东昆仑东段布青山地区上二叠统格曲组物源分析及其构造意义

对东昆仑东段布青山得力斯坦地区出露的上二叠统格曲组砾岩层进行砾石成分、砾度统计及系统的LA-ICP-MS锆石UPb年龄谱分析。结果表明,格曲组砾岩层砾石成分以石英岩和花岗岩为主,硅质岩和基性岩次之,砂岩和灰岩较少,砾石的分散系数为1.54~2.02,该套砾岩为近源快速堆积的产物。砾岩碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄可分为3组:1早奥陶世—晚志留世年龄组为499~409Ma,峰值年龄为426Ma,对应早古生代末期原特提斯洋向北俯冲碰撞产生的一系列构造岩浆事件;2新元古代年龄组为744~619Ma,峰值年龄为744Ma,对应于全球Rodinia超大陆裂解事件;3古元古代年龄组为2443Ma,对应东昆仑地区古元古代构造岩浆热事件。结合碎屑锆石年龄及沉积学特征综合分析,花岗质砾石来源于北侧东昆仑造山带加里东期岩浆弧,沉积岩砾石则可能来自造山带早期的沉积地层,石英岩及其他变质岩砾石则多来自东昆仑基底变质岩系。综合判别,格曲组为一套沉积于活动大陆边缘环境的滨浅海相磨拉石建造,代表南侧古特提斯洋向北俯冲开始的构造阶段,是初始俯冲的沉积构造响应。     

Geochronology of Pliocene volcanism in the Dzhavakheti Highland (the Lesser Caucasus). Part 2: Eastern part of the Dzhavakheti Highland. Regional geological correlation

The results of isotopic-geochronological study of the Pliocene volcanic rocks in reference sections and volcanic edifices of eastern part of the Dzhavakheti Highland (the northwestern Lesser Caucasus) are considered. The isotopic-geochronological data obtained here are correlated with data on western part of the Dzhavakheti Highland, which have been considered in previous part of this work. Based on correlation, time spans of principal volcanic events of the Pliocene in the study region as a whole are determined, and general trends of the young magmatism evolution within the region are established. In sum, the isotopic-geochronological dates evidence that the Pliocene magmatism of the Dzhavakheti Highland developed practically without essential breaks during the period of about 2 Ma long, from 3.75 to 1.75–1.55 Ma ago. The areal basic volcanism that was most widespread at that time is divisible into five discrete phases according to the isotopic dates obtained. Comparatively short pauses, which separated these phases of magmatic activity, were a few hundreds thousand years long, not more. Chemical composition of moderately acidic to silicic volcanics, which are of a limited distribution in the Dzhavakheti Highland, and their age relations with basic lavas of the region suggest that they are most likely the differentiation products of parental basic mantle-derived magmas. The analyzed distribution of volcanic centers, which erupted basic lavas of the Dzhavakheti Highland, evidence that first two phases of basic magmatism were connected here with volcanic activity in southwestern part of the region (northern termination of the Egnakhag Ridge), whereas activity of volcanoes situated on the east, predominantly in water-shed part and on slopes of the submeridional Dzhavakheti Ridge, controlled development of the third and fourth phases. Consequently, magmatic activity of the Pliocene stage in history of the Neogene-Quaternary magmatism of the Dzhavakheti Highland laterally migrated from the west to the east, being controlled by development of regional submeridional extension zones. Volcanic ridges marking the latter are formed by volcanic edifices, which are amalgamated at their bases and have erupted lavas of close age and composition. The migration of volcanic activity can be described in terms of the “domino effect,” when cessation of volcanism in one zone led to formation of the other submeridional zone of extension and magmatic activity displaced from the west eastward in sublatitudinal direction. In general, evolution of the Pliocene magmatism of the Dzhavakheti Highland, was similar, despite the essential regional peculiarities, to the generalized trend of magmatism evolution in the continental rifts and intraplate zones of the “hot-spot” type.     

New paleomagnetic data from the hominin bearing Dmanisi paleo-anthropologic site (southern Georgia, Caucasus)

The Dmanisi site has yielded human remains and lithic industry associated with Late Pliocene-early Pleistocene fauna. The site is composed of volcanogenic sediments overlying basaltic lava flows. The lithostratigraphic sequence comprises two basic depositional units: Unit A, overlying the basalt flows, and Unit B on top. A paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic study has been carried out on 106 specimens from Units A and B and the uppermost basalt flow. The lava and Unit A provide normal polarities, while reversed polarities and anomalous directions are observed in Unit B, the latter probably due to overlapping of a secondary and a primary reversed polarity component. The lower part of the section shows a clear correlation with the Olduvai subchron, and the upper levels could be as young as 1.07 Ma. As human remains were found both in units with normal and reversed polarity, different non-contemporaneous human occupations might have been possible.     

Mapping the Pliocene Clay Deposits Using Remote Sensing and its Impact on the Urbanization Developments in Egypt: Case Study,East Sohag Area

In the current study, Thematic Mapper image was compiled along with field and laboratory investigation results to map the Pliocene clay deposits. These deposits have high swelling potential; consequently they will have a negative impact on the urbanization expansion surrounding the flood plain zone (Low desert zone) in Egypt. Principle Component and Minimum Noise Fraction techniques with the help of supervised classification were successful in the mapping of these deposits. The interpretation shows that the Pliocene clay deposits occupy most of the wadis terraces and part of the wadis floors, and sometimes they covered by Quaternary deposits (1–5 m of sand and gravel). The physio-chemical characteristics of these deposits indicate that the Pliocene clay ranges from silty clay to clay with small amounts of sand. Laboratory analysis (Atterberg limits, saturation degree, and cation exchange capacity) indicate the swelling characteristics of the Pliocene clay. Different classification systems were applied and all reveal the expansive nature of this soil, which should be taken into account for future development in the area.     

Foraminiferal depth palaeoecology of Late Pliocene shelf sequences and systems tracts, Wanganui Basin, New Zealand

High-resolution foraminiferal census of benthic taxa was undertaken on 113 closely spaced samples drawn from the Late Pliocene (ca. 2.6−1.7 Ma) cyclothemic marine strata of the Rangitikei Group, eastern Wanganui Basin, New Zealand. These strata comprise a ca. 1 km thick progradational stack of twenty, sixth-order, depositional sequences that accumulated in shelf and shoreline palaeoenvironments. The sequences are correlated with δ¹⁸O Stages 100−58, and each 41 ka glaciallinterglacial stage couplet is represented by an individual sequence comprising transgressive (TST), highstand (HST), and regressive (RST) systems tracts.

Statistical analysis of the census data identifies thirteen foraminiferal associations within the cyclothemic strata, that are grouped into seven depth- and lithology-related biofacies spanning the entire range of marginal marine to outer shelf palaeoenvironments. Foraminiferal palaeobathymetric analysis of the Rangitikei Group sequences reveals cyclical changes in water-depth of ca. 100–200 m amplitude with frequencies corresponding to the 41 ka obliquity orbital rhythm. Water-depth changes of this magnitude are consistent with a glacio-eustatic origin for the cyclothems, which correspond to an interval of Earth's history when successive continental glaciations of the Northern Hemisphere are known to have occurred. Furthermore the derived water-depth changes are also consistent with lithofacies and sequence stratigraphic inferences regarding palaeodepth of the sequences.

Individual sequences display a clear deepening-upward trend from shoreline to mid-shelf water-depths within TSTs. The level of resolution provided by the microfaunal analysis was insufficient to resolve the precise position of the maximum flooding surface (MFS) and its relationship to the downlap surface (DLS). However, the turn around from rising to falling relative sea level (maximum water-depth) corresponds to a < 5 m interval of section spanning the top of TSTs and lower portions of HST's. A progressive shoaling trend to shoreline and marginal marine environments is indicated for the overlying RSTs.

The amplitudes of water-depth changes for asymmetrical sequences, Rangitikei_nt motif (nondepositional transgression) (100–200 m), are somewhat greater than glacio-eustatic sea-level changes derived from the deep-sea δ¹⁸O record (50–100 m). This implies a significant subsidence contribution to relative sea-level changes. Notwithstanding the effect of subsidence and sedimentation on relative sea level, fluctuations in glacio-eustatic sea level are regarded as the primary factor controlling relative sea-level changes recorded in the Late Pliocene Wanganui Basin succession. Foraminifer-derived palaeobathymetric cycles within sequences display the same frequency, relative magnitude and symmetry as their correlative cycles on the δ¹⁸O sea-level curve.     

东秦岭虎豹河砾岩砾石的地球化学特征及其构造意义

东秦岭虎豹河砾岩为复成分砾岩层。砾岩中火成央砾石显示了ＬＩＬＥ中等富集，丰富变化不大，Ｂｂ（Ｔａ）有一定亏损，Ｔｈ－Ｔａ比值高，并具有来自岛弧演化不同阶段的两个岩浆源区的地球化学特征，反映它们主要受消减物质影响，且地壳物贡献不大的岛弧钙碱性岩浆的成因特征。     

Late Cenozoic magnetostratigraphy (11 – 0 Ma) of the Dongshanding and Wangjiashan sections in the Longzhong Basin,western China

A paleomagnetic study of the 510-m-thick Wangjiashan section of Late Miocene and Pliocene terrestrial sediments reveals a fairly complete reversal record with ages from 11 to 1.8 Ma. The magnetostratigraphy of the Dongshanding section, located nearby, reveals a partially overlapping reversal record with ages from 2.2 to 0 Ma, and facilitates correlation of the Wangjiashan section with the global polarity time scale. A new stratigraphic division of the Wangjiashan section replaces the name Linxia formation by five new formation names, based on lithologic variation and mammalian fossil finds. The new formations and their magnetostratigraphically determined ages are: Dongshan Formation (c. 1.75–2.6 Ma), Jishi Fm. (c. 2.6–3.6 Ma), Hewangjia Fm. (4.5–6.0 Ma), Liushu Fm. (6.0–7.6 Ma), and Dongxiang Fm. (7.6–c. 12 Ma). The Neogene stratigraphy and fossil mammals suggest that the nearby part of the Tibetan Plateau experienced a persistent denudation during the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, but that it was uplifted more rapidly at about 3.6 Ma.     

华北板块北缘东段上三叠统的若干特征

位于华北板块与古蒙古洋板块的交接处、金银别河至白水滩一带的一套变质的陆相碎屑岩,前人命名为白水滩组,时代归属早侏罗世。80年代末笔者在此进行1∶5万区域地质调查,在该地层中采到了Neoclamites sp.,Cycadocarpiclium sp.,Uniohuang bogouensis(?)等重要分子,同时发现其被二长花岗岩(U—Pb 192.7Ma)侵入,暂与小营子组对比,将其时代归属为晚三叠世。该套地层分为上下两段,即下部砾岩段和上部砂岩段;地层褶皱形态复杂,断裂构造发育,新老地质体相互推覆掩盖,构成独特的地质景观。     

论成都盆地的成生时代及其早期沉积物的一般特征

本文从宏观上阐述了成都盆地形成的地质背景;盆地基底地层的缺失与古地理环境演化特征。从青藏高原的隆起时间相应地讨论了四川盆地晚白垩世以来的发展历程。认为,成都盆地是龙门山脉与四川盆物分化解体的派生构造形迹;早期堆积于盆底的大邑砾岩的沉积特征和物源特性表明了一个新地质时代的开启;极其粗大的碎屑体现了新构造运动垂直升降振荡作用的特点;大邑砾岩为构造侵蚀碎屑物,是成都盆地第四纪松散堆积层的代表。之后,盆地一直继承此沉积特征而沉积了最大厚达540m的砾卵石层。     

鲁西白彦砾岩中金刚石特征及来源探讨

通过对白彦砾岩中金刚石、蒙阴已知金刚石原生矿带及区内储集层位金刚石特征进行对比,结合对白彦砾岩中金刚石的指示性矿物铬铁矿含量分布及白彦砾岩中金刚石含量变化情况,分析认为白彦砾岩中金刚石有3种可能来源:一是来源于蒙阴已知金刚石原生矿带,二是来源于未知的近源原生矿,三是来源于区内除李官组及本溪组储集层之外的其他储集层。