Paleoecological and biogeographical implications of late Pleistocene noble marten (Martes americana nobilis) in eastern Washington State, USA

A mandible identified as noble marten (Martes americana nobilis) recovered from sediments dating to 11,800 cal yr BP and a humerus identified as M. a. cf. nobilis recovered from sediments dating from 13,100 to 12,500 cal yr BP at the Marmes Rockshelter archaeological site in southeastern Washington represent the first record of this taxon in the state. Mammalian taxa associated with the Marmes Rockshelter noble marten represent a diversity of open mesic habitats corroborating earlier analyses of other records of the noble marten in the western United States and exemplify how paleozoologists determine the ecology and environmental predilections of extinct taxa. The recovery site represents the topographically lowest record of this species in western North America and the farthest north record in the United States. Future research should examine known late-Quaternary Martes spp. remains from British Columbia and Alberta to fill in the 2200-km geographic gap in the known distribution of this taxon between a record in the northern Yukon and those in the western United States, and to refine our knowledge of noble marten paleoecology.     

Terminal Pleistocene change in mammal communities in southeastern Washington State,USA

Small mammal communities in western North America experienced declines in taxonomic richness across the late Pleistocene to Holocene transition (PHT), a recent natural global warming event. One community also experienced a decline in evenness and others replaced one species with a congener. Variability in response of small mammal communities to PHT warming is apparent. At the presently arid and xeric Marmes site in the Columbia Basin of southeastern Washington State, megafauna were absent by about 13,000 cal yr BP, evenness of small mammals declined about 11,700 cal yr BP and again about 11,400 cal yr BP whereas richness declined about 11,400 cal BP. Regional faunal turnover was, however, minimal among small-bodied taxa. Local mammal communities are depauperate as a result of megafaunal extinctions and subsequent decreases in small-mammal richness and evenness. The latter chronologically corresponds with a decrease in primary productivity driven by increasing warmth and aridity. More faunas must be studied in order to fully document the range of variability in the responses of mammalian communities to PHT warming. Documentation of patterns in those responses will facilitate understanding and enhance predictive accuracy with respect to responses of mammalian communities to modern global warming.     

Liquefaction evidence for strong earthquakes of Holocene and latest Pleistocene ages in the states of Indiana and Illinois, USA

Sand- and gravel-filled clastic dikes of seismic liquefaction origin occur throughout much of southern Indiana and Illinois. Nearly all of these dikes originated from prehistoric earthquakes centered in the study area. In this area at least seven and probably eight strong prehistoric earthquakes have been documented as occurring during the Holocene, and at least one during the latest Pleistocene. The recognition of different earthquakes has been based mainly on timing of liquefaction in combination with the regional pattern of liquefaction effects, but some have been recognized only by geotechnical testing at sites of liquefaction.

Most paleo-earthquakes presently recognized lie in Indiana, but equally as many may have occurred in Illinois. Studies in Illinois have not yet narrowly bracketed the age of clastic dikes at many sites, which sometimes causes uncertainty in defining the causative earthquake, but even in Illinois the largest paleo-earthquakes probably have been identified.

Prehistoric magnitudes were probably as high as about moment magnitude M 7.5. This greatly exceeds the largest historic earthquake of M 5.5 centered in Indiana or Illinois. The strongest paleo-earthquakes struck in the vicinity of the concentration of strongest historic seismicity. Elsewhere, paleo-earthquakes on the order of M 6–7 have occurred even where there has been little or no historic seismicity.

Both geologic and geotechnical methods of analysis have been essential for verification of seismic origin for the dikes and for back-calculating prehistoric magnitudes. Methods developed largely as part of this study should be of great value in unraveling the paleoseismic record elsewhere.     

Influence of a glacial buzzsaw on the height and morphology of the Cascade Range in central Washington State, USA

Analysis of climatic and topographic evidence from the Cascade Range of Washington State indicates that glacial erosion limits the height and controls the morphology of this range. Glacial erosion linked to long-term spatial gradients in the ELA created a tilted, planar zone of 373 cirques across the central part of the range; peaks and ridges now rise ≤600 m above this zone. Hypsometric analysis of the region shows that the proportion of land area above the cirques drops sharply, and mean slopes >30° indicate that the areas above the cirques may be at or near threshold steepness. The mean plus 1σ relief of individual cirque basins (570 m) corresponds to the ∼600-m envelope above which peaks rarely rise. The summit altitudes are set by a combination of higher rates of glacial and paraglacial erosion above the ELA and enhanced hillslope processes due to the creation of steep topography. On the high-precipitation western flank of the Cascades, the dominance of glacial and hillslope erosion at altitudes at and above the ELA may explain the lack of a correspondence between stream-power erosion models and measured exhumation rates from apatite (U-Th/He) thermochronometry.     

Late-Quaternary diminution and abundance of prehistoric bison (Bison sp.) in eastern Washington state, U.S.A.

Bison (Bison spp.) occurred in eastern Washington state during the late Quaternary. This area is considered to be peripheral to the center of this taxon's natural range. Bison in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains, the heart of this range, underwent diminution during the late Quaternary, and apparently also did so in other, peripheral areas. A ratio diagram of measurement data derived from eight zooarchaeological collections of bison remains recovered from eastern Washington, in combination with the presence of both sexes and all age classes of individuals, indicate that local bison may have also undergone diminution there. There are, however, a relative paucity of bison remains during the middle Holocene and an apparent 2000-year absence of bison from eastern Washington at this time. As a result, the hypothesis that bison became smaller elsewhere and then immigrated to eastern Washington cannot be falsified. Both the diminution and the fluctuating abundance of bison appear to be responses to forage quality and quantity.     

Paleoclimatic and archeological implications of Pleistocene and Holocene environments in Azraq, Jordan

Wetlands are a key archive for paleoclimatic and archeological work, particularly in arid regions, as they provide a focus for human occupation and preserve environmental information. The sedimentary record from 'Ayn Qasiyya, a spring site on the edge of the Azraq Qa, provides a well-dated sequence through the last glacial–interglacial transition (LGIT) allowing environmental changes in the present-day Jordanian desert to be investigated robustly through this time period for the first time. Results show that the wettest period at the site preceded the last glacial maximum, which itself was characterised by marsh formation and a significant Early Epipaleolithic occupation. A sedimentary hiatus between 16 and 10.5 ka suggests a period of drought in the region although seasonal rains and surface waters still allowed seasonal occupation of the Azraq region. Archeological evidence suggests that conditions had improved by the Late Epipaleolithic, about the time of the North Atlantic Younger Dryas. The changes between wet and dry conditions at the site show similarities to patterns in the eastern Mediterranean and in Arabia suggesting the Jordan interior was influenced by changes in both these regions through the LGIT climatic transition.     

Middle to Late Pleistocene loess record in eastern Nebraska,USA, and implications for the unique nature of Oxygen Isotope Stage 2

New subsurface data reveal a nearly continuous stratigraphic record of Middle to Late Pleistocene loess sedimentation preserved beneath upland summits in eastern Nebraska, USA. Thickness and grain size trends, as well as pedologic evidence, indicate significant changes in loess sources, accumulation rates, and depositional environments. The newly defined Kennard Formation accumulated in the Middle Pleistocene, and may represent multiple thin increments of distal loess from nonglacial sources on the Great Plains. The overlying Loveland Loess, up to 18 m thick and deposited during Oxygen Isotope Stage 6 (OIS 6) (Illinoian glaciation), probably records the emergence of the Missouri River valley as a major glaciogenic loess source. The prominent Sangamon Geosol formed through long-term pedogenic alteration of the upper Loveland Loess during OIS 5 and 4. Thin loess of the Gilman Canyon Formation records slow loess accumulation and pedogenic alteration in OIS 3. The Peoria Loess (OIS 2) is similar in thickness to Loveland Loess, but may have accumulated more rapidly in an environment less favorable to bioturbation. More importantly, comparison of Peoria and Loveland loess thickness trends indicates much greater influx of nonglaciogenic loess from the Great Plains during OIS 2 than in OIS 6, suggesting colder and/or drier conditions in the Midcontinent during OIS 2 than in earlier glacial stages.     

Middle Pleistocene lacustrine deposits in eastern Essex,England and their palaeogeographical implications

Investigations in quarry exposures in the Asheldham Gravel and related deposits of southeast Essex are described. Section logging, mapping and borehole investigations are supported by clast lithological, heavy and clay mineralogical determinations. The sediments are derived from reworking of local Thames basin materials, fine sediment being predominantly from the London Clay. The sequence is shown to represent an aggradation that began as the fluvial infilling of the River Medway valley. The River Thames, diverted into this valley by glaciation further west, overwhelmed the Medway, reworking the deposits. The valley was subsequently drowned and fine laminated lake sediment was initially deposited. This was during a period when the valley was drowned by the glacial lake ponded in the southern North Sea basin by the Anglian/Elsterian ice sheet. Progradation by a braid-delta complex advanced along the valley and subsequently fluvial deposition returned. Valley widening and straightening accompanied the delta progradation. The deposits were dissected by deep fluvial valleys infilled by Hoxnian interglacial sediments. The Asheldham Gravel is therefore placed in the Anglian/Elsterian Stage.     

East Asian monsoon variation and climate changes in Jeju Island, Korea, during the latest Pleistocene to early Holocene

A 4.96-m-long sediment core from the Hanon paleo-maar in Jeju Island, Korea was studied to investigate the paleoclimatic change and East Asian monsoon variations during the latest Pleistocene to early Holocene (23,000-9000 cal yr BP). High-resolution TOC content, magnetic susceptibility, and major element composition data indicate that Jeju Island experienced the coldest climate around 18,000 cal yr BP, which corresponds to the last glacial maximum (LGM). Further, these multi-proxy data show an abrupt shift in climatic regime from cold and arid to warm and humid conditions at around 14,000 cal yr BP, which represents the commencement of the last major deglaciation. After the last major deglaciation, the TOC content decreased from 13,300 to 12,000 cal yr BP and from 11,500 to 9800 cal yr BP, thereby reflecting the weakening of the summer monsoon. The LGM in Jeju Island occurred later in comparison with the Chinese Loess Plateau. Such a disparity in climatic change events between central China and Jeju Island appears to be caused by the asynchrony between the coldest temperature event and the minimum precipitation event in central China and by the buffering effect of the Pacific Ocean.     

Late Pleistocene and late Holocene lake highstands in the Pyramid Lake subbasin of Lake Lahontan, Nevada, USA

Shoreline geomorphology, shoreline stratigraphy, and radiocarbon dates of organic material incorporated in constructional beach ridges record large lakes during the late Pleistocene and late Holocene in the Pyramid Lake subbasin of Lake Lahontan, Nevada, USA. During the late Holocene, a transgression began at or after 3595 ± 35 ¹⁴C yr B.P. and continued, perhaps in pulses, through 2635 ± 40 ¹⁴C yr B.P., resulting in a lake as high as 1199 m. During the latest Pleistocene and overlapping with the earliest part of the Younger Dryas interval, a lake stood at approximately 1212 m at 10,820 ± 35 ¹⁴C yr B.P. and a geomorphically and stratigraphically distinct suite of constructional shorelines associated with this lake can be traced to 1230 m. These two lake highstands correspond to periods of elevated regional wetness in the western Basin and Range that are not clearly represented in existing northern Sierra Nevada climate proxy records.     

南岭东段麻粒岩相变质岩的发现及其地质意义

本文报道了在南岭东段闽西南中元古代桃溪组变质岩中发现的麻粒岩相变质岩。其矿物组合和化学成分显示这些变质岩的原岩是沉积岩。成岩格子和温压计算限定它们的峰期变质作用发生在750-880℃和1．1GPa的高温高压条件下，表明这些表壳岩由于构造作用曾经成为下地壳的物质组成，并经历了麻粒岩相变质作用。等温降压的P-T-t轨迹指示它们很可能是在中生代伸展构造背景下快速抬升到浅部。这些麻粒岩的成分显然与东南沿海地区发现的基性麻粒岩捕虏体的不同，暗示这两地区下地壳的物质组成可能存在差异，也许这就是造成两个地区花岗岩类型不同的最主要原因。     

黄土记录的中亚干旱区东部全新世气候与环境演化

选取位于中亚干旱区东部新疆天山地区的两个典型黄土沉积剖面,通过磁学参数(XARM/SIRM)、亮度(L*)、有机碳/氮同位素(δ13Corg和δ15N)等记录,对研究区内全新世以来的气候环境进行重建.结果表明:早全新世,XARM/SIRM、L*指示黄土成壤较弱、有机质含量低,δ13Corg记录表明区域降水较少,共同反映...     

冀东青龙地区中生代花岗岩的岩石成因和地质意义

冀东青龙地区中生代发育多期花岗质岩浆活动。本文系统报道了青龙地区三叠纪都山花岗岩和侏罗纪白家店花岗岩及其镁铁质微粒包体(MMEs)的锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素组成。锆石SIMS U-Pb定年结果显示,都山花岗岩的结晶年龄为215.7±2.3Ma,指示了晚三叠世岩浆活动;而白家店花岗岩及其包体的结晶年龄分别为170.5±2.0Ma和172.4±2.0Ma,指示了中侏罗世岩浆活动。都山花岗岩以低含量的MgO、Fe_2O_3~T、Cr和Ni,高(La/Yb)_N、Sr/Y比值及低Yb和Y含量,低的初始~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值(0.7042~0.7044)、极负的ε_(Nd)(t)值(-19.8~-14.4),很负的ε_(Hf)(t)值(-17.6~-13.0,除了2个较大值-5.6和-8.6)和接近晚太古代的Hf模式年龄,显示出主要来源于晚太古代下地壳重熔,可能有少量幔源物质加入。综合的岩石学、矿物学、地球化学和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素数据(白家店花岗岩:(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7051~0.7065,ε_(Nd)(t)=-13.4~-10.8,ε_(Hf)(t)=-11.8~-8.2;MMEs:(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7059~0.7062,ε_(Nd)(t)=-11.1~-7.0,ε_(Hf)(t)=-3.7~+3.4),表明了白家店花岗岩和MMEs为亏损地幔来源的镁铁质岩浆和下地壳来源的长英质岩浆通过混合形成。从晚三叠世都山花岗岩到中侏罗世白家店花岗岩,它们成因的明显差异,揭示了地幔角色的转换(从只提供热量几乎不提供物质到既提供能量又提供物质),暗示华北东部岩石圈在这一时期可能发生一次重要减薄。     

Late Pleistocene crustal uplift and gravity anomaly in the eastern part of Kyushu, Japan, and its geophysical implications

The Miyazaki Plain, eastern part of Kyushu, Japan, is characterized by both significant negative gravity anomalies and aseismic crustal uplifting (1 mm/year) in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. We examine the relationship between these two phenomena, which may provide important constraints on the interaction between the collision and/or subduction of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge and the forearc. We estimate the mass deficiency below 11-km depth by using the gravity anomalies and P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust. The onset of the load accumulation, 0.5–0.4 Ma, is inferred from the movement of the fluvial terraces considering the tephrochronology. The loading history is assumed to be a linear function of time. We evaluate the crustal rebound by assuming a viscoelastic plate deformation with an underplating load existing at 20- or 30-km depth. The predicted crustal movement for models with a lithospheric (crustal) viscosity of 10²³–10²⁴ Pa s can explain the observed altitudes of the shoreline of the marine terraces formed at the Last Interglacial of about 125 kyr BP and the middle Holocene of 5–6 kyr BP. Although we cannot restrict the origin of the buoyant body, the subduction of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, remnant arc associated with back-arc opening of the Shikoku Basin, may be related to the buoyancy for the uplifting region examined here. On the other hand, the buoyant body off the Miyazaki Plain probably plays an important role in the interaction between the subducting oceanic slab and the overriding forearc crust. Thus, the observed lateral variation of the interplate coupling on the convergent boundary along the Nankai Trough may be attributed to the existence of the buoyant body.     

阿尔金山喀腊大湾地区中酸性侵入岩SHRIMP年龄及其意义

阿尔金山东段喀腊大湾地区位于北东向阿尔金走滑断裂北侧与东西向阿尔金北缘断裂所夹持的区域,该区广泛发育中酸性侵入岩,前人将其确定为晚古生代。本文运用锆石SHRIMPU-Pb方法对该区的中酸性侵入岩进行测年,获得413～514Ma的年龄,确认喀腊大湾地区早古生代岩浆活动的存在。结合前人其他方法测年数据和红柳沟一带(喀腊大湾以西180km)中酸性侵入岩的SHRIMP测年资料和蛇绿岩的时代,将阿尔金山东段喀腊大湾地区中酸性岩浆活动划分为碰撞前岩浆活动(520～500Ma)、碰撞期岩浆活动(490～470Ma)和碰撞后岩浆活动(440～410Ma)三个阶段。     

新疆东天山图拉尔根大型铜镍矿床硫化物珠滴构造的特征及其对通道式成矿的指示

东天山图拉尔根岩浆铜镍硫化物矿床中产出一种不常见的硫化物珠滴状构造。这些硫化物珠滴粒度在5~20mm左右,是由磁黄铁矿、镍黄铁矿、黄铜矿等硫化物矿物组成的斑杂状硫化物集合体。野外观察发现硫化物珠滴具有各种几何形态,产出在稀疏浸染状硫化物和无矿化的辉石岩之间的部位。对图拉尔根杂岩体中发育的24个硫化物珠滴的统计结果显示,平缓厚层状矿化部位的硫化物珠滴呈水平方向拉长,陡倾薄层状矿化部位的硫化物珠滴呈陡倾拉长,珠滴的拉长方向和矿体的延伸方向一致。这表明在含矿母岩浆上升就位到中上地壳的过程中,硫化物珠滴受到熔浆流动的控制,因而其形态可以很好地指示通道式成矿硫化物熔体运动的方向。 硫化物珠滴的矿相学和电子探针数据表明其具有向地性特征,即磁黄铁矿和镍黄铁矿先结晶,沉淀在下部; 珠滴上部为后结晶的黄铜矿和其它富铜硫化物。这种元素分布可能对贯入块状硫化物矿石同样适用。碲化物和铋化物在硫化物珠滴中的含量明显高于其在早结晶的浸染状硫化物中的含量,表明富Te和Bi等元素及挥发份的熔体是在岩浆演化后期开始富集结晶的。     

Late Pleistocene and Holocene paleoseismology of an intraplate seismic zone in a large alluvial valley, the New Madrid seismic zone, Central USA

The New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) is an intraplate right-lateral strike-slip and thrust fault system contained mostly within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. The most recent earthquake sequence in the zone occurred in 1811–1812 and had estimated moment magnitudes of 7–8 (e.g., [Johnston, A.C., 1996. Seismic moment assessment of stable continental earthquakes, Part 3: 1811–1812 New Madrid, 1886 Charleston, and 1755 Lisbon. Geophysical Journal International 126, 314–344; Johnston, A.C., Schweig III, E.S, 1996. The enigma of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812. Annual Reviews of Earth and Planetary Sciences 24, 339–384; Hough, S.E., Armbruster, J.G., Seeber, L., Hough, J.F., 2000. On the modified Mercalli intensities and magnitudes of the New Madrid earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research 105 (B10), 23,839–23,864; Tuttle, M.P., 2001. The use of liquefaction features in paleoseismology: Lessons learned in the New Madrid seismic zone, central United States. Journal of Seismology 5, 361–380]). Four earlier prehistoric earthquakes or earthquake sequences have been dated A.D. 1450 ± 150, 900 ± 100, 300 ± 200, and 2350 B.C. ± 200 years using paleoliquefaction features, particularly those associated with native American artifacts, and in some cases surface deformation ([Craven, J. A. 1995. Paleoseismology study in the New Madrid seismic zone using geological and archeological features to constrain ages of liquefaction deposits. M.S thesis, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.; Tuttle, M.P., Lafferty III, R.H., Guccione, M.J., Schweig III, E.S., Lopinot, N., Cande, R., Dyer-Williams, K., Haynes, M., 1996. Use of archaeology to date liquefaction features and seismic events in the New Madrid seismic zone, central United States. Geoarchaeology 11, 451–480; Guccione, M.J., Mueller, K., Champion, J., Shepherd, S., Odhiambo, B., 2002b. Stream response to repeated co-seismic folding, Tiptonville dome, western Tennessee. Geomorphology 43(2002), 313–349; Tuttle, M.P., Schweig, E.S., Sims, J.D., Lafferty, R.H., Wolf, L.W., Haynes, M.L., 2002. The earthquake potential of the New Madrid seismic zone, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v 92, n. 6, p. 2080–2089; Tuttle, M.P., Schweig III, E.S., Campbell, J., Thomas, P.M., Sims, J.D., Lafferty III, R.H., 2005. Evidence for New Madrid earthquakes in A.D. 300 and 2350 B.C. Seismological Research Letters 76, 489–501]). The two most recent prehistoric and the 2350 B.C. events were probably also earthquake sequences with approximately the same magnitude as the historic sequence.Surface deformation (faulting and folding) in an alluvial setting provides many examples of stream response to gradient changes that can also be used to date past earthquake events. Stream responses include changes in channel morphology, deviations in the channel path from the regional gradient, changes in the direction of flow, anomalous longitudinal profiles, and aggradation or incision of the channel ([Merritts, D., Hesterberg, T, 1994. Stream networks and long-term surface uplift in the New Madrid seismic zone. Science 265, 1081–1084.; Guccione, M.J., Mueller, K., Champion, J., Shepherd, S., Odhiambo, B., 2002b. Stream response to repeated co-seismic folding, Tiptonville dome, western Tennessee. Geomorphology 43 (2002), 313–349]). Uplift or depression of the floodplain affects the frequency of flooding and thus the thickness and style of vertical accretion or drowning of a meander scar to form a lake. Vegetation may experience trauma, mortality, and in some cases growth enhancement due to ground failure during the earthquake and hydrologic changes after the earthquake ([VanArdale, R.B., Stahle, D.W., Cleaveland, M.K., Guccione, M.J., 1998. Earthquake signals in tree-ring data from the New Madrid seismic zone and implications for paleoseismicity. Geology 26, 515–518]). Identification and dating these physical and biologic responses allows source areas to be identified and seismic events to be dated.Seven fault segments are recognized by microseismicity and geomorphology. Surface faulting has been recognized at three of these segments, Reelfoot fault, New Madrid North fault, and Bootheel fault. The Reelfoot fault is a compressive stepover along the strike-slip fault and has up to 11 m of surface relief ([Carlson, S.D., 2000. Formation and geomorphic history of Reelfoot Lake: insight into the New Madrid seismic zone. M.S. Thesis, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A]) deforming abandoned and active Mississippi River channels ([Guccione, M.J., Mueller, K., Champion, J., Shepherd, S., Odhiambo, B., 2002b. Stream response to repeated co-seismic folding, Tiptonville dome, western Tennessee. Geomorphology 43 (2002), 313–349]). The New Madrid North fault apparently has only strike-slip motion and is recognized by modern microseismicity, geomorphic anomalies, and sand cataclasis ([Baldwin, J.N., Barron A.D., Kelson, K.I., Harris, J.B., Cashman, S., 2002. Preliminary paleoseismic and geophysical investigation of the North Farrenburg lineament: primary tectonic deformation associated with the New Madrid North Fault?. Seismological Research Letters 73, 393–413]). The Bootheel fault, which is not identified by the modern microseismicity, is associated with extensive liquefaction and offset channels ([Guccione, M.J., Marple, R., Autin, W.J., 2005, Evidence for Holocene displacements on the Bootheel fault (lineament) in southeastern Missouri: Seismotectonic implications for the New Madrid region. Geological Society of America Bulletin 117, 319–333]). The fault has dominantly strike-slip motion but also has a vertical component of slip. Other recognized surface deformation includes relatively low-relief folding at Big Lake/Manila high ([Guccione, M.J., VanArdale, R.B., Hehr, L.H., 2000. Origin and age of the Manila high and associated Big Lake “Sunklands”, New Madrid seismic zone, northeastern Arkansas. Geological Society of America Bulletin 112, 579–590]) and Lake St. Francis/Marked Tree high ([Guccione, M.J., VanArsdale, R.B., 1995. Origin and age of the St. Francis Sunklands using drainage patterns and sedimentology. Final report submitted to the U. S. Geological Survey, Award Number 1434-93-G-2354, Washington D.C.]), both along the subsurface Blytheville arch. Deformation at each of the fault segments does not occur during each earthquake event, indicating that earthquake sources have varied throughout the Holocene.     

新疆东部-甘肃北山地区二叠纪玄武岩对比研究及其构造意义

通过对新疆东部三塘湖盆地、甘肃北山柳园地区以及邻区二叠纪玄武岩的地球化学特征对比研究，认识到新疆东部-甘肃北山地区及邻区二叠纪形成的系列断陷带内，同期产生的玄武岩具有不同的地球化学特征和岩浆来源，其形成的统一动力学机制主要是可能由于造山带增厚的岩石圈大范围拆沉而导致的大范围亏损地幔部分熔融岩浆和源自上、下地幔边界的小型地幔柱岩浆的作用。这种地幔柱不是核幔边界深部地幔柱的成因，而可能是早期俯冲洋壳的分离掉落后，中亚造山带范围内可能在上、下地幔之间存在更广泛的部分熔融岩浆的原因。由造山带增厚岩石圈大范围拆沉作用而导致的大范围亏损地幔部分熔融岩浆和源自上、下地幔边界的小型地幔柱岩浆的作用，可能是中亚造山带二叠纪深部壳幔作用最壮观的表现方式。同时也以大范围玄武岩喷发、裂谷、大规模后造山幔源花岗岩和超镁铁岩的侵位以及大规模成矿作用而成为独特的“中亚型造山带”而有别于其它造山带。     

东准噶尔扎河坝地区古生代晚期火山岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年及其地质意义

东准噶尔扎河坝地区古生代晚期火山岩——原巴塔玛依内山组为一套中基性和酸性火山岩及火山碎屑岩。采用锆石SHRIMP U-Pb同位素定年方法对其中的流纹岩进行定年,年龄为275.6±2.8Ma(MSWD=1.1),表明这套岩石发育于早二叠世。对这套二叠纪火山岩中的玄武岩进行地球化学分析,具有高TiO₂含量、高钾富碱的特点,属于典型的橄榄粗玄岩系列;强烈富集不相容元素和轻稀土元素,显示出源区富集的特点。综合对比新疆北部及邻区（三塘湖地区、红柳河地区、柳园地区及萨吾尔地区）同期的火山岩,扎河坝地区这套二叠纪火山岩形成于后碰撞伸展构造背景,这对研究本地区大地构造格局具有重要的意义。