Volcano-sedimentary stratigraphy in the Valsequillo Basin,Central Mexico inferred from electrical resistivity soundings

Initial results of an electrical resistivity survey of the volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Valsequillo basin in central Mexico are presented. The volcano-sedimentary deposits preserve rich paleontological, paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental records, which include extinct megafauna remains associated with human artifacts. The report of possible 38 ka old human footprint tracks in the Xalnene tuff attracted renewed interest in the basin stratigraphy. We examine the shallow stratigraphic sequence in the Xalnene tuff outcrop plain northwest of Cerro Toluquilla volcano using vertical resistivity soundings (VES). Inversion models of VES soundings show a layered structure of high and low resistivity units, which characterize the Xalnene tuff, lacustrine and fluvial sediments and volcanic rocks. 2-D resistivity cross sections document three major units corresponding to the Xalnene tuff and sediments filling a <30 m deep basin lying on volcanic rocks. Resistivity models provide further support for the association of Xalnene tuff with the Toluquilla volcano and emplacement of the pyroclastic deposits on a shallow lacustrine environment. The resistivity cross sections constrain the thickness of the tuff layers and underlying lacustrine sediments. Observations during the data acquisition field work provide insight on the possible origin of the apparent tracks, which seem to develop from erosion processes acting on quarrying marks. Further analysis and experimental evidence is required to understand the morphology and weathered patterns. The tuff layers are being removed by quarrying operations and the outcrops significantly altered. Adequate conservation measurements should be implemented to preserve the deposits for scientific research.     

Early-stage rifting of the Southern Tyrrhenian region: The Calabria–Sardinia breakup

The Southern Tyrrhenian Sea is an extensional basins linked to the Neogene evolution of the Calabria subduction zone located in the western Mediterranean realm where controversial kinematic and geodynamical models have been proposed. Our study provides a key to unravel timing and mode of extension of the upper plate and the breakup of Calabria from Sardinia. By combining original stratigraphic analysis of wells and seismic profiles off Calabria with a stratigraphic correlation to onshore outcrops, we re-assess the tectonic evolution that controlled the sedimentation and basement deformation of the Southern Tyrrhenian basin during Serravallian–Tortonian times. We document the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of adjacent extensional basins characterized by 3rd order depositional sequences (Ser1, Tor1 and Tor2) and different modes of extension, subsidence and opposite dipping faults. Episodic basin development is recorded by a coarsening-up and fining-up trend of the sedimentary succession and by tectonically enhanced unconformities that reflect three episodes of fault activity. We reconstruct Serravallian–Tortonian paleogeographic maps and propose a block faulting model for the evolution of the Sardinia–Calabria area. Sardinia was disconnected from Calabria through N–S normal faults forming Tyrrhenian extensional basins that formed contemporaneously to the E–W opening of the Algerian basin. Unlike published Serravallian–Tortonian reconstructions of the western Mediterranean realm, our results support a geodynamic model characterized by rapid trench retreat, trench-normal extension in the entire overriding plate and very weak coupling between plates.     

塔北隆起哈拉哈塘凹陷东河砂岩成岩作用及其控制因素

通过岩心及薄片的观察,结合扫描电镜阴极发光等资料分析,对哈拉哈塘地区东河砂岩成岩作用进行了研究。结果表明：东河砂岩以岩屑石英砂岩为主,成岩作用类型有压实作用、胶结作用、溶解作用及交代作用。综合成岩作用的组合类型及其演化序列,认为本区东河砂岩主体处于中成岩阶段A期。分别讨论了沉积相、埋藏作用和层序地层等对成岩作用的控制,研究区东河砂岩在低温背景下,长期浅埋且晚期短暂快速深埋,总体上压实程度中等;主要发育滨岸和浪控三角洲沉积体系,在高精度层序界面附近,相对海平面上升,可容纳空间增大,沉积物沉积速率相对较低,且停留时间长,在同生成岩和早成岩阶段容易形成广泛分布的碳酸盐胶结。     

松辽盆地梨树断陷层序地层格架及沉积体系分布

在层序地层学原理和方法的指导下,综合利用地震、测井、钻井及岩心等资料,结合盆地构造演化特征,建立了梨 树断陷断陷层(晚侏罗世火石岭组及早侏罗世沙河子组、营城组和登娄库组)层序地层格架。将梨树断陷断陷层划分为 1 个一级层序(TSq1)、3 个二级层序 (I—III)、7 个三级层序 (SQ1—SQ7),并在层序格架内进行沉积相划分和沉积体系研究, 明确研究区主要发育冲积扇、扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲、近岸水下扇和湖泊等沉积体系。冲积扇沉积体系主要分布在早期 SQ2 层序中;扇三角洲沉积体系主要分布在 SQ3 和 SQ4 层序中;SQ5,SQ6 和 SQ7 层序则以辫状河三角洲沉积为主;近岸水 下扇沉积体系主要发育在 SQ4、SQ5 和 SQ6 各层序的陡坡带。沉积体系在平面与纵向上的演化受古构造与古地貌的双重控制, 提出梨树断陷 SQ4 和 SQ5 层序沉积砂体为较有利的勘探区域。     

Correlation of upper Bajocian-Bathonian zones in Siberia with the stage standard

The suggestions to transfer the Arcticoceras ishmae Zone from the middle to the lower Bathonian and the Arctocephalites arcticus Zone from the lower Bathonian to the upper Bajocian put forward by some researchers, are critically considered. These suggestions are based on paleontological records from the Sokur quarry near Saratov. Based on paleontological data from Siberia represented in a number of regional ammonite, belemnite, and retroceram zonations, we infer that the proposed zonal subdivision of the Jurassic in the Sokur quarry to be untrue and believe the revision of the correlation of the above-mentioned zones with the stage and zonal standard to be premature because of insufficient argumentation.     

New data on the stratigraphy and depositional environment for Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits of the Stolbovoi Island (New Siberian Islands)

The section of Mesozoic terrigenous deposits over 1200 m thick has been described, and a new geological map of the Stolbovoi Island southern half has been compiled. The inference has been made that the sedimentary sequence represents a single uniform turbidite complex, which is indivisible into lithological units and which does not show transition to shallow-marine facies either in the visible foot section or visible roof section. The complex accumulated in the foreland basin emerged on the margin of the Novosibirsk-Chukchi continental block during the Anyuian orogeny. The presence of upper Volgian deposits (Upper Jurassic) with a visible thickness of 640 m, Berriasian (Ryazanian) deposits about 100-m thick, and lower Valanginian deposits with a visible thickness of ～200 m has been established on the basis of identification of fossils represented by remains of bivalve mollusks (the genus Buchia). Finds of upper Volgian buchias in the southeastern part of the island are inconsistent with field geological observations of the sequence of deposits. Paleontological data acquired for the island southern part suggest the presence of a transverse thrust fault, along which upper Volgian rocks were thrust over lower Neocomian rocks. The possibility of another interpretation of the data has also been considered. The correlation of the Buchia Beds of the Stolbovoi Island, Nordvik Peninsula, the basin of the Anyui River, and northern California has been carried out. The inference about a close relationship between the biota of the Stolbovoi Island and the North Pacific paleobiogeographic realm has been drawn.     

珠江口盆地番禺低隆珠江组—韩江组高精度层序地层

以岩心、测井和三维地震等资料分析为基础,结合古生物分析,将珠江口盆地番禺低隆起新近系珠江组到韩江组划分为7个三级层序,归为明显削蚀不整合明显上超不整合、底超不整合弱削蚀或上超不整合和整合界面等.每个三级层序内以主要水进面为界划分出3～4个四级层序.结合地震属性分析,揭示了四级层序框架内沉积体系的分布和发育.受古地貌和相对海平面变化的控制,高位域三角洲砂体主要分布于隆起及以西地区,低位域三角洲前缘砂体主要分布于隆起-缓坡坡折带.概括出高精度层序地层格架内4种潜在的非构造圈闭发育模式并进行了分布预测,认为东部的低位域三角洲前缘砂体和东南部的断裂坡折带下的低位域三角洲前缘砂体,具有良好的成藏条件,易形成构造-岩性或岩性地层油气藏.     

川东北地区飞仙关组层序—岩相古地理特征和鲕滩预测

以沉积相和界面识别为依据,将川东北地区下三叠统飞仙关组划分为2个三级层序和6个体系域,在此基础上对飞仙关组层序地层学特征进行了分析,编制了各沉积体系域的层序—岩相古地理图和对鲕滩发育规律进行预测。结果表明:SQ1层序发育期,飞仙关组受持续海侵影响,形成以深水台盆为中心的台盆—台地边缘—开阔—局限—蒸发台地的相带展布格局,以海侵体系域的台地边缘和台内鲕滩最为发育,该体系域也是飞仙关组鲕滩相储层最发育的层位;SQ2层序发育期,受海平面大幅度下降和水循环受限及干旱炎热气候影响,区域沉积格局由开阔台地转化为局限台地,鲕滩逐渐消失,最终进入频繁暴露的蒸发台地环境,以沉积膏云岩为主,为飞仙关组天然气藏极其重要的第一套区域性致密盖层发育层位。     

Environmental history of southern Patagonia unravelled by the seismic stratigraphy of Laguna Potrok Aike

Laguna Potrok Aike, located in southernmost Patagonia (Argentina, 52°S) is a 100 m deep hydrologically closed lake that probably provides the only continental southern Patagonian archive covering a long and continuous interval of several glacial to interglacial cycles. In the context of the planned ‘International Continental Scientific Drilling Program’ initiative ‘Potrok Aike Maar Lake Sediment Archive Drilling Project’, several seismic site surveys that characterize in detail the sedimentary subsurface of the lake have been undertaken. Long sediment cores recovered the material to date and calibrate these seismic data. Laguna Potrok Aike is rimmed steeply, circular in shape with a diameter of ∼3·5 km and is surrounded by a series of subaerial palaeoshorelines, reflecting varying lake-level highstands and lowstands. Seismic data indicate a basinwide erosional unconformity that occurs consistently on the shoulder of the lake down to a depth of −33 m (below 2003 ad lake level), marking the lowest lake level during Late Glacial to Holocene times. Cores that penetrate this unconformity comprise Marine Isotope Stage 3-dated sediments (45 kyr bp ) ∼3·5 m below, and post-6800 cal yr bp transgressional sediments above the unconformity. This Middle Holocene transgression following an unprecedented lake-level lowstand marks the onset of a stepwise change in moisture, as shown by a series of up to 11 buried palaeoshorelines that were formed during lake-level stillstands at depths between −30 and −12 m. Two series of regressive shorelines between ∼5800 to 5400 and ∼4700 to 4000 cal yr bp interrupt the overall transgressional trend. In the basin, mound-like drift sediments occur after ∼6000 cal yr bp, documenting the onset of lake currents triggered by a latitudinal shift or an increase in wind intensity of the Southern Hemispheric Westerlies over Laguna Potrok Aike at that time. Furthermore, several well-defined lateral slides can be recognized. The majority of these slides occurred during the mid-Holocene lake-level lowering when the slopes became rapidly sediment-charged because of erosion from the exposed shoulder sediments. Around 7800 and 4900 cal yr bp , several slides went down simultaneously, probably triggered by seismic shaking.