Valley asymmetry: Evidence for periglacial activity in the central North Sea

Present-day open valleys with distinct asymmetric profiles have been studied from the central North Sea. The bulk of the valleys exhibit steep north-facing and shallow south-facing slopes. This asymmetry is ascribed to preferential slumping of the south-facing slope under periglacial climatic conditions. Exceptions to the regional asymmetric trend are probably the result of more localized factors such as fluvial and microclimatic processes and the effects of local geology. The recognition of this type of within-valley asymmetry associated with slumping in buried valleys within the Quaternary sequence may be indicative of former periglacial activity.     

Interpreting characteristic drainage timescale variability across Kilombero Valley,Tanzania

We explore seasonal variability and spatiotemporal patterns in characteristic drainage timescale (K) estimated from river discharge records across the Kilombero Valley in central Tanzania. K values were determined using streamflow recession analysis with a Brutsaert–Nieber solution to the linearized Boussinesq equation. Estimated K values were variable, comparing between wet and dry seasons for the relatively small catchments draining upland positions. For the larger catchments draining through valley bottoms, K values were typically longer and more consistent across seasons. Variations in K were compared with long‐term averaged, Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer‐derived monthly evapotranspiration. Although the variations in K were potentially related to evapotranspiration, the influence of data quality and analysis procedure could not be discounted. As such, even though recession analysis offers a potential approach to explore aquifer release timescales and thereby gain insight to a region's hydrology to inform water resources management, care must be taken when interpreting spatiotemporal shifts in K in connection with process representation in regions like the Kilombero Valley. © 2014 The Authors. Hydrological Processes published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

元谋干热河谷强侵蚀区土桥发育特征与演化过程

元谋干热河谷区的土桥地貌是当地常见的一种潜蚀地貌,是区域地貌的重要组成部分。元谋土桥是造成当地水土流失的重要原因之一,研究其形态特征及演化过程对于认识区域地貌演化及生态地质环境的治理具有重要的现实意义。2009―2013年,通过多次对土桥形态特征、分布区域的地形地貌的现场测定,对土层进行了分析。结果表明：1）元谋土桥大部分分布于冲沟中上游的沟底,少部分分布于冲沟边缘的峭壁下,有连续出现,也有单独出现;2）土桥发育的土层具有层间差异性,即桥洞所在土层较其顶部土层抗崩解性弱,易受侵蚀;3）地层构造节理及冲沟坡度的变化等因素对土桥的形成具有一定的影响作用;4）元谋土桥的形态、结构与一般天生桥或人工桥梁具有相同的桥体结构,形态规模一般都不大;5）演化过程遵循一般事物的发展规律,分为萌芽期、年轻期、成熟期、消亡期４个阶段;6）元谋土桥与陷穴、冲沟等地貌具有一定的耦合关系。     

Influence of subaqueous processes on the construction and accumulation of an aeolian sand sheet

In aeolian sand sheets the interaction between aeolian and subaqueous processes is considered one of the principal factors that controls this depositional environment. To examine the role played by the subaqueous processes on the construction and accumulation of sand sheets, surface deposits and subsurface sedimentary sections of a currently active aeolian sand sheet, located in the Upper Tulum Valley (Argentina), have been examined. On the sand sheet surface, airflows enable the construction of nabkhas, wind‐rippled mantles (flattened accumulations of sand forming wind ripples), megaripples, and small transverse dunes. Subaqueous deposits consist of sandy current ripples covered by muddy laminae. The latter are generated by annual widespread but low‐energy floods that emanate from the nearby mountains in the aftermath of episodes of heavy precipitations. Deposits of subaqueous origin constitute 5% of the accumulated sand sheet thickness. The construction of the sand sheet is controlled by meteorological seasonal changes: the source area, the San Juan river alluvial fan, receives sediment by thaw‐waters in spring–summer; in fall–winter, when the water table lowers in the alluvial fan, the sediment is available for aeolian transport and construction of the sand sheet area. The flood events play an important role in enabling sand sheet accumulation: the muddy laminae serve to protect the underlying deposits from aeolian winnowing. Incipient cement of gypsum on the sand and vegetation cover acts as an additional stabilizing agent that promotes accumulation. Episodic and alternating events of erosion and sedimentation are considered the main reason for the absence of soils and palaeosols. Results from this study have enabled the development of a generic model with which to account for: (i) the influence of contemporaneous subaqueous processes on the construction and accumulation in recent and ancient sand sheets; and (ii) the absence of developed soils in this unstable topographic surface. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fossil gastropods from the MGS3 stratigraphic segment in the Salawusu River Valley and their climatic and environmental implications

Contemporaneous with MIS3, the MGS3 segment of the Milanggouwan stratigraphic section in the Salawusu River Valley, Mu Us Desert, China contains fossil gastropods (terrestrial and freshwater snails) in strata 33LS, 35LS, 37FL and 39LS. Examination of these fossils revealed 11 species belonging to 8 families and 10 genera. They can be classified as: (1) assemblage of Gyraulus and Galba mainly consisting of Gyraulus convexiusculus, Gyraulus sibiricus, Galba pervia and Galba superegra Gredler, etc. (2) assemblage of Vallonia mainly consisting of terrestrial snails, such as Vallonia patens, Pupilla muscorum and Discus paupe, etc. Based on the dating results, and the living habits, living conditions, and geographic distribution of their extant species, we suggest that: the ages of 33LS, 35LS, 37FL, and 39LS are 26000, 29000, 33000 and 38000 a, respectively, corresponding well to the interstadial period in GRIP 4, 5, 6 and 10 in terms of chronology and climatic characters; 33LS, 35LS and 39LS represent very warm-humid periods, while 37FL represents a less warm-humid period; the four periods of climatic fluctuations recorded in MGS3 were related to the strong impact of the summer monsoon in East Asia in Mu Us Desert of China during the interstadial of MIS3 on a global climatic background.     

Seismic images grounded zone wedge in Neoproterozoic glacials,Amadeus Basin,central Australia

Recently acquired seismic data in the eastern portion of the Amadeus Basin of central Australia have enabled disconformities at the base of both the Sturt and Elatina glaciogenic sequences within the Neoproterozoic succession to be mapped on a semi-regional scale. On a more detailed scale, along the shallowly shelving eastern flank of the basin, seismic data have revealed features that demarcate the transition from a grounded to floating, or possible absent, Sturt ice-sheet. Coincident with this transition is an extensive mound-like accumulation of glacial debris, some 10 to 15?km wide, 300 m high and extending at least 150?km subparallel to the northeast–southwest-oriented basin margin. This glacial debris entered the basin subglacially through meandering tunnel valleys, one of which can be mapped seismically.     

长江中下游成矿带区域构造格局的新认识

长江中下游成矿带作为我国重要的成矿带之一,矿产资源开发利用及区域地质研究历史悠久,成果丰硕。本文重点论述了长江中下游成矿带的构造格局和复合构造系统,探讨了董岭/埤城式基底与江南式基底的拼合时代,提出了南北对峙带的概念,明确了江南过渡带的内涵。主要认识有:(1)长江中下游成矿带平面构造格局为"一弧一线夹两喇叭"的形态;(2)董岭/埤城式基底与江南式基底的拼合时代介于Z_1与Z_2之间;(3)南北对峙带是"纲",控制了长江中下游成矿带的构造格局;(4)剪切阶段是"眼",区域上由"压扭"向"张扭"的转换过程中成岩成矿大爆发;(5)江南过渡带的南半部早期属于江南隆起,在印支期与下扬子地区一并发生褶皱,褶皱特征类似下扬子坳陷南缘而与江南隆起腹地不同,故划到长江中下游成矿带构造单元中。     

Origin and evolution of Suru Valley ophiolite peridotite slice along Indus suture zone,Ladakh Himalaya,India: Implications on melt-rock interaction in a subduction-zone environment

In this paper, we present whole-rock and mineral geochemistry of serpentinized peridotites from the Suru Valley ophiolite slice Ladakh Himalaya, in an attempt to put constraints on their petrogenesis and tectonic evolution in the context of Mesozoic Neo-Tethys Ocean. On the basis of petrographic study, Suru Valley serpentinized peridotites can be identified as serpentinized harzburgites. Relative to primitive mantle these rocks have depleted major and rare earth element (REE) geochemical characteristics comparable to ocean floor mantle rocks reflecting their mantle residual nature. However, higher abundance of highly incompatible large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, Th, U, Pb and Sr), reflect metasomatism in a subduction zone environment. The presence of silicate assemblage includes Mg-rich olivine (Fo_90-92) and orthopyroxene (En_91-93 Fs_6.4-8.7) of supra-subduction zone affinity. Evaluation of mineral and whole-rock geochemistry suggests that the Suru Valley ophiolitic peridotites represent residues left after moderate degrees of partial melting thereby underwent metasomatism in a supra-subduction zone environment related to north dipping intra-oceanic island arc during Cretaceous in the context of Mesozoic Neo-Tethys ocean.     

Evolution of contourite systems in the late Cretaceous Chalk Sea along the Tornquist Zone

Based on integration of seismic reflection and well data analysis this study examines two major contourite systems that developed during the late Cretaceous in the southern Baltic Sea. The evolution of these Chalk Sea contourite systems between the Kattegat and the southern Baltic Sea started when Turonian to Campanian inversion tectonics overprinted the rather flat sea floor of the epeiric Chalk Sea. The Tornquist Zone and adjacent smaller blocks were uplifted and formed elongated obstacles that influenced the bottom currents. As a consequence of the inversion, the sea floor west of the Tornquist Zone tilted towards the north‐east, creating an asymmetrical sub‐basin with a steep marginal slope in the north‐east and a gentle dipping slope in the south‐west. A south‐east directed contour current emerged in the Coniacian or Santonian along the south‐western basin margin, creating contourite channels and drifts. The previously studied contourite system offshore Stevns Klint is part of this system. A second, deeper and north‐west directed counter‐flow emerged along and parallel to the Tornquist Zone in the later Campanian, but was strongest in the Maastrichtian. This bottom current moderated the evolution of a drift‐moat system adjacent to the elevated Tornquist Zone. The near surface Alnarp Valley in Scania represents the Danian palaeo‐moat that linked the Pomeranian Bay with the Kattegat. The previously studied contourite system in the Kattegat represents the north‐western prolongation of this system. This study links previous observations from the Kattegat and offshore Stevns Klint to the here inferred two currents, a more shallow, south‐east directed and a deeper, north‐west directed flow.