What status for the Quaternary?

The status of the Quaternary, long regarded as a geological period effectively coincident with the main climatic deterioration of the current Ice Age, has recently been questioned as a formal stratigraphic unit. We argue here that it should be retained as a formal period of geological time. Furthermore, we consider that its beginning should be placed at the Gauss-Matuyama magnetic chron boundary at about 2.6 Ma, rather than at its current position at about 1.8 Ma. The Quaternary would be formally subdivided into the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. The global chronostratigraphical correlation table proposed is enclosed at the back of this issue.     

Noble Metal Concentrations in Shoshonitic Lamprophyres: Analysis of the Weekend Dykes, Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia, Canada

Devonian, spessartite dykes, known as the Weekend dykes, onthe Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia contain panidiomorphic texturesand mineral (amphibole, clinopyroxene, and biotite) compositionstypical of shoshonitic lamprophyres. The major element and traceelement geochemistry of the Weekend dykes is also representativeof shoshonitic lamprophyres with high large ion lithophile elementconcentrations (LILE, e.g., Rb, K, and Ba) relative to the lightrare earth elements (LREE, e.g., La) and very low Nb and Ti.Only Ta concentrations are uncharacteristically high relativeto Nb and Ti. The dykes are variably evolved but many samplesshow primitive compositions with high mgnumber [>0.70, wheremg-number=Mg/(Mg+09total Fe) atomic] high MgO and Ni concentrations(>10 wt.% and 150 ppm, respectively), and low heavy REE concentrations.All noble metal concentrations (Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, and Ir)tend to be lower in evolved samples than in primitive rocks,suggesting that evolved magmas were efficiently scavenged byimmiscible sulphide globules and that shoshonitic lamprophyreplutons may hold economic promise for the platinum-group elements(PGE). Noble metal abundances in even the most primitive rocksare low compared with many basaltic rocks excepting mid-oceanridge basalt (MORB). This makes doubtful the idea that Megumagroup mesothermal gold deposits, which are spatially and temporallyassociated with the dykes, derived their gold from the lamprophyres.Models that explain PGE concentrations and Pd/Ir ratios in awide variety of mafic rocks suggest that the low noble metalabundances probably reflect metal retention in mantle sulphides,olivine, and PGE alloys at low percentages of melting. However,noble metal abundances are higher than expected if the oceanicslab was involved in the melting process or if the source regionresembled that for most MORB, which appears to have low PGE.Mantle metasomatism represents an unlikely explanation for thePGE abundances, which are equivalent to those expected in alkalinehot-spot magmas. The high PGE abundances of hot-spot magmas(compared with MORB) may be related to the incorporation ofcore materials in deep mantle plumes. Presumably the hot-spotlikemantle became part of the subcontinental lithospheric mantlebefore the subduction and transpressional event that producedthe shoshonitic magmas.     

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF LATE QUATERNARY PARAGLACIAL ROCK-SLOPE FAILURES ON SKIDDAW GROUP TERRAIN, LAKE DISTRICT, NORTHWEST ENGLAND

ABSTRACT. Eight relict rock-slope failures (RSFs) on Skiddaw Group terrain in the Lake District, northwest England, are described. Five of the failures are rockslides, one is a product of slope deformation, and two are compound features with evidence for sliding and deformation in different sectors. As none appears to have been overrun and modified by glacier ice it is concluded that they all post-date the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM ; c. 21 ± 3 cal. ka bp ). Slope stress readjustments resulting from glacial and deglacial influences are considered to have weakened the slopes, and application of the term paraglacial is appropriate. Permafrost aggradation and degradation, seismic activity and fluvial erosion are among processes that may have contributed to failure at certain sites. The failures are significant as potential debris sources during future ice advances, contributing to valley widening and cirque enlargement and, possibly, for acting as sites of cirque initiation. Previously, Skiddaw Group rocks have been regarded as homogeneous and of limited resistance to the weathering and erosion associated with Quaternary glacial, periglacial and fluvial processes. These characteristics and processes have been used to explain the steep smooth slopes and rounded hills that dominate Skiddaw Group terrain. Rock-slope failure has also helped shape this terrain and should be incorporated in future interpretations of landscape development.     

ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF NAMURIAN BEDDED CHERTS, NORTH WALES (GREAT BRITAIN)

Electron microscopic examination of Namurian bedded cherts in North Wales (Great Britain) has revealed the existence of two dominant surface textures, granular and spongy, with a range of textures intermediate between the two. These textures can be used to differentiate between three principal lithologies within the cherts and between laminae and colour bands within the lithologies. A positive relationship is demonstrated between the presence of spongy texture and a high volume of impurities; there is a gradation, with increasing argillaceous/organic content, from granular through intermediate to spongy surfaces. It is suggested that this gradation reflects an increase in chalcedony over micro-crystalline quartz resulting from: (l) an increase in impurities; (2) an increase in the rate of precipitation of silica. The relationship between surface texture and type of lithology is considered to be consistent with the order of crystallisation for silica put forward by MILLOT (1960).     

区域旅游流空间结构的高铁效应及机理——以中国京沪高铁为例

交通是影响旅游流空间结构最主要因素之一。以京沪高铁线为例,探讨了区域旅游流空间结构的高铁效应及特征,在此基础上,分析区域交通可达性变化,并结合区域旅游资源禀赋、区域旅游接待设施、区域旅游交通网络密度以及区位等影响因素分析区域旅游流空间结构的高铁效应的机理。研究表明:1区域旅游流空间结构的高铁效应表现为马太效应、过滤效应、扩散效应和叠加效应等特征。2区位条件、旅游资源禀赋、旅游接待能力、交通网络密度以及时空压缩程度等影响因素共同作用均非常明显态势下,产生高铁马太效应;旅游资源禀赋、旅游接待能力、交通网络密度均不强,时空压缩程度不显著等旅游节点产生高铁过滤效应;区位条件、旅游资源禀赋、旅游接待能力和交通网络密度均具有很强优势,且时空压缩程度明显等旅游节点可成为扩散源,高铁强化了扩散源旅游流集聚作用,然后向边缘旅游地扩散,呈现为"集聚—扩散"模式;高铁使大尺度空间的不同客源地居民出游空间范围出现叠加现象,但只有区位条件、旅游资源禀赋、旅游接待能力、交通网络密度优势较强且时空压缩程度明显旅游节点产生叠加效应。