Probable anticlockwise P,–T evolution in extending crust: Hlinsko region, Bohemian Massif

ABSTRACT In the Hlinsko region (Variscan Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic) a major extensional shear zone separates low-grade metasedimentary series (Hlinsko schists) and high-grade rocks of the Moldanubian terrane (Svratka Crystalline Unit). During late-Variscan extension, a tonalite intruded syntectonically into the normal ductile shear zone, and caused contact metamorphism of the overlying schists. Concurrent syntectonic sedimentation of a flysch series took place at the top of the hangingwall schists. In order to decipher the detailed petrological evolution of the Hlinsko unit situated in the hangingwall of this tectonic contact, a phase diagram approach and petrogenetic grids, calculated with the thermocalc computer program, were used. The crystallization/deformation relationships and the paragenetic analysis of the Hlinsko schists define a P–T path with an initial minor increase in pressure followed by cooling. Calculated pseudosections constrain this anticlockwise P-T evolution to the upper part of the andalusite field between 0.36 and 0.40 GPa for temperatures ranging from 570 to 530°C. A low a_H2O is required to explain the presence of andalusite-biotite-bearing assemblages, and could be related to the presence of abundant graphite. In contrast, the footwall rocks of the Svratka Crystalline Unit record decompression from around 0.8 GPa at a relatively constant temperature, followed by cooling. Thus, the footwall and the hangingwall units display opposite, but convergent P–T histories. Decompression in the footwall rocks is related to a rapid exhumation. We propose that the inverse, anticlockwise P–T path recorded in the hangingwall pelites is related to the rapid, extension-controlled sedimentation of the overlying flysch series.     

Cenozoic tectonic activity in a Variscan basement: Evidence from geomorphological markers and structural mapping (NW Iberian Massif)

The NW Iberian Massif is part of an ancient basement that has been considered a seismically stable area with no outstanding Cenozoic tectonics. However, recent seismic activity revealed the need for better knowledge of the Cenozoic structures in the area. Because of the lack of Mesozoic deposits and the scarcity of Cenozoic sediments, as well as the intense deformation of the Pre-Mesozoic Variscan basement, it is difficult to study the Cenozoic tectonic structures. In this work, the combination of detailed structural mapping and study of geomorphological markers in the Variscan basement has allowed recognition of Cenozoic tectonic structures, kinematics and processes that otherwise would not have been identified. The identified structures have been gathered into three groups: a) NE–SW-trending strike-slip faults, mainly sinistral, b) NNW-vergent thrusts that uplift the Caurel Mountains and Galaico-Leoneses Mountains, and c) E–W and ENE–WSW thrusts that uplift the Ancares Mountains in a pop-up structure. The structures cut the Pre-Cenozoic erosion surface and affect the drainage network that shows patterns characteristic of tectonic activity. The three groups of structures define sectors with different relief showing a strong link between geomorphological elements and tectonic structures. The intense drainage reorganisations observed in the area and the deformation of Miocene–Pliocene deposits, point out to a significant Late Miocene tectonic activity in the region. Thus, the Cenozoic tectonic activity in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula takes place during an extensive period of time which started with the episodes of compression in the Cantabrian Margin and it is identified nowadays by the recent seismic activity recorded in the north-western Iberian Peninsula (1995 and 1997 Lugo events). The seismicity is related to the Cenozoic structures identified in the area, which move under the present SE–NW horizontal maximum compression and coincide with the proposed seismogenic faults.     

Use of fuzzy relations to produce landslide susceptibility map of a landslide prone area (West Black Sea Region, Turkey)

Preparation of landslide susceptibility maps is important for engineering geologists and geomorphologists. However, due to complex nature of landslides, producing a reliable susceptibility map is not easy. For this reason, many procedures have been used to produce such maps. In this study, a new attempt is tried to produce landslide susceptibility map of a part of West Black Sea Region of Turkey. To obtain the fuzzy relations for producing the susceptibility map, a landslide inventory database is compiled by both field surveys and airphoto studies. A total of 266 landslides are identified in the study area, and dominant mode of failure is rotational slide while the other mode of failures are soil flow and shallow translational slide. The landslide inventory and the parameter maps are analyzed together using a computer program (FULLSA) developed in this study. The computer program utilizes the fuzzy relations and produces the landslide susceptibility map automatically. According to this map, 9.6% of the study area is classified as very high susceptibility, 10.3% as high susceptibility, 8.9% as moderate susceptibility, 27.5% as low susceptibility and 43.8% as very low susceptibility or nonsusceptible areas. The prediction performance of the susceptibility map is checked by considering actual landslides in the study area. For this purpose, strength of the relation (r_ij) and the root mean square error (RMSE) values are calculated as 0.867 and 0.284, respectively. These values show that the produced landslide susceptibility map in the present study has a sufficient reliability. It is believed that the approach employed in this study mainly prevents the subjectivity sourced from the parameter selection and provides a support to improve the landslide susceptibility mapping studies.     

Electron microprobe study of detrital amphiboles from Famennian synorogenic clastic sediments of the Saxothuringian belt (Erbendorf Paleozoic,NE-Bavaria,Germany): Consequences for provenance and geotectonic development

Abstract

Detrital amphiboles from the Famennian, Saxothuringian greywackes of the “Erbendorf Paleozoic” in Bavaria were analysed with an electron microprobe. The results were compared with recalculated literature data of amphiboles from potential source rocks to obtain more detailed information about the provenance of the oldest preserved synorogenic sediments in the Saxothuringian belt.

All of the detrital amphiboles show very similar, homogeneous chemical compositions. All of them are Ca-amphiboles (with (Ca+Na)_B ≥: 1.34; Naf_B < 0.67; (Na+K)_A < 0.50 and Ti < 0.50), mostly inagnesio-hornblende and tschermakitic hornblende. The comparison with amphiboles from rocks of potential provenance areas reveals that the Randamphibolit-Series of the Miinchberg Massif – or an equivalent, already eroded unit – can be regarded as source rock of the detrital amphiboles.

The presented data are the first evidence, that the Randamphibolit of the Miinchberg Massif was exhumed as early as in the Famennian, shortly after its metamorphism. It can be concluded that before Famennian time the complete Saxothuringian oceanic crust and large parts of the Saxothuringian continental crust had been subducted at the active margin. This implies that the collision of the Saxothuringian plate with the Tepla-Barrandian microplate, leading to the accretion of the Saxothuringian plate, happened 15–20 Ma earlier than previous authors had supposed. Accordingly, the collisional stage must have been reached not later than in the middle Devonian (approx. 380 Ma).     

The Maurynya section,West Siberia: a key section of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary deposits of shallow marine genesis

The Maurynya section exposed on the northwestern margin of West Siberia is one of few continuous sections of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary deposits in Boreal regions. In the meantime, it can be considered a reference section for the transitional Volgian-Ryazanian beds formed in shallow water environments of the West Siberian sea basin. This study is a synthesis of the new data with previous results of lithologic, paleontological, biostratigraphic, and (O, C, Sr) isotope studies of the Upper Volgian-lowermost Ryazanian of the Maurynya section. It has been established that the beginning of the Cretaceous (corresponding to the middle Late Volgian) is associated with a sharp increase in species number and diversity of cephalopods and bivalve mollusks on the northwestern margin of the West Siberian sea basin. This can be explained by an increase in its depths and their stabilization at a level which appeared optimal for the habitat of nekton, nektobenthos, and benthic fauna communities, superimposed on the general trend of warming. At the same time, the percentage of phytoplankton significantly increased, indicating the onset of transgression, which affected largely coastal landscapes and type of vegetation: The forests dominated by conifers were gradually succeeded by forests mostly composed of Ginkgoaceae.     

Provenance of detrital zircon from siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit of the Adrar Souttouf Massif (Moroccan Sahara) – Palaeogeographic implications

The Oued Togba and Sebkha Gezmayet units of the Adrar Souttouf Massif in the southern Moroccan Sahara are thought to represent tectonic fragments that may have an affinity to the Avalonian and Meguma terranes of eastern North America. Here we study siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit with respect to their detrital zircon spectra. Beside the commonly used U–Th–Pb ages, several aspects of zircon morphology (length, width, roundness, surficial indicators of sedimentary transport, morphotype) are described. The detrital zircon age spectrum of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit resembles that of the already dated underlying igneous rocks. Occurrences of Early Devonian zircon ages are at odds with the magmatic history of the West African Craton but are common in the Avalonian and Meguma terranes, which were affected by the Appalachian orogenies. The scarcity of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon grains corroborates the previously suggested Meguma terrane affinity of this part of the Adrar Souttouf Massif. Combining zircon morphology and isotopic data, we propose first assumptions on the sedimentary environments of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit during different periods of the Palaeozoic.     

西非被动大陆边缘盆地群大油气田形成条件与成藏模式

以板块学说为理论基础,利用IHS能源信息库及新项目评价资料,从西非被动大陆边缘盆地群原型盆地入手,系统剖析了该区大油气田的形成条件与主控因素,建立了大油气田3类成藏模式。研究认为,西非经历了早白垩世贝利亚斯期至巴雷姆期陆内裂谷、阿普特期陆间裂谷、阿尔必期以来的被动大陆边缘3个原型阶段,分别充填了陆相、过渡期泻湖相及漂移期海相沉积体系。陆内裂谷湖相及漂移海相沉积形成了“下湖上海”两套优质烃源岩;过渡早期海侵砂砾岩,漂移期碳酸盐岩、三角洲、深水浊积砂体形成了多套优质储集层;过渡晚期盐岩及漂移期海相页岩分别为盐上及盐下大油气田形成了高效区域封堵。以此为依据,分别建立了南段“盐岩不发育裂谷型”、中段“盐岩发育双层型”及北段“高建设性三角洲型”3类大油气田成藏模式。该研究不但深化了被动大陆边缘盆地油气富集规律,而且能为我国石油公司在该类盆地新项目评价中提供充分的地质依据。     

Combined U-Pb SHRIMP and Hf isotope Complex, Rio Negro Province, Argentina： of the Patagonia composite terrane study of the Late Paleozoic Yaminué Implications for the origin and evolution

We have carried out zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating and Hf isotope determinations on a biotite paraschist and on a tonalitic orthogneiss of the Yaminue Complex,and re-evaluate this complex in the broader context of the tectonic evolution of the Patagonia composite terrane.In the metasedimentary unit （msuYC）,the youngest detrital zircon dated at 318±5 Ma（Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary） indicates a Pennsylvanian（or younger） depositional age.The three main age populations peak at 474,454 and 374 Ma.Preliminary Hf isotope data for two detrital zircons（447 and 655 Ma） yieldedε（Hf） values of -0.32 and 0.48,indicating that their primary sources contained small amounts of recycled crustal components(of Calymmian age;T_DM 1.56 Ga).Zircons from the orthogneiss（miuYC;intrusive into msuYC） show a crystallization age of 261.3±2.7 Ma（Capitanian;late middle Permian） which is broadly coeval with deformation,and Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic inheritance.Meaningful core-rim relationship between Neoarchean zircon cores and late Permian rims is well defined,indicating the occurrence of Archean crust in this sector of Patagonia.Hf T_DM of Permian zircons is mainly Meso-Paleoarchean（2.97-3.35 Ga）,with highly negativeε（Hf） values（ca.-33）.Hf T_DM of inherited Neoarchean zircon cores is also Meso-Paleoarchean（3.14-3.45 Ga） but more juvenile（ε（Hf） = -0.3）.Hf isotopes reinforce the presence of unexposed ancient crust in this area. Combining geological and isotope data,as well as geophysical models,we identify the Yaminue Complex within the La Esperanza-Yaminue crustal block flanked by two other,distinct crustal blocks:the Eastern block which forms part of the Patagonia terrane sensu stricto,located in the eastern Patagonian region,and the Western block forming part of the Southern Patagonia terrane.Their origins and timing of amalgamation to form the Patagonia composite terrane are also discussed.