Contribution to the geology of Ataq area,Shabwah Province,southeastern central Yemen

The Pan-African (Neoproterozoic) low-grade ophiolitic fragment occurring to the south of Ataq City, Shabwah Province, southeastern central part of Yemen is positioned tectonically between the underlying Pre-Pan-African syntectonic granite infrastructure and the overlying Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary successions. It is incomplete and differentiated in the field into (a) NW plunging nappes, namely a lower metagabbro nappe, and (b) the upper metavolcanic nappe. The sedimentary successions separated from each other by eastward dipping normal faults. These successions can be subdivided into three main rock units: Amran, Tawilah, and Hadramawt groups. The Amran Group is represented in the study area by Shuqra and Madbi formations. The Shuqra Formation consists mainly of highly fossiliferous carbonate facies yielding several terebratulids and rhynchonellids. It belongs to the Toracian–Oxfordian (or probably extend to Early Kimmeridgian) age. The Madbi Formation consists of sand–marl intercalations of Kimmeridgian–Early Tithonian age. The Tawilah Group is mainly composed of variegated unfossiliferous continental sandstones with few siltstone intercalations, and on the basis of its stratigraphic position, it is dated as Cretaceous (probably Early Cretaceous). The Hadramawt Group in the study area is represented by Umm er Radhuma Formation, which is widely distributed in the Arabian Gulf countries.     

Petrogenesis of granitic rocks of the Jabal Sabir area,South Taiz City,Yemen Republic

The Tertiary granitic intrusive body(～21 Ma) of the Jabal Sabir area was emplaced during the early stages of the Red Sea opening.This intrusive body occupies the southern sector of Taiz City.It is triangular in shape,affected by two major faults,one of which is in parallel to the Gulf of Aden,and the other is in parallel to the eastern margin of the Red Sea coast.The petrogenesis of such a type of intrusion provides additional information on the origin of the Oligo-Miocene magmatic activity in relation to the rifting tectonics and evolution of this part of the Arabian Shield.The granitic body of Jabal Sabir belongs to the alkaline or peralkaline suite of A-type granites.It is enriched in the REE.The tight bundle plot of its REE pattern reflects neither tectonism nor metamorphism.This granite body is characterized by high alkali(8.7%-10.13%),high-field strength elements(HFSE),but low Sr and Ba and high Zn contents.The abundance of xenoliths from the neighboring country rocks and prophyritic texture of the Jabal Sabir granite body indicate shallow depths of intrusion.The major and trace elements data revealed a fractional crystallization origin,probably with small amounts of crustal contamination.It is interpreted that the Jabal Sabir intrusion represents an anorogenic granite pertaining to the A-type,formed in a within-plate environment under an extensional tectonic setting pertaining to rift-related granites.     

Provenance of coastal dune sands along Red Sea,Egypt

Texture, mineralogy, and major and trace element geochemistry of 26 coastal dune sand samples were studied to determine the provenance and tectonic environment of two dune fields close to the beaches of Safaga (SF) and Quseir (QS) at the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Onshore winds generate fine, moderate, moderately-well to well-sorted, coarse-skewed to near-symmetrical dune sands with mesokurtic distributions. Winds pick up and transport grains from nearby beach sands and alluvial deposits into a wide Red Sea coastal plain at the border of the beach. The mineralogical (Qt–Ft–Lt) and geochemical composition of the sands, indicate that SF and QS coastal dune sands are mature and influenced by quartz-rich sands. The average CIA values in SF and QS coastal dune sands are low relative to the range of the PAAS, suggesting an arid climate and a low intensity of chemical weathering. The SF and QS coastal dune sand samples are plotted in the recycled orogen and partly in craton interior fields suggesting recycled older sedimentary and partly metamorphic-plutonic sources. The high content of quartz with shell debris and carbonates in coastal dune sands support the recycled sedimentary beach and alluvial sand sources. The dominance of heavy minerals like amphiboles (hornblende) and biotite in the coastal dune sands also supports the effect of metamorphic-plutonic source rocks. The new tectonic discriminant-function diagrams suggest that the coastal dune sands were deposited in a passive margin of a synrift basin. The results provide a good evidence for the extension in the Red Sea rift system during Oligocene-post Pliocene, which is consistent with the general geology of Egypt.     

Lithospheric extension and the opening of the Red Sea: sediment-basalt relationships in Yemen*

This paper analyses new field and radiometric age data on the timing of extension, sedimentation and magmatism related to the opening of the Red Sea. The first evidence of widespread extension is found in synsedimentary fissures in the fluviatile to shallow marine Tawilah Formation of Cretaceous to early Tertiary age. The first indication of magmatism is the eruption of alkaline basalts (43.5–21.2 Ma) on to marine and non-marine sandstones of lower to middle Tertiary age. The lack of an angular unconformity at the sediment-basalt contact, over a period of 25 Myr, corroborates a diachronous relationship between the Tawilah sandstones and the Yemen Volcanics. These data also indicate that the onset of volcanism in Yemen was in the Eocene, as is the case in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. A passive rifting model is supported by early extension and sedimentation followed by syn- and post-tectonic magmatism.     

Geochemical behavior of Pt and Pd in coastal marine sediments,southeastern margin of the Japan Sea

Eighty-one argillaceous marine sediments collected from the southeastern coastal margin of the Japan Sea were analyzed for Pt and Pd by atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite furnace atomizer after solvent extraction separation. The average Pt (1.2 ± 0.5 ppb) and Pd(1.6 ± 0.9 ppb) contents are generally similar to those of the published crustal abundances. The Pt or Pd is generally enriched in the fine sediment fraction, and positively correlated with Cu, Pb and water depth. The inverse correlation between the Pt or Pd content and redox potential of the sediment suggests that significant amounts of Pt and Pd are supplied in their dissolved forms, and reduced to their metallic states. It is concluded that the Pt and Pd distributions in the coastal marine sediments are controlled by the geological characteristics of the studied area, grain size and redox potential of sediments, water depths, and dissolved O₂ concentration of sea water.     

Early Holocene history of the Baltic Sea, as reflected in coastal sediments in Blekinge, southeastern Sweden

Integrated palaeoecological studies of two fiord sediment sequences in the province of Blekinge, SE Sweden, covering the time span 11,000–5000 cal BP, reveal the timing and the environment for the Ancylus Lake/Littorina Sea transition 9800–8500 cal BP. The first ingression of saline water into the Baltic Sea through the Danish Straits occurred earlier than formerly assumed. New evidence, particularly mineral magnetic and palaeobotanical analyses, demonstrate that on the general trend of the eustatically caused Littorina transgression several minor fluctuations of the water level can be identified between 8500 and 5000 cal years BP. A distinct regression phase around 8100 cal BP is correlated with the Greenland ice-core cold event dated to 8200 ice-core years BP. This is described as a regional climatic catastrophe for the Baltic Sea region. The coastal stratigraphy is compared with the offshore stratigraphy earlier studied. A tentative shore displacement curve for Early and Middle Holocene is presented.     

Textural characteristics of sediments along the southern Red Sea coastal areas,Saudi Arabia

A lack of understanding exists of the origin and textural characteristics of Saudi Arabian Red Sea coastal sediments. This paper concerns the southern coastline of Jizan on the Saudi Red Sea. It is some 160 km long characterised by either narrow rocky headlands with intermittent pocket beaches or wide low-lying beaches dissected by wadis. Granulometric testing of samples from 135 locations showed that beach sand size was mainly very fine to medium grained (M _z = 3.93 Ø), sorting ranged from 1.65 to 0.41 and skewness values from ?051 to 0.39, being mainly negative; dune sands were medium to fine grained (M _z = 1.13 Ø; average sorting 2.8), while skewness variations within dune samples indicated symmetrical to fine skewed values (б _Ι = 0.55 to 0.89). Most foreshore samples were derived from wadis. Wadi mud levels can be high, e.g. Baysh (84%), and wadi Samrah (90%) with mean grain size ranging from very fine to medium sand (M _z = 3.9 Ø), sorting being well to poor (0.45 to 1.52) due to sediment influxes. Sabkha had a wide range of sand/mud and significantly higher carbonate percentages than other environments. Sediment source differences and littoral reworking contributed to grain size variation. The carbonate content varied between 1.5 and 31.5% due to hinterland contributions, and spatial analysis showed increasing quantities of carbonate minerals towards the south. On the wider geographical front, findings from Jizan are similar to those of the Northern United Arab Emirates (UAE), including sabkhas, being composed of sand, skeletal carbonate, fine fluvial material and wind-blown silt and clay components of wadi origin. Further work on the northeastern Red Sea edge can hopefully confirm these findings.     

Trace metals in surface seawaters and sediments from various habitats of the Red Sea coast of Yemen

The purpose of this study was to determine and assess the concentrations of trace metals in surface seawaters and sediments from different coastal habitats of the Red Sea coast of Yemen. Surface seawater and sediment samples were collected, treated and analyzed for cadmium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, lead, iron, nickel, copper, zinc and vanadium by the atomic absorption spectrometric analysis. The concentrations were high for cadmium, cobalt and lead and low or consistent with the natural background concentrations for the rest of the metals. However, the coastal habitats of the Red Sea coast of Yemen are still considered unpolluted, it is concluded that the cadmium cobalt and lead levels in surface seawaters are high and could have negative effects on marine life of the sites. Further studies are needed to characterize the sources fate, biogeochemical processes and impacts of these trace metals on coastal habitats and marine life of the region.     

Geochemical evolution of southern Red Sea and Yemen flood volcanism: evidence for mantle heterogeneity

The Red Sea is part of the Afro-Arabian rift system, the world’s largest active continental rift system. The early opening phases of the Red Sea Rift were accompanied by continental flood magmatism. Large volumes of flood basalts emplaced in the Oligocene through to the present time at discrete eruptive centres along the western margin of the Arabian plate. Some of these rocks, in Southern Yemen, were investigated by geochemistry and K/Ar whole rock (WR) geochronology. In addition, the Jabal At-Tair (JAT) volcano, in the Red Sea trough, was investigated by geochemistry, with particular concern to the lavas of the last eruption of September 2007. The magmatism of Yemen is divided in: Oligocene–Early Miocene trap series (YOM), Tertiary intrusive rocks, and Late Miocene–recent volcanic series (YMR). YOM and Tertiary intrusions yielded K/Ar WR ages mostly in the range 31.6–16.6 Ma. Three older ages of 34.6, 35.4 and 49.0 Ma, if confirmed by further investigation, could suggest an Eocenic pre-trap phase of magmatic activity. YMR samples yielded K/Ar WR ages between 2.52 and 8.14 Ma. Both YOM and YMR basalts are alkaline, but YMR tend to be richer in alkalis than YOM. JAT basalts have subalkaline tholeiitic character, are geochemically homogeneous, and in the hygromagmaphile element spidergrams display increasing normalised concentrations from Cs to Ta, then decreasing up to Lu, with negative spikes of Nb, K and Pb. YOM have patterns almost identical to those of JAT, whereas YMR have higher normalized concentrations of all trace elements, but REE. The geochemical characteristics of JAT, YOM and YMR, framed in the broader context of the Red Sea Rift, are mostly consistent with a model of continental uplift and magmatism occurring across a linear, north–south axis of mantle upwelling, which intersects the Red Sea axis at the initiation site of axial seafloor spreading. The symmetrical propagation of the rift system to opposite sides of the N–S lineament, along the Red Sea axis, resulted in the observed symmetrical distribution of geochemical signatures of the Red Sea basalts and Yemen continental magmas.     

Investigation of rainfall-induced toe-cut slope failure mechanisms in the southeastern coastal area of China

Natural Hazards - Owing to the contradiction between the mountainous terrain and increasing population density in the southeastern coastal region of China, toe-cut slopes are widely distributed in...     

Recent crustal deformation and seismicity studies at Abu-Dabbab area, Red Sea, Egypt

The Abu-Dabbab area is characterized by high seismicity and complex tectonic setting; for these facts, a local geodetic network consisting of 11 geodetic benchmarks has been established. The crustal deformation data in this area are collected using the GPS techniques. Five campaigns of GPS measurements have been collected, processed, and adjusted to get the more accurate positions of the GPS stations. The horizontal velocity vectors, the dilatational, the maximum shear strains, and the principal strain rates were estimated. The horizontal velocity varies in average between 3 and 6 mm per year across the network. The results of the deformation analysis indicate a significant contraction and extension across the southern central part of the study area which is characterized by high seismic activity represented by the clustering shape of the microearthquakes that trending ENE. The north and northeastern parts are characterized by small strain rates. This study is an attempt to provide valuable information about the present state of the crustal deformation and its relationship to seismic activity and tectonic setting at the Abu-Dabbab area. The present study is the first work demonstrating crustal deformation monitoring at the Abu-Dabbab area. The time interval is relatively short. Actually, these results are preliminary results. So, the continuity of GPS measurements is needed for providing more information about the recent crustal deformation in that area.     

Karst landform development and related sediments in the Miocene rocks of the Red Sea coastal zone,Egypt

Limestones and evaporites are the main rock types constituting the exposed Middle Miocene sediments of the Red Sea coastal zone between Quseir and Mersa Alam. These rocks represent typical conekarst and karst ridge landforms with minor surface and subsurface solution features.Mechanical, chemical and biogenic precipitates are the main recognized karst sediments. Oxides and sulphides of iron, lead and zinc and barite are also found in association with the karst features and karst products.The obtained observations elaborate the rule of the structure and lithologic characters of the country rocks and the paleoclimatic fluctuation on the formation of the karst features and the related precipitates.

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Zusammenfassung Kalksteine und Evaporite bilden die Sedimente des Mittelmiozäns im Gebiet zwischen Quseir und Mersa Alam. Diese Gesteine zeigen charakteristische Karstphänomene, d. h., regional Kegelkarst, kleinere Karstoberflächen und unterirdische Karstformen.Klastische, chemische und biogene Sedimente werden als Karstfüllungen beobachtet. Oxide und Sulfide von Eisen, Blei und Zink sowie Baryt sind mit dem Karst und den Karstsedimenten verknüpft.Sowohl der Einflu\ der tektonischen Strukturen als auch die Zusammensetzung des mittelmiozänen Ausgangsgesteins und die paleoklimatischen Veränderungen diktieren die Entwicklung des Karstes und die Bildung der Karstsedimente.

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Résumé Les sédiments du Miocène moyen exposés dans la région cÔtière de la Mer Rouge entre Quseir et Mersa Alam se composent essentiellement de roches calcaires et d'évaporites. Ces roches présentent des formes karstiques en cÔnes et en crètes, accompagnées de structures mineures de dissolution à la fois souterraine et de surface.Les principaux remplissages du karst sont des sédiments mécaniques, chimiques et biologiques. Des oxydes et des sulfures de fer, de plomb et de zinc, ainsi que de la barytine sont également reconnus en association avec les formes et les produits du karst.Les observations recueillies expliquent le rÔle de la structure et des caractères lithologiques des roches encaissantes, ainsi que des fluctuations paléoclimatiques sur la formation des karsts et les sédiments qui les accompagnent.

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Identification and evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes of the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area, Tihama plain, Yemen

One hundred forty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area for hydrogeochemical investigations to understand the hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater chemistry and their relation with groundwater quality. Groundwater in the study area is abstracted from different aquifers. The study area is characterized by arid climate and extremely high relative humidity. The results indicate that groundwater in the study area is fresh to brackish in nature. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na⁺¹?>?Ca⁺²?>?Mg⁺²?≥?K⁺¹ and Cl^?1?>?HCO ₃ ^?1 ?>?SO ₄ ^?2 ?>?NO ₃ ^?1 . Various graphical and ionic ration plots, statistical analyses, and saturation indices calculations have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the study area. The prevailing hydrogeochemical processes operating in the study area are dissolution, mixing, evaporation, ion exchange, and weathering of silicate minerals in the eastern part (recharge areas). The reverse ion exchange and seawater intrusion control the groundwater chemistry along the Red Sea coast areas and few parts of the study area. Deterioration in groundwater quality from anthropogenic activities has resulted from saltwater intrusion along the coastal areas due to groundwater overpumping and extensive use of fertilizers and infiltration of sewage water. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking.     

基于脆弱指数法的曹妃甸海岸带脆弱性评价

了解海岸带脆弱程度对于海岸带可持续开发和防灾避灾是至关重要的.基于脆弱指数法选取风暴潮灾害风险等6项因子构建指标体系对曹妃甸地区海岸带脆弱程度进行评价,采用2种赋权重方法对比讨论结果的合理性.结果表明:海岸带脆弱程度由近岸至内陆呈逐渐降低趋势,高脆弱和较高脆弱区主要分布在涧河至滦南第三盐场近岸、高尚堡盐场至大清河盐场近岸;风暴潮灾害风险和地面沉降速率是影响曹妃甸海岸带脆弱性高低的2个主要指标.     

Soil deformation and shear strength characteristics of the Sana''a soil, Yemen Arab Republic

Deformation and strength characteristics of the soil of Sana'a, the Yemen Arab Republic, were investigated. Undisturbed soil samples were collected fro used in consolidation, collapse and strength tests. The classical and critical state compressibility parameters were determined using a one-dimensional collapsing potential of the investigated soil was determined by using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Consolidated undrained triaxial tests different types of samples: saturated samples and samples at natural moisture content. The stress history of the fine soils are in the range of normal except for the stiff fissured lean clay which exhibited a relatively high overconsolidated stress history. The loess formations exhibited a moderate to under wetting and loading. The investigated soils are characterized by having high shear strength when they have low moisture content and a drastic dec content increases.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of dissolved Cu, Ni and Zn in the coastal waters of Jeddah, eastern Red Sea

Dissolved Cu, Ni, and Zn were measured in the surface coastal waters of Jeddah, eastern Red Sea during October 2004 and April 2005. High values of trace metals, particularly Zn, were recorded in the Southern Corniche area close to a sewage effluent indicating a significant contribution from the wastewater. Concentrations of trace metals decreased northward and southward under the effect of dilution. Another hot spot was also observed in the vicinity of Jeddah Desalination Plant (JDP) during April 2005 indicating a possible contribution from the JDP to trace metal contents in the study area. Trace metals were correlated to salinity, nutrients and particulate organic carbon (POC). The good association between Zn and reactive silicate and Ni and ammonium is attributed to simultaneous biological utilization and regeneration. The behavior of copper suggested adsorption of Cu onto the POC during October 2004 whereas in April 2005 the most important process seems to be desorption of Cu from the particulate materials.     

Engineering-geological peculiarities of the ground sequence in the oceanic coastal area of the Boke Province,Republic of Guinea

The engineering-geological peculiarities are considered for the grounds that were formed on the Ordovician sandstones of the Pita Formation in the coastal zone of the Republic of Guinea. The zones in the ground structure are distinguished and their physical and physico-mechanical properties are characterized.     

甘肃灵台新近纪红粘土磁组构特征的沉积学意义

对第四纪典型风成马兰黄土、受成壤作用影响较大的第五层古土壤、新近纪红粘土、埋藏化石的红粘土围岩层的磁组构分析表明:新近纪红粘土的磁组构参数P、F值界于马兰黄土—第五层古土壤与经流水改造的化石围岩之间,L均值与风成黄土相当, Q均值接近于水成红粘土化石围岩,而在事件性沉积方面又类似于风成马兰黄土、第五层古土壤;磁组构参数F-L、P-Q组合图位于马兰黄土—第五层古土壤与经流水改造的化石围岩过渡带。反映红粘土沉积物既具有风成原地堆积物的磁组构参数特征,又有经历了后期流水改造的化石围岩的特点,是风成原地堆积与风动力搬运而来的母质颗粒经后期流水改造共同作用的产物。     

Characteristics and evaluation of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf

Source rocks are the material basis of oil and gas generation and determine the potential resources of exploration blocks and have important research value. This paper studies the lithology, thickness, and geochemistry of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf. The results show that the Mesozoic source rocks are mainly dark mudstone and coal-bearing strata. The total thickness of Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks ranges from 100 m to 700 m, and that of Lower Cretaceous source rocks ranges from 50 m to 350 m. The overall thickness of Mesozoic source rocks is distributed in the NE direction and their thickness center is located in the Jilong Depression. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly developed shallow marine dark mudstone and transitional coal measure strata. Those of the Lower Cretaceous are mainly mudstone of a fan delta front. Lower–Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks are dominated by type III kerogen, with Lower–Middle Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks having high organic matter abundance and being medium–good hydrocarbon source rocks, while Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks have relatively poor quality. From northwest to southeast, the vitrinite reflectance Ro of Mesozoic source rocks increases gradually. Source rocks in the study area are divided into three types. The first hydrocarbon-generating area is mainly located in the southeastern region of the study area, and the Jilong Depression is the hydrocarbon-generating center. The results of this study can provide a basis for exploration of Mesozoic oil and gas resources in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf.© 2019 China Geology Editorial Office.