Permian Peri‐glacial Deposits from Central Mongolia in Central Asian Orogenic Belt: A Possible Indicator of the Capitanian Cooling Event

A dropstone‐bearing, Middle Permian to Early Triassic peri‐glacial sedimentary unit was first discovered from the Khangai–Khentei Belt in Mongolia, Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The unit, Urmegtei Formation, is assumed to cover the early Carboniferous Khangai–Khentei accretionary complex, and is an upward‐fining sequence, consisting of conglomerates, sandstones, and varved sandstone and mudstone beds with granite dropstones in ascending order. The formation was cut by a felsic dike, and was deformed and metamorphosed together with the felsic dike. An undeformed porphyritic granite batholith finally cut all the deformed and metamorphosed rocks. LA‐ICP‐MS, U–Pb zircon dating has revealed the following ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean igneous ages: (i) a granite dropstone in the Urmegtei Formation is 273 ± 5 Ma (Kungurian of Early Permian); (ii) the deformed felsic dike is 247 ± 4 Ma (Olenekian of Early Triassic); and (iii) the undeformed granite batholith is 218 ± 9 Ma (Carnian of Late Triassic). From these data, the age of sedimentation of the Urmegtei Formation is constrained between the Kungurian and the Olenekian (273–247 Ma), and the age of deformation and metamorphism is constrained between the Olenekian and the Carnian (247–218 Ma). In Permian and Triassic times, the global climate was in a warming trend from the Serpukhovian (early Late Carboniferous) to the Kungurian long and severe cool mode (328–271 Ma) to the Roadian to Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) warm mode (271–168 Ma), with an interruption with the Capitanian Kamura cooling event (266–260 Ma). The dropstone‐bearing strata of the Urmegtei Formation, together with the glacier‐related deposits in the Verkhoyansk, Kolyma, and Omolon areas of northeastern Siberia (said to be of Middle to Late Permian age), must be products of the Capitanian cooling event. Although further study is needed, the dropstone‐bearing strata we found can be explained in two ways: (i) the Urmegtei Formation is an autochthonous formation indicating a short‐term expansion of land glacier to the central part of Siberia in Capitanian age; or (ii) the Urmegtei Formation was deposited in or around a limited ice‐covered continent in northeast Siberia in the Capitanian and was displaced to the present position by the Carnian.     

Çakraz Formation, Çamdağ area,NW Turkey: early/mid‐Permian age,Rotliegend (Germany) and Southern Alps (Italy) equivalent—a stratigraphic re‐assessment via palynological long‐distance correlation

The palynological record from the Permian part of the Çakraz Formation from the Çamdağ area of NW Turkey has been investigated in order to obtain a more precise age assessment than achieved in previous studies. The ‘Late Permian’ age and a possible age range beginning in the Roadian (mid Permian) were discussed before for sections of palynomorph‐bearing strata occurring within the formation. These deposits are now assigned to the late Cisuralian/Guadalupian and considered to be not older than early Kungurian, and not younger than Capitanian. The new age assessment was conducted via a long‐distance, intercontinental palynostratigraphic correlation from NW Turkey to South America, where results of radiometric datings were linked to some siliciclastic sections by absolute ages to the chronostratigraphy. Common conspicuous taxa in pollen‐dominated assemblages from both regions are Lueckisporites and Vittatina such as Lueckisporites virkkiae, L. latisaccus, L. stenotaeniatus, Vittatina corrugata, V. subsaccata and V. wodehousei. These species co‐occur in strata of the northern as well as southern palaeohemisphere settings (NW Turkey and S America). Thus, Lueckisporites latisaccus, L. stenotaeniatus and Vittatina corrugata are, as well as L. virkkiae or V. subsaccata, considered as being cosmopolitan. Due to the more precise palynological dating of part of the Çakraz Formation and surrounding deposits they are here broadly correlated with Permian continental successions from the Southern Alps, Italy, including the Val Daone Conglomerate and the Verrucano Lombardo/Val Gardena Sandstone (Gröden) red beds, and the Rotliegend deposits of Germany. These results support some earlier views regarding the age and stratigraphic equivalences with European deposits. The new age for the Çakraz Formation also supports recent considerations as middle Permian (part Guadalupian), and as Cisuralian for the lower parts of the formation, such as the fossil‐bearing section with plants and tetrapod traces further east in NW Turkey, where the unit also crops out. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Polonez Cove Formation of King George Island, Antarctica: stratigraphy, facies and implications for mid-Cenozoic cryosphere development

The middle to late Oligocene Polonez Cove Formation, exposed on south‐eastern King George Island, South Shetland Islands, provides rare evidence of mid‐Cenozoic West Antarctic cryosphere evolution. A revised lithostratigraphy and facies analysis and a review of the palaeoenvironmental significance of the formation are presented here. The diamictite‐dominated basal member of the formation (Krakowiak Glacier Member) records the presence and retreat of marine‐based ice on a shallow continental shelf. Five overlying members are recognized. These consist of basaltic‐sourced sedimentary rocks and lavas and represent a variety of shoreface and shallow continental shelf environments in an active volcanic setting. These units contain diverse reworked and ice‐rafted exotic clasts that become sparse towards the top of the formation, suggesting a continuing but waning glacial influence. New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates from interbedded lava flows indicate a late Oligocene age (25·6–27·2 Ma) for the Polonez Cove Formation, but are slightly younger than skeletal carbonate Sr‐isotope ages obtained previously (28·5–29·8 Ma). There is evidence for wet‐based subice conditions at the base of the Polonez Cove Formation, but no sedimentary facies to suggest substantial meltwater. This may reflect a subpolar setting or may result from lack of preservation or a high‐energy depositional environment. A northern Antarctic Peninsula/South Shetland Islands provenance is probable for most non‐basaltic clasts, but certain lithologies with possible origins in the Transantarctic and Ellsworth Mountains also occur sparsely throughout the formation. There is evidence to suggest that the presence of such far‐travelled clasts within subglacially deposited facies at the base of the formation reflects the advance of a local ice cap across marine sediments containing the clasts as ice‐rafted material. The presence of these clasts suggests that extensive marine‐based ice drained into the southern Weddell Sea region and that a strong Weddell Sea surface current operated both before and during deposition of the Polonez Cove Formation.     

Geology of the Hida Gaien Belt in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River Area in Ono City,Fukui Prefecture,Central Japan

Geological, paleontological, and geochronological studies of the Hida Gaien Belt were carried out in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River area, northern central Japan. The Hida Gaien Belt lies between the Hida and Mino belts of Southwest Japan and is one of the most complex geologic belts in Japan. The geology of the following units in the study area, mostly bounded by longitudinal, high‐angle faults, was particularly reexamined and described: the Ise metamorphic rocks, the Fujikuradani, Tomedoro, Oguradani, Motodo, Ootani, and Konogidani Formations, and the Tetori Group. Among them, the Tomedoro and Konogidani Formations are both composed mainly of greenstone, and were conventionally coupled together as ‘the Tomedoro schalstein member’ or ‘the Konogidani Formation’. However, the conformable relationship between the Tomedoro Formation and overlying Middle Permian Oguradani Formation, and the K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages of 75–69 Ma (Late Cretaceous) from the basalt lava of the Konogidani Formation reveal that they are separate formations with different ages. The Oguradani Formation, consisting of limestone, shale, and sandstone with Middle Permian Boreal‐Tethyan mixed brachiopod fauna, is correlated with the Moribu Formation in the Takayama area of the Hida Gaien Belt, and with the Middle Formation of the Maizuru Group in the Maizuru Belt. The Tomedoro Formation below the Oguradani Formation, in turn, is correlated with the Lower Formation of the Maizuru Belt. The new Late Cretaceous age data from the Konogidani Formation and presence of latest Cretaceous, post‐tectonic volcanic rocks in the study area finally indicate that the fault‐bound structure of the Hida Gaien Belt between the Hida and Mino belts was formed in a very short period in Late Cretaceous age.     

The latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Dorud Group of the eastern Alborz (Iran): biostratigraphy and taxonomy of smaller foraminifers

The latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Dorud Group in the Chaman‐Saver area of eastern Alborz, Iran is more than 222 m thick and includes thick sequences of oncolitic limestone, sandy limestone, sandstones and shales. The Emarat and Ghosnavi formations of this Group are dated here as latest Gzhelian to early Sakmarian Stages. During the Asselian Stage, the sea level fell abruptly and epeirogenic episodes occurred. These events generated a broad, shallow carbonate platform suitable for the growth and diversity of smaller foraminifers in the Chaman‐Saver area which, consequently, displays faunal differences with the rest of the Alborz Mountains. Three foraminiferal biozones are proposed: Nodosinelloides potievskayae–Vervilleina bradyi Zone (latest Gzhelian), Calcitornella heathi–Nodosinelloides sp. Zone (latest Gzhelian–Asselian), and Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp.–Hemigordius schlumbergeri Zone (early Sakmarian). The new taxa described herein include: Pseudovidalina iranica n. sp., P. damghanica n. sp., Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp. and Tezaquina sp. 1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Advances in the research on Carboniferous deep‐water marine deposits in western Junggar,northwestern China

Carboniferous deep‐water marine strata have been insufficiently studied in western Junggar, NW China where the deep‐water facies successions have long been disputed in terms of age constraints, sequence and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. This paper introduces some views in the light of new materials obtained from this region in recent years. The presence of the Visean plant fossils from the upper Ta'erbahatai Formation in the Tarbgatay Mountains indicates that the formation can be extended to the Early Carboniferous epoch in age. This unit also displays obvious diachroneity, which is of Late Devonian to Early Tournaisian age in the Saur Mountains and Late Devonian to Visean age in the Tarbgatay Mountains. The Xibeikulasi, Baogutu and Tailegula formations are widely distributed in northwestern Karamay areas. The scouring structures and graded bedding near the boundaries between the three formations confirm the stratal sequence that they were originally assigned, namely the Xibeikulasi, Baogutu and Tailegula formations in ascending order. The ‘fossil chaos’ of the three formations is due to mistaking fossils of other stratigraphic units for fossils of these three formations. After revision, only the Early Carboniferous fossils are considered reliable, and combined with the newly found plant fossils, the Xibeikulasi, Baogutu and Tailegula formations are re‐assigned to the early Visean, late Visean, and latest Visean to Serpukhovian ages, respectively. An extension of the lower Hala'alate Formation was recognized in the southwestern Hala'alate Mountains. The presence of the latest Early Carboniferous brachiopods constrains the Hala'alate Formation as late Serpukhovian to Bashkirian in age, bearing the mid‐Carboniferous boundary. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geology,structure and age of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area,North Patagonian Massif,Argentina

The low-grade Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area (40°50′S–65°53′W) shows ultramafic to felsic metaigneous rocks forming a sill swarm intercalated in the metasedimentary sequence and a polyphase deformation which permit an integrated study of the magmatic and tectonometamorphic evolution of this geological unit.In this paper we present a geological characterization of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area combining mapping, structural and metamorphic analysis with a SHRIMP U–Pb age and geochemical data from the metaigneous rocks.The metasedimentary sequence consists of alternating metagreywackes and phyllites, and minor metasandstones and granule metaconglomerates. The sills are pre-kinematic intrusions and yielded one SHRIMP U–Pb, zircon crystallization age of 513.6 ± 3.3 Ma. Their injection occurred after consolidation of the sedimentary sequence. A syn-sedimentary volcanic activity is interpreted by a metaandesite lava flow interlayered in the metasedimentary sequence. Sedimentary and igneous protoliths of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation would have been formed in a continental margin basin associated with active magmatic arc during the Cambrian Epoch 2. Two main low-grade tectonometamorphic events affected the Nahuel Niyeu Formation, one during the Cambrian Epoch 2–Early Ordovician and the other probably in the late Permian at ∼260 Ma. Local late folds could belong to the final stages of the late Permian deformation or be even younger.In a regional context, the Nahuel Niyeu and El Jagüelito formations and Mina Gonzalito Complex show a comparable Cambrian–Ordovician evolution related to the Terra Australis Orogen in the south Gondwana margin. This evolution is also coeval with the late and early stages of the Pampean and Famatinian orogenies of Central Argentina, respectively. The late Permian event recorded in the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in Aguada Cecilio area is identified by comparable structures affecting the Mina Gonzalito Complex and El Jagüelito Formation and resetting ages from granitoids. This event represents the Gondwanide Orogeny within the same Terra Australis Orogen.     

Floral biodiversity and geology of the Talcher Basin,Orissa, India during the Permian–Triassic interval

The review paper provides an updated account of the previous and recently published records concerning the palaeobiology and the geology of the Talcher Basin of Orissa State, India. We conclude that fossil floral species in this basin originated in the earliest Permian Talchir Formation and evolved and diversified through the Karharbari Fm., Barakar Fm., Barren Measures Fm. and the uppermost Kamthi Fm. (Late Permian–Triassic). The megaflora and the palynology of the different formations of the basin are also discussed briefly. The geological setting of the basin along with the status of different formations (especially the Kamthi Formation) has been redefined. The post‐Barakar Fm. rocks, earlier retained in the Raniganj/Kamthi, Panchet and Mahadeva formations in this basin, have been critically assessed and redefined as the Lower and Upper Kamthi formations of Late Permian and Triassic ages, respectively. Accordingly, the geological map of the basin has been modified. Permian deposits (particularly the Barakar and the lower Kamthi formations) not only have the best preserved flora but also possess the highest diversity, whereas the upper Kamthi Triassic sediments have a meagre number of taxa. The plant diversity of the basin has been discussed in detail to interpret the development of the flora, evolutionary trends and palaeoenvironments of the basin. The patchy Gangamopteris vegetation of the Talchir glacial phase has ultimately evolved and diversified through time (Karharbari Fm. to Lower Kamthi Fm.) and gave rise to the thick dense swampy forests consisting of large Glossopteris trees and other shade‐loving under‐storied pteridophytes. Several groups of plants including spores and pollen have disappeared in a ladder pattern during the Permian–Triassic interval (Lower Kamthi–Upper Kamthi Fm.) and, similarly, in steps, many new fore‐runners appeared in the Upper Kamthi Formation. Records of marine acritarchs and ichnofossils in this basin at various Permian–Triassic levels demonstrate that there were marine influences. These features suggest a paralic (coastal marine to deltaic) mode of origin of the coal beds and associated sediments in the basin. The present study also advocates the continued survival of plants, rather than a mass extinction near the vicinity of the Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary in this basin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First record of Gzhelian and Asselian Fusulinids from the Vazhnan Formation (Sanandaj-Sirjan zone of Iran)

The Vazhnan Formation, formerly attributed to the Sakmarian is now shown to be of the Gzhelian-Asselian age. Accordingly it is correlative with the concurrent Zaladou Formation of Central Iran and Dorud Group of Alborz. This suggests a vast transgression that covered the greater part of the Iranian territory in the terminal Carboniferous-initial Permian. The work includes brief characterization of fusulinids found in the formation section.     

The Kalaktash and Halvan assemblages of Permian fusulinids from the Padeh and Sang-Variz sections (Halvan Mountains, Yazd Province, Central Iran)

New Permian sections have been studied in the Halvan Mountains of Iran, northwestward of Tabas. In addition to the Chili, Sartakht, and Hermez formations established here earlier, the new Rizi Formation is distinguished, underlying deposits of the Triassic Sorkh Shale Formation. Conodonts, fusulinids, and smaller foraminifers found in the rocks date the formations. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Chili Formation bearing the Kalaktash fusulinid assemblage is of Sakmarian age. The age of the Halvan fusulinid assemblage from clasts in the breccia-conglomerate at the Sartakht Formation base is reevaluated, and it is shown to be late Sakmarian but not Asselian in age. The Bolorian-Kubergandian age is established for the greater part of the Sartakht Formation. Correlation of the sections studied with the other Permian sections in different regions of Iran showed their lithological and paleontological specifics as compared to the latter. On the other hand, the sections in question are surprisingly similar in both respects to sections in the Central Pamirs. Fusulinids of the Kalaktash and Halvan assemblages are figured in four plates, and five new species belonging to the genera Rugosochusenella, Benshiella, Parazellia, and Nonpseudofusulina are described.     

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Mobarak Formation (Lower Carboniferous) in Kiyasar Area,SE Sari,Northern Iran

The Mobarak Formation is near the town of Kiyasar in the south-east of Sari city, northern Iran. This formation conformably overlies the Geirud Formation (Upper Devonian). The lower part of the Mobarak Formation consisting of shales and thin- to medium-bedded limestone toward the top of these sequences changes into alternations of dark limestone and interbedded gray to black shales. Weathered yellow thick-bedded shales are observed at the top of the section. This formation is covered unconformably by sandstones attributed to the Dorud Formation (Lower Permian). The thickness of the formation in this region is 250 m. Four rock units have been recognized in this section. Foraminiferal biostratigraphy shows that the age of the Mobarak Formation in the Kiaysar region ranges from Lower Tournaisian to Early Middle Visean. The foraminifer Zones FAZ1 and FAZ2 are correlated with the Lower Tournaisian and Upper Tournaisian, whereas Zones FAZ3 and FAZ4 correlate with the Visean. Affinities exist between specimens recorded in the Kiyasar section with species known from other regions in eastern and Central Alborz, but there are important differences in their appearance.     

内蒙古巴林右旗新开坝地区大石寨组火山岩形成时代及构造背景

对内蒙古巴林右旗新开坝地区大石寨组玄武安山岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、锆石原位Hf同位素分析及地球化学研究,定年结果表明玄武安山岩结晶年龄为280Ma,形成于早二叠世。地球化学特征显示高场强元素Nb、Ta强烈亏损,Ti轻微亏损,大离子亲石元素Sr、Ba、Rb、K富集,表现出岛弧火山岩特征。地球化学结果和Hf同位素的不同来源(亏损地幔及古老地壳的再循环),表明岩浆起源于俯冲沉积物熔体和流体交代地幔楔橄榄岩。与大石寨地区玄武安山岩进行了对比研究,表明巴林右旗大石寨组玄武安山岩在俯冲的构造背景,形成于岛弧-活动大陆边缘弧的环境,古亚洲洋板块由南向北进行俯冲,说明早二叠世古亚洲洋未闭合。     

Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry of the Silurian to Permian Sedimentary Rocks in Central Inner Mongolia,China: Implications for Closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

The Solonker suture zone has long been considered to mark the location of the final disappearance of the PaleoAsian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). However, the time of final suturing is still controversial with two main different proposals of late Permian to early Triassic, and late Devonian. This study reports integrated wholerock geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian Xuniwusu Formation, the Devonian Xilingol Complex and the Permian Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan-Xilinhot-Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia, China. The depositional environment, provenance and tectonic setting of the Silurian-Devonian and the Permian sediments are compared to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Solonker suture zone and its neighboring zones. The protoliths of the silty slates from the Xuniwusu Formation in the Baolidao zone belong to wacke and were derived from felsic igneous rocks with steady-state weathering, poor sorting and compositional immaturity. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks from the Xilingol Complex were wackes and litharenites and were sourced from predominantly felsic igneous rocks with variable weathering conditions and moderate sorting. The Xuniwusu Formation and Xilingol Complex samples both have two groups of detrital zircon that peak at ca. 0.9–1.0 Ga and ca. 420–440 Ma, with maximum deposition ages of late Silurian and middle Devonian age, respectively. Considering the ca. 484–383 Ma volcanic arc in the Baolidao zone, the Xuxiniwu Formation represents an oceanic trench sediment and is covered by the sedimentary rocks in the Xilingol Complex that represents a continental slope sediment in front of the arc. The middle Permian Zhesi Formation metasandstones were derived from predominantly felsic igneous rocks and are texturally immature with very low degrees of rounding and sorting, indicating short transport and rapid burial. The Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan zone has a main zircon age peak of 302 Ma and a subordinate peak of 423 Ma and was deposited in a back-arc basin with an early marine transgression during extension and a late marine regression during contraction. The formation also crops out locally in the Baolidao zone with a main zircon age peak of 467 Ma and a minor peak of 359 Ma, and suggests it formed as a marine transgression sedimentary sequence in a restricted extensional basin and followed by a marine regressive event. Two obvious zircon age peaks of 444 Ma and 280 Ma in the Solonker zone and 435 Ma and 274 Ma in Ondor Sum are retrieved from the Zhesi Formation. This suggests as a result of the gradual closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean a narrow ocean sedimentary environment with marine regressive sedimentary sequences occupied the Solonker and Ondor Sum zones during the middle Permian. A restricted ocean is suggested by the Permian strata in the Bainaimiao zone. Early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 381 Ma and renewed subduction during ca. 310–254 Ma accompanied by the opening and closure of a back-arc basin during ca. 298–269 Ma occurred in the northern accretionary zone. In contrast, the southern accretionary zone documented early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 400 Ma and a renewed subduction during ca. 298–246 Ma. The final closure of the Paleo-Asian ocean therefore lasted at least until the early Triassic and ended with the formation of the Solonker suture zone.     

准噶尔盆地西北缘下二叠统火山岩岩性、岩相及其与储层的关系

与石炭系相比,准噶尔盆地西北缘下二叠统火山岩岩性、岩相类型丰富,研究程度低。本文利用岩心、薄片及元素
地球化学资料,开展了火山岩岩石学及其与储层关系研究。佳木河组以熔岩和火山碎屑岩共同发育为特征,岩性以玄武安
山岩、安山岩、英安岩为主,相对稳定;风城组火山岩在不同地区变化明显,克百地区以火山熔岩为主,属于玄武粗安岩
和碱玄岩,而乌夏地区以熔结火山碎屑岩或火山碎屑熔岩发育为特征,属于流纹岩、碱玄质响岩和粗安岩。在佳木河组及
克百地区风城组,（沉）火山角砾岩储层质量最好,安山岩等熔岩其次;乌夏地区风城组熔结火山角砾岩和石泡构造火山角
砾熔岩储层质量最好。此外,相同岩性可能因产出环境不同而储层特征有别。尽管各地成岩作用存在差异,但火山岩优质
储层仍集中于溢流（爆溢）相上部亚相、爆发相空落亚相的弹射坠落堆积和火山碎屑流亚相的水下堆积和爆发相。全区佳
木河组溢流相和爆发相共同发育,而克百地区风城组以溢流相为主、乌夏地区风城组以爆发相火山碎屑流亚相为主,不同
地区不同层位的有利勘探目标差异明显。除断裂带的裂缝和大型不整合面之下的风化淋滤外,岩相是控制火山岩储层质量
的关键因素。     

First evidence for the Middle Triassic volcanism in South Primorye

A detailed study of a relatively well-exposed fragment of the Barabash Formation in the southern part of the Voznesenka terrane is carried out to specify the geodynamic settings of the Permian volcanogenic and volcanogenic-sedimentary complexes in South Primorye. It is established that the basaltic flows juxtaposed in the studied sequence originated from sharply different sources. The geochemical characteristics indicate that the basalts from the sequence base were presumably derived by melting of oceanic lithospheric mantle or asthenosphere, while the source of the overlying basalts was lithospheric mantle reworked by a subduction process. The basalts are subsequently overlain by tuffaceous–terrigenous and terrigenous rocks and limestones with remains of Capitanian (Middle Permian) fauna. Accessory zircons extracted from the tuffaceous–terrigenous rocks yield an U–Pb concordant age of 233.3 ± 3.3 Ma (Middle Triassic Ladinian Stage) for the youngest zircon population. The obtained data lead us to conclude that the Barabash Formation is a tectonostratigraphic rather than stratigraphic unit and may be a fragment of the Triassic accretionary wedge. The obtained data cast doubt on the accepted assignment of this unit to the Voznesenka terrane. It is more logical to include it in the Laoelin–Grodekov terrane, which represents a fragment of the Late Paleozoic active continental margin. This suggests that the boundary between these blocks should be specified and the timing of the final stage of amalgamation of the Laoelin–Grodekov terrane with the terranes of the Bureya–Khanka orogenic belt should be revised.     

Denudation history of the Snowy Mountains: Constraints from apatite fission track thermochronology

Apatite fission track thermochronology from Early Palaeozoic granitoids centred around the Kosciuszko massif of the Snowy Mountains, records a denudation history that was episodic and highly variable. The form of the apatite fission track age profile assembled from vertical sections and hydroelectric tunnels traversing the mountains, together with numerical forward modelling, provide strong evidence for two episodes of accelerated denudation, commencing in Late Permian—Early Triassic (ca 270–250 Ma) and mid‐Cretaceous (ca 110–100 Ma) times, and a possible third episode in the Cenozoic. Denudation commencing in the Late Permian—Early Triassic was widespread in the eastern and central Snowy Mountains area, continued through much of the Triassic, and amounted to at least ～2.0–2.4 km. This episode was probably the geomorphic response to the Hunter‐Bowen Orogeny. Post‐Triassic denudation to the present in these areas amounted to ～2.0–2.2 km. Unambiguous evidence for mid‐Cretaceous cooling and possible later cooling is confined to a north‐south‐trending sinuous belt, up to ～15 km wide by at least 35 km long, of major reactivated Palaeozoic faults on the western side of the mountains. This zone is the most deeply exposed area of the Kosciuszko block. Denudation accompanying these later events totalled up to ～1.8–2.0 km and ～2.0–2.25 km respectively. Mid‐Cretaceous denudation marks the onset of renewed tectonic activity in the southeastern highlands following a period of relative quiescence since the Late Triassic, and establishes a temporal link with the onset of extension related to the opening of the Tasman Sea. Much of the present day relief of the mountains resulted from surface uplift which disrupted the post‐mid‐Cretaceous apatite fission track profile by variable offsets on faults.     

The record of the Late Palaeozoic active margin of the Palaeotethys in NE Iran: Constraints on the Cimmerian orogeny

The Cimmerian orogen resulted from the collision and accretion of several Perigondwanan blocks to the southern margin of Eurasia between the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic, following the closure of the Palaeotethys ocean. Remnants of this orogen discontinuously crop out in N (Alborz range) and NE Iran (Mashhad–Fariman area) below the syn- to post-collisional clastic successions of the Shemshak Group (Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic) and the Kashaf Rud Formation (Bajocian). In NE Iran rock associations exposed in the Binalood Mountains, Fariman and Darreh Anjir areas include mafic–ultramafic intrusive rocks, basalts, silicoclastic turbidites and minor limestones, which have been interpreted in the past as ophiolitic remnants of the Palaeotethys ocean. Original stratigraphic, structural, geochemical and geochronological data, described in this paper, suggest a different interpretation. The volcano-sedimentary units of Fariman and Darreh Anjir complexes where deposited during Permian in a subsiding basin were siliciclastic turbidites, derived from the erosion of a magmatic arc and its basement, interfinger with carbonates and basaltic lava flows with both transitional and calc-alkaline affinity. The coexistence of magmatic rocks with different geochemical signature and the sedimentary evolution of the basin can be related to a supra-subduction setting, possibly represented by a fault-controlled intra-arc basin. The Fariman and the Darreh Anjir complexes are thus interpreted as remnants of a magmatic arc and related basins developed at the southern Eurasia margin, on top of the north-directed Palaeotethys subduction zone long before the collision of Iran with Eurasia. They were later involved in the Cimmerian collision during the Triassic. New radiometric ages obtained on I-type post-collisional granitoids postdating the collision-related deformational structures suggest that the suture zone closed before mid-Norian times. Deformation propagated later northward into the Turan domain involving the Triassic successions of the Aghdarband region.     

Research on Outcrop Sequence Stratigraphy of Permian in Middle—Lower Yangtze Region

According to the latest International Chronostratigraphic Scheme (ICS, 2000), the Permian in the Middle-Lower Yangtze region of South China can e divided into three series and nine stages relevant to the traditional six stages of South China. From Assellian to Changxingian of Permian, 44 Main age range, the strata are composed of 14 third-order sequences, each of which is 3.14 Ma in average age range. There is one third-order sequence of Zisongian, equivalent to middle and upper Chuanshan Formation or equal to Asselian and two thirds of Sakmarian. There are two third-order sequences, corresponding to Liang-shan Formation or Zhenjiang Formation and upper Chuanshan Formation, which are assigned to Longlingian, coinciding with Artinskian and one third of Sakmarian. In addition, three third-order sequences, equal to Qixia Formation, are attributed to Chhsian, corresponding to Kubergandian and one third of Roadian. Four third-order sequences, comprising Gufeng, Maokou, Yanqiao,Yinping and Wuxue formations, are assigned to Maokouan, equivalent to two thirds of Roadian, Wordian and Capitanian. Two third-order sequences, equal to Longtan Formation or Wujiaping Formation, are included in Wuchiapingian. Other two third-order sequences, corresponding to changxing Formation or Dalong Formation, are assigned to Changhsingian. In brief, these above third-order sequences can be incorporated into 4 sequences sets.     

内蒙古林西地区晚二叠世—早三叠世沉积演化及构造背景

在林西地区新发现的叶肢介和介形虫等化石，证实了大兴安岭南部存在早三叠世地层。这套地层为具有红层性质的河—湖环境产物，与下伏上二叠统林西组沉积有较大的差异。林西组中—下部以海相沉积为主，并发育浊流沉积，反映直到晚二叠世中期大兴安岭南部仍有残余海盆存在，应是造成晚二叠世南北植物化石仍保持区系特征的主因。林西地区晚二叠世—早三叠世的沉积—构造演化特征揭示，大兴安岭南部的晚古生代板块构造活动一直到印支构造旋回才结束。     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Late Cretaceous Haji‐Abad ophiolite (Outer Zagros Ophiolite Belt,Iran): implications for geodynamics of the Bitlis–Zagros suture zone

The Haji‐Abad ophiolite in SW Iran (Outer Zagros Ophiolite Belt) is a remnant of the Late Cretaceous supra‐subduction zone ophiolites along the Bitlis–Zagros suture zone of southern Tethys. These ophiolites are coeval in age with the Late Cretaceous peri‐Arabian ophiolite belt including the Troodos (Cyprus), Kizildag (Turkey), Baer‐Bassit (Syria) and Semail (Oman) in the eastern Mediterranean region, as well as other Late Cretaceous Zagros ophiolites. Mantle tectonites constitute the main lithology of the Haji‐Abad ophiolite and are mostly lherzolites, depleted harzburgite with widespread residual and foliated/discordant dunite lenses. Podiform chromitites are common and are typically enveloped by thin dunitic haloes. Harzburgitic spinels are geochemically characterized by low and/or high Cr number, showing tendency to plot both in depleted abyssal and fore‐arc peridotites fields. Lherzolites are less refractory with slightly higher bulk REE contents and characterized by 7–12% partial melting of a spinel lherzolitic source whereas depleted harzburgites have very low abundances of REE and represented by more than 17% partial melting. The Haji‐Abad ophiolite crustal sequences are characterized by ultramafic cumulates and volcanic rocks. The volcanic rocks comprise pillow lavas and massive lava flows with basaltic to more‐evolved dacitic composition. The geochemistry and petrology of the Haji‐Abad volcanic rocks show a magmatic progression from early‐erupted E‐MORB‐type pillow lavas to late‐stages boninitic lavas. The E‐MORB‐type lavas have LREE‐enriched patterns without (or with slight) depletion in Nb–Ta. Boninitic lavas are highly depleted in bulk REEs and are represented by strong LREE‐depleted patterns and Nb–Ta negative anomalies. Tonalitic and plagiogranitic intrusions of small size, with calc‐alkaline signature, are common in the ophiolite complex. The Late Cretaceous Tethyan ophiolites like those at the Troodos, eastern Mediterranean, Oman and Zagros show similar ages and geochemical signatures, suggesting widespread supra‐subduction zone magmatism in all Neotethyan ophiolites during the Late Cretaceous. The geochemical patterns of the Haji‐Abad ophiolites as well as those of other Late Cretaceous Tethyan ophiolites, reflect a fore‐arc tectonic setting for the generation of the magmatic rocks in the southern branch of Neotethys during the Late Cretaceous. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.