Neoproterozoic peritidal phosphorite from the Sete Lagoas Formation (Brazil) and the Precambrian phosphorus cycle

The Neoproterozoic Sete Lagoas Formation (ca 610 Ma) of the São Francisco Basin, Brazil, is a succession of siltstone, limestone and phosphorite. Phosphorite forms part of a previously unrecognized 150 to 200 m thick, unconformity bounded depositional sequence. Lithofacies stacking patterns indicate that deposition was punctuated by higher order fluctuations in base level that produced aggradational parasequences. These shallowing‐upward cycles record the progradation of phosphate‐rich intertidal flats over shallow subtidal deposits as accommodation filled. The presence of mudcracks, authigenic chert nodules, lack of coarse terrigenous clastics and the abundance of silt with fine, abraded quartz grains suggests accumulation along an arid coastline with significant aeolian input. Delivery of phosphorus adsorbed on aeolian Fe‐(oxyhydr)oxide and clay is interpreted as having stimulated phosphogenesis in peritidal environments. Lithofacies associations indicate that windblown phosphorus promoted the establishment of cyanobacterial communities along the coast, which produced photosynthetic oxygen and the suboxic conditions necessary for the precipitation of authigenic carbonate fluorapatite. As in other Precambrian phosphatic systems, nearshore oxygen oases were a prerequisite for phosphorite accumulation because redox sensitive phosphogenic processes were pushed into the sediment to concentrate phosphorus. In more distal, anoxic environments phosphorite could not form because these biotic and abiotic processes were suspended in the water column, which cycled phosphorus in sea water rather than at the sediment–water interface. Such shallow‐water phosphorite is unlike larger, younger Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic phosphatic deposits inferred to have formed in deeper‐upwelling related environments. The increasing size of phosphatic deposits through the latest Precambrian is interpreted as reflecting the progressive ventilation of the oceans during the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event, and resultant expansion of phosphogenic environments into distal settings. The widespread cycling of bioavailable phosphorus at the sea floor not only produced the first true phosphorite giants, but may have also been an important precondition for the evolution of multicellular animals.     

Isotope stratigraphy of Neoproterozoic cap carbonates in the Araras Group, Brazil

The Neoproterozoic carbonate sequence on the southeastern border of the Amazon Craton is divided into three lithostratigraphic units: a basal cap dolomite, an intermediate limestone, limestone-mudstone unit, and an upper dolarenite-dolorudite unit. Sections of the cap-carbonate were measured from the inner shelf to the outer shelf. Carbon isotope ratios (relative to PDB) vary between − 10.5 and − 1.7‰ in cap dolomite, and between − 5.4 and + 0.1‰ in laminated limestone and mud-limestone. Limestones and mud-limestones exhibit ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging from 0.70740 to 0.70780. A comparative isotope stratigraphy between the inner-shelf and the middle-shelf basin shows differences in carbon isotope ratios: The cap dolomite and limestones have lower δ¹³C ratios on the border of the basin (inner shelf) than in the middle shelf of the basin. These lower values can be related to shallower environmental conditions and to a stronger influence of the continental border. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are the same in both areas, and are consistent with seawater composition at around 600 Ma.     

Low-latitude and multiple geomagnetic reversals in the Neoproterozoic Puga cap carbonate, Amazon craton

Palaeomagnetic study of the carbonates that ubiquitously cap glacial deposits may constrain the latitudinal extent of Neoproterozoic glaciations and the duration of the greenhouse recovery. We present the first palaeomagnetic data on the Neoproterozoic cap carbonates covering the Amazon craton, which are folded along the Paraguay Belt. Samples collected at deformed beds along the Paraguay Belt present a single‐polarity secondary magnetization acquired by the end of the Brasiliano orogeny (540–520 Ma). In the cratonic area, a dual‐polarity component was isolated in dolostones at the base of the sequence. The presence of a stratabound reversal stratigraphy along with high unblocking temperatures strongly suggest that this magnetization is primary. This result implies a low palaeolatitude (22+6/?5°) for the Amazon block just after deposition of Puga diamictites. In addition, the presence of multiple reversals across the first 20 m of the cap carbonate sequence suggests that their sedimentation must have spanned hundreds of thousands of years at least.     

Sediment hosted lead–zinc deposits of the Neoproterozoic Bambuí Group and correlative sequences, São Francisco Craton, Brazil: A review and a possible metallogenic evolution model

The Proterozoic sediment-hosted Zn–(Pb) sulfide and non-sulfide deposits of the São Francisco Craton, Brazil, are partially syn-diagenetic and epigenetic and were probably formed during extensional events. The majority of the deposits occur within shallow water dolomites. The Pb isotopic data of sulfides are relatively homogeneous for individual deposits and plot above the upper crust evolution curve of the Plumbotectonic model. Some of the deposits are characterized by highly radiogenic lead (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ≥ 21) originating from the highly radioactive crust of the São Francisco Craton. Pb and S isotopic data suggest the sources of metal and sulfur for the deposits to be the basement rocks and seawater sulfates in the sediments, respectively. The relatively high temperatures of formation (100 to 250 °C) and moderate salinity (3% to 20% NaCl equiv.) of the primary fluid inclusions in the sphalerite crystals suggest the participation of basinal mineralizing fluids in ore formation. The steep paleo-geothermal gradient generated by the radioactively enriched basement rocks probably assisted in heating up the circulating mineralizing fluids.     

Estimating groundwater recharge using GIS-based distributed water balance model in an environmental protection area in the city of Sete Lagoas (MG), Brazil

Improvement in modern water resource management has become increasingly reliant on better characterizing of the spatial variability of groundwater recharge mechanisms. Due to the flexibility and reliability of GIS-based index models, they have become an alternative for mapping and interpreting recharge systems. For this reason, an index model by integrating water balance parameters (surface runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and percolation) calculated by Thornthwaite and Mather’s method, with maps of soil texture, land cover, and terrain slope, was developed for a sustainable use of the groundwater resources. The Serra de Santa Helena Environmental Protection Area, next to the urbanized area of Sete Lagoas (MG), Brazil, was selected as the study area. Rapid economic growth has led to the subsequent expansion of the nearby urban area. Large variability in soil type, land use, and slope in this region resulted in spatially complex relationships between recharge areas. Due to these conditions, the study area was divided into four zones, according to the amount of recharge: high (>?100 mm/year), moderate (50–100 mm/year), low (25–50 mm/year), and incipient (>?25 mm/year). The technique proved to be a viable method to estimate the spatial variability of recharge, especially in areas with little to no in situ data. The success of the tool indicates it can be used for a variety of groundwater resource management applications.     

C-, Sr-isotope and Hg chemostratigraphy of Neoproterozoic cap carbonates of the Sergipano Belt,Northeastern Brazil

Two cap carbonates overlying glaciogenic diamictites crop out extensively in the eastern Vaza Barris Domain of the Sergipano Belt, northeastern Brazil. They are represented by carbonates of the Jacoca Formation, resting on top of diamictite of the Ribeiropolis Formation, and by the Olhos D’Agua Formation (carbonates, organic-rich towards the top), which overlies diamictite of the Palestina Formation. These two sequences were deformed and metamorphosed at sub-greenschist facies-conditions during the Brasiliano cycle (650–600 Ma).     

Corrigendum: Strange bedfellows: glacial diamictite and cap carbonate from the Marinoan (635 Ma) glaciation in Namibia

Tectonic fold tests conducted in Namibia demonstrate that the inclination with respect to bedding of geoplumb (palaeovertical) tubular structures in the Marinoan (635 Ma) syndeglacial cap dolostone is mainly the result of tectonic strain. Therefore, tubestone inclination data cannot be used to estimate the gradient of the sea floor on the foreslope of the Otavi carbonate platform during the Marinoan glaciation. A gradient steeper than 0·1 (slope angle ca 5·7°), implying a glacial base‐level fall ≥0·5 km, is nevertheless supported by boulder‐size intraclast debrite in the falling‐stand wedge directly beneath the glacigenic sequence. Cryogenian oceans lacked skeletal carbonate production, raising the carbonate saturation state and persistent deep water anoxia excluded acid‐producing aerobic respiration, facilitating early diagenetic carbonate precipitation, lithification and steep submarine slopes.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the Neoproterozoic Penglai Group and Archean gneisses from the Jiaobei Terrane, North China, and their tectonic implications

Archean basement gneisses and supracrustal rocks, together with Neoproterozoic (Sinian) metasedimentary rocks (the Penglai Group) occur in the Jiaobei Terrane at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of an Archean TTG gneiss gave an age of 2541 ± 5 Ma, whereas metasedimentary rocks from the Neoproterozoic Penglai Group yielded a range in zircon ages from 2.9 to 1.8 Ga. The zircons can be broadly divided into three age populations, at: 2.0–1.8 Ga, 2.45–2.1 Ga and >2.5 Ga. Detrital zircon grains with ages >2.6 Ga are few in number and there are none with ages <1.8 Ga. These results indicate that most of the detrital material comes from a Paleoproterozoic source, most likely from the Jianshan and Fenzishan groups, with some material coming from Archean gneisses in the Jiaobei Terrane. An age of 1866 ± 4 Ma for amphibolite-facies hornblende–plagioclase gneiss, forming part of a supracrustal sequence within the Archean TTG gneiss, indicates Late Paleoproterozoic metamorphism. Both the Archean gneiss complex and Penglai metasedimentary rocks resemble previously described components of the Jiao-Liao-Ji orogenic belt and suggest that the Jiaobei Terrane has a North China Craton affinity; they also suggest that the time of collision along the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt was at 1865 Ma.     

Neoproterozoic glacial dynamics revealed by provenance of diamictites of the Bebedouro Formation, São Francisco Craton, Central Eastern Brazil

One of the main questions on Neoproterozoic geology regards the extent and dynamics of the glacial systems that are recorded in all continents. We present evidence for short transport distances and localized sediment sources for the Bebedouro Formation, which records Neoproterozoic glaciomarine sedimentation in the central-eastern São Francisco Craton (SFC), Brazil. New data are presented on clast composition, based on point counting in thin section and SHRIMP dating of pebbles and detrital zircon. Cluster analysis of clast compositional data revealed a pronounced spatial variability of clast composition on diamictite indicating the presence of individual glaciers or ice streams feeding the basin. Detrital zircon ages reveal distinct populations of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic age. The youngest detrital zircon dated at 874 ± 9 Ma constrains the maximum depositional age of these diamictites. We interpret the provenance of the glacial diamictites to be restricted to sources inside the SFC, suggesting deposition in an environment similar to ice streams from modern, high latitude glaciers.     

U-Th dating of Lake Lisan (late Pleistocene dead sea) aragonite and implications for glacial east Mediterranean climate change

U-series dating can be an effective means to obtain accurate and precise ages on Quaternary carbonates. However, most samples require a correction for U and Th in admixed detritus. This complication is often addressed through generation of U-Th isochrons, requiring analyses of several coeval samples. In addition, presence of water-derived (hydrogenous) Th in the carbonate can cause inaccuracies in isochron ages.This study reports a high-resolution U-series chronology of sediments deposited by Lake Lisan, the last glacial precursor of the Dead Sea. The strategy employed combines multiple measurements from a few stratigraphic heights and fewer analyses from many heights in a single described and measured section. The resulting chronology is based on ages at 22 heights in a ∼40-m-thick section covering the interval of ∼70-14 calendar ka BP. The effects of admixed detritus are evaluated using trace elements. Nearly pure aragonite samples, indicated by very low abundances of insoluble elements such as Nb and Zr, were found to contain hydrogenous Th, which causes the uncorrected U-²³⁰Th age of a modern sample to be ∼2.5 ka. Nevertheless, accurate ages have been obtained by correcting for the detrital and aqueous interferences. The resulting ages are in stratigraphic order, and their accuracy is evidenced by consistency of Lisan Formation U-series and ¹⁴C ages with the coral-based calendar-radiocarbon age calibration.The U-Th ages provide a context to unravel the limnological history of Lake Lisan. Boundaries between the Lower, Middle, and Upper stratigraphic units correspond to the MIS 4/3 and 3/2 transitions, respectively. During MIS 2 and 4 the lake generally showed a stable two-layer configuration and a positive fresh-water balance, reflected by deposition of laminated aragonite-detritus. Dry intervals during MIS 2 and 4 are indicated by thick gypsum layers and an inferred depositional hiatus, which are temporally associated with Heinrich events H1 at ∼17 ka and H6 at ∼65 ka, respectively. During MIS 3 the lake level was unstable with intermittent dry periods indicated by abundant clastic layers and a significant hiatus between ∼43-49 ka. Clastic layers are associated with Dansgaard-Oeschger events during MIS 3, and indicate lake level declines during abrupt Northern Hemisphere warmings. Overall, the climate of the Eastern Mediterranean region shows a strong linkage to the Northern Hemisphere climate, with increasing lake size and stability during cold periods, and fluctuations and dessication during warmings and Heinrich events.     

Geologic correlation between the Neoproterozoic Sergipano belt (NE Brazil) and the Yaoundé belt (Cameroon, Africa)

The Yaoundé belt (Cameroon) and the Sergipano belt (NE Brazil) belonged to a major and continuous Neoproterozoic orogen at the northern margin of the ancient Congo-São Francisco craton. The Yaoundé belt comprises schists, quartzites, gneisses and migmatitic gneisses grouped into three domains; the low-grade Mbalmayo Group in south and the medium- to high-grade Yaoundé and Bafia Group in north. The Sergipano belt is divided into six domains, the three southernmost of which are mostly made up of clastic and chemical metasedimentary rocks whereas the others are more diverse with a migmatite–gneiss complex, and two metavolcanicplutonic complexes. In general, the two belts show structural vergence and decrease of metamorphic grade towards the craton; three main deformation phases are recognized in the Sergipano belt in contrast with two described in the Yaoundé belt. The minimum age of Pan-African-Brasiliano collision in the Sergipano belt is constrained at 628 ± 12 Ma on syn-collision granites, whereas in the Yaoundé belt collision took place between 620 and 610 Ma, i.e. the age of granulite facies metamorphism. Sm–Nd isotope geochemistry and U–Pb age dating indicate that most clastic metasedimentary rocks in both belts were derived from sources to the north and, to a lesser degree, from the cratons to the south.     

年轻冰川沉积砾石的晒退特征及其对岩石释光埋藏测年的启示

不完全晒退/晒退不均现象是冰川沉积物释光测年所面临的巨大挑战,这一问题限制了传统颗粒沉积物释光方法在冰川沉积物测年方面的应用。最新发展的岩石释光埋藏测年技术,可以根据释光-深度曲线判断砾石是否经历过充分曝光,是解决冰川沉积晒退不均问题的有效途径之一。本工作选择青藏高原东部硬普沟现代冰川前沿为研究对象,采集130个年轻冰川沉积砾石样品,包括93个现代样品和37个小冰期样品,其中20个现代样品采自地表。首先,运用表_{~2 mm}/饱和信号法区分不同冰川沉积环境中砾石样品的晒退程度;再基于SAR和SGC法初步估算样品的等效剂量及其高估情况;然后,统计砾石样品的特征（磨圆度、球度、颜色、晶粒大小、晶粒相对大小、砾石大小等）与晒退程度的关系,找寻晒退良好的砾石及其特征。结果表明大部分采样点的砾石样品呈现了被晒退的特征,平均20.6%的埋藏砾石的岩芯晒退良好,剂量高估程度低;不同沉积类型样品的晒退程度不一,侧碛垄顶部砾石样品晒退程度最好,冰水阶地和现代冰河砾石样品次之,现代冰川后退碛垄间洼地的冰水沉积砾石样品晒退程度最差,剂量高估较严重;磨圆度较差、球度较低、浅色的花岗岩砾石晒退程度较好。综上,冰川沉积砾石的晒退程度与沉积环境、沉积过程、搬运距离、砾石特征等相关,在进行岩石释光埋藏测年采样时,应综合考虑上述情况。     

江山-绍兴断裂带陈蔡岩群片麻岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

浙江诸暨陈蔡地区发育一套副变质岩层,由中深度变质的片麻岩、片岩和大理岩组成,与双溪坞群为断层接触,其地质时代多被视为与江山-绍兴断裂带南东侧的华夏地块古老变质基底相同。陈蔡岩群地处江绍断裂带北东端,变质和变形较深,前人将其划归为华夏古陆的小块体,地层时代曾与福建古元古代麻源岩群或浙江八都岩群和江西中元古代铁砂街组对比。在陈蔡岩群下吴宅组含榴夕线黑云斜长片麻岩及含榴黑云斜长片麻岩中获得大量的锆石,具有典型的核、幔、边结构,核部年龄集中在新元古代,206Pb/238U年龄加权平均值为848±10Ma和845±9Ma,锆石后期增生边部年龄多为加里东期的年龄,206Pb/238U年龄加权平均值为431.4±7.8Ma。陈蔡岩群斜长片麻岩获得的锆石核部较单一的U-Pb年龄,反映出陈蔡岩群下吴宅组夕线石所代表的泥质成分所含的锆石单一,其锆石核部年龄应代表陈蔡岩群下吴宅组的原岩年龄;同时,认为陈蔡岩群既不能与福建古元古代的麻源岩群对比,也不能与江西地区中元古代铁砂街组对比。其原岩为稍晚于双溪坞群（905～877Ma）的新元古代地层（848～845Ma）,从年代上倾向于江南造山带范畴。该年龄对江山-绍兴断裂带变质地层的区域对比和构造演化有重要意义。     

桂北地区新元古代地层凝灰岩锆石U-Pb年龄及地质意义

提要：桂西北变质基底四堡群及上覆地层丹洲群之间存在着角度不整合,而丹洲群与南华纪地层之间为平行不整合,说明它们是隶属三个构造域的产物。其地层时代的定位影响着整个江南古陆变质基底地层的对比,也制约着华南地区沉积盖层的地质关系。根据丹洲群合桐组凝灰岩锆石U-Pb年龄(801±3) Ma、拱洞组锆石U-Pb年龄(786±6) Ma、南华系长安组的底界年龄(778±5) Ma和大塘坡组年龄(661±7) Ma,结合从桂北地区四堡群顶部沉积地层中凝灰砂岩获得的锆石U-Pb年龄(842±13) Ma和侵入四堡群火成岩锆石U-Pb年龄(834±4) Ma,将四堡群变质砂板岩明确定为形成于820 Ma之下的地层。该年龄对南华纪地层的区域对比和构造演化都有着重要意义。     

U-Pb zircon geochronological evidence for Neoproterozoic events in the Glenfinnan Group (Moine Supergroup): the formation of the Ardgour granite gneiss, north-west Scotland

The age and Precambrian history of the Moine Supergroup within the Caledonide belt of north-west Scotland have long been contentious issues. The Ardgour granite gneiss is essentially an in situ anatectic granite formed during deformation and regional high-grade metamorphism from Moine metasediments. High-precision TIMS and SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating shows that the age of the anatectic Ardgour granite gneiss and its enclosed segregation pegmatites is 873 ± 7 Ma. This demonstrates the reality of a Neoproterozoic episode of high-grade metamorphism in the Glenfinnan Group Moine and, contrary to previous evidence, the absence of Grenvillian-aged metamorphism. This conclusion places constraints on Neoproterozoic palaeogeographic reconstructions of the North Atlantic region, indicating that the Moine rocks cannot be used as a link between the Grenvillian belt of North America and the Sveconorwegian orogen in Scandinavia. SHRIMP ages of between c. 1100 and 1900 Ma were obtained from detrital, inherited zircons and reflect the provenance of the Glenfinnan Group Moine sediments which must, therefore, have been deposited between c. 1100 and 870 Ma. Potential sources are found as relatively minor, tectonically bounded basement inliers within the British Caledonides, although more widespread source areas occur outside Britain in both Laurentia and Baltica. The most important feature of the provenance is the absence of detrital Archaean grains. This suggests that the Archaean Lewisian gneiss complex, which forms the basement component of the western foreland to the Caledonides in Britain, was not a major contributor to the Glenfinnan Group basin. Received: 16 June 1996 / Accepted: 29 January 1997     

Lead isotope constraints on the genesis of Pb–Zn deposits in the Neoproterozoic Vazante Group, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Neoproterozoic Vazante Group at the western border of the São Francisco Craton, Brazil, hosts the largest Zn–Pb district in South America. Several authors have classified this mineral district as Mississippi Valley-type (MVT), based on the intimate association with carbonates and the epigenetic character of most ore bodies. In this paper, we present 47 new lead isotope data from four deposits located along the 300 km N–S Vazante–Paracatu–Unai linear trend. Pb isotope ratios indicate sources with relatively high U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios. Considering the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios as indicative parameters for the source, we suggest an upper crustal source for the metals. The small variation on the Pb isotope ratios compared to those observed in the classical MVT deposits, and other geological, fluid inclusion and sulphur isotopic data indicates a metallogenic event of long duration. It was characterized by focused circulation of hydrothermal fluids carrying metals from the basement rocks and from the sedimentary pile. The data obtained are more compatible with an evolution model similar to that of IRISH-type deposits. The existence of three Pb isotopic populations could be the result of regional differences in composition of the source rocks and in the fluid–rock interaction since the mineralization is a long-term process.     

Provenance of the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation (Sul-rio-grandense Shield, Southern Brazil): Petrographic and Sm–Nd isotopic constraints

This paper reports the integrated application of petrographic and Sm–Nd isotopic analyses for studying the provenance of the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation, southern Brazil. This unit encompasses sedimentary rocks of fluvial and marine affiliations. In the lower fluvial succession, sandstones plot in the “craton interior” and “transitional continental” fields of the QFL diagram. Chemical weathering probably caused the decrease of the ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios to 0.0826 and 0.0960, consequently lowering originally > 2.0 Ga T_DM ages to 1.76 and 1.81 Ga. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios are also low (0.511521 to 0.511633), corresponding to negative ε_Nd present-day values (− 21.8 and − 19.6). In the intermediate marine succession, sandstones plot in the “dissected arc” field, reflecting the input of andesitic clasts. Siltstones and shales reveal low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.511429 to 0.511710), ε_Nd values of − 18.1 and − 23.6, and T_DM ages of 2.16 and 2.37 Ga. Sandstones of the upper fluvial succession have “dissected arc” and “recycled orogen” provenance. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios are also relatively low, from 0.511487 to 0.511560, corresponding to ε_Nd values of − 22.4 and − 21.0 and T_DM of 2.07 Ga. A uniform granite–gneissic basement block of Paleoproterozoic age, with subordinate volcanic rocks, is suggested as the main sediment source of the Maricá Formation.     

Halite cementation and carbonate diagenesis of intra-salt reservoirs from the Late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian Ara Group (South Oman Salt Basin)

Late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian carbonates of the Ara Group form important intra‐salt ‘stringer’ reservoirs in the South Oman Salt Basin. Differential loading of thick continental clastics above the six carbonate to evaporite cycles of the Ara Group led to the formation of salt diapirs, encasing a predominantly self‐charging hydrocarbon system within partly highly overpressured carbonate bodies (‘stringers’). These carbonates underwent a complex diagenetic evolution, with one stage of halite cementation in a shallow (early) and another in a deep (late) burial environment. Early and late halite cements are defined by their microstructural relationship with solid bitumen. The early phase of halite cementation is post‐dated by solid reservoir bitumen. This phase is most pervasive towards the top of carbonate stringers, where it plugs nearly all available porosity in facies with initially favourable poroperm characteristics. Bromine geochemistry revealed significantly higher bromine contents (up to 280 p.p.m.) in the early halite compared with the late halite (173 p.p.m.). The distribution patterns and the (high) bromine contents of early halite are consistent with precipitation caused by seepage reflux of highly saturated brines during deposition of the overlying rock salt interval. Later in burial history, relatively small quantities of early halite were dissolved locally and re‐precipitated as indicated by inclusions of streaky solid bitumen within the late halite cements. Late halite cement also seals fractures which show evidence for repeated reopening. Initially, these fractures formed during a period of hydrothermal activity and were later reopened by a crack‐seal mechanism caused by high fluid overpressures. Porosity plugging by early halite cements affects the poroperm characteristics of the Ara carbonates much more than the volumetrically less important late halite cement. The formation mechanisms and distribution patterns of halite cementation processes in the South Oman Salt Basin can be generalized to other petroliferous evaporite basins.     

Extruding the Borborema Province (NE‐Brazil): a two‐stage Neoproterozoic collision process

We propose that the development of the Borborema Province from 620 to 570 Ma resulted from two discrete collisional events. Collision I, along the West Gondwana Orogen on the west side of the Province, took place at c. 620–610 Ma as the result of collision between the Parnaíba Block, as the forefront of the much larger Amazonian‐West Africa Craton, and the old basement of the Borborema Province. The suture zone related to this collision was reactivated by a dextral transform zone (the Transbrasiliano Lineament), allowing the Borborema Province to approach and collide against the São Francisco Craton in the south at c. 590–580 Ma marking collision II along the Sergipano Orogen. The combined stresses related to eastward push from collision I and northward push from the cratonic indentation into a thickened lithosphere gave rise to an extensive network of strike‐slip shear zones across the Province, forcing its northeastward extrusion.