Thermochronological data from Sudan in the frame of the denudational history of the Nubian Red Sea margin

Low‐temperature thermochronology provides information on the timing of rifting and denudation of passive margins, and the Red Sea with its well‐exposed, young rift margins is a suitable setting for its application. Here we present new apatite fission‐track (AFT) data from Sudan northern hinterland and Red Sea coastal areas. From the former region we obtained ages between 270 ± 2 Ma ad 253 ± 53 Ma, and from the coastal belt between 83 ± 8 Ma and 39 ± 7 Ma. These data prompted a review and comparison with low‐temperature thermochronological data from the whole Nubian Red Sea Margin, and a discussion on their implication in assessing the margin evolutionary style. AFT data are available for Egypt and Eritrea as well as apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) ages for two transects transversal to the margin in Eritrea. Both in Egypt and Eritrea AFT data record a cooling event at about 20–25 Ma (Early Miocene) and an earlier, more local, cooling event in Egypt at about 34 Ma (Early Oligocene). The thermal modeling of the Sudan samples provides an indication of a rapid cooling in Miocene times, but does not support nor rules out an Early Oligocene cooling phase. The re‐assessment of new and existing thermochronological data within the known geological framework of the Nubian and conjugate Arabian margins favours the hypothesis that early rifting stages were affecting the whole Gulf of Suez–Red Sea–Gulf of Aden system since the Oligocene. These precocious, more attenuated, phases were followed by major extension in Miocene times. As to the mode of margin evolution, AFT age patterns both in Egypt and Eritrea are incompatible with a downwarp model. The distribution of AHe ages across the Eritrean coastal plain suggests that there the escarpment was evolving predominantly by plateau degradation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation of Mississippian (Upper Viséan) foraminiferan,conodont, miospore and ammonoid zonal schemes,and correlation with the Asbian–Brigantian boundary in northwest Ireland

The microbiota of the upper Viséan (Asbian–Brigantian) rocks in the Lough Allen Basin in northwest Ireland is analysed. The Middle Mississippian sequence studied extends from the upper part of the Dartry Limestone/Bricklieve Limestone formations of the Tyrone Group to the Carraun Shale Formation of the Leitrim Group. The rocks have been traditionally dated by ammonoid faunas representing the B_2a to P_2c subzones. The Meenymore Formation (base of the Leitrim Group) also contains conodont faunas of the informal partial‐range Mestognathus bipluti zone. The upper Brigantian Lochriea nodosa Conodont Zone was recognized by previous authors in the middle of the Carraun Shale Formation (Ardvarney Limestone Member), where it coincides with upper Brigantian ammonoids of the Lusitanoceras granosus Subzone (P_2a). Foraminifera and algae in the top of the Dartry Limestone Formation are assigned to the upper Cf6γ Foraminifera Subzone (highest Asbian), whereas those in the Meenymore Formation belong to the lower Cf6δ Foraminifera Subzone (lower Brigantian). The Dartry Limestone Formation–Meenymore Formation boundary is thus correlated with the Asbian–Brigantian boundary in northwest Ireland. For the first time, based on new data, a correlation between the ammonoid, miospore, foraminiferan and conodont zonal schemes is demonstrated. The foraminiferans and algae, conodonts and ammonoids are compared with those from other basins in Ireland, northern England, and the German Rhenish Massif. Historically, the Asbian–Brigantian boundary has been correlated with several levels within the P_1a Ammonoid Subzone. However, the new integrated biostratigraphical data indicate that the Asbian–Brigantian boundary in northwest Ireland is probably located within the B_2a Ammonoid Subzone and the NM Miospore Zone, but the scarcity of ammonoids in the Tyrone Group precludes an accurate placement of that boundary within this subzone. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary tectono-geomorphological investigations of Zanskar Basin,NW Himalaya,India, using geospatial techniques

Geospatial techniques play a crucial role in geomorphic studies, particularly in the challenging terrains like mountainous regions, inaccessible areas and densely vegetated landscapes, where geomorphic features cannot be recorded easily. Tectono-geomorphologic observations provide important clues regarding the landscape evolution, morpho-dynamics and ongoing tectonism of the region. The present study has been carried out in the Zanskar Basin (ZB), located to the south of the Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ), in the hinterland of the NW Himalaya. This study has been carried out to assess and evaluate active tectonics by employing tectono-geomorphic analysis, dynamics in drainage networks, geomorphological field observations and the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. High-resolution satellite images, topographic maps and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were used to generate primary data sets, which were corroborated with field investigations for valid inferences. The geometry of the ZB suggests that continuous tectonic activity exerts first-order control on the overall shape, size and structure of the ZB. This first-order response is clearly reflected in the landforms modified by tectonic processes, namely, linear mountain fronts, elongated shape and tilting of the basin, braided and meandering river courses and lower stream length gradient index values in hard rock terrain. The ZB exhibits several eye-catching geomorphic features, such as well-defined triangular facets with wide base lengths and wine-glass valleys with small outlets along the footwall block of the Zanskar Shear Zone/South Tibetan Detachment System (ZSZ/STDS), as well as the presence of wind gaps, water gaps, bedrock incision, incised and entrenched valleys, narrow gorges and a high incision rate inferring active tectonics and recent uplift in the region. In addition, the existence of uplifted river terraces, as well as the stepped morphology of fans and strath terraces, suggests that the region is experiencing recent activity and ongoing tectonic uplift. These modified geomorphic characteristics suggest that the hinterland, which is part of the NW Himalaya, is tectonically quite active and has experienced a differential rate of tectonics during its evolution. The quantified geomorphic indices and their relations with the tectonics, climate and erosion activity infer that the basin geometry is mostly controlled by the ZSZ/STDS that dips 20°–70° NE, the south-dipping Zanskar Counter Thrust (ZCT) and other local tectonic elements like the Choksti Thrust (CT), Stondgey Thrust, Zangla Thrust and tectonic structures. The synergised results of quantified geomorphic indices and tectono-geomorphic evidence in the ZB strongly indicate that both the past and ongoing tectonism have significantly shaped and modified geomorphology of the ZB.     

Stock Evaluation of Three Littoral Echinoid Species on the Catalan Coast North-Western Mediterranean

Abstract. We estimated the abundances of the three common littoral echinoid species Paracentrotus lividus, Arbacia lixula and Sphaerechinus granularis in a littoral zone between 0 and 10m depth on the Catalan shores NE Spain. Densities of each species were estimated from a total number of 11 571× 1 m² sampling units deployed at 152 sites along the 13 zones into which the coast was divided. The surface area available in each of these zones was estimated at the scale of the sampling unit 1 m² taking into account the fractal dimension of the shore. The stocks individuals > 2cm test diameter of these species for the whole Catalan shore ≅ 300 km, straight-line distance were estimated to be about 279.1 × 10⁶ individuals for P. lividus , 28.9 × 10⁶ individuals for A. lixula and 10.9 × 10⁶ individuals for S. granularis. These sea-urchins are key species in the regulation of algal communities and some of them P. lividus. S. granularis are of commercial interest. This information will provide a tool for the future monitoring and management of this resource, which now faces diverse pressures of human origin.     

Aeolization on the Atlantic coast of Galicia (NW Spain) from the end of the last glacial period to the present day: Chronology,origin and evolution of coastal dunes linked to sea-level oscillations

The Atlantic coast of Galicia (NW Spain) is a high-energy environment where shingle beaches are currently developing. These coarser sediments alternate with sandy deposits which are also considered as beaches typical of a low-energy environment. The physical association of both types of sediment with contrasted sedimentary significance raises problems of interpretation. The study of four outcrops of fossil aeolianites on this coast has allowed us to reconstruct their evolution from the end of the Upper Pleistocene to the present day. Their chronology, estimated by optically stimulated luminescence between 35 and 14 ky at the end of the last glaciation (MIS2), coincides with a local sea level 120 m below the present one. This implies a coastline shifted several kilometres from its current location and the subaerial exposure of a wide strip of the continental shelf covered by sands. The wind blew sand to form dunes towards the continent, covering the coastal areas, which then emerged with no other limitation than the active river channels. Sea-level rise during the Holocene transgression has progressively swamped these aeolian deposits, leaving only flooded dunes, relict coastal dunes and climbing dunes on cliffs up to 180 m high. The aeolian process continued as long as there was a sandy source area to erode, although accretion finished when the sea reached its current level (Late Holocene). Since then, the wind turned from accretion to erosion of the dunes and sand beaches. This erosion exposes the older shingle beaches (probably of Eemian age) buried under the aeolian sands, as well as old, submerged forest remains and megalithic monuments. The destruction of sand beaches and dunes currently observed along the Galician coast is linked, according to most researchers, to anthropogenic global warming. However, their management should consider these evolutive issues.     

东北地区北西向构造的成因与特征

通过对以往重磁数据重新处理,对以往不被人们关注,至少是少为人们关注的东北地区北西向构造有了新的认识.研究认为：东北地区北西向构造不仅大规模存在,而且还对东北地区的地质构造格架、东北地区的矿产资源的产出与分布都有着不可忽视的作用.讨论了北西向构造在重磁场上证据以及北西向构造的地质应力条件,证明北西向构造晚于北东向、北北东向构造,是一组独立的构造体系.     

Supra-subduction and mid-ocean ridge peridotites from the Piranshahr area,NW Iran

The Piranshahr metaperidotites in the northwestern end of the Zagros orogen were emplaced following the closure of the Neotethys ocean. The ophiolitic rocks were emplaced onto the passive margin of the northern edge of the Arabian plate as a result of northeastward subduction and subsequent accretion of the continental fragments. The metaperidotites have compositions ranging from low-clinopyroxene lherzolite to harzburgite and dunite. They are mantle residues with distinct geochemical signatures of both mid-ocean ridge and supra subduction zone (SSZ) affinities. The abyssal peridotites are characterized by high Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ contents and low Mg-number in pyroxenes. The Cr-number in the coexisting spinel is also low. The SSZ mantle peridotites are characterized by low Al₂O₃ contents in pyroxenes as well as low Al₂O₃ and high Cr-number in spinel. Mineral chemical data indicate that the MOR- and SSZ-type peridotites are the residues from ∼15–20% and ∼30–35% of mantle melting, respectively. Considering petrography, mineralogy and textural evidence, the petrological history of the Piranshahr metaperidotites can be interpreted in three stages: mantle stable stage, serpentinization and metamorphism. The temperature conditions in the mantle are estimated using the Ca-in-orthopyroxene thermometer as 1210 ± 26 °C. The rocks have experienced serpentinization. Based on the textural observations, olivine and pyroxene transformed into lizardite and/or chrysotile with pseudomorphic textures at temperatures below 300 °C during the initial stage of serpentinization. Subsequent orogenic metamorphism affected the rocks at temperatures lower than 600 °C under lower-amphibolite facies metamorphism.     

太康MS4.7地震构造初步分析

对比分析石油地震剖面和高分辨浅层地震剖面,依据震源机制解、地震精定位结果,给出太康MS4.7地震区深浅断裂的展布关系。结合区域构造演化认为,晚白垩世至古近纪,太康隆起发生NWW和NE-NNE向张剪性走滑断层活动,其产生的伸展拉张作用使隆起解体,形成目前凸凹相间的构造格局;新近纪以来,在太康隆起整体接受沉积的背景下,构造活动强度有所减弱,但凸凹相间的构造变形样式得以延续,表现为控制断陷的边界断层的持续活动,同时,一系列新近纪-第四纪铲式正断层的形成也表明深部走滑伸展作用的存在;太康MS4.7地震区深部震源构造表现为沿近NW和近NE走向的高角度断层,浅部构造表现为受近NW向铲式张性断层控制的凸凹相间的构造样式,这种深浅构造展布形式共同控制了太康MS4.7地震及其余震的发生。     

鲜水河断裂带乾宁段晚第四纪走滑速率及区域强震危险性研究

活动断裂几何学特征及滑动速率是研究断裂运动学、动力学机制及其评估区域强震危险性的重要依据。青藏高原东缘左行走滑的鲜水河断裂带是控制高原物质向南东挤出的重要边界,是中国陆内活动性最强的断裂之一。本文以鲜水河断裂带北西段为研究对象,通过高精度遥感影像解译、野外考察、OSL(光释光)和¹⁴C测年方法以及LiDAR(激光雷达)扫描获得乾宁段龙灯乡冲积阶地的位错量和废弃年龄。T4和T3′水平位错量分别为106±5 m和77±2 m, T4阶地垂直位错量为9.6±0.5 m。T4和T3′阶地的废弃年龄分别为11±1 ka和7±1 ka。结合对应的年龄和位错量,得到乾宁段晚第四纪走滑速率左行走滑速率为10.5±1 mm/a,垂直滑动速率为0.9±0.1 mm/a,断层倾向北东,具有正断运动学特征。通过重新计算断裂两侧GPS矢量沿断裂方向分量,得到鲜水河断裂带炉霍段、炉霍—康定段、磨西段现今左行走滑速率分别约为8.1 mm/a、8.2 mm/a、9.4 mm/a,整体表现为自北西向南东递增。综合乾宁段晚第四纪走滑速率和最新强震活动的离逝时间估算,认为鲜水河断裂带乾宁段目前应变累积...     

西北地区绿化对该区及东亚,南亚区域气候影响的数值模拟

西北地区干旱化是我国气候灾害和全球变化的主要问题之一,本文利用ＧＣＭ－ＳＳｉＢ模式,通过一次敏感性试验,发现西北地区绿化后使东亚,南亚年平均地表温度升高,海平面气压下降,我国及中南半岛地区降水增多和印度降水减少,升温及降压中心位于绿化区,降水增加中心在我国长江中,下游及中南半岛,绿化后西北地面热源增强明显,并通过环流影响使东亚,南亚地区冬季减弱,夏季风增强,西北地表热源增加主要由地表热增加引起,扫