New British records of Carboniferous lycopod cones

Five species of Carboniferous lycopod cones have been identified from new British localities. Their geographical distributions have been widened and most have had their stratigraphical ranges extended. Comparisons are also made with the ranges of those dispersed spores which appear to be identical to the spores found in the cones.     

Zur geodynamischen Entwicklung des Iran,ein Beispiel intrakratonischer struktureller Vorgänge

Zusammenfassung Die einzelnen tektonischen Einheiten des Iran werden in ihrer faziellen und strukturellen Entwicklungsgeschichte dargestellt. Fazies und Paläogeographie sprechen dafür, daß vom Infrakambrium bis in die Trias der gesamte Raum zwischen dem Persischen Golf und dem Elburs-Gebirge eine einheitliche Entwicklung genommen hat. Eine zusammenhängende Plattformsedimentation in Schelffazies kennzeichnet dieses Gebiet während des gesamten Zeitraums. Es ist ein Teil Gondwanas. Paläomagnetische Befunde stützen diese Aussage. Ozeanische Kruste und damit Hinweise auf die Tethys als eine strukturelle Einheit fehlen während dieser Zeit in diesem Gebiet. Lediglich als Faunenprovinz in Flachmeerfazies ist sie wirksam. Das offene Meer lag vom Infrakambrium bis zur oberen Trias im Norden. In der Trias tritt mit einer Heraushebung, die mit tiefgreifender Lateritisierung verbunden ist, und einer anschließenden Transgression ein grundlegender Wechsel des geodynamischen Regimes ein. Von jetzt an erfolgen die Ingressionen in den Iran von Süden. Eine engräumige fazielle Differenzierung setzt ein. Kontinental beeinflußte Sedimente im Jura zeigen, daß im Iran ein Hochgebiet entstanden ist. Gleichzeitig tretenwahrscheinlich in Anlehnung an langlebige Geosuturen — Ophiolith-Radiolarit-Zonen auf, die als das Ergebnis intrakratonischer Zerbrechung gedeutet werden. Die Ingressionen gehen wahrscheinlich von Tiefseerinnen aus, in denen auch die Ophiolithe konzentriert sind. Der Aufstieg des ophiolithischen Materials an die Oberfläche erfolgte entlang von Linien, an denen sich flach geneigte Unterschiebungen von Kruste unter Kruste ereigneten. Dabei kam es zu erheblichen Krustenverkürzungen. Möglicherweise fällt der Umbruch des tektonischen Regimes in der Obertrias mit der Plattenkollision Arabia-Iran/ Eurasia zusammen. Die Grenze zwischen Arabia-Iran und Eurasia liegt aber nicht im Gebiet des Persischen Golfes und der Zagros-Ketten, sondern muß nördlich des Elburs-Gebirges gesucht werden.

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The individual tectonic units of Iran are represented with respect to the history of the development of their facies and structure. Facies and paleogeography indicate that the entire area between the Persian Gulf and the Elburz Mountains had a uniform development until the Triassic. During the whole period a coherent platform sedimentation remained characteristic of this area, which is part of Gondwana. Paleomagnetic data support this statement. Oceanic crust and thus any indications of the Tethys as a structural unit are absent in this area for that period of time. Its existence is only demonstrated in faunal provinces in shallow-marine facies. From the Infra-Cambrian to the Late Triassic the northern part of the area was open sea. During the Triassic, uplifting processes combined with deep lateritization and subsequent transgression initiated a basic change in the geodynamic regime. From this time on the ingressions into Iran proceeded from the south. At this time differentiation of facies began within small areas. Continental influences in the Jurassic sediments show that an elevated area was formed in Iran. At the same time ophiolite-radiolarite zones occurred, probably along long-lived geosutures. These zones are interpreted to be the result of processes breaking up the craton. Probably, the ingressions started from deep-sea furrows where ophiolite concentrations are found. The ascension of the ophiolitic material to the surface occurred along lines where gently dipping subduction of crust under crust took place. During this process it came to considerable crustal shortening. It is possible that the change in the tectonic regime during the Late Triassic coincided with the collision of the Arabia-Iran and Eurasia plates. The boundary between the Arabia-Iran and Eurasia plates is, however, not to be found in the area of the Persian Gulf and the Zagros mountain ranges, but is assumed to be north of the Elburz Mountains.

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Résumé Chacune des unités tectoniques de l'Iran font l'objet d'un exposé concernant leur développement du point de vue de leur facies et de leur structure. Le facies et la paléogéographie indiquent que, de l'Infracambrien au Trias, tout le territoire compris entre le Golf persique et la chaîne de l'Elbours a eu un développement unitaire. Une sedimentation de plateforme cohérente, à facies de shell, caractérise cette région pendant toute cette période. C'est une partie du Gondwana. Des données paléomagnétiques appuient cette affirmation. Toute croûte océanique et, de ce fait toute indice d'une Téthys en temps qu'unité structurale, sont absent dans cette région à ce moment. Une mer ouverte s'y étend au nord de l'Infracambrien jusqu'au Trias supérieur. Au Trias, un soulèvement, auquel est liée une forte latéritisation, et la trangression qui lui est liée, entraînent un changement radical du régime géodynamique. A partir de ce moment, des ingressions se produisent en Iran à partir du sud introduisant des différences de facies. Des sédiments montrant une influence continentale montrent qu'au Jurassique un fort soulèvement s'est produit en Iran. En même temps, vraisemblablement suivant une géosuture depuis longtemps active, apparurent des zones ophiolothiques à radiolarites, qui indiquent une rupture intracratonique. Les ingressions émanent vraisemblablement d'un sillon océanique profond dans lequel sont également concentrées les ophiolithes. La montée du matériau ophiolithique à la surface s'en suivit le long de lignes suivant lesquelles se sont produits dessous-charriages intracrustaux, d'où sont résultés de notables racourcissements de la crôute. Il est possible que cette rupture du régime tectonique coïncide, au Trias supérieur, avec la collision des plaques de l'Arabie Iran et de l'Ewrasie. La limite entre l'Arabie-Iran et l'Eurasie ne se trouve donc pas dans la région du Golfe persique et des chaînes du Zagros, mais doit être recherchée au nord de la Chaîne de l'Elbours.

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Origin of nodular chert in the carbonate rocks of the Kaladgi group (younger precambrian), Karnataka,India

Lensoid, irregular nodules and laminations of chert appear along the bedding planes and laminations of the Vidyanagar Dolomite Member of the Kaladgi Group, Karnataka, India. The field relations of the chert nodules with the host dolomite and evidence on polished hand-specimens clearly demonstrate that the cherts are secondary after dolomite. This contention finds extensive support from thin-sections which reveal floating relict dolomite fragments on a microcrystalline quartz mat, dolomite rhombs in various stages of progressive replacement, polycrystalline quartz rhombs apparently after dolomite. Chertification has also resulted in an aggrading neomorphic recrystallization of dolomicrite into dolomicrospar which rims the dislodged floating fragments of dolomite.Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed three distinct types of surfaces of chert; the polyhedral surface characteristic of microcrystalline quartz, the spongy surface characteristic of chalcedonic quartz (documented in thin-sections as semi-radiating to radiating aggregates of elongated crystals growing on the rhombic surfaces of dolomite, and the intermediate type showing both. The microcrystalline quartz seems to have originated through multinucleation at equally spaced centres on the dolomite mat, whereas the chalcedonic quartz originated by slow but direct and unhindered precipitation into cavities and residual pore-spaces, following dolomitisation. The silica invasion seems to have been accomplished by alkaline interstitial waters charged with silica.The occurrence and relation of chert-nodules with the host dolomite not only helps in unravelling their own origin, but also aids in drawing the dolomitisation curtain and in turn the post-dolomitisation diagenetic modifications of the host carbonates. It may be added, however, that the Kaladgi Carbonates have undergone mineralogical/textural modifications during diagenesis with superimposition of changes affected later, i.e. during tectonism which folded and cross-folded these sediments.     

Klüfte und Talrichtungen im Turon des südöstlichen Münsterlandes

Zusammenfassung Am Südostrand des Münsterländer Kreidebeckens fließen alle größeren Wasserläufe im Bereich der Turonkalke nach NNE oder NE, obwohl das allgemeine Gelände- und Schichtengefälle nach NNW gerichtet ist. Die Ursachen für diese Abweichung sind im Mechanismus der Felserosion zu suchen, der im wesentlichen durch die Eigentümlichkeiten der Karstgerinne und durch die Gesteinszerklüftung bestimmt wird. Bei den Detailuntersuchungen geben sich komplexe Beziehungen zwischen Fließrichtung und Kluftrichtungen zu erkennen.Besonders bedeutend für die Entstehung der NNE gerichteten Täler sind die 170°- und 30°-streichenden Klüfte.

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On the south-east border of the Cretaceous basin of Munster, Westfalia, the current directions of streams in the area of Turon-limestone go to NNE or NE, although the main dipping of land surface as well as bedding planes points towards NNW. This divergence is caused by the mechanism of rock erosion, which is determined by peculiarities of subterranean stream channels and joints in limestone. The investigations show complex relations between flow direction and direction of joints.The 170°- and 30°-striking joints are significant of the origin of the NNE direction of the valleys.

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Résumé Dans le Turonien au bord sud-est du bassin Crétacé de Münster (Westphalie) toutes les rivières coulent en direction nord-nord-est ou nord-est, quoique la surface morphologique générale et les couches soient penchées en direction nord-nord-ouest. Cette divergence est expliquée par le mécanisme de l'érosion qui dépend principalement des fentes et du caractère des ruisseaux karstiques. Pendant ces études on a pu observer des relations complexes entre la direction des courants et la direction des fentes.Les fentes en direction nord-nord-est (30°) et sud-sud-est (170°) ont considérablement influencé l'origine des vallées.

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- - , -. . . , NNE, , 170° 30°.

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Herrn Professor Dr.Roland Brinkmann zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Post-collisional tectonics of the Turkish-Iranian plateau and a comparison with Tibet

The Turkish-Iranian Plateau (Fig. 1) is a high region with an average elevation of about 1.5 km. During the late Miocene the last piece of oceanic lithosphere between the Eurasian and Arabian continents was eliminated at the Bitlis/Zagros suture zone. Continued convergence across the collision site resulted in the shortening of the plateau across strike by thickening and by sideways motion of parts of it. Predominantly calcalkaline volcanism is present on the highest portions of the area, despite the absence of a descending slab of lithosphere. Surface geology and volcanism of the Turkish-Iranian Plateau resemble greatly those of the Tibetan Plateau, and both are underlain by a zone of seismic attenuation. From a comparison of these features and their tectonic setting we argue that the two plateaux are homologous structures, albeit at different stages of their evolution. Both areas appear to be tectonically alive and actively shortening. Available evidence lends little support to the hypothesis of large-scale underthrusting of continental lithosphere and of plastic-rigid indentation where such high plateaux, located directly in front of the “rigid indenter”, are considered to be tectonically “dead”. Their peculiar features are best explained in terms of shortening and thickening the continental crust whereby its lower levels are partially melted to give rise to calc-alkaline surface volcanism. Minor associated alkaline volcanism may be due to local longitudinal cracking of the crust to provide access to mantle.     

Silica in Lake Superior: mass balance considerations and a model for dynamic response to eutrophication

The dissolved silica concentration in waters of Lake Superior probably is in a steady state because it is not influenced significantly by man, and the climate, topography and vegetation in the drainage area of the lake have been stable for the past 4000 years. Therefore the rate at which dissolved silica is introduced to the lake should equal the output rate.The primary inputs are: tributaries (4.1–4.6 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr), diffusion from sediment pore waters (0.21?0.78 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr) and atmospheric loading (0.26 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr). Silica is lost from the lake waters by: outflow through the St. Marys River, diatom deposition, adsorption onto particulates in the sediments, and authigenic formation of new silicate minerals. Tributary outflow accounts for less than one half the annual input of silica, and diatom deposition and silica adsorption withdraw less than 10% of the annual input. Therefore the formation of new silicate phases must be the dominant sink for dissolved silica in Lake Superior. The specific phases formed are not identified in the bottom sediments. X-ray diffraction studies suggest that smectite is one product, and amorphous ferroaluminum silicates may be another product.Mathematical modeling of the dissolved silica response to lake eutrophication suggests that the phosphate loading to Lake Superior would have to increase by about 250-fold to cause a silica depletion rate equal to that reported for Lake Michigan, assuming no change in the rate of upwelling of deep waters.     

Late quaternary glacial stades in the Cordillera Central,Colombia, based on glacial geomorphology,tephra–soil stratigraphy,palynology, and radiocarbon dating

Using data from glacial geomorphology, tephra–soil stratigraphy and mineralogy, palynology, and radiocarbon dating, a sequence of glacial and bioclimatic stades and interstades has been identified for the last ca. 50000 yr in the Ruiz-Tolima massif, Cordillera Central, Colombia. Six Pleistocene cold stades separated by warmer interstades occurred: before 48000, between 48000 and 33000, between 28000 and 21000, from ≥16000 to ca. 14000, ca. 13000–12400, and ca. 11000–10000 yr BP. Although these radiocarbon ages are minimum-limiting ages obtained from tephra layers on top of tills, the tills are not significantly older because most are bracketed by dated tephra sets in measured stratigraphic sections. Two minor moraine stages likely reflect glacier standstill during cold intervals ca. 7400 yr BP and slightly earlier. Finally, glaciers readvanced between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. In contrast to the ice-clad volcanoes of the massif, ca. 34 km² in area above an altitude of ca. 4800 m, the ice cover expanded to 1200 km² during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and was still 800 km² during Late-glacial time (LGT). Glacier reconstructions based on the moraines suggest depression of the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) by ca. 1100 m during the LGM and 500–600 m during LGT relative to the modern ELA, which lies at ca. 5100 m in the Cordillera Central. Glaciers in this region apparently reached their greatest extent when the climate was cold and wet, e.g. during stades corresponding to Oxygen Isotope Stage 3; glaciers were still expanding during the LGM ca. 28000–21000 yr BP, but they shrank considerably after 21000 yr BP because of greatly reduced precipitation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site occupation and electric field gradient in acentric neptunite-measurements and evaluations concerning powder- and single crystal – Mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry

Mössbauer measurements on neptunite (KNa₂Li(Fe,Mn,Mg)₂Ti₂Si₈O₂₄) at 400?K reveal the distribution of Fe-ions on the crystallographic sites in agreement with neutron diffraction results published elsewhere. Even the previously postulated small amount of Fe-ions on the Ti(2) site has been detected, combined with a charge transfer which is in agreement with optical absorption investigations by other authors. A qualitative site occupation model is able to explain the different features of our observations. Single crystal Mössbauer measurements with the k-vector of incident γ-rays parallel to the crystallographic b-axis (space group Cc) of neptunite at different temperatures yield the angle β between the main component of the electric field gradient (EFG), V _zz and b. This angle is in close accordance with a calculated value of β for the Fe(1) position from electron density maps. The latter also reveal an absolute value of V _zz which is in satisfactory agreement with V _zz derived from Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Modal metasomatism in the Kaapvaal craton lithosphere: constraints on timing and genesis from U–Pb zircon dating of metasomatized peridotites and MARID-type xenoliths

Modal metasomatism in the Kaapvaal craton lithosphere is well documented in upper mantle xenoliths sampled by both group I (mainly late Cretaceous) and group II (mainly early Cretaceous to late Jurassic) kimberlites in the Kimberley area. The metasomatic style is characterized by introduction of K, H and large ion lithophile/high field strength (LIL/HFS) elements into the lithospheric mantle leading to the crystallization of hydrous potassic phases such as phlogopite and/or K-amphibole. Textures indicate that the hydrous phases either replace pre-existing assemblages in peridotites, forming the metasomatized peridotite suite (phlogopite–K-richterite–peridotites: PKPs) or crystallize from K-rich melts, forming the mica–amphibole–rutile–ilmenite–diopside (MARID) suite of xenoliths. These K-rich assemblages become potential low melting source components for alkaline incompatible trace element enriched magmas. The timing of metasomatism and its temporal and possible genetic relation to kimberlite magmatism is poorly constrained because of the rarity of phases in the metasomatic assemblages suitable for precise dating. Here we present precise sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb formation ages of 88 ± 2 (1σ=1 standard deviation) and 82 ± 3 Ma data for zircons from a K-richterite–phlogopite-bearing metasomatized peridotite (PKP) and a MARID xenolith respectively, sampled by a group I kimberlite. Both average PKP and MARID zircon ages are indistinguishable from emplacement ages of group I kimberlites in the Kimberley area dated at 83 ± 4 (2σ) and 84 ± 0.9 Ma. One exceptionally old age spot of 102 ± 5 Ma from a PKP zircon provides evidence for modal metasomatism predating group I kimberlite emplacement by several millions of years with minor resetting of the U–Pb isotopic system of most analyzed PKP zircons to a group I emplacement age. Detailed textural and mineral chemical analysis, including high energy X-ray mapping and analysis of fluid inclusion daughter crystals, indicates a complex reaction history for both PKPs and MARIDs. U–Pb zircon ages from this study combined with literature data and experimentally derived models for MARID formation are used to suggest that MARID-formation is concurrent and genetically related to both group I and II kimberlite magmatism in the Kimberley area. MARID and PKP zircon ages are also consistent with the idea first proposed by Dawson and Smith (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 41: 309–323, 1977) that metasomatized peridotites may form from interaction of hydrous fluids expelled by solidifying MARID-type melts with peridotitic wall rocks. Received: 13 December 1999 / Accepted: 13 April 2000     

Zur Frage der Altersstellung und Genese der Blei-Zink-Vorkommen der Sierra de Cartagena in Spanien

Zusammenfassung Bleiglanzproben aus verschiedenen Lagerstätten der Sierra de Cartagena wurden auf ihre Blei-Isotopen-Verhältnisse untersucht. Auffallend ist deren völlig identische Pb-Isotopen-Zusammensetzung, aus der sich nach dem Houtermans-Modell ein Modell-Alter von 30 Millionen Jahren errechnen läßt. Die Blei-Mineralisation im Erzdistrikt von Cartagena steht daher in einem sicheren Zusammenhang mit der Tätigkeit jungtertiärer subvulkanischer Magmenherde. Das Alter der Andesite wurde mittels Rb/Sr-Methode an einem Biotit des Atalaya-Andesites mit 44±27 m.y. bestimmt. Dieser Wert stimmt sehr gut mit einer Altersbestimmung an einem leukogranitischen Gang aus der Sierra Cabrera überein (50±3 m.y.). Die Ergebnisse der Spurenelement-bestimmung an Bleiglanzproben werden im Zusammenhang mit schon früher mitgeteilten Schwefel-Isotopen-Daten diskutiert.

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Lead isotope ratios have been determined in galena samples from the Sierra de Cartagena (Spain). The range of the Pb-isotopes is extremely narrow within the ore district, which contains different types of ore deposits. The age of the galena bearing ore deposits has been determined by using the Houtermansmodel: 30 million years. The lead minertalisation in the district therefore may be linked to the subvolcanic activity of Tertiary age. Ascribing the mineralisation to three volcanic episodes of Palaeozoic, Miocene and Pliocene ages and two periodes of supergene processes is not possible. Rb/Sr ratios have been determined in a biotite sample from the Atalaya andesite. The mica age is 44±27 m.y. which is in closest agreement with the age given for rocks in the Sierra Cabrera (50±3 m.y.). The results of trace element analyses are discussed in connection with previously studied sulphur isotope composition.