Early Carboniferous ophiolite in central Qiangtang,northern Tibet: record of an oceanic back-arc system in the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean

Zircon U–Pb dating of two samples of metagabbro from the Riwanchaka ophiolite yielded early Carboniferous ages of 354.4 ± 2.3 Ma and 356.7 ± 1.9 Ma. Their positive zircon εHf(t) values (+7.9 to +9.9) indicate that these rocks were derived from a relatively depleted mantle. The metagabbros can be considered as two types: R1 and R2. Both types are tholeiitic, with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) similar to those of typical back-arc basin basalts (BABB), such as Mariana BABB and East Scotia Ridge BABB. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the R1 metagabbro originated from a back-arc basin spreading ridge with addition of slab-derived fluids, whereas the R2 metagabbro was derived from a back-arc basin mantle source, with involvement of melts and fluids from subducted ocean crust. The Riwanchaka ophiolite exhibits both mid-ocean ridge basalts- and arc-like geochemical affinities, consistent with coeval ophiolites from central Qiangtang. Observations indicate that the Qiangtang ophiolites developed during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous (D₃–C₁) in a back-arc spreading ridge above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that an oceanic back-arc basin system existed in the Longmuco–Shuanghu–Lancang Palaeo-Tethys Ocean during the D₃–C₁ period.     

Down‐slope facies variability within deep‐water channel systems: Insights from the Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation,southern Patagonia

In southern Patagonia, outcrops of the Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation preserve a >150 km long deep‐water axial channel belt in the Magallanes–Austral Basin, providing a unique opportunity to investigate longitudinal variations in the depositional characteristics of a deep‐water channel system. This study documents sedimentological, stratigraphical and geochronological data from the Cerro Toro Formation in the Argentine sector of the basin. New results are integrated with previous work from the Chilean basin sector to conduct a basin‐scale comparison of the timing of deposition, provenance and lithofacies proportions. The Cerro Toro channel belt includes a nearly 1000 m thick section characterized by high‐density turbidites and mass‐wasting deposits. Two ash beds from the base of the section yield U–Pb zircon ages of 90·4 ± 2 Ma and 88·0 ± 3 Ma, indicating similar initiation ages as documented in the Chilean sector. The U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra from samples in the study area reveal similar provenance trends to samples from the Chilean basin sector, with peak age populations at 310 to 260 Ma, 160 to 135 Ma and 110 to 82 Ma. The maximum depositional age of the channel belt in the Argentine sector is 87·8 ± 1·5 Ma and all new geochronology data corroborate an 86 to 80 Ma depositional age for the main Cerro Toro channel belt. Statistical analyses of 7370 beds from nearly 8000 m of new and previously published stratigraphic sections along the entire outcrop belt suggest progressive variations in the down‐system proportion of lithofacies. In the up‐slope region, lithofacies representing mass wasting processes (for example, debris‐flow and mass‐transport deposits) account for ca 29% of the stratigraphic thickness, as opposed to 5% in the down‐slope region of the channel belt, where turbidity current deposits are more prevalent. The proportion of beds >1 m thick also decreases systematically down slope, particularly for conglomeratic turbidite deposits. This work highlights that: (i) the proportion of thick beds and distribution of lithofacies are key down‐system changes in the stratigraphic fill of this deep‐water channel belt; (ii) detrital zircon trends suggest a relatively well‐mixed longitudinal depositional system; and (iii) geochronology of the main Cerro Toro outcrop belt supports but does not necessitate the model of a single, roughly age‐equivalent, channel system. This study has implications for understanding the downslope variability in depositional processes, stratigraphic architecture and reservoir quality of submarine channel systems.     

Discovery of the largest pterosaur from South America

A giant humerus (450 mm total length) belonging to one of the largest pterosaur recorded in South America is described. The specimen (UNCUYO-LD 350) was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous (upper Coniacian – lower Santonian) Plottier Formation of the Mendoza Province, northern Neuquén Basin, Argentina. It was found associated with a smaller pterosaur specimen represented by around thirty postcranial bones. The specimen is assigned to Tapejaroidea and show characters of both Tapejaridae and Azhdarchidae. Based on comparisions with other Azdharchidae species, a wingspan of 9.1 m is estimated for UNCUYO-LD 350, showing that giant pterosaurs were present in South America during the Upper Cretaceous.     

A new tree fern stem,Tempskya zhangii sp. nov. (Tempskyaceae) from the Cretaceous of Northeast China

A new Cretaceous tree fern species from the family Tempskyaceae, Tempskya zhangii sp. nov., from Keshan County, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, is described based on silicified fragments. The species is characterized by dichotomizing stems embedded in a matrix of adventitious roots, together forming a solid and compact false trunk. The dorsiventral stems are composed of solenosteles, and their internodes are short with 2–3 (rarely 4) leaf traces. A three-layered cortex includes a sclerenchymatous outer zone, parenchymatous middle zone, and an inner zone composed of sclerenchyma band and parenchyma cells. The pith consists of a parenchymatous outer zone and sclerenchymatous inner zone. The petiole has a single C- or U-shaped vascular strand. The adventitious root has diarch xylem surrounded by an inner sclerenchymatous and an outer parenchymatous cortex. In possessing these characters, T. zhangii is more similar to T. wyomingensis from the Cretaceous of North America than to other species of Tempskya. However, the Chinese species distinctly differs from T. wyomingensis in having a sclerenchymatous outer cortex, parenchymatous middle cortex, and sparse parenchyma in the xylem. It is the first record of Tempskya from China and the fourth from Asia. This species, together with Cyatheaceae, Osmundaceae, Cycadeoidaceae, and conifers found in the same region constituted the plant community at the time.     

松辽盆地大陆深部科学钻探2号井完井暨学术研讨现场会召开

正2018年5月26日,自然资源部中国地质调查局在黑龙江省安达市松科二井工程现场召开大陆科学钻探工程(松科二井)完井暨学术研讨现场会。中国地质学会常务副理事长兼秘书长、自然资源部中国地质调查局副局长、松科二井工程领导小组组长李金发宣布松辽盆地大陆深部科学钻探工     

柴达木盆地鱼卡地区中侏罗统石门沟组砂岩碎屑组分特征及其物源构造环境分析

利用砂岩碎屑骨架成分统计和碎屑颗粒结构特征分析,研究柴达木盆地北缘鱼卡地区中侏罗统石门沟组碎屑岩的源岩类型及其构造环境。石门沟组砂岩成分成熟度中等、结构成熟度较低,具有近源物源的特点。砂岩碎屑骨架成分统计结果表明石门沟组的物源区构造背景属于再旋回造山带。结合柴达木盆地北缘中侏罗统古地理特征,确认鱼卡地区石门沟组物源区为祁连山造山带。砂岩碎屑组分可能来自于南祁连山上石炭世宗务隆山群火山岩和达肯达坂山群变质岩。     

高密度电法在草炭土分布特征调查中的应用

为了更好的研究草炭土湿地基本信息,获取草炭土分布特征,选择吉林省东部沼泽草炭土湿地为研究对象,运用高密度电阻率法,对比不同装置下探测结果的差异,再与已知的探槽资料做对比,得出温纳—施伦贝格装置为最可靠、最合理的探测装置。再将该装置运用到其他草炭土地区,得出对草炭土湿地的探测为浅层地质问题,草炭土的视电阻率为50~300Ω·m,深度为1.2~3.9 m,在反演图像中表现为低阻体部分,各地层间层状结构明显,电性界限分明。     

黑龙江东部延兴盆地下白垩统城子河组沉积时期古环境恢复

为恢复延兴盆地城子河组的古环境,对研究区zk6井钻井岩芯系统取样进行地球化学特征分析,结果显示下部含煤岩段Sr/Ba比值为0.20~0.75,平均值为0.41,上部湖泊泥岩段Sr/Ba比值为0.12~0.36,平均值为0.21,反映城子河组整体以淡水沉积为主,且下部含煤岩段较上部湖泊泥岩段盐度高。城子河组所有样品V/（V+Ni）比值为0.72~0.84,Cu/Zn比值为0.10~0.55,Th/U比值为0.28~3.60,δEu值为0.4~0.84,Ce_anom值为-0.04~0.09,表明城子河组沉积时期水体为还原环境;下部含煤岩段Sr/Cu比值为5.87~24.12,平均值为11.21,B元素含量为232.60×10-6~721.00×10-6,平均值为425.75×10-6。上部湖泊泥岩段Sr/Cu比值为3.56~10.50,平均值为6.00,B元素含量为23.69×10-6~119.00×10-6,平均值为78.36×10-6,结合Rb/Sr及孢粉化石分析,表明城子河组下部含煤岩段气候干旱,湖泊泥岩段气候湿润,总体上气候自下而上具有由干旱向湿润变化的规律。     

准中1区三工河组二段低孔渗储层特征及主控因素

通过岩芯观察、测井和录井资料、铸体薄片观察,研究准中1区三工河组二段储层特征及致密化因素。研究表明,储层砂体发育于水下分流河道、河口砂坝和远沙坝;储集岩以长石岩屑砂岩、岩屑砂岩为主;储集空间以次生溶孔为主,含少量原生孔隙,为孔缝型储层。储层受原生沉积相和后生成岩作用改造的双重控制。强烈的压实作用、钙质胶结是导致储层致密的主要因素,后期深埋溶蚀则是储层得以改造的关键控制因素。优质储层主要发育于水下分流河道,表现为粗粒、弱压实、弱钙质胶结、强溶蚀微观特征。     

黑龙江省勃利盆地东部坳陷下白垩统穆棱组古环境恢复

勃利盆地东部坳陷下白垩统穆棱组暗色泥岩发育,通过对勃利盆地Zk2钻井岩芯观察及对暗色泥岩样品进行稀土、微量元素含量变化的分析,恢复了穆棱组沉积时期的古环境。结果显示:研究区穆棱组沉积相以三角洲平原、三角洲前缘和半深湖沉积亚相为主,穆棱组沉积初期气候特征以温暖湿润为主,中期气候变为半湿半干,盐度增加但仍是淡水沉积环境,穆棱组中晚期气候由干旱炎热气候逐步变为温暖湿润气候。穆棱组沉积时期气候总体呈温暖湿润-半湿半干-温暖湿润变化的规律。