The Nama Group revisited

The Nama Group of southern Namibia is a candidate for the Terminal Proterozoic Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). Desirable characteristics of a GSSP include a well-preserved index-fossil assemblage, little deformation or metamorphism. well-constrained isotopic ages, stable-isotope records and magnetostratigraphic control. The age of the Nama Group sediments is now constrained to between 570 and 510 Ma. Assuming the Gondwana assembly was nearly complete at this same time, there is a discrepancy between the previously published Nama poles, a revised 550-510 Ma apparent polar wander path for Gondwana and the preceding supercontinental assemblages of Rodinia and Panottia. For these reasons, the Nama Group sediments were resampled in an effort to evaluate the potential of detailing the magnetostratigraphy of the Nama Group and resolving the discrepancy between the Nama poles and the APWP of Gondwana. Collectively, both the previous studies of the Nama Group and this one show a complex series of overprints and no easily discernible primary direction of magnetization. We therefore urge caution in using the Nama Group poles in any tectonic models of the Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic. Specifically, the N1 component of magnetization, previously identified as a primary magnetization, was discovered in a younger suite of samples. Therefore, previous tectonic models that used the N1 magnetization direction as representative of the time of Nama deposition should be revised in light of these recent findings.     

Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China: Distribution and significance

The final assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana during the Pan-African orogenic episodes (ca. 550–520 Ma) almost simultaneously took place with the Cambrian explosion that is best manifested by a number of Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China. The relationship between South China and Gondwana during the Cambrian is far from consensus. Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten may have potential importance for the paleogeographic reconstruction. However, such Lagerstätten have been known in large number only in Laurentia and South China, far less common in Gondwana and other continents. Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China are not evenly spaced through the Cambrian. They appear to be concentrated in the Lower Cambrian, particularly in the Canglangpuian and Qiongzhusian stages, much reduced in number from the uppermost Lower Cambrian. Of ten reported such Lagerstätten, only the Kaili biota (basal Middle Cambrian) is known to be younger than Early Cambrian. This reduction could be explained by the fact that vast areas of siliciclastic facies in both the western plate interior (platform) and the eastern slope basin during most time of Early Cambrian (Meishucunian to Canglangpuian) is evolved into carbonate facies at the very end of Early Cambrian (Longwangmiaoian). It has been known from this study that both siliciclastic platform facies and slope basin facies (shale basin) could preserve soft-bodied fossils. Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China are of great significance for providing a sequences of exceptionally preserved biota in a chronological succession. Comparison of such Lagerstätten in a chronological framework may give us more details on the Cambrian explosion events.     

Sr isotope excursion across the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary in the Three Gorges area, South China

The Precambrian/Cambrian (PC/C) boundary is one of the most important intervals for the evolution of life. However, the scarcity of well-preserved outcrops across the boundary leaves an obstacle in decoding surface environmental changes and patterns of biological evolution.In south China, strata through the PC/C boundary are almost continuously exposed and contain many fossils, suitable for study of environmental and biological change across the PC/C boundary. We undertook deep drilling at four sites in the Three Gorges area to obtain continuous and fresh samples without surface alteration and oxidation. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the fresh carbonate rocks, selected based on microscopic observation and geochemical signatures of Mn/Sr and Rb/Sr ratios, aluminum and silica contents, and δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values, were measured with multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometric techniques.The chemostratigraphy of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the drilled samples displays a smooth curve and a large positive anomaly just below the PC/C boundary between the upper part of Baimatuo Member of the Dengying Formation and the lower part of the Yanjiahe Formation. The combination of chemostratigraphies of δ¹³C and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr indicates that the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr excursions preceded the δ¹³C negative excursion, and suggests that global regression or formation of the Gondwana supercontinent, possibly together with a high atmospheric pCO₂, caused biological depression.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of anatexis in high-grade migmatite complexes of Central Spain: implications in the Hercynian evolution of Central Iberia

U–Pb SHRIMP ages obtained in zircons from the Sotosalbos and Toledo anatectic complexes in Central Spain give new constraints to the evolution of the inner part of the Hercynian Iberian belt. Pre-Hercynian ages in zircons from the Sotosalbos complex (∼464 Ma) are well preserved and reveal that an age diversity of the Lower Paleozoic magmatism in the area exists, as previous data on westernmost orthogneisses yield significant older ages. Zircon ages in the pelite-derived granites from the Toledo complex also show an important Neoproterozoic age component which points to a metasedimentary protolith deposited maximally 560 Ma ago. Younger zircon populations in both complexes at ∼330 Ma in the Sotosalbos region and ∼317 Ma in the Toledo complex indicate an important diachronism between the anatectic processes in both areas but also that these processes are mainly unrelated to the generation of the later Hercynian granite batholith of Central Spain, which could be of deeper crustal derivation. In addition, as migmatization occurred late in the metamorphic cycle, after peak conditions were attained, the age of anatexis is younger than the age of the main Hercynian metamorphic event, which still is not well constrained. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A new ornithopod (Dinosauria,Ornithischia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Antarctica and its palaeobiogeographical implications

A new ornithopod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Snow Hill Island Formation, at James Ross Island, Antarctica is here described. This new taxon, named as Morrosaurus antarcticus gen. et sp. nov., is represented by a fragmentary right hind limb belonging to a medium-sized individual. Our phylogenetic analysis nests the new taxon in a monophyletic clade of Southern Hemisphere ornithopods that includes most Patagonian and Antarctic ornithopods. Several members of this group share a slender and bunched foot with narrow metatarsal IV, expanded chevrons, and bowed humerus without deltopectoral crest. Several features indicate that these ornithopods exhibit adaptations for a specialized cursorial mode of life. The recognition of Patagonian and Antarctic Ornithopoda belonging to a monophyletic clade reinforces palaeobiogeographical signals indicating that Patagonia, Antarctica and Australia shared a common Late Cretaceous terrestrial fauna.     

Shear zone evolution and timing of deformation in the Neoproterozoic transpressional Dom Feliciano Belt,Uruguay

New structural, microstructural and geochronological (U-Pb LA-ICP-MS, Ar/Ar, K-Ar, Rb-Sr) data were obtained for the Dom Feliciano Belt in Uruguay. The main phase of crustal shortening, metamorphism and associated exhumation is recorded between 630 and 600 Ma. This stage is related to the collision of the Río de la Plata and Congo cratons at ca. 630 Ma, which also involved crustal reworking of minor crustal blocks such as the Nico Pérez Terrane and voluminous post-collisional magmatism. Subsequent orogen-parallel sinistral shearing gave rise to further deformation up to ca. 584 Ma and resulted from the onset of the convergence of the Kalahari Craton and the Río de la Plata-Congo cratons. Sinistral shear zones underwent progressive strain localization and retrograde conditions of deformation during crustal exhumation. Dextral ENE-striking shear zones were subsequently active at ca. 550 Ma, coeval with further sinistral shearing along N- to NNE-striking shear zones. The tectonothermal evolution of the Dom Feliciano Belt thus recorded the collision of the Río de la Plata and Congo cratons, which comprised one of the first amalgamated nuclei of Gondwana, and the subsequent incorporation of the Kalahari Craton into Western Gondwana.     

Tasmante cruise: Swath-mapping and underway geophysics south and west of Tasmania

The 1994 Tasmante swath-mapping and reflection seismic cruise covered 200 000 km² of sea floor south and west of Tasmania. The survey provided a wealth of morphological, structural and sedimentological information, in an area of critical importance in reconstructing the break-up of East Gondwana.The west Tasmanian margin consists of a non-depositional continental shelf less than 50 km wide and a sedimented continental slope about 100 km wide. The adjacent 20 km of abyssal plain to the west is heavily sedimented, and beyond that is lightly sedimented Eocene oceanic crust formed as Australia and Antarctica separated. The swath data revealed systems of 100 m-deep downslope canyons and large lower-slope fault-blocks, striking 320° and dipping landward. These continental blocks lie adjacent to the continent ocean boundary (COB) and are up to 2500 m high and have 15°–20° scarps.The South Tasman Rise (STR) is bounded to the west by the Tasman Fracture Zone extending south to Antarctica. Adjacent to the STR, the fracture zone is represented by a scarp up to 2000 m high with slopes of 15–20°. The scarp consists of continental faultblocks dipping landward. Beyond the scarp to the west is a string of sheared parallel highs, and beyond that is lightly sedimented Oligocene oceanic crust 4200–4600 m deep with distinct E-W spreading fabric. The eastern margin of the bathymetric STR trends about 320° and is structurally controlled. The depression between it and the continental East Tasman Plateau (ETP) is heavily sedimented; its western part is underlain by thinned continental crust and its central part by oceanic crust of Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary age. The southern margin of the STR is formed by N-S transform faults and south-dipping normal faults.The STR is cut into two major terrains by a N-S fracture zone at 146°15E. The western terrain is characterised by rotated basement blocks and intervening basins mostly trending 270°–290°. The eastern terrain is characterised by basement blocks and intervening strike-slip basins trending 300°–340°. Recent dredging of basement rocks suggests that the western terrain has Antarctic affinities, whereas the eastern terrain has Tasmanian affinities.Stretching and slow spreading between Australia and Antarctica was in a NW direction from 130–45 Ma, and fast spreading was in a N-S direction thereafter. The western STR terrain was attached to Antarctica during the early movement, and moved down the west coast of Tasmania along a 320° shear zone, forming the landward-dipping continental blocks along the present COB. The eastern terrain either moved with the western terrain, or was welded to it along the 146°15 E fracture zone in the Early Tertiary. At 45 Ma, fast spreading started in a N-S direction, and after some probable movement along the 146°15E fracture zone, the west and east STR terrains were welded together and became part of Australia.     

The Albian fern flora of Alexander Island,Antarctica

The Albian Alexander Island macrofossil flora from the Antarctic Peninsula preserves a diverse community of liverworts (Marchantiophyta), ferns (Polypodiopsida), Lycopodiales, Equisetales, Cycadales, Ginkgoales, seed-ferns (Bennettitales and Pentoxylales), Coniferales, and the first representatives of angiospermous leaves in Antarctica. Despite the presence of angiosperms in this assemblage, ferns are the most diverse element of the flora and are also ecologically dominant, while angiosperms contribute a smaller component to floristic diversity and have low abundance. Here we describe 11 fern taxa from this assemblage. The fossils are assigned to Cladophlebis, Sphenopteris and two newly created genera. The new genera and species are described under Adiantitophyllum serratum gen. et. sp. nov. and Nunatakia alexanderensis gen. et. sp. nov., and the new species are recognized as Cladophlebis dissecta sp. nov., Cladophlebis drinnanii sp. nov., Cladophlebis macloughlinii sp. nov. and Sphenopteris sinuosa sp. nov. In total, there are 24 fern species known from Alexander Island. In comparison to older floras (Jurassic) there is a greater diversity of ferns, while latest Cretaceous floras preserve significantly fewer fern species and more angiosperms. Possible factors that might account for such high fern diversity are high rainfall or generally humid conditions, regular disturbances by flooding and occasionally fire, and the preservation of a diverse range of fern communities that represent several palaeoenvironments.     

藏南特提斯喜马拉雅晚二叠世酸性岩浆作用及其构造意义

A型花岗岩的岩石成因对于评估伸展构造背景下的岩浆作用极为关键。我们对藏南特提斯喜马拉雅带内的哲古错花岗闪长岩进行了锆石U-Pb定年、全岩地球化学和同位素（Sr和Nd）组成分析测试。结果表明,该花岗闪长岩形成于260.3±2.8Ma,并且被一约146Ma的闪长岩侵入。该花岗闪长岩属于高K钙碱性、偏铝质系列,其A/CNK和A/NK分别为0.74~0.76和1.87~2.72,富集轻稀土元素（LREE）,亏损重稀土元素（HREE）,有明显的Nb、Ta和Ti的负异常,Zr和Hf正异常,ε_Nd（t）值为+1.1~+2.3;岩相学也显示出碱性花岗岩特征。以上所有特征揭示了该花岗闪长岩和A2型花岗岩相似,但其与典型的弧岩浆岩不同,而是与伸展构造背景下形成的岩浆岩类似。哲古错花岗闪长岩的源区是为经亏损地幔物质改造过的沉积岩或变沉积岩,基于本研究数据及已有数据表明,本研究中的晚二叠世酸性岩浆作用是一次与冈瓦纳大陆北缘裂解和新特提斯洋开启有关的岩浆活动。     

Eclogites in the Makuti gneisses of Zimbabwe: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Zambezi Belt in southern Africa

The gneisses of the Makuti Group in north-west Zimbabwe are characterized by complex geometries that resulted from intense non-coaxial deformation in a crustal scale high-strain zone that accommodated extensional deformation along the axis of the Zambezi Belt at c. 800 Ma. Within low-strain domains in the Makuti gneisses, undeformed metagabbroic lenses preserve eclogite and granulite facies assemblages, which record a part of the metamorphic history that predates Pan-African events. Eclogitic rocks can be subdivided into: (1) corona-textured metagabbros that preserve igneous textures, and (2) garnet–omphacite rocks in which primary textures are destroyed. The lenses of eclogitic rocks are enveloped in a mantle of garnet–clinopyroxene–hornblende gneiss, which is a common rock type in the Makuti gneisses. The eclogites preserve multi-staged, domainal, symplectic reaction textures that developed progressively as the rocks experienced loading followed by decompression–heating. In the metagabbros, the original clinopyroxene, plagioclase and olivine domains acted separately during the peak of metamorphism, with plagioclase being replaced by garnet and kyanite, and olivine being replaced by orthopyroxene and possibly omphacite. The peak assemblage was overprinted by: (1) the multi-mineralic corona assemblage pargasite–orthopyroxene–spinel–plagioclase replacing garnet–kyanite–clinopyroxene (possibly at c. 19 kbar, 760±25 °C); (2) orthopyroxene–pargasite–plagioclase–scapolite coronas replacing orthopyroxene (15±1.5 kbar, 750±50 °C); and (3) moats of orthopyroxene–plagioclase replacing garnet (10±1 kbar, 760±50 °C). The garnet–omphacite rocks record similar peak conditions (15±1.1 kbar, 760±60 °C). Garnet–clinopyroxene–hornblende–plagioclase gneisses envelop the eclogites and record matrix conditions of 11±1.5 kbar at 730±50 °C using assemblages that are oriented in the regional fabric. These rocks are characterized by decompression-heating textures, reflecting temperature increases during exhumation of the Makuti gneisses. The eclogite facies rocks formed during a collisional event prior to 850 Ma. Their formation could be related to a suture zone that developed along the axis of the Zambezi Belt during the formation of Rodinia (between 1400 and 850 Ma). The main deformation-metamorphism in the Makuti gneisses occurred around 800 Ma and involved extension and exhumation of the high-P rocks (break-up of Rodinia), which experienced a high-T metamorphic overprint. Around 550–500 Ma, a collisional event associated with the formation of Gondwana resulted in renewed burial and metamorphic recrystallization of the Makuti gneisses.