Der mittlere meeresspiegel bei Esbjerg

Summary A diversity of diagrams shows the fluctuation of the mean sea level at Esbjerg. There is no sign of a definite long-periodical motion. The only indisputable result seems to be a steady rise of the sea level. The annual means are calculated from weighted monthly means; the weights are chosen thus as to moderate the effects of meteorological disturbances.     

Archaean to Proterozoic Crustal Evolution in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt (South Africa-Botswana): Constraints from Combined U-Pb and Lu-Hf Isotope Analyses of Zircon

A combined set of U–Pb and Lu–Hf in situ laser ablationICP-(MC)-MS zircon analyses were obtained from orthogneissesand granitoids in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, whichcomprises the Beit Bridge and Mahalapye complexes. The resultsindicate that by combining the two isotope systems primary magmaticzircon domains can be distinguished from those formed duringlater metamorphic events, even if the distinct zircon domainsunderwent multiple Pb loss and the texture–age relationships,as obtained by cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb analyses,are ambiguous. Furthermore, the applied technique allows distinctionof zircon grains formed in juvenile magmas from those generatedby melting of older continental crust or affected by substantialcrustal contamination. The combined U–Pb and Lu–Hfdata reveal that the Sand River gneiss suite of the Beit BridgeComplex was emplaced at 3283 ± 8 Ma and formed from meltingof an older Archaean crust, which was derived from a depletedmantle source at around 3·65 Ga. The hafnium model age(T_DM^Hf) is significantly older than those obtained from zirconsfrom numerous Neoarchaean granitoids of the Beit Bridge Complex,comprising the Singelele gneiss (2647 ± 12 Ma), the Bulaigranite (2612 ± 7 Ma), the Regina gneiss (2649 ±9 Ma) and two samples of the Zanzibar gneiss (2613 ±6 Ma). These granitoids show initial Hf(t) values between +0·5 and –7·1, which correspond to initialT_DM^Hf between 3·46 and 3·01 Ga. These variableT_DM^Hf_initial and Hf(t)_initial values are interpreted to be theresult of different mixtures of reworked 3·65 Ga Palaeoarchaeancrust with juvenile magmas extracted from the depleted mantleduring the Neoarchaean at 2·65 Ga. This conclusion issupported by results obtained from the Mahalapye Complex, whichwas affected by migmatization and granite intrusions duringthe Palaeoproterozoic at 2·02–2·06 Ga. TheMokgware granite (2019 ± 9 Ma) contains zircon xenocrystswith Pb–Pb ages of 2·52–2·65 Ga and2·93 Ga and hafnium model ages of 3·0–3·4Ga, indicating that this granite is derived from remelting ofArchaean crust. In contrast, uniform T_DM^Hf_initial ages of 2·61–2·67Ga obtained from a diorite gneiss (2061 ± 6 Ma) of theMahalapye Complex indicate that its protolith may have beenformed from remelting of a Neoarchaean juvenile crust. VariableHf(t)_initial values from –3·7 to +6·3 ofzircon cores (2711 ± 11 Ma) in an adjacent leucosomealso support a model of mixing of juvenile mantle derived matterwith older crust in the Neoarchaean. KEY WORDS: Archaean; Palaeoproterozoic; Limpopo Belt; zircon, U–Pb dating; Lu–Hf isotopes; LA-ICP-MS     

Hydrothermal fluid flow associated to the extensional evolution of the Adriatic rifted margin: Insights from the pre- to post-rift sedimentary sequence (SE Switzerland,N ITALY)

This paper investigates the hydrothermal fluid circulation that was linked to the extensional evolution of the Adriatic rifted margin during the Jurassic opening of the Alpine Tethys. Remnants of this rifted margin are spectacularly preserved in SE Switzerland and N Italy. Five study areas were chosen ranging from the former proximal to the most distal part of the margin. We demonstrate an intimate link between Jurassic extensional tectonics and fluid activity affecting the pre- to early post-rift sedimentary sequences. Nature, composition and origin of fluids are constrained by a multidisciplinary approach based on field observations and including geochemical (O-C, Sr, He isotopes, U-Pb datings, fluid inclusion microthermometry) and petrological methods. Several fluid-related diagenetic products and processes such as dolomitization, veining, hydraulic brecciation, and silicification can be recognized. It appears that different paleogeographic settings and different stratigraphic levels document distinct phases of fluid activity. The fluids reached temperatures of up to 150°C near paleo-seafloor. They were enriched in ¹⁸O, had high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and low ³He/⁴He ratios, documenting a strong interaction between seawater and a granitic basement. Many lines of evidence point to the occurrence of over-pressured fluids and long-lasting fluid circulation due to fault-valve mechanisms and high thermal gradients. Two main stages with different fluid chemistry can be recognized: (1) a carbonate-rich stage that developed during the stretching phases and was linked to high-angle normal faulting, and (2) a silica-rich stage occurring during late rift exhumation of crustal and mantle rocks in the distal domains in the presence of detachment faults and high thermal gradients. This paper provides, for the first time, a large and robust characterization of fluid–rock interactions occurring during rifting along an almost complete section across a magma-poor rifted margin.     

Geochemistry of drill core samples from Yaxcopoil‐1, Chicxulub impact crater,Mexico

Abstract— The chemical composition of suevites, displaced Cretaceous target rocks, and impact‐generated dikes within these rocks from the Yaxcopoil‐1 (Yax‐1) drill core, Chicxulub impact crater, Mexico, is reported and compared with the data from the Yucatán 6 (Y6) samples. Within the six suevite subunits of Yax‐1, four units with different chemical compositions can be distinguished: a) upper/lower sorted and upper suevite (depth of 795–846 m); b) middle suevite (depth of 846–861 m); c) brecciated impact melt rock (depth of 861–885 m); and d) lower suevite (depth of 885–895 m). The suevite sequence (a), (b), and (d) display an increase of the CaO content and a decrease of the silicate basement component from top to bottom. In contrast, the suevite of Y6 shows an inverse trend. The different distances of the Yax‐1 and Y6 drilling sites from the crater center (～60, and ～47 km, respectively) lead to different suevite sequences. Within the Cretaceous rocks of Yax‐1, a suevitic dike (depth of ～916 m) does not display chemical differences when compared with the suevite, while an impact melt rock dike (depth of ～1348 m) is significantly enriched in immobile elements. A clastic breccia dike (depth of ～1316 m) is dominated by material derived locally from the host rock, while the silicate‐rich component is similar to that found in the suevite. Significant enrichments of the K₂O content were observed in the Yax‐1 suevite and the impact‐generated dikes. All impactites of Yax‐1 and Y6 are mixtures of a crystalline basement and a carbonate component from the sedimentary cover. An anhydrite component in the impactites is missing (Yax‐1) or negligible (Y6).     

Biostratigraphic and Chemostratigraphic Correlation for the Base of the Middle Ordovician between Yichang and Western Zhejiang Areas, South China

The base of the Middle Ordovician (i.e. Dapingian Stage) has been defined at the first appearance datum (FAD) of conodont Baltoniodus? triangularis at Huanghuachang, Yichang, China, but the precise correlation of the boundary to regions of other facies remain to be resolved. Herein we review the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Huanghuachang Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point (GSSP) section, and present our latest stratigraphic work on the nearby Chenjiahe section in Yichang, and the Hengtang Quarry section, Jiangshan, Zhejiang, which is regarded as representative of slope facies. The conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy as well as chemostratigraphy of the Chenjiahe section indicate that the base of the Middle Ordovician also falls within the graptolite Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a high or maximum δ13C value within a minor positive carbon isotope excursion, suggesting that the base boundary can be readily recognized across the entire Yangtze Gorges area. The integrated graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Hengtang section, Jiangshan, indicates that the basal boundary probably falls within the graptolite Isograptus caduceus imitatus Zone that overlies the Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a remarkable drop of δ13C. This difference indicates that a multi-disciplinary approach is critical to identify the base boundary in those regions where the Baltoniodus? triangularis is absent.     

The Namuskluft and Dreigratberg sections in southern Namibia (Kalahari Craton,Gariep Belt): a geological history of Neoproterozoic rifting and recycling of cratonic crust during the dispersal of Rodinia until the amalgamation of Gondwana

This paper presents combined U/Pb, Th/U and Hf isotope analyses on detrital and magmatic zircon grains together with whole-rock geochemical analyses of two basement and eight sedimentary rock samples from the Namuskluft and the Dreigratberg in southern Namibia (Gariep Belt). The sedimentary sections evolved during the Cryogenian on the SW part of the Kalahari Craton and where therefore deposited in an active rift setting during the break-up of Rodinia. Due to insufficient palaeomagnetic data, the position of the Kalahari Craton within Rodinia is still under discussion. There are possibilities to locate Kalahari along the western side of Australia/Mawsonland (Pisarevski et al. in Proterozoic East Gondwana: supercontinent assembly and break-up, Geological Society, London, 2003; Evans in Ancient Orogens and modern analogues. Geological Society, London, 2009; and others) or together with the Congo-Sao Francisco and Rio de la Plata Cratons (Li et al. in Prec Res 45: 203–2014, 2008; Frimmel et al. in Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 100: 323–354, 2011; and others). It is sill unclear which craton rifted away from the Kalahari Craton during the Cryogenian. Although Middle to Upper Cryogenian magmatic activity is known for the SE Kalahari Craton (our working area) (Richtersveld Suite, Rosh Pinah Fm), all the presented samples show no U/Pb zircon ages younger than ca. 1.0 Ga and non-older than 2.06 Ga. The obtained U/Pb ages fit very well to the exposed basement of the Kalahari Craton (1.0–1.4 Ga Namaqua Province, 1.7–2.0 Ga Vioolsdrif Granite Suite and Orange River Group) and allow no correlation with a foreign craton such as the Rio de la Plata or Australia/Mawsonland. Lu–Hf isotopic signatures of detrital zircon point to the recycling of mainly Palaeoproterozoic and to a smaller amount of Archean crust in the source areas. εHf(t) signatures range between ?24 and +14.8, which relate to T_DM model ages between 1.05 and 3.1 Ga. Only few detrital zircon grains derived from magmas generated from Mesoproterozoic crustal material show more juvenile εHf(t) signatures of +14, +8 to +4 with T_DM model ages of 1.05–1.6 Ga. During Neoproterozoic deposition, only old cratonic crust with an inherited continental arc signature was available in the source area clearly demonstrated by Hf isotope composition of detrital zircon and geochemical bulk analysis of sedimentary rocks. The granodiorites of the Palaeoproterozoic basement underlying Namuskluft section are ca. 1.9 Ga old and show εHf(t) signatures of ?3 to ?5.5 with T_DM model ages of 2.4–2.7 Ga. These basement rocks demonstrate the extreme uplift and deep erosion of the underlying Kalahari Craton at its western margin before general subsidence during Cryogenian and Ediacaran time. The sedimentary sequence of the two examined sections (Namuskluft and Dreigratberg) proposes the presence of a basin and an increasing subsidence at the SW part of the Kalahari Craton during the Cryogenian. Therefore, we propose the initial formation of an intra-cratonic sag basin during the Lower Cryogenian that evolved later to a rift basin at the cratonic margin due to increasing crustal tension and rifting together with the opening of the Adamastor Ocean. As the zircons of the sedimentary rocks filling this basin show neither rift-related U/Pb ages nor an exotic craton as a possible source area, the only plausible sedimentary transport direction providing the found U/Pb ages would be from the E or the SE, directly from the heart of the Kalahari Craton. Due to subsidence and ongoing sedimentation from E/SE directions, the rift-related magmatic rocks were simply covered by the input of old intra-cratonic material that explains the absence of Neoproterozoic zircon grains in our samples. The geochemical analyses show the erosion of a continental arc and related sedimentary rocks with an overall felsic provenance. The source area was a deeply eroded and incised magmatic arc that evolved on continental crust, without any evidence for a passive margin. All of this can be explained by the erosion of rocks related to the Namaqua Belt, which represents one of the two major peaks of zircon U–Pb ages in all analysed samples. Therefore, the Namaqua Belt was well exposed during the Cryogenian, available to erosion and apart from the also well-exposed Palaeoproterozoic basement of the Kalahari Craton one potential source area for the sedimentary rocks in the investigated areas.