Greisenization of a muscovite-biotite albite granite of northern Portugal

Greisenization of a muscovite-biotite albite granite of Alijó-Sanfins, northern Portugal, is studied for both major and trace elements. The principal tin-tungsten mineralization of the region is connected with this granite and the greisenization is accompanied by an increase in Cl, F, W, Nb, Sn, Pb and Rb. Cassiterite is the main carrier of Sn. Muscovite is the concentrator of Cl and F. The muscovite of the greisenized granite contains more Cl, F, W and Nb than the muscovite of the parental granite, but the former contains less Sn. Sn content of the muscovite of the greisenized granite is higher than that of the biotite of the parental granite; W content is similar or higher.When the greisenization is accompanied by albitization, the oxides and trace elements behave in a similar way to that found only with greisenization, except that there is a decrease of Ni and Rb. Li, Zr, Sr, Ba and Rb decrease as albitization increases.     

广西花山花岗岩云英岩化分带与锡成矿过程的矿物学研究

云英岩脉型锡矿是广西花山花岗岩的主要矿化类型之一。花山花岗岩是氧化型花岗岩,岩体中的锡主要以Sn4+ 的形式,赋存于黑云母、角闪石、榍石、金红石、钛铁矿和锡石等含锡矿物中。通过矿物学研究发现,云英岩化过程是：经充 分分异和演化形成的残余岩浆流体与中细粒黑云母花岗岩相互作用。首先,黑云母等原生含锡矿物中的锡在岩浆流体的作 用下被淋滤出,进入流体或次生矿物相,如金红石、白云母等,发生初步富集;其次,在蚀变后期,成矿流体使早先沉淀 的含锡矿物发生重溶,锡溶解进入成矿流体再次富集。锡在流体中与丰富的F- ,Cl - 等络阴离子结合成稳定的配合物运移, 随着云英岩化加深,流体的pH值升高、温度降低、络阴离子浓度降低,流体中配合物的稳定性降低发生沉淀形成锡矿化     

The glacial geomorphology of the Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stadial in Britain: a review

This paper systematically reviews the glacial geomorphological evidence of the Loch Lomond Stadial (LLS; Younger Dryas) glaciation in Britain (12.9–11.7 ka). The geomorphology of sub‐regions within Scotland, England and Wales is assessed, providing the most comprehensive synthesis of this evidence to date. The contrasting nature of the evidence at the local scale is reviewed and conceptual themes common to multiple sub‐regions are examined. Advancements in glaciological theory, mapping technologies, numerical modelling and dating have been applied unevenly to localities across Britain, inhibiting a holistic understanding of the extent and dynamics of the LLS glaciation at a regional scale. The quantity and quality of evidence is highly uneven, leading to uncertainties regarding the extent of glaciation and inhibiting detailed analysis of ice dynamics and chronology. Robust dates are relatively scarce, making it difficult to confidently identify the limits of LLS glaciers and assess their synchroneity. Numerical models have allowed the glacier–climate relationships of the LLS to be assessed but have, thus far, been unable to incorporate local conditions which influenced glaciation. Recommendations for future research are made that will allow refined reconstructions of the LLS in Britain and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of glacier–climate interactions during the Younger Dryas.     

Brunovistulian terrane (Bohemian Massif, Central Europe) from late Proterozoic to late Paleozoic: a review

The Brunovistulian terrane represents a microcontinent of enigmatic Proterozoic provenance that was located at the southern margin of Baltica in the early Paleozoic. During the Variscan orogeny, it represented the lower plate at the southern margin of Laurussia, involved in the collision with the Armorican terrane assemblage. In this respect, it resembles the Avalonian terrane in the west and the Istanbul Zone in the east. There is a growing evidence about the presence of a Devonian back-arc at the margin of the Brunovistulian terrane. The early Variscan phase was characterized by the formation of Devonian extensional basins with the within-plate volcanic activity and formation of narrow segments of oceanic crust. The oldest Viséan flysch of the Rheic/Rhenohercynian remnant basin (Protivanov, Andelska Hora and Horní Benesov formations) forms the highest allochthonous units and contains, together with slices of Silurian Bohemian facies, clastic micas from early Paleozoic crystalline rocks that are presumably derived from terranes of Armorican affinity although provenance from an active Brunovistulian margin cannot be fully excluded either. The development of the Moravo–Silesian late Paleozoic basin was terminated by coal-bearing paralic and limnic sediments. The progressive Carboniferous stacking of nappes and their impingement on the Laurussian foreland led to crustal thickening and shortening and a number of distinct deformational and folding events. The postorogenic extension led to the formation of the terminal Carboniferous-early Permian Boskovice Graben located in the eastern part of the Brunovistulian terrane, in front of the crystalline nappes. The highest, allochthonous westernmost flysch units, locally with the basal slices of the Devonian and Silurian rocks thrusted over the Silesicum in the NW part of the Brunovistulian terrane, may share a similar tectonic position with the Giessen–Harz nappes. The Silesicum represents the outermost margin of the Brunovistulian terrane with many features in common with the Northern Phyllite Zone at the Avalonia–Armorica interface in Germany.     

Origin, spectral characteristics and practical applications of the cathodoluminescence (CL) of quartz – a review

Summary Investigations of natural and synthetic quartz specimens by cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy and spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and trace-element analysis showed that various luminescence colours and emission bands can be ascribed to different intrinsic and extrinsic defects. The perceived visible luminescence colours in quartz depend on the relative intensities of the dominant emission bands between 380 and 700 nm. Some of the CL emissions of quartz from the UV to the yellow spectral region (175 nm, 290 nm, 340 nm, 420 nm, 450 nm, 580 nm) can be related to intrinsic lattice defects. Extrinsic defects such as the alkali (or hydrogen)-compensated [AlO₄/M⁺] centre have been suggested as being responsible for the transient emission band at 380–390 nm and the short-lived blue-green CL centered around 500 nm. CL emissions between 620 and 650 nm in the red spectral region are attributed to the nonbridging oxygen hole centre (NBOHC) with several precursors. The weak but highly variable CL colours and emission spectra of quartz can be related to genetic conditions of quartz formation. Hence, both luminescence microscopy and spectroscopy can be used widely in various applications in geosciences and techniques. One of the most important fields of application of quartz CL is the ability to reveal internal structures, growth zoning and lattice defects in quartz crystals not discernible by means of other analytical techniques. Other fields of investigations are the modal analysis of rocks, the provenance evaluation of clastic sediments, diagenetic studies, the reconstruction of alteration processes and fluid flow, the detection of radiation damage or investigations of ultra-pure quartz and silica glass in technical applications. Zusammenfassung Ursachen, spektrale Charakteristika und praktische Anwendungen der Kathodolumineszenz (KL) von Quarz – eine Revision Untersuchungen von natürlichen und synthetischen Quarzproben mittels Kathodolumineszenz (KL) Mikroskopie und -spektroskopie, Elektron Paramagnetischer Resonanz (EPR) und Spurenelementanalysen zeigen verschiedene Lumineszenzfarben und Emissionsbanden, die unterschiedlichen intrinsischen und extrinsischen Defekten zugeordnet werden k?nnen. Die sichtbaren Lumineszenzfarben von Quarz werden durch unterschiedliche Intensit?tsverh?ltnisse der dominierenden Emissionsbanden zwischen 380 und 700 nm verursacht. Einige der KL Emissionen vom UV bis zum gelben Spektralbereich (175 nm, 290 nm, 340 nm, 420 nm, 450 nm, 580 nm) stehen im Zusammenhang mit intrinsischen Defekten. Die kurzlebigen Lumineszenzemissionen bei 380–390 nm sowie 500 nm werden mit kompensierten [AlO₄/M⁺]-Zentren in Verbindung gebracht. Die KL-Emissionen im roten Spektralbereich bei 620 bis 650 nm haben ihre Ursache im “nonbridging oxygen hole centre” (NBOHC) mit verschiedenen Vorl?uferzentren. Die unterschiedlichen KL-Farben und Emissionsspektren von Quarz k?nnen oft bestimmten genetischen Bildungsbedingungen zugeordnet werden und erm?glichen deshalb vielf?ltige Anwendungen in den Geowissenschaften und in der Technik. Eine der gravierendsten Einsatzm?glichkeiten ist die Sichtbarmachung von Internstrukturen, Wachstumszonierungen und Defekten im Quarz, die mit anderen Analysenmethoden nicht oder nur schwer nachweisbar sind. Weitere wesentliche Untersuchungsschwerpunkte sind die Modalanalyse von Gesteinen, die Eduktanalyse klastischer Sedimente, Diageneseuntersuchungen, die Rekonstruktion von Alterationsprozessen und Fluidmigrationen, der Nachweis von Strahlungssch?den oder die Untersuchung von ultrareinem Quarz und Silikaglas für technische Anwendungen. Received March 29, 2000 Accepted October 27, 2000     

内蒙古红花尔基钨钼矿云英岩化白云母Ar-Ar定年及其地质意义

红花尔基钨多金属矿是近年在大兴安岭中北部地区发现的一处大型钨多金属矿床,主要矿化蚀变为云英岩化、绢英岩化,主要有用金属矿物为白钨矿和辉钼矿,岩体内辉钼矿与白钨矿有上钼下钨的带状分布特点,地质特征显示该矿床为一高温热液型钨(钼)矿床。为准确限定成矿热液活动时间,本文对矿区典型蚀变矿物——云英岩化蚀变带白云母进行Ar-Ar同位素定年,获得Ar-Ar坪年龄为174.4±1.2 Ma,等时线年龄为173.2±4.3 Ma。根据矿区云英岩化带与钨钼矿化带空间上重合和密切共生的关系,可知白云母的形成是与白钨矿、辉钼矿形成同源、同时,且辉钼矿Re-Os年龄(176.8±2.2 Ma)与Ar-Ar年龄在误差范围内具有一致性,该年龄代表了钨钼矿热液成矿时代。结合野外地质特征及锆石U-Pb、辉钼矿Re-Os年龄,进一步限定该矿床成矿时代为早中侏罗世,属燕山期构造岩浆活动的产物。     

Siderite mineralization of the Gemericum superunit (Western Carpathians, Slovakia): review and a revised genetic model

The Gemericum is a segment of the Variscan orogen subsequently deformed by the Alpine–Carpathian orogeny. The unit contains abundant siderite–sulphide and quartz–antimony veins together with stratabound siderite replacement deposits in limestones and stratiform sulphide mineralization in volcano-sedimentary sequences. The siderite–sulphide veins and siderite replacement deposits of the Gemericum represent one of the largest accumulations of siderite in the world, with about 160 million tonnes of mineable FeCO₃. More than 1200 steeply dipping hydrothermal veins are arranged in a regional tectonic and compositional pattern, reflecting the distribution of regional metamorphic zones. Siderite–sulphide veins are typically contained in low-grade (chlorite zone) sedimentary, volcano-sedimentary or volcanic Lower and Upper Paleozoic rocks. Quartz–antimony veins are hosted by higher-grade units (biotite zone). Siderite–sulphide veins are dominated by early siderite followed by a complex set of stages, including quartz–sulphide (chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite), barite, tourmaline–quartz, and sulphide-remobilization stages. The temporal evolution of these stages is difficult to study because of the widespread and repeated tectonic processes, within-vein replacement and recrystallization. Siderite–sulphide veins show considerable vertical (up to 1200 m) and lateral (up to 15 km) extent, and a thickness typically reaching several metres. Carbonate-replacement siderite deposits of the Gemericum are hosted by a Silurian limestone belt and are similar to stratabound siderite deposits of the Eastern Alps (e.g., Erzberg, Austria).Based on a review of geological, petrological and geochronological data for the Gemericum, and extensive stable and radiogenic isotope data and fluid inclusion data on hydrothermal minerals, the siderite–sulphide veins and siderite replacement deposits are classified as metamorphogenic in a broad sense. The deposits were formed during several stages of regional crustal-scale fluid flow. Isotope (S, C, Sr, Pb) fingerprinting identifies the metamorphosed rock complexes of the Gemericum as a source of most components of hydrothermal fluids. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope data evidence the participation of several contrasting fluid types, and the existence of contrasting P–T conditions during vein evolution. A high-δ¹⁸O, medium- to high-salinity, H₂O-type fluid is the most important component during siderite deposition, whereas H₂O–CO₂-type fluid inclusion containing dense liquid CO₂ and corresponding to minimal pressures between 1 and 3 kbar were found in a younger tourmaline–quartz stage. Younger quartz–ankerite(±siderite)–sulphide stages are characterized by high-salinity (17 to 35 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and low-temperature (T_h=90 to 180 °C) H₂O-type fluids.The vein deposits are interpreted as a result of multistage hydrothermal circulation, with Variscan and Alpine mineralization phases. Based on available indirect data, the most important mineralization phase was related to regional fluid flow during the uplift of a Variscan metamorphic core complex, producing siderite–sulphide (±barite) mineralization, while tourmaline–quartz stage and sulphide remobilization stages are related to Alpine processes. Two phases of vein evolution are evident from two groups of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios of Sr-rich, Rb-poor hydrothermal minerals: 0.71042–0.71541 in older barite and 0.7190–0.7220 in late-stage celestine and strontianite.     

The Pre-Windermere Interstadial (Late Devensian) raised marine strata of eastern Scotland and their macrofauna: a review

Late Devensian raised marine deposits predating the Windermere Interstadial (c. 13–11 ka BP) are found between the Moray Firth and Berwick. The widely distributed, sparsely fossiliferous Errol Clay Formation of the firths of Forth and Tay was laid down in a high-arctic environment immediately following the retreat of the Late Devensian (Dimlington Stadial) ice. In the Tay Estuary, sedimentation took place under distal glaciomarine to marine conditions at a time when there was a fully marine connection between the Scottish east coast and the then high-arctic Norwegian Sea. On the south shore of the Moray Firth, the similar, but undated Spynie Clay Formation seems to have been laid down in a wholly glaciomarine environment. Part of the macrofauna attributed to the St. Fergus Silt Formation of the NE Scottish coast may have been either misidentified, or is not in situ. The preservation of the fauna and of delicate sedimentary structures indicate that the arctic clays as a whole were laid down rapidly. It is suggested that tidal currents were minimal, and that waves were dampened by sea ice for much of the year. Bones of the ringed seal, Phoca hispida, have been recorded from 12 sites in eastern Scotland. About 40 macrofaunal taxa are present in the Errol Clay Formation, a number similar to that recorded in the Danish Younger Yoldia Clay, which is of comparable age. The faunal nomenclature is updated, and three species (Cylichna occulta, Retusa obtusa and Lyonsia arenosa) are added to the macrofaunal list for the Errol Clay Formation. Reports of in situ boreal molluscs and of one possibly North American species in the otherwise high-arctic assemblage are not supported by specimens in extant collections. Differential decay of the fauna below the zone of weathering in the Errol Clay Formation may have resulted from early diagenesis. Deposition of the Late Devensian, pre-Windermere Interstadial marine sediments as a whole was probably diachronous, beginning after 15–14 ka BP on the outer coast, but was confined to a short interval (c. 13.5–13 ka BP) at the type site in the Tay Estuary. In the Forth Estuary, the high-arctic marine fauna adjacent to the retreating ice-front may have survived the rapid climatic amelioration (c. 13 ka BP) at the beginning of the Windermere Interstadial (marked by the Main Perth Shoreline) for perhaps a few decades.     

A new hangingfly (Insecta,Mecoptera, Bittacidae) from the Purbeck Limestone Group (Lower Cretaceous) of southern England and a review of Cretaceous Bittacidae

Rapid radiation of the Bittacidae during the Jurassic resulted in high diversity within this family of Mecoptera. More than 40 species within 23 genera have been described from this period. However, around the end of the Jurassic the abundance and diversity of Bittacidae decreased and only seven species in five genera are known to date from the Cretaceous. A new specimen from the basal Cretaceous of England, Tytthobittacus jarzembowski sp. nov., described here, represents the eighth species and the second fossil representative of this family from the European Cretaceous. This hangingfly belongs to an extant and relictual genus previously known only from Australia. The paper also includes a review of all known Cretaceous bittacids and a re-examination of European species Antiquanabittacus nanus Petrulevičius and Jarzembowski, 2004.     

Listvenite-related gold deposits of the South Urals (Russia): A review

The Urals is a complex fold belt, which underwent long geological evolution. The formation of most gold deposits in the Urals is related to the collision stage. In this paper, we review some relatively small listvenite-related gold deposits, which are confined to the large Main Uralian fault zone and some smaller faults within the Magnitogorsk zone. The Mechnikovskoe, Altyn-Tash, and Ganeevskoe deposits are studied in detail in this contribution. They comprise the ore clusters along with other numerous small gold deposits, and constituted the sources for the gold placers exploited in historical time. The gold is hosted by metasomatites (listvenites, beresites) and quartz veins with economic gold grades (up to 20 g/t Au). Listvenites are developed after serpentinites and composed of quartz, fuchsite, and carbonates (magnesite, dolomite) ± albite. Volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks are altered to beresites, consisting of sericite, carbonates (dolomite, ankerite), quartz and albite. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are major ore minerals associated with gold; pyrrhotite, Ni sulfides, galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite and Au-Ag tellurides are subordinate and rare. Gold in these deposits is mostly high-fineness (>900‰). The lower fineness (∼800‰) is typical of gold in assemblage with polymetallic sulfides and tellurides. The ores have been formed from the NaCl–CO₂–H₂O ± CH₄ fluids of low (∼2 wt% NaCl-equiv.) to moderate (8–16 wt% NaCl-equiv.) salinity at temperatures of 210–330 °C. The oxygen isotopic composition of quartz (δ¹⁸O) varies from 14.7 to 15.4‰ (Mechnikovskoe deposit), 13.2 to 13.6‰ (Altyn-Tash deposit) and 12.0 to 12.7‰ (Ganeevskoe deposit). The oxygen isotopic composition of albite from altered rocks of the Ganeevskoe deposit is 10.1‰. The calculated δ¹⁸O_H2O values of the fluid in equilibrium with quartz are in a range of 5.7–6.3, 4.2–4.6 and 6.3–6.7‰ respectively, and most likely indicate a magmatic fluid source.     

Edentulous pterosaurs from the Cambridge Greensand (Cretaceous) of eastern England with a review of Ornithostoma Seeley, 1871

A re-examination of fossil material from the Late Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand Member (CGM) of the West Melbury Marly Chalk Formation revealed a number of new specimens of edentulous pterosaur jaw fragments previously identified as shark fin spines and fish jaws and accessioned under the epithet ‘cestraciontid finray’ and ‘jaws of fish’. These are now recognised as pterosaurian jaw tips and referred to Ornithostoma sedgwicki Seeley, 1891 and Azhdarchoidea indet. This material increases the diversity of edentulous pterosaurs from the CGM.The edentulous pterosaur Ornithostoma sedgwicki Seeley, 1891 from the Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand of eastern England is reviewed. The holotype specimen is confirmed as a fragment of a premaxilla/maxilla of a non-tapejarid azhdarchoid on account of the conspicuous curvature of the dorsal and occlusal margins posteriorly and the presence of small neural foramina on the lateral margins. Neural foramina are not seen on jaws of members of the Pteranodontia, a group to which O. sedgwicki was included previously. The referral of O. sedgwicki to Azhdarchoidea eliminates the single known Lower Cretaceous occurrence of Pteranodontidae, restricting the temporal range of this taxon to the Upper Cretaceous. Postcranial material referred to O. sedgwicki from the type horizon is regarded as indeterminate Pterosauria.     

The Middle Triassic (Anisian) Otter Sandstone biota (Devon,UK): review,recent discoveries and ways ahead

The Middle Triassic (Anisian) Otter Sandstone was laid down mostly by braided rivers in a desert environment and is now well exposed along the south-east Devon coast in south-west England, part of the ‘Jurassic Coast’ World Heritage Site. It yields uncommon and generally fragmentary fossils, principally of vertebrates, including fish, temnospondyl amphibians and reptiles such as rhynchosaurs, predatory archosaurs, and small superficially lizard-like forms. These provide important information about a freshwater and terrestrial ecosystem that marks recovery from the end-Permian mass extinction, but pre-dated the appearance of dinosaurs and mammals. The constantly eroding Otter Sandstone exposures continue to reveal new taxa (for example, freshwater sharks). Furthermore, microvertebrate material obtained by sieving bone-bearing levels has the potential to further expand the faunal list. Newly discovered associated and articulated vertebrate remains, including small tetrapods, improve knowledge of whole-body anatomy and facilitate systematic work. Invertebrate burrows and reptile footprints provide information on ecological interactions and detailed bed-by-bed collecting casts light on taphonomic processes and faunal changes over time.     

特提斯域的密西西比河谷型(MVT)铅锌矿床

特提斯域是全球最重要的密西西比河谷型(MVT)铅锌矿床富集区,矿床广泛地分布在陆-陆碰撞造山带两侧的陆块上,就位于碰撞形成的褶皱-逆冲带和前陆带内,成矿通常发生在碰撞挤压作用晚期或之后、区域处于走滑或伸展的阶段。矿床、矿体的就位与张性断裂密切相关,主要控矿因素有蒸发盐底辟构造、碳酸盐岩溶蚀垮塌构造、蒸发盐溶蚀垮塌构造、高孔隙度白云岩、含重晶石地层等。油气流体在许多矿床和矿集区出现,其主要通过与硫酸盐发生反应为铅锌成矿提供还原硫。陆-陆碰撞的大地构造环境、大量的蒸发盐、丰富的油气流体是特提斯域富集MVT矿床的重要原因,域内寻找MVT矿床的潜力巨大。     

Serpentinization: a review

The common alteration assemblage produced by serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is: lizardite, chrysotile, magnetite±brucite±antigorite. Lizardite-chrysotile serpentinites are more common than antigorite; the presence of antigorite indicates that the serpentinite has undergone prograde metamorphism or that the periootite was serpentinized in a higher P,T regime than lizardite and chrysotile. The iron subsitution into serpentine minerals and brucite is a function of temperature at low f_O2, with increased temperature enhancing magnetite formation. The presence of awaruite and native Fe are strong evidence for a locally very reducing environment. Isotopic studies have shown a wide variety of origins for the fluids involved in serpentinization. The increased boron content of serpentinized rocks when compared to boron contents of the parent ultramafic body indicates a possible sea water origin for the fluids. Serpentinization takes place under both constant volume and constant chemical composition conditions. The factors in evaluating the importance of the two processes for an individual serpentinite are: (1) determination of the mineral assemblage and its paragenesis, (2) the structural and tectonic relationship of the ultramafic body to its country rock, (3) fluid access to the rock in duration and amount, and (4) timing of serpentinization - before, during or after emplacement into the crust.     

A critical review of the Kibyra Fault (Burdur-Fethiye Shear Zone,SW Turkey)

The Kibyra Fault is considered as the most significant evidence about the existence of the NE–SW-striking left-lateral Burdur-Fethiye Fault Zone in the south-western Anatolia in previous studies. However, recent studies show that there is a shear regime, named the Burdur-Fethiye Shear Zone, dominated by normal and left-lateral oblique normal faults in this region. A large number of ancient cities lie on this zone and many of them have been damaged by ancient earthquakes. One of these ancient cities is the ancient city of Kibyra. Most of previous studies suggest the Kibyra Fault depending on the damage in the city. However, the closest fault is located on the western side of the city and the earthquake damage was most likely caused by ground shaking. In this study, the existence of the supposed Kibyra Fault is discussed by integrating field studies, geological maps, trench data, digital elevation model and geomorphological analysis. In conclusion, it is understood that there is no evidence directly indicating a 35-km-long left-lateral fault in this region. The aim of this study is to examine the existence of the Kibyra Fault, take a different approach to the active fault studies and emphasise the importance of active faults for socio-economic conditions.     

Abrupt changes (Heinrich events) in late Quaternary North Atlantic marine environments: a history and review of data and concepts

In the last several years evidence has mounted that a series of abrupt changes in sediment delivery and palaeoceanography effected the North Atlantic; they are recorded in a variety of proxy records but most dramatically in changes of grain-size and mineralogy associated with postulated iceberg rafting events, specifically Heinrich (H) events. This review paper examines the evidence for such evidence prior to the development of the ‘Heinrich event’ concept (1988–1992), and then examines the explosion of data and correlations that stemmed from the acceptance and use of this paradigm. Specific attention is focused on ideas pertaining to the cause(s) of glaciological mechanisms, sediment delivery, and sediment source, and major gaps in our understanding of the underlying glaciological, glacial geological, and glacial marine processes are stressed. Abrupt changes across boundaries associated with H-2 in the Labrador Sea are illustrated from core HU87033-009LCF. The case is made that correlations between records need to be more rigorous, especially within the range of radiocarbon dating, but it appears that abrupt changes in the delivery of iceberg rafted debris, which characterize these intervals, are multisourced. It is unclear how global ‘climate’ can simultaneously influence the abrupt behaviour of ice margins in different parts of the world—for marine-based margins, changes in relative sea-level are one possibility. A qualitative model is presented for triggering H events, which includes global changes in mass balance, changes in relative sea-level at ice margins due to glacial isostasy, and changes in the basal thermal regime of tidewater ice-streams. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.