Ice-marginal debris-flow deposits in western Allgau, southern West Germany

Ice-marginal debris-flow deposits (comparable to deposits elsewhere described as flow tills) are described from glacier-proximal sediments in an Alpine foreland area. Debris-flow deposits are characteristically interstratified with subaeric or subaquatie meltwater deposits, and occur in a wide variety of geomorpho-logical settings. The granulomctric composition of debris-flow deposits is more variable than that of subglacial tills. Within-flow variability may occur as a result of the formation of graded bedding, lateral as well as vertical. Clast fabrics show both random and preferred orientations; unequivocal interpretation of these is not possible. Debris-flow deposits are composed of material derived from various sources: sources from subglaeially-derived debris as well as from previously deposited tills and walerlain sediments can be demonstrated.     

The Merzbacher & Eggler (1984) Geohygrometer: a Cautionary Note on its Suitability for High-K Suites

The use of the popular Merzbacher & Eggler (1984, Geology12, 587–590) experimental geohygrometer for calcalkalineandesites and dacites is critically evaluated and two pitfallsare found. First, calculation of the correct projection parametersis problematic because two endmember calculation schemes arefound in the literature; Baker & Eggler (1983, Journal ofVolcanology and Geothermal Research 18, 387–404) and Walkeret al. (1979, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 70,111–125). Although related, these two schemes have crucialdifferences that can result in very different projection parametersfor the plagioclase component. This is most crucial for high-Kcompositions; H₂O contents estimated using the Walker et al.(1979) scheme can be as much as 100% higher than those estimatedusing the Baker & Eggler (1983) projection. Incorrect projectionparameter calculation has led to overestimation of water contentsin high-K andesites and dacites from the Central Andes. Second,for medium-K and high-K andesitic–dacitic compositionswater contents derived using the Merzbacher & Eggler (1984)geohygrometer deviate considerably from water contents estimatedusing other methods. Experimental data from the literature,and our studies of water contents inferred from melt inclusionsand plagioclase–melt equilibrium for dacites from theAltiplano–Puna Volcanic Complex of the Central Andes indicatethat the Merzbacher & Eggler (1984) geohygrometer shouldnot be applied to compositions with K₂O >1·9 wt %,as originally calibrated. KEY WORDS: magmatic volatiles; pre-eruptive water; experimental geohygrometer; high-K suites; melt inclusion     

The sedimentary expression of oceanic anoxic event 1b in the North Atlantic

The Aptian/Albian oceanic anoxic event 1b contains the record of several perturbations in the global carbon cycle and multiple black shale levels, particularly in the Western Tethys. The local lithological expression of an oceanic anoxic event depends on palaeogeographical and depositional setting as well as on regional palaeoclimate. Marine sediments at a particular location may therefore be more or less organic‐rich (or not at all) and they may consist of different lithologies. In most studies, however, much of the lithological variability associated with oceanic anoxic events is left unaccounted for and, thus, the exact processes leading to the enrichment of organic matter in these marine sediments and their subsequent preservation in the geological record are unknown. This study focuses on the local sedimentary processes behind the deposition of organic‐rich sediments at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 545 and Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1049 and 1276 in the North Atlantic during oceanic anoxic event 1b. Although specifically dealing with the sediments deposited during this particular event at these localities, it is expected that the same processes were responsible for determining the exact sedimentary products at localities in similar settings, as well as during other similar events in the Mesozoic. Here, it is shown that the deposition of organic‐rich sediments during oceanic anoxic event 1b was a consequence of the enhanced productivity favoured by upwelling and by riverine nutrient input, or aeolian fertilization of the euphotic zone depending on geographical location. Slope instability processes resulted in the transfer of part of these organic‐rich sediments from the shelf to deep sea depocentres as mud‐laden organic‐rich turbidites, especially in the northern North Atlantic. The so‐called ‘black shales’ are much more varied than their name implies. The end product of sedimentation during an oceanic anoxic event at a particular location is commonly the result of several equifinal processes acting on a local scale rather than the direct result of basinal or even global mechanisms.     

中国早期人类分布的环境制约因素探讨

在环境因素起制约作用的背景下,随着中国古人类演化与生存能力的进步,其数量和空间分布在不同时间段呈现出不同的特征。为了更好地了解中国早期人类的时空分布特征,本研究以中国境内已发表的2110处旧石器遗址的坐标和年代信息为基础,采用统计学和空间分析的方法,对遗址的时间分布进行以蒙特卡洛模拟为基础的时间不定性模拟,对遗址的空间分布进行核密度估计和聚类分析;同时,利用环境空间数据集中的海拔、水源、气温和降水信息,对不同时期内各个遗址所在地的环境条件进行统计分析。研究结果表明,在旧石器时代,随着时间的发展,中国境内的遗址数量不断增多,分布范围也逐渐从中部、南部和东部地区向条件较恶劣的北部和西部扩张。其中,600 ka和57 ka为这一变化的两个关键时间点,600 ka之前遗址数量较少,分布也较为局限;在600 ka至57 ka之间,遗址数量缓慢增加,分布范围也在季风区内逐渐扩大;57 ka之后,遗址数量迅速增长,分布遍布中国境内的大部分地区。本文所梳理的中国境内旧石器遗址整体时空分布特征,为进一步解读中国早期人类的环境适应能力,特别是古人类的体质演化和技术进步的环境驱动机制提供参考。

     

井间电磁成像系统应用研究

井间电磁（EM）成像系统的技术目标是实现井间电学特性的直接测量,并提供井间电阻率的二维及三维图像.从1997年开始,胜利油田与美国EMI公司合作,开展了EM技术的应用与研究,主要是通过大型、系统的现场试验,在大井间距的条件下,进一步验证仪器的性能,进行油藏研究的适用性和可行性分析;以系统的现场实测数据为依据,加快成像处理方法和软件的开发;开展穿透金属套管井的EM试验,探讨金属套管条件下的电阻率成像方法。两年来,利用EMI提供的XBH2000型测量系统,对胜利油田典型的低电阻率砂泥岩剖面,成功地进行了3对井、10个井次的试验。试验证明了仪器性能的可靠,取得了测量重复性好、系统完整的井间EM数据.并反演得到电阻率成像,在分析井间油气分布和油层开采动态方面,取得了良好的地质效果.     

Definition and character of the Regency Interglacial and Early-Middle Pleistocene stratigraphy in the King Valley, western Tasmania, Australia

Interpretation of weathered glacial and interglacial deposits in the lower King Valley suggests that the Early Pleistocene Thureau Formation is conformably overlain by the Regency Formation. Pollen analysis of the Regency Formation provides evidence of a new climatic stage, the Regency Interglacial. The interglacial deposit consists of humified peat overlain by drifted wood and leaves. The pollen analysis shows a transition from montane scrub rainforest to lowland temperate rainforest dominated by Lagarostrobos franklinii, Nothofagus cunninghamii and Phyllocladus aspleniifolius. Trace quantities of the species Quintinia psi-latispora and Gothanipollis perplexus , now both extinct in Tasmania, were also recorded. On the basis of intense chemical weathering and correlation with sediments that have a reversed magnetization the weathered glacial deposits of the Thureau Formation are thought to be older than 730,000 B.P. The eroded interglacial deposit rests on the weathered deposits and is buried by outwash gravels of the David Formation, which was deposited during an ice advance of the Middle Pleistocene Henty Glaciation (c. 150,000 B.P.). Comparison of the Regency site with a site 2 km to the south at Baxter Rivulet shows that the unconformity between the interglacial deposit and the overlying outwash gravel represents the erosion of the evidence for the Middle Pleistocene Moore Glaciation.