Upslope flow of turbidity currents on the northwest flank of the Cearà Rise: western Equatorial Atlantic*

A piston core (RC16-57) raised from the northwestern flank of the Ceará Rise contained several turbidites up to 62 cm thick with grain sizes ranging from clay to coarse sand. These turbidites were similar in composition to terrigenous turbidites found throughout the Amazon Cone, continental rise and abyssal plains of the western Equatorial Atlantic. The core site (RC16-57) on the Ceará Rise, however, was 156 m above the level of the adjacent Amazon Cone (the source of the turbidites). Thus the turbidity currents which deposited these beds apparently had to flow upslope for 17 km to reach the core site. Sub-bottom reflectors observed on a 3.5 kHz echogram that extended from the Amazon Cone upslope past the core site suggested that these and deeper turbidites extended from the cone up the rise flank to distances of up to 40 km from the cone/rise boundary and to elevations up to 400 m above the level of the cone at the base of the rise. An equally plausible explanation could be that the turbidity currents that deposited these sediments were in excess of 400 m in thickness and thus would not require uphill flow to reach their observed location on the rise flank. The absence of terrigenous turbidites from the bases of topographic knolls on the continental rise and abyssal plains throughout the western Equatorial Atlantic indicated, however, that turbidity currents were normally less than 100 m thick and hence would seem to rule out this explanation. The average gradient of the rise flank in this region was about 1 : 1000 (\sim 0.5°).     

Quantitative interpretation of an evolving ancient river system

Multistorey sandstone bodies described from the Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous of Kerry Head (Ireland) are interpreted as deposits of aggrading, perennial, river channels migrating laterally across alluvial plains. Point bars displayed surface features such as scroll bars, chute channels and chute bars. Relatively uncommon channel fills are both coarse- and fine-grained. Quantitative interpretation of the sandstone bodies was accomplished by comparison with a physical model that predicts the sedimentology of single point bar deposits developed in channels of prescribed geometry and hydraulics. This analysis reveals that the separate storeys (point bars) in each sandstone body were deposited in a single channel belt in which channel geometry and hydraulics varied little with time (order of 10³ yr) and space (order of 10³ m). Two southerly flowing rivers of markedly different size were responsible for all sandstone bodies: bankfull widths, depths and mean velocities of both rivers varied little with time (order of 10⁵ yr), implying a stable climatic setting. Channel sinuosities were usually 1.15–1.2 throughout the succession. Both rivers decreased in mean channel slope as time progressed, in association with a rising base-level and a shoreline encroaching from the south. Using Bridge & Leeder's (1979) alluvial stratigraphy model, the nature and distribution of channel sandstone bodies relative to overbank deposits in the succession can be explained by an average (compacted) floodplain deposition rate of about 0.005 m yr^?1, if avulsion occurred with a frequency of about once every 10³ yr. Local variation in the relative amount of channel sandstone in the succession is probably due to local tectonic control of deposition.     

Holocene millennial to centennial carbonate cyclicity recorded in slope sediments of the Great Bahama Bank and its climatic implications

A 38 m long sediment core (MD992201) retrieved from a water depth of 290 m from the leeward margin of the Great Bahama Bank (GBB; 25°53·49′N, 79°16·34′W) has been investigated for changes in aragonite content. The core covers the Mid to Late Holocene (the past 7230 yr). Sediment lightness (L*-values) was used as a proxy for aragonite content, based on a high linear correlation (R = 0·93) between the X-ray diffraction derived aragonite content and L*-values. The resulting time resolution of the L*-values derived aragonite content ranges from 1 yr at the base of the core to 4 yr at the top. Detailed time series analysis using Monte Carlo Singular Spectrum Analysis and spectral analysis (Lomb–Scargle Fourier transform) identifies the presence of seven signals with varying amplitudes and wavelengths that could be traced throughout the past 5500 yr. During the first ∼1600 yr of sedimentation the aragonite record is dominated by the initial flooding of the flat-topped GBB. Superimposed on a multimillennial signal, related to Holocene sea-level changes, a millennial-scale fluctuation and five quasi-periodic oscillations were detected (∼1·3–2 kyr, ∼500–600 yr, ∼380 yr, ∼260 yr, ∼200 yr and ∼100 yr period). Comparisons with other proxies (e.g. tree ring-Δ¹⁴C, ¹⁰Be and δ¹⁸O in ice cores) provides information on the origin and dynamics of the individual signals. The analysis shows that the ∼200 yr and ∼100 yr signals can be attributed to solar forcing. The ∼260 yr, ∼380 yr and the ∼500–600 yr quasi-periodic signals are found to be of climatic origin, whereas the millennial scale fluctuations remain enigmatic, although solar forcing mechanisms seem likely. The data show that variability of solar output as well as past oceanographic and atmospheric changes have modulated the Mid to Late Holocene climate, which in turn controlled sediment input variations found in the Holocene wedge leeward of the GBB. Although these periplatform sediments have a rather uniform appearance, they still contain a large variety of subtle sedimentary variations.     

Using GIS to enhance agricultural planning: The example of inter-seasonal rainfall variability in Zimbabwe

Inter-seasonal rainfall variability is evaluated as a potential source of much needed information for agroecological or agroclimatological classifications. For some food crop production areas, inter-seasonal rainfall variability appears to dominate decisions in the crop-production strategy. We constructed 31 years worth of seasonal rainfall surfaces for Zimbabwe using techniques as described by Hutchinson (1995) and his software ANUSPLIN. We evaluated these surfaces in an effort to describe the main rainfall period (October to March) for Zimbabwe in terms of rainfall variability. Our results were then put into the context of an agroecological study which produced a Natural Regions map for Zimbabwe. GIS technology enables the synthesis and integration of many more data than was possible in a pre-computer era and robust rainfall variability surfaces contribute towards improved agroecological and agroclimatological classifications for planning (natural resource management and agricultural) purposes. GIS technology also enables a shift in the design of such agroecological or agroclimatological studies: dynamic characterization can readily produce objective specific classifications, classifications which use the wealth of data readily accessible in a GIS to produce maps and databases reflecting specific boundary conditions.     

The Origin of Geochemical Variations in Mariana Lavas: A General Model for Petrogenesis in Intra-Oceanic Island Arcs?

Major and trace element data are presented for a suite of lavasand gabbroic xenoliths from the northern Mariana islands inthe west Pacific. Fractional crystallization of a gabbroic mineral assemblage,similar to that observed in the xenoliths, appears to be thepredominant control on major and trace element variation withinthe lavas. Mixing calculations indicate that this ‘extract’has an average composition of PLAG:CPX:MAG:OLIV =60:25:10:5.Amphibole is not thought to be an important component of thefractionating assemblage. Consideration of REE data, in particular the pronounced negativecorrelation between Eu/Eu^* and silica, allows the identificationof a ‘parental’ magma composition, representingthe most primitive lavas erupted. These are basaltic andesitein composition with approximately 53 wt.% silica. More evolvedlavas can be produced by the fractionation of a gabbroic assemblage,as noted above, while simultaneous cumulus enrichment processesmay produce apparently less evolved, more basic compositions.Mineral medal data for the lavas provide corroborative evidencefor the operation of this process, which may be common to otherintra-oceanic arc settings. Fractional crystallization appears to be selective, with titanomagnetitebeing removed from the magmatic system more efficiently thanplagioclase, suggesting a control by differential crystal settling. Comparison of the Mariana ‘parent’ with picriticprimary magmas from the Solomons and Vanuatu arcs shows thatthe former can be derived from the latter by simple fractionalcrystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene, which also readilyaccounts for the low Ni and Cr concentrations observed in thesuite. In addition the Mariana ‘parent’ appearsto have been influenced by phase relations involving a reducedplagioclase field, possibly under conditions of moderate P_loadand a_H2O. The model has much in common with those currently in favourfor the generation of continental flood basalts, OIBs and someMORBs in that primary magmas are picritic and the crust actsas a ‘density filter’ which prevents the ascentof primary magmas and results in volcanic products dominatedby low pressure fractionates.     

The Role of Volatiles in the Thermal History of Metamorphic Terranes

Analytical and numerical solutions to the differential equationsfor the conduction of heat with heat production or with fluidflow have been used to evaluate the role of volatiles in thethermal history of regional metamorphic terranes. The maximumthermal effect from pervasive, single-pass, regional volatileflow may be predicted from a steady-state solution given byBredehoeft & Papadopoulos (1965). For fluid velocity v_F(m/s) and connected porosity , combinations of volatile fluxv_F (m³ of fluid/m²s) and transport distance L(m) such that vLis greater than 3?6?10^–7 should produce regional temperatureincreases due to fluid flow, if the flow persists for l0⁵–10⁶a (depending on the transport distance L). The absolute valueof the temperature increase due to volatile flow will be greaterin regions with higher ambient geothermal gradients. For L=20km, a volatile flux of 1?8 ? 10^–11 (m³ of fluid/m²s) orgreater is required to achieve a temperature effect. Few geologicprocesses release volatiles at this rate for extended periodsof time, so regional thermal effects from the single-pass, pervasiveflow of volatiles are unlikely. A new analytical solution forthe steady state temperature distribution between idealizedparallel channels of fluid flow is presented along with theresults of two-dimensional numerical models of channelized fluidflow. Both approaches show that little temperature increaseis expected near channels of fluid flow relative to the rocksbetween the channels, unless the channels exceed 100 m in widthor unless the fluid fluxes are very large and transient. A possiblethermal effect of volatile flow in metamorphic terranes is theproduction of metamorphic hot spots due to focusing of volatilesinto widely spaced channels or conduits exceeding 1 km in width.Given a sufficient fluid flux (exceeding 10^–10 m³ of fluid/m²s),thermal gradients of over 100K from center to edge may be producedin such channels during relatively short time intervals (10⁵–10⁶a).     

Pyrite replacement of mollusc shells from the Lower Oxford Clay (Jurassic) of England

Replacement of originally aragonite mollusc shells by pyrite commonly occurs in the Lower Oxford Clay. Petrographic studies show the shells to have constituted complex microenvironments in the sediment. A range of replacement textures is found showing a variable amount of solution of the original aragonite. Three distinct textures were found in crushed pyrite-replaced ammonite shells from heavily pyritized concretions. (1) A texture reflecting the original shell structure due to the replacement of the organic shell-matrix by pyrite. (2) An ovoid texture seen at several stages of replacement reflecting processes occurring at discrete centres of sulphate reduction. (3) Euhedral crystals lining cracks and fractures in the shell. Three types of replacement are found in small gastropods and bivalves from shell bed, some of which may relate to those seen in the ammonites. (1) Replacement of organic shell-matrix by pyrite preserving good shell-microstructure. (2) Replacement showing outwardly good preservation of morphological features but inwardly only the gross structure, such as growth lines, is preserved. (3) Replacement of the shell in a matrix of euhedral pyrite leaving only lines of carbonate inclusions marking the margins of the shell. The replacement textures and types appear to be dependent on the initial structure of the shell and the access of iron and sulphate into the shell. Early stages of replacement appear to proceed by pyrite formation within the organic matrix of the shell, with little or no solution of the carbonate, this produces textures which faithfully mimic the original shell microstructure. It is thought that the lack of carbonate solution is due to a limited availability of iron, brought about by the less intensively reducing nature of the sediment. Later stages of replacement are promoted by the cracking and fracturing of the shell and are, generally, not as faithful to the original shell structure. This is due to the greater availability of iron as the sediment becomes more reducing with burial.     

A review of the origin and setting of tepees and their associated fabrics

Carbonate hardgrounds often occur at the surface of shallow subtidal to supratidal, lacustrine, and subaerial carbonate shelf sediments. These are commonly disrupted and brecciated when the surface area of these crusts increases. In the subtidal environment, megapolygons form when cementation of the matrix causes the surface area of the hardgrounds to expand. Similar megapolygons form in the supratidal, lacustrine and subaerial settings when repeated incremental fracturing and fracture fill by sediment and/or cement also causes the area of the hardgrounds to expand. The arched up antiform margins of expansion megapolygons are known as tepees. The types of tepees found in the geological record include: (1) Submarine tepees which form in shallow carbonate-saturated waters where fractured and bedded marine grainstones are bound by isopachous marine-phreatic acicular and micritic cements. The surfaces of these brecciated crusts have undergone diagenesis and are bored. Unlike tepees listed below they contain no vadose pisolites or gravity cements; (2) Peritidal and lacustrine tepees are formed of crusts characterized by fenestral. pisolitic and laminar algal fabrics. This similarity in fabric makes these tepees of different origins difficult to separate. Peritidal tepees occur where the marine phreatic lens is close to the sediment surface and the climate is tropical. They are associated with fractured and bedded tidal flat carbonates. Their fracture fills contain geopetal asymmetric travertines of marine-vadose origin and/or marine phreatic travertines and/or Terra rossa sediments. The senile form of these peritidal tepees are cut by labyrinthic dissolution cavities filled by the same material. Lacustrine tepees form in the margins of shallow salinas where periodic groundwater resurgence is common. They include groundwater tepees which form over evaporitic ‘boxwork’ carbonates, and extrusion tepees which also form where periodic groundwater resurgence occurs at the margins of shallow salinas, but the dominant sediment type is carbonate mud. These latter tepee crusts are coated and crosscut by laminated micrite; the laminae extend from the fractures downward into the underlying dolomitic micrite below the crust. Both peritidal and lacustrine tepees form where crusts experience alternating phreatic and vadose conditions, in time intervals of days to years. Cement morphologies reflect this and the crusts often contain gravitational, meniscus vadose cements as well as phreatic isopachous cement rinds. (3) Caliche tepees which are developed within soil profiles in a continental setting. They are formed by laminar crusts which contain pisolites, and fractures filled by micritic laminae, microspar, spar and Terra rossa. Most of the cements are gravitational and/or meniscoid. In ancient carbonates, when their cementation and diagenetic fabric can be interpreted, tepee structures can be used as environmental indicators. They can also be used to trace the evolution of the depositional and hydrological setting.