Axial and transverse deep-water sediment supply to syn-rift fault terraces: Insights from the West Xylokastro Fault Block,Gulf of Corinth,Greece

Deep-water syn-rift systems develop in partially- or transiently-linked depocentres to form complicated depositional architectures, which are characterised by short transport distances, coarse grain sizes and a wide range of sedimentary processes. Exhumed systems that can help to constrain the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of such systems are rare or complicated by inversion tectonics. Here, we document a mid-Pleistocene deep-water syn-rift system fed by Gilbert-type fan deltas in the hangingwall of a rift margin fault bounding the West Xylokastro Horst block, on the southern margin of the Gulf of Corinth, Greece. Structural and stratigraphic mapping combined with digital outcrop models permit observations along this syn-rift depositional system from hinterland source to deep-water sink. The West Xylokastro Fault hangingwall is filled by two distinct sediment systems; an axial system fed by coarse-grained sediment gravity flows derived from fault-tip Gilbert-type fan deltas and a lateral system dominated by mass transport deposits fed from an evolving fault-scarp apron. Abrupt changes in stratigraphic architecture across the axial system are interpreted to record changes in relative base level, sediment supply and tectonics. Locally, depositional topography and intra-basinal structures controlled sediment dispersal patterns, from bed-scale infilling of local rugose topography above mass transport complexes, to basin-scale confinement from the fault scarp apron. These acted to generate a temporally and spatially variable, heterogeneous stratigraphic architecture throughout the basin-fill. The transition of the locus of sedimentation from a rift margin to a fault terrace through the syn-sedimentary growth of a basinward fault produced regressive surfaces updip, which manifest themselves as channels in the deep-water realm and acted to prograde the system. We present a new conceptual model that recognises coeval axial and transverse systems based on the stratigraphic architecture around the West Xylokastro fault block that emphasizes the lateral and vertical heterogeneity of rift basin-fills with multiple entry points.     

Mass-transport complexes (MTCs) document subsidence patterns in a northern Gulf of Mexico salt minibasin

Mass-transport complexes (MTCs) dominate the stratigraphic record of many salt-influenced sedimentary basins. Commonly in such settings, halokinesis is invoked as a primary trigger for MTC emplacement, although the link between specific phases of salt movement, and related minibasin dynamics, remains unclear. Here, we use high-quality 3D seismic reflection and well data to constrain the composition, geometry and distribution (in time and space) of six MTCs preserved in a salt-confined, supra-canopy minibasin in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to assess how their emplacement relate to regional and local controls. We define three main tectono-sedimentary phases in the development of the minibasin: (a) initial minibasin subsidence and passive diapirism, during which time deposition was dominated by relatively large-volume MTCs (c. 25 km³) derived from the shelf-edge or upper slope; (b) minibasin margin uplift and steepening, during which time small-volume MTCs (c. 20 km³) derived from the shelf-edge or upper slope were emplaced; and (c) active diapirism, during which time very small volume MTCs (c. 1 km³) were emplaced, locally derived from the diapir flanks or roofs. We present a generic model that emphasizes the dynamic nature of minibasin evolution, and how MTC emplacement relates to halokinetic sequence development. Although based on a single data-rich case study, our model may be applicable to other MTC-rich, salt-influenced sedimentary basins.     

Stress Distribution in the Upper Shihezi Formation from 1D Mechanical Earth Model and 3D Heterogeneous Geomechanical Model,Linxing Region,Eastern Ordos Basin,Central China

The Upper Shihezi sedimentary rocks in the Linxing region has been estimated with a significant volume of tight sandstone gas.However,lateral distribution of the present-day stress magnitude is poorly understood,which limits further gas production.Hence,a one-dimensional mechanical earth model and a three-dimensional heterogeneous geomechanical model are built to address this issue.The results indicate that the strike-slip stress regime is dominant in the Upper Shihezi Formation.Relatively low stresses are mainly located around wells L-60,L-22,L-40,L-90,etc,and stress distributions exhibit the similarity in the Members H2 and H4.The differential stresses are relatively low in the Upper Shihezi Formation,suggesting that complex hydraulic fracture networks may be produced.Natural fractures in the Upper Shihezi Formation contribute little to the overall gas production in the Linxing region.In addition,the minimum principal stress gradient increases with Young’s modulus,suggesting that the stiffer rocks commonly convey higher stress magnitudes.There is a strong interplay between stress distribution and heterogeneity in rock mechanics.Overall,the relative error between the predicted and measured results is less than 10%,implying that the predicted stress distribution is reliable and can be used for subsequent analysis in the Linxing region.     

A geological constraint on relative sea level in Marine Isotope Stage 3 in the Larsemann Hills, Lambert Glacier region, East Antarctica (31 366–33 228 cal yr BP)

In this paper we present geological evidence from the Larsemann Hills (Lambert Glacier – Amery Ice Shelf region, East Antarctica) of marine sediments at an altitude of c. 8 m a.s.l., as revealed by diatom, pigment and geochemical proxies in a lake sediment core. The sediments yielded radiocarbon dates between c. 26 650 and 28 750 ¹⁴C yr BP (31 366–33 228 cal yr BP). This information can be used to constrain relative sea level adjacent to the Lambert Glacier at the end of Marine Isotope Stage 3. These data are compared with the age and altitude of Marine Isotope Stage 3 marine deposits elsewhere in East Antarctica and discussed with reference to late Quaternary ice sheet history and eustatic sea-level change.     

The stratigraphic record and processes of turbidity current transformation across deep‐marine lobes

Sedimentary facies in the distal parts of deep‐marine lobes can diverge significantly from those predicted by classical turbidite models, and sedimentological processes in these environments are poorly understood. This gap may be bridged using outcrop studies and theoretical models. In the Skoorsteenberg Formation (South Africa), a downstream transition from thickly bedded turbidite sandstones to argillaceous, internally layered hybrid beds, is observed. The hybrid beds have a characteristic stratigraphic and spatial distribution, being associated with bed successions which generally coarsen and thicken‐upward reflecting deposition on the fringes of lobes in a dominantly progradational system. Using a detailed characterization of bed types, including grain size, grain‐fabric and mineralogical analyses, a process‐model for flow evolution is developed. This is explored using a numerical suspension capacity model for radially spreading and decelerating turbidity currents. The new model shows how decelerating sediment suspensions can reach a critical suspension capacity threshold beyond which grains are not supported by fluid turbulence. Sand and silt particles, settling together with flocculated clay, may form low yield strength cohesive flows; development of these higher concentration lower boundary layer flows inhibits transfer of turbulent kinetic energy into the upper parts of the flow ultimately resulting in catastrophic loss of turbulence and collapse of the upper part of the flow. Advection distances of the now transitional to laminar flow are relatively long (several kilometres) suggesting relatively slow dewatering (several hours) of the low yield strength flows. The catastrophic loss of turbulence accounts for the presence of such beds in other fine‐grained systems without invoking external controls or large‐scale flow partitioning and also explains the abrupt pinch‐out of all divisions of these sandstones. Estimation of the point of flow transformation is a useful tool in the prediction of heterogeneity distribution in subsurface systems.     

Effects of greenschist-facies metamorphism and related deformation on the Mobrun massive sulfide deposit,Québec,Canada

The Mobrun Zn-Cu-Ag-Au deposit in the Noranda mining camp is hosted by Archean mafic and felsic submarine volcanic rocks. The deposit comprises three massive sulfide complexes: the Main and Satellite Lenses near surface, and the 1100 orebody at depth. The rocks have been subjected to lower greenschist-facies metamorphism and related deformation, which resulted in changes in ore textures, development of shear zones and veins systems, remobilization of gold, and formation of a new mineral (electrum) within the orebodies. Both mechanical and chemical processes operated to produce secondary textures and structures resulting from brittle deformation, ductile deformation, and annealing. The specific deformation mechanisms include brittle failure and cataclastic flow, dislocation glide, dislocation creep and solution-precipitation creep. The Main and Satellite Lenses are characterized by excellent preservation of primary sulfides deposited from and reworked by synvolcanic hydrothermal fluids. These orebodies were affected to a limited degree by mechanical processes of deformation. In contrast, the 1100 orebody is characterized by a higher degree of development of textures and structures related to metamorphism and deformation, especially those formed by chemical processes. The differences may be due to the greater depth of the 1100 orebody relative to the other lenses, as regional metamorphic isograds are subhorizontal, and more extensive interaction between metamorphic fluids and the 1100 Lens.     

Forecast of Low Visibility and Fog from NCEP: Current Status and Efforts

Based on the visibility analysis data during November 2009 through April 2010 over North America from the Aviation Digital Database Service (ADDS), the performance of low visibility/fog predictions from the current operational 12?km-NAM, 13?km-RUC and 32?km-WRF-NMM models at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) was evaluated. The evaluation shows that the performance of the low visibility/fog forecasts from these models is still poor in comparison to those of precipitation forecasts from the same models. In order to improve the skill of the low visibility/fog prediction, three efforts have been made at NCEP, including application of a rule-based fog detection scheme, extension of the NCEP Short Range Ensemble Forecast System (SREF) to fog ensemble probabilistic forecasts, and a combination of these two applications. How to apply these techniques in fog prediction is described and evaluated with the same visibility analysis data over the same period of time. The evaluation results demonstrate that using the multi-rule-based fog detection scheme significantly improves the fog forecast skill for all three models relative to visibility-diagnosed fog prediction, and with a combination of both rule-based fog detection and the ensemble technique, the performance skill of fog forecasting can be further raised.     

Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in diagenetic carbonates from marine sediments

The isotopic composition of some sixty samples of penecontemporaneous diagenetic carbonates from marine horizons shows that they are strikingly different from normal marine limestones. The variation of C¹³ ratio is 5·6 per cent, the lightest carbonate measuring -54%. A mechanism for the formation of such light carbon dioxide is postulated, involving the enzymic decarboxylation of organic compounds at low temperatures. A study of the oxygen isotopic composition of coexisting calcite and rhodochrosite indicates that, whereas the latter has retained its isotopic composition from the time of precipitation, the calcite has undergone equilibration during diagenesis. Isotopic measurements on such diagenetic carbonates would confuse palaeoenvironmental studies but may throw light on the processes of diagenesis.     

The spatiality of multifunctional agriculture: A human geography perspective

Based on reconceptualisations of multifunctional agriculture as a normative spectrum of decision-making (strong to weak multifunctionality) bounded by productivist and non-productivist action and thought [Hollander, G.M., 2004. Agricultural trade liberalization, multifunctionality, and sugar in the south Florida landscape. Geoforum 35, 299-312; Holmes, J., 2006. Impulses towards a multifunctional transition in rural Australia: gaps in the research agenda. Journal of Rural Studies 22, 142-160; Wilson, G.A., 2007. Multifunctional Agriculture: A Transition Theory Perspective. CAB International, Wallingford], this paper argues that there is currently insufficient research into the geography of multifunctionality. Building on current human geography debates about issues of scale, the paper suggests that we should conceive of multifunctionality as a spatially complex nested hierarchy comprising different interlinked ’layers’ of multifunctional decision-making ranging from the farm level to the national and global levels. It suggests that the notion of multifunctional agriculture only makes sense if it is applied at the farm level as the most important spatial scale for the implementation of multifunctional action ‘on the ground’. Multifunctionality can be interpreted as having ’direct’ expression only at the ’lower’ geographical scales (i.e. farm, community and regional levels in particular) while the regional, national and global levels show ’indirect’ expressions of multifunctionality that are mediated by local level actors in order to find tangible expression on the ground. The notion of global-level multifunctionality is the most challenging, as this level lacks political and ideological coherence about the required directions necessary for implementation of strong multifunctionality pathways. The paper concludes by arguing that much work still awaits those investigating the spatiality of multifunctionality, in particular with regard to the question whether global-level strong multifunctionality is possible, or whether strong multifunctionality in one territory is predicated on weak multifunctionality in others.