany (though located more to the north) was subjected to an enhanced tethyan influence.     

Chronology of the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in NW Europe: developer-funded investigations at Dunbridge,Hampshire, southern England

This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupation, artefact typology and Quaternary fluvial deposits from a geoarchaeological watching brief undertaken over 17 years at Kimbridge Farm Quarry, Dunbridge, Hampshire. Sections were recorded and sampled and 198 artefacts, principally hand axes, were collected, with the primary aim of enhancing understanding of the geological context of the richest Lower Palaeolithic assemblage from Hampshire. Digital terrain modelling was used to characterize the three-dimensional form of the fluvial geology. Two gravel terraces have been confirmed: an upper Belbin Formation, which contained most of the archaeological artefacts, and a lower Mottisfont Formation. Results of specific note included recovery of artefacts demonstrating elements of ‘proto-Levallois’ technology from within the Belbin Gravel deposition. Fully developed Levallois technology was present across both the Belbin Gravel and the Mottisfont Formation at Dunbridge, the latter having an otherwise relatively sparse Palaeolithic content. Previously published OSL dating, supplemented by new data, has been combined with uplift modelling to suggest dates of MIS 9b and MIS 8, respectively, for these two gravels. This fits well with evidence from other sites in England and the near Continent for the timing of the earliest Levallois at around MIS 9. The results from the Dunbridge watching brief have demonstrated that this response provides a relatively cost effective method by which important scientific data can be salvaged from commercial quarrying.     

Ipswichian (Eemian) floodplain deposits and terrace stratigraphy in the lower Great Ouse and Cam valleys,southern England,UK

Gao, C. & Boreham, S. 2010: Ipswichian (Eemian) floodplain deposits and terrace stratigraphy in the lower Great Ouse and Cam valleys, southern England, UK. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00191.x. ISSN 0300‐9483. Thick argillaceous deposits named the Mannings Farm Beds recently uncovered in the third terrace at Mannings Farm near Willingham, Cambridgeshire contain a pollen sequence covering the transitions from Ipswichian/Eemian substages I to II and II to III, when oak and hornbeam expanded, respectively. This is the longest record hitherto obtained in Britain, providing important insight into the major forest successions in this temperate stage. The frequent occurrence of Ipswichian deposits in the third terrace suggests the development of an extensive floodplain on the valley bottom, similar to the case for the present‐day lower Great Ouse and Cam. The Mannings Farm Beds testify to a complete interglacial sequence emplaced between cold‐climate gravels that was directly associated with the terrace development. The third terrace developed during the Ipswichian and the preceding and succeeding cold stages. Major river downcutting, which shaped the third terrace, occurred during the Early Devensian/Weichselian. Previously reported interglacial fossils from this terrace that are inconsistent with an Ipswichian affinity are probably reworked material derived from pre‐Ipswichian interglacial deposits, or their significance as biostratigraphical indicators needs to be confirmed. The second and first terraces developed from the late Early Devensian onwards. Ipswichian deposits filling flood‐scoured deep channels in bedrock are preserved locally below these low terraces.     

祁连山地区河流阶地与第四纪构造隆升

祁连山及邻区河流阶地系列是反映区域构造隆升的重要地貌标志。对祁连山地区东北部的沙沟河、西北部的洪水坝河、东南部的黄河共和段及渭河陇西段、东部的黄河兰州段河流阶地进行了阶地抬升幅度、年代对比研究,分析了祁连山及邻区第四纪构造隆升的特点及其对青藏高原隆升的响应。研究表明,1.6Ma以来祁连山及邻区至少存在5期构造活动,即1.6Ma左右的第1期构造活动;1.2~0.6Ma的第2期构造活动,包括1.2Ma、0.8Ma、0.6Ma的次一期构造活动;0.45~0.25Ma的第3期构造活动;0.2~0.08Ma的第4期构造活动,包括0.15Ma、0.1Ma次一期构造活动;0.08Ma以来的第5期构造活动。祁连山及邻区在第1、2、4、5期构造活动中表现为同步抬升,第3期不同区域抬升时间存在差异。在构造活动强度方面,1.2~0.6Ma(第2期)祁连山东部活动较强,0.45~0.25Ma(第3期)构造活动强度表现为北部强于南部,在北部表现为由西向东不断增强,0.2Ma以来在南、北方向上表现为构造活动强度沿着北东方向减弱,在东、西方向上表现为祁连山西北部的构造活动明显强于东北部。祁连山及邻区东部1.80Ma以来平均抬升速率为0.25mm/a,平均抬升了450m左右,粗略计算2.6Ma以来该区域抬升了600m左右。祁连山及邻区西部河流阶地反映的构造抬升强于东部,据此推断,第四纪以来祁连山及邻区西部抬升或超过600m。     

Chronology of upper Quaternary offshore successions from the southeastern Mediterranean Sea,Israel

Pleistocene and Holocene transgressions advancing over the shelf that was exposed during glacial maxima drowned any continental and shallow marine sediments deposited during low sea level stands. To complement records from sequences exposed on land, core material from the shallow continental shelf is needed to reconstruct climatic and sea level fluctuations. Two cores drilled offshore Ashqelon off the southern Mediterranean coast of Israel, in a water depth of 10 and 25 m, were analyzed. Sedimentary facies and faunal analyses indicate that most of the sediments were deposited in nearshore environments, with only short intervals of continental episodes. Luminescence dating of alkali feldspar and quartz, as well as ¹⁴C ages of mollusks, date the cores to marine oxygen isotopic stages 6–1, between ∼140 and 5 ka. Comparison between the dating methods shows that most alkali feldspar ages agree with independent sea level and sedimentological constraints while quartz ages are overestimated.