Age and nature of the late Early Cretaceous Zhaga Formation,northern Tibet: constraints on when the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean closed

This article reports the depositional environment, provenance, and U–Pb zircon age constraints for the newly identified Zhaga Formation in northern Tibet and uses these to better understand the tectonic evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang suture. One transect across the Zhaga Formation was investigated. The Zhaga Formation is ~2 km thick, dominated by greywacke and conglomerate at the base, basalt and limestone in the middle, and greywacke and shale at the top. Greywacke in the Zhaga Formation typically contains 70–75% quartz, 5% feldspar, 3–5% rock debris, and >15% matrix, with normal grading and convolute bedding, basal flow structures, and distinct Bouma sequences interpreted as bathyal to abyssal turbidites. One rhyolite sample and one greywacke sample from the studied transect were collected for zircon U–Pb dating. The rhyolite yields a concordia age of 118 Ma, and the greywacke yields nine age peaks of 247, 330, 459, 541, 611, 941, 1590, 1871, and 2482 Ma, indicating that the Zhaga Formation formed during the late Early Cretaceous and the provenance of its detritus was the Qiangtang area. These data, combined with the Early Cretaceous ocean islands, indicates that the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean must have been open during the late Early Cretaceous. We conclude that the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean closed after the late Early Cretaceous and not during the Late Jurassic or the early Early Cretaceous as proposed by previous workers.     

Stratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the Carboniferous System in South China

The Carboniferous System of South China is famous for its well-developed rock sequence, variety of depositional types, and abundant fossils. Three established Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) markers have been identified in several sections in South China. Of these sections, the Pengchong section is the GSSP for the base of the Visean Stage, whereas the Dapoushang and Naqing (Nashui) sections are excellent reference sections for the bases of the Tournaisian and Bashkirian stages, respectively. Other sections have good potential for the four unestablished GSSPs and the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary in South China. The Naqing (Nashui) section is a candidate for the GSSPs of four stages: the Serpukhovian, Moscovian, Kasimovian, and Gzhelian stages. The regional stages of China include the Tangbagouan, Jiusian, Shangsian, Dewuan, Luosuan, Huashibanian, Dalaun, and Xiaodushanian. The history, definitions, reference sections, sedimentary characteristics, biostratigraphy, and correlations of these Chinese regional stages are summarized. A Carboniferous stratigraphic chart of South China is provided, showing the correlation of global chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic units with those in South China and the lithostratigraphic units of various areas in South China. The chart is presented as a new practical framework for the stratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the Carboniferous System in South China.     

Formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch: a Discussion Paper by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core,marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (International Commission on Stratigraphy)

This discussion paper, by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core, marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommision on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), considers the prospects for a formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Although previous attempts to subdivide the Holocene have proved inconclusive, recent developments in Quaternary stratigraphy, notably the definition of the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary and the emergence of formal subdivisions of the Pleistocene Series/Epoch, mean that it may be timely to revisit this matter. The Quaternary literature reveals a widespread but variable informal usage of a tripartite division of the Holocene (‘early’, ‘middle’ or ‘mid’, and ‘late’), and we argue that this de facto subdivision should now be formalized to ensure consistency in stratigraphic terminology. We propose an Early–Middle Holocene Boundary at 8200 a BP and a Middle–Late Holocene Boundary at 4200 a BP, each of which is linked to a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). Should the proposal find a broad measure of support from the Quaternary community, a submission will be made to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), via the SQS and the ICS, for formal ratification of this subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin and geodynamic environments of the metamorphic sole rocks from the İzmir–Ankara–Erzincan suture zone (Tokat,northern Turkey)

ABSTRACT

The Late Cretaceous accretionary complex of the ?zmir–Ankara–Erzincan suture zone, near Artova, is composed mainly of peridotites (variably serpentinized), amphibolite, garnet-micaschist, calc-schist, marble, basalt, sandstones, neritic limestones. The metamorphic rocks were interpreted as the metamorphic sole rocks occurring at the base of mantle tectonites, because: (i) amphibolites were observed together with the serpentinized peridotites suggesting their occurrences in the oceanic environment; (ii) foliation in amphibolites and serpentinized peridotites run subparallel to each other; (iii) all these metamorphic rocks and serpentinized peridotites are cross-cut by the unmetamorphosed dolerite dikes with island arc tholeiite-like chemistry. Geochemical characteristics of the amphibolites display enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB)- and ocean island basalt (OIB)-like signatures. The dolerite dikes, on the other hand, yield an island arc tholeiite-like composition. Geothermobarometric investigations of the metamorphic sole rocks suggest that the metamorphic temperature was ~650 ± 30°C and the pressure condition was less than 0.5 GPa. Dating of hornblende grains from amphibolite yielded age values ranging from 139 ± 11 to 157 ± 3.6 Ma (2σ). The oldest weighted average age value is regarded as approximating the timing of the intra-oceanic subduction. These cooling ages were interpreted to be the intra-oceanic subduction/thrusting time of the ?zmir–Ankara–Erzincan oceanic domain.     

中国南方震旦纪大地构造单元划分与地层分区

本文以板块理论为指导，重点探讨地层分区与大地构造单元划分及沉积相展布的关系，提出以构造为主导，构造－地层－沉积相三位一体的地层分区原则和方法。中国南方震旦纪基底构造格架是两隆一坳，即扬子板块、华夏板块及其间的华南残留盆地，晋宁运动使扬子板块与华夏板块拼接在一起，进入相对稳定的发展阶段。震旦纪沉积作用与相带展布与上述古构造格局是一致的。根据上述区划原则和古构造、沉积相的研究结论，将中国南方震旦系划分为２个Ⅰ级地层区，６个Ⅱ级地层分区和１２个Ⅲ级地层小区。     

宁夏石炭纪、早二叠世孢子带和石炭─二叠系界线

宁夏中宁、中卫地区石炭系和二叠系地层发育，化石丰富，是我国石炭—二叠系地层重要研究地区。首次系统的孢粉地层学研究，共发现６０余属、１８Ｏ余种孢子和花粉。根据孢子花粉在地层中演化规律，可划分出１０个孢粉组合带，其中石炭系８个带，下二叠统２个带。中宁、中卫地区石炭系和下二叠统孢粉组合带可与甘肃靖远和华北地区同时代孢子带比较，亦可与西欧，北美和前苏联有关孢子带对比。中宁、中卫地区石炭系和下二叠统孢粉带的研究不仅有重要地层学和古生物学意义，而且对该地区石炭系和石炭—二叠系界线划分与对比有重要意义，对研究华北地台和祁连褶皱带之间关系以及沉积环境和古地理的研究也十分重要。     

Faults in the Baikal region: morphostructural and structure-genetic features (case study of the Buguldeika fault junction)

Lineament analysis is applied to map the pattern of the Obruchev fault system in the Buguldeika Village area, where several fault zones (Olkhon, Primorsky, Prikhrebtovyi, Buguldeika, and Kurtun) make up a junction. As inferred from the predominant directions of genetically related lineaments, the Olkhon, Primorsky, and Prikhrebtovyi faults originated under NW-SE extension and compression. The extension and compression settings within these zones are reconstructed by analysis of lineaments that have prominent and poor geomorphic expression, respectively. However, the pattern of lineaments well expressed in the surface topography within a weakly deformed block corresponds to reverse slip, while that of poorly pronounced lineaments corresponds to left-lateral strike slip. The study confirms the idea that the latest extension (rifting) stage in the Baikal region reactivated fault zones but did not deform blocks. The blocks store record of residual deformation produced by previous settings of regional compression and shear. The obtained results agree with earlier tectonophysical analysis of faults and fractures in the area and prove the applicability of the suggested approach to map the fault patterns and reconstruct their respective stress settings in areas that underwent multiple deformation events of different ages.     

安徽胡家碾地区井中地电异常现象探讨

以岩石电性特征差异为基础的电测井,在金属矿产、地下水资源勘探中,发挥着重要的作用。在视电阻率测井装置中,地井系统是较为常用装置形式。通过安徽省胡家碾地区地质背景和钻孔地层以及对井中电法测量资料的分析对比,探讨了井中地电异常产生的原因及与寻找地下水的关系,认为井中负视电阻率异常与井中正自然电位异常相对应时,通常是寻找地下水的有利地段。     

济阳坳陷惠民凹陷临盘地区始新统孔店组一段—沙河街组四段红层划分和对比

受气候控制的洪水事件沉积因其短暂性、广布性和周期性等特征,具有相对的等时效应,可以作为地层划分和对比的标志层。通过分析不同规模周期下的事件沉积和正常沉积特征,并结合基准面旋回理论,识别出济阳坳陷惠民凹陷临盘地区始新统孔店组一段—沙河街组四段下亚段红层短期、中期和长期三个级次的基准面旋回特征,短期旋回以洪水期和间洪水期内发育的不同类型沉积微相组合为特征,中期旋回以发育一套完整的洪水期—间洪水期沉积为标志,长期旋回则以多个中期旋回组成的地层叠加为特征;以此为依据将惠民凹陷临盘地区孔店组一段—沙河街组四段下亚段划分为5个长期旋回、16个中期旋回及若干个短期旋回层序,并对第一个长期旋回进行了精细层序地层对比,在此基础上建立了干旱气候控制下的红层层序的划分和对比模式。