Ramp sedimentation across a middle Albian,Arctic embayment: Influence of subsidence,eustasy and sediment supply on stratal architecture and facies distribution,Lower Cretaceous,Western Canada Foreland Basin

Regional mapping of Middle Albian, shallow‐marine clastic strata over ca 100 000 km² of the Western Canada Foreland Basin was undertaken to investigate the relationship between large‐scale stratal architecture and lithology. Results suggest that, over ca 5 Myr, stratal geometry and facies were dynamically linked to tectonic activity in the adjacent Cordillera. Higher frequency modulation of accommodation is most reasonably ascribed to eustasy. The Harmon and Cadotte alloformations were deposited at the southern end of an embayment of the Arctic Ocean. The Harmon alloformation, forming the lower part of the succession, constitutes a wedge of marine mudstone that thickens westward over 400 km from <5 m near the forebulge to >150 m in the foredeep. Constituent allomembers are also wedge‐shaped but lack distinct clinothems, a rollover point or downlapping geometry. Ubiquitous wave ripples indicate that the sea floor lay above storm wave base. Deposition took place on an extremely low‐gradient ramp, where accommodation was limited by effective wave base. Lobate, river‐dominated deltas fringed the southern margin of the basin. The largest deltas are stacked in the same area, suggesting protracted stability of the feeder river. A buried palaeo‐valley on the underlying sub‐Cretaceous unconformity may have influenced compaction and controlled river location for ca 3 Myr. Adjacent to the western Cordillera, a predominantly mudstone succession is interbedded with abundant storm beds of very fine‐grained sandstone and siltstone that reflect supply from the adjacent orogen. Bioturbation indices in the Harmon alloformation range from zero to six which reflects the influence of stressors related to river‐mouth proximity. Harmon alloformation mudstone grades abruptly upward into marine sandstone and conglomerate of the overlying Cadotte alloformation. The Cadotte is composed of three allomembers ‘CA’ to ‘CC’, that represent the deposits of prograding strandplains 200 × 300 km in extent. Allomembers ‘CA’ and ‘CB’ are strongly sandstone‐dominated, whereas allomember ‘CC’ contains abundant conglomerate in the west. The dominantly aggradational wedge of Harmon alloformation mudstone records flexural subsidence driven by active thickening in the adjacent orogen: the high accommodation rate trapped coarser clastic detritus close to the basin margin. In contrast, the tabular, highly progradational sandstone and conglomerate bodies of the Cadotte alloformation record a low subsidence rate, implying tectonic quiescence in the adjacent orogen. Erosional unloading of the orogen through Cadotte time steepened rivers to the extent that they delivered gravel to the shore. These observations support an ‘anti‐tectonic’ model of gravel supply proposed previously for the United States portion of the Cretaceous foreland basin. Because Cadotte allomembers do not thicken appreciably into the foredeep, accommodation changes that controlled these transgressive–regressive successions were probably of eustatic origin.     

Measuring quartz solubility by in situ weight-loss determination using a hydrothermal diamond cell

The solubility of quartz was determined using a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC) within the temperature and pressure ranges of 126 to 490°C and up to 8.9 kbar, respectively. A novel approach has been used to measure the amount of dissolved silica. The quartz was abraded into spheres which have a diameter of ∼40 μm. The spheres were then placed in pure water inside the diamond anvil cell and heated externally. Because the transparency of the diamonds allows direct observation of the sample chamber during the experiment, we were able to estimate the amount of quartz dissolved in the water at various stages of the dissolution process by measuring the decrease in the sphere’s diameter over time. Experiments were performed along isochores between 0.92 and 0.99 g/cm³. The maximum solubility measured was 0.165 molal. The experimental solubility data were limited to 370°C because of overestimation of solubilities above this temperature. Reprecipitation of silica inside the HDAC sample chamber and the refaceting of the spheres to trigonal form at temperatures above 350°C are major contributors to the overestimation.     

Reaction relationships in the Bayan Obo Fe-REE-Nb deposit Inner Mongolia, China: implications for the relative stability of rare-earth element phosphates and fluorocarbonates

Textural relationships occurring in a range of settings from the Bayan Obo Fe-REE-Nb deposit, Inner Mongolia, China, indicate reaction between monazite [(REE)PO₄], bastnäsite [(REE)(CO₃)F] and apatite. Within dolomite marble-hosted ores monazite grains occur surrounded by zones of intergrown bastnäsite and apatite. In fluoritised dolomite marble-hosted amphibole-calcite veins, co-existing apatite and bastnäsite are separated by zones of monazite plus calcite, whilst in aegirine-apatite veins hosted by banded aegirine-fluorite-magnetite-bastnäsite rocks, they are separated by zones of monazite and fluorite. Modal proportions for minerals in the reaction zones have been used to derive reaction stoichiometries, and suggest the following reactions: Consideration of these reactions, along with published experimental data and other reported mineral assemblages, suggests that the factors controlling the relative stabilities of monazite and bastnäsite are the pH, and the activities of HF?°, CO₃ ^2?, Ca²⁺ and PO₄ ^3?. Textures indicating reaction between REE phosphates and fluorocarbonates have been reported from a number of other settings and are consistent with the controls on reaction inferred from this study. The range of assemblages seen at Bayan Obo is a result of the variation between relatively unbuffered fluid compositions, and those buffered by the fluoritisation of the carbonate host rock. Mass-balance calculations suggest some mobilisation of the REE into the fluid phase during reaction, although this did not significantly alter the REE distribution in monazite and bastnäsite. The mineral compositions also reveal variation in the REE distribution with different paragenetic settings indicating variation in the composition of the metasomatic fluids. These changes may be related to changes in the fluid source region, or to variations in the fluid chemistry, particularly X _CO2, leading to different REE solubilities at different periods in the development of the deposit.     

NMR studies of the leucite analogues X2YSi5O12, where X= K,Rb, Cs; Y = Mg,Zn, Cd

A number of leucite group materials with the formula X₂YSi₅O₁₂ where X=K, Rb, Cs and Y=Mg, Zn, Cd have been synthesized by dry and hydrothermal crystallization of glass starting materials. ²⁹Si MASNMR has been used to obtain structural information, such as the number of distinct tetrahedral sites, degree of cation ordering, and estimates of the mean T-O-T bond angles of the tetrahedra. X-ray powder diffraction gave information on cell volumes and degree of distortion from cubic symmetry for all the samples and space group and structural information for some samples. Integration of the different length-scale data obtained using these two complementary techniques allows greater reliance to be placed on the structures deduced for these leucite samples, which are only available as fine-grained powders. Hydrothermally synthesized K₂MgSi₅O₁₂, K₂ZnSi₅O₁₂ and Rb₂ZnSi₅O₁₂ have structures with 12 distinct tetrahedral sites (T-sites) and are monoclinic P2₁/c while the dry-synthesized equivalents are disordered with single T-sites and are cubic, Ia3d. Most of the other members of the group have structures with 6 tetrahedral sites with Cs₂CdSi₅O₁₂ being orthorhombic, Pbca. Cs₂ZnSi₅O₁₂ has an intermediate “5+2” structure. Decreasing the size of the X⁺ cation for a given Y²⁺ cation gives more collapsed and distorted frameworks. ¹³³Cs NMR was used to show that samples with 6 T-sites have 2 alkali sites. It is deduced that samples with 12 T-sites will undergo a displacive phase transition to a 6 T-site structure (possibly via a 5+2 intermediate in some cases) with no change in the framework topology or degree of T-site ordering.     

Fractal clustering of induced seismicity in The Geysers geothermal area, California

We analyse earthquakes recorded at The Geysers geothermal field in California, an area where industrial activity induces seismicity. The seismicity is characterized by the seismic b -value and D , the fractal dimension of earthquake hypocentres measured from sliding windows containing 200 events. We study a group of events strongly clustered around an injection well. Over most of the time period examined we find a positive correlation between b and D . However, during the initiation of injection into a new well we find instead a negative correlation. The differences in correlation are statistically significant at the 1 σ level but only marginally so at the 2 σ level. These results provide evidence for a transient change in the seismic mechanisms operating, and may be explained by a change from conditions of slow stress loading to rapid loading as a result of the build-up of the rate of water injection into the reservoir.     

Statistical power of detecting trends in total suspended sediment loads to the Great Barrier Reef

The export of pollutant loads from coastal catchments is of primary interest to natural resource management. For example, Reef Plan, a joint initiative by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government, has indicated that a 20% reduction in sediment is required by 2020. There is an obvious need to consider our ability to detect any trend if we are to set realistic targets or to reliably identify changes to catchment loads. We investigate the number of years of monitoring aquatic pollutant loads necessary to detect trends. Instead of modelling the trend in the annual loads directly, given their strong relationship to flow, we consider trends through the reduction in concentration for a given flow. Our simulations show very low power (<40%) of detecting changes of 20% over time periods of several decades, indicating that the chances of detecting trends of reasonable magnitudes over these time frames are very small.     

The age of the Lugar sill and a discussion of the Late-Carboniferous/Early-Permian sill complex of S.W. Scotland

The incremental heating ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method has been used to date a kaersutite separate from the main theralite-picrite unit of the Lugar sill. Ar-release spectra show discordance mainly due to the presence of excess Ar in alteration phases intimately associated with the primary kaersutite. Plateaus in the spectra allow an emplacement age of 288 ± 6 Ma (2γ) to be assigned to the sill. The results are used to discuss the age relations of the alkaline Permo-Carboniferous sill complex of southwest Scotland. It is concluded that these sills could have been emplaced over a shorter period of time than implied by the available conventional K/Ar data. The classification of the alkaline sills into kylite and teschenite types has little petrogenetic significance.     

Predicting site-specific storm wave run-up

Natural Hazards - Storm wave run-up causes beach erosion, wave overtopping, and street flooding. Extreme runup estimates may be improved, relative to predictions from general empirical formulae...     

瓜德鲁普统(Guadalupian)-乐平统(Lopingian)全球界线层型剖面和点(GSSP)

乐平统底界全球界线层型(GSSP)已经被确定在中国广西来宾县的蓬莱滩剖面,这一界线以牙形类化石Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri Mei&Wardlaw的首次出现为标志,位于蓬莱滩剖面的茅口组顶部来宾灰岩的6k层之底,层型剖面点位于C.postbitter hongshuiensis至C.dukouensis的演化谱系内,大致与阿布萨罗卡巨层序(Absaroka Megasequenses)的中部与上部之间的界线相当。层型剖面点位所在的来宾灰岩代表了一套界于茅口组和合山组之间的低水位沉积,在这一界线附近,类、腕足类、珊瑚类和菊石类等动物群均发生了重大更替;同时,δ13C值和87Sr/86Sr同位素比值也有一个明显的降低。从瓜德鲁普世晚期的磁性正常极性带向吴家坪早期反向极性带的转变也发生在这一界线附近,因此,这一界线可以很好地用于进行全球海陆相地层的对比。     

Late Palaeozoic arc flank and fore‐arc basin sequence of the New England fold belt in the stanage bay region,central Queensland

Devonian and Carboniferous (Yarrol terrane) rocks, Early Permian strata, and Permian‐(?)Triassic plutons outcrop in the Stanage Bay region of the northern New England Fold Belt. The Early‐(?)Middle Devonian Mt Holly Formation consists mainly of coarse volcaniclastic rocks of intermediate‐silicic provenance, and mafic, intermediate and silicic volcanics. Limestone is abundant in the Duke Island, along with a significant component of quartz sandstone on Hunter Island. Most Carboniferous rocks can be placed in two units, the late Tournaisian‐Namurian Campwyn Volcanics, composed of coarse volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, silicic ash flow tuff and widespread oolitic limestone, and the conformably overlying Neerkol Formation dominated by volcaniclastic sandstone and siltstone with uncommon pebble conglomerate and scattered silicic ash fall tuff. Strata of uncertain stratigraphic affinity are mapped as ‘undifferentiated Carboniferous’. The Early Permian Youlambie Conglomerate unconformably overlies Carboniferous rocks. It consists of mudstone, sandstone and conglomerate, the last containing clasts of Carboniferous sedimentary rocks, diverse volcanics and rare granitic rocks. Intrusive bodies include the altered and variably strained Tynemouth Diorite of possible Devonian age, and a quartz monzonite mass of likely Late Permian or Triassic age.

The rocks of the Yarrol terrane accumulated in shallow (Mt Holly, Campwyn) and deeper (Neerkol) marine conditions proximal to an active magmatic arc which was probably of continental margin type. The Youlambie Conglomerate was deposited unconformably above the Yarrol terrane in a rift basin. Late Permian regional deformation, which involved east‐west horizontal shortening achieved by folding, cleavage formation and east‐over‐west thrusting, increases in intensity towards the east.