Palynology of the circum-mediterranean triassic: Phytogeographical and palaeoclimatological implications

Following a tentative evaluation of palynological information from Ladinian and, more particularly, Karnian successions, there seems to be every indication that qualitative and quantitative compositional differences of palynological assemblages could well be applied in testing concepts of Triassic phytogeography and palaeoclimatology. The following implications are emphasized:

1. There is sufficient palynological evidence that the Mediterranean region includes a domain of mixed northern (Laurasian) and southern (Gondwana) types of floras.
2. The concept of an essentially arid nature of a wide equatorial climatic belt during Triassic times finds palynological support.
3. Palynological evidence does not contradict a concept of pronounced decrease in precipitation towards the western part of the Mediterranean region.
4. In Europe, occurrences of hygrophytic palynofloras and coals within an arid climatic zone can be explained by the water-supply of extensive river-systems.

     

An alternative model for silica enrichment in the Kaapvaal subcontinental lithospheric mantle

The Mg- and Si-rich nature of the sub-cratonic lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath the Kaapvaal Craton indicates extensive melt depletion, followed by a Si-enrichment process. Six highly silica enriched peridotites from Kimberley containing high amounts of orthopyroxene (Opx) or garnet (Grt) that are locally concentrated in clots, were investigated to constrain the timing and nature of the Si-enrichment process. A clinopyroxene-bearing lherzolite containing an Opx-clot was studied to quantify the effects of recent metasomatism on the Si-enriched samples. Minerals from the lherzolite, together with Opx from harzburgites and Opx- and Grt-clots have Hf-Nd isotope ratios at the time of kimberlite eruption, 90 Ma, comparable to group I kimberlites and are close to trace element equilibrium with kimberlitic melts. This implies the xenoliths underwent major interaction with kimberlitic melts close to the time of kimberlite eruption.Harzburgites and mineral clots record equilibration pressures and temperatures of, respectively, between 3.5-4.3 GPa and 930-1060 °C. The garnets in Opx-clots have low Lu/Hf and ε_Hf(t) −15, whereas garnets from Grt-clots have high Lu/Hf and ε_Hf(t) +10. In contrast, Grt from both Grt- and Opx-clots have low Sm/Nd and ε_Nd −10. The whole rock platinum group element (PGE) concentrations are an order of magnitude higher in the Grt-clot than the Opx-clot. Measured ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os range from 0.1085 to 0.1222. The Grt-clot bearing sample yields Nd-Hf-Os isotope model ages that suggest formation in the Neoproterozoic (∼650 Ma). In contrast, an Opx-clot yields T_RD ages of 2.8 Ga, which is interpreted as the time of formation of the host harzburgite. The Opx-clots and host harzburgites have comparable Lu-Hf isotope systematics that imply Opx growth at ∼1.3 Ga and hence their formation is not related to the Grt-clots.Garnets from Opx- and Grt-clots have elevated high-field strength element (HFSE) concentrations, and lack HFSE depletion relative to other trace elements with comparable degrees of incompatibility in the mantle (La/Nb < 0.5). In addition, calculated melts in equilibrium with Grt have strongly fractionated REE (Nd/Yb > 300) and HREE depletion (Yb_N < 0.1) suggesting equilibration with a hydrous melt that is more HREE depleted than a kimberlitic melt. Previous models that related Si-enrichment to subduction are inconsistent with the lack of HFSE depletion (La/Nb < 0.5). Therefore the favoured model for Opx- and Grt-clot formation is infiltration of a hydrous melt in a within plate geodynamical environment associated with volcanism in the Mid-proterozoic and Neoproterozoic, respectively. This implies that Si-enrichment of the Kaapvaal SCLM may be a consequence of numerous localised magmatic events rather than a single craton-wide process.     

A mixed mid-Permian marine fauna from the Yanji area, northeastern China: A paleobiogeographical reinterpretation

Abstract Paleobiogeographically mixed marine faunas have been well recognized from many Permian marine sequences in northeast China. These mixed faunas are normally associated with Monodiexodina fusulinid assemblages. The mixed faunas are characterized by an admixture of both paleo-tropical Cathaysian taxa and cool-temperate elements. In addition, endemic taxa, especially at a specific level, and anti-tropical forms, are also very distinctive.
Previously, the presence of anti-tropical taxa in these mixed faunas has been used to argue that some of the northeast Asian terranes may have originated from northern Gondwana during the Permian, where they may have been m close proximity to Tibet. However, this interpretation is contrasted by the view offered in this paper. It is argued that the anti-tropical distribution of marine taxa is a normal, predictable biogeographical phenomenon that is probably controlled by certain climatic conditions. Permian anti-tropicality seems to have occurred most strongly during the Late Artinskian to Ufimian, probably in association with the presence of distinct mesothermal climatic zones at the time. In the present study we report a mixed mid-Permian marine fauna (fusulinids and brachiopods) from the Dasuangou Formation of the Yanji area in the eastern Jilin Province of northeast China, and discuss its possible origin in the context of Permian paleogeography and the climates of eastern Pangea.     

Petrology and geochemistry of igneous inclusions in recent Merapi deposits: a window into the sub-volcanic plumbing system

Recent basaltic-andesite lavas from Merapi volcano contain abundant and varied igneous inclusions suggesting a complex sub-volcanic magmatic system for Merapi volcano. In order to better understand the processes occurring beneath Merapi, we have studied this suite of inclusions by petrography, geochemistry and geobarometric calculations. The inclusions may be classified into four main suites: (1) highly crystalline basaltic-andesite inclusions, (2) co-magmatic enclaves, (3) plutonic crystalline inclusions and (4) amphibole megacrysts. Highly crystalline basaltic-andesite inclusions and co-magmatic enclaves typically display liquid–liquid relationships with their host rocks, indicating mixing and mingling of distinct magmas. Co-magmatic enclaves are basaltic in composition and occasionally display chilled margins, whereas highly crystalline basaltic-andesite inclusions usually lack chilling. Plutonic inclusions have variable grain sizes and occasionally possess crystal layering with a spectrum of compositions spanning from gabbro to diorite. Plagioclase, pyroxene and amphibole are the dominant phases present in both the inclusions and the host lavas. Mineral compositions of the inclusions largely overlap with compositions of minerals in recent and historic basaltic-andesites and the enclaves they contain, indicating a cognate or ‘antelithic’ nature for most of the plutonic inclusions. Many of the plutonic inclusions plot together with the host basaltic-andesites along fractional crystallisation trends from parental basalt to andesite compositions. Results for mineral geobarometry on the inclusions suggest a crystallisation history for the plutonic inclusions and the recent and historic Merapi magmas that spans the full depth of the crust, indicating a multi-chamber magma system with high amounts of semi-molten crystalline mush. There, crystallisation, crystal accumulation, magma mixing and mafic recharge take place. Comparison of the barometric results with whole rock Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope data for the inclusions suggests input of crustal material as magma ascends from depth, with a significant late addition of sedimentary material from the uppermost crust. The type of multi-chamber plumbing system envisaged contains large portions of crystal mush and provides ample opportunity to recycle the magmatic crystalline roots as well as interact with the surrounding host lithologies.     

Textural history of recent basaltic-andesites and plutonic inclusions from Merapi volcano

Mt. Merapi in Central Java is one of the most active stratovolcanoes on Earth and is underlain by a multistage plumbing system. Crystal size distribution analyses (CSD) were carried out on recent Merapi basaltic-andesites and co-eruptive magmatic and plutonic inclusions to characterise the crystallisation processes that operate during storage and ascent and to obtain information on respective time scales. The basaltic-andesites exhibit log-linear, kinked-upwards CSD curves for plagioclase and clinopyroxene that can be separated into two main textural populations. Large plagioclase phenocrysts (≥1.6 mm) make up one population, but correspond to crystals with variable geochemical composition and reflect a period of crystal growth at deep to mid-crustal levels. This population was subsequently influenced by crystal accumulation and the onset of crustal assimilation, including the incorporation of high-Ca skarn-derived xenocrysts. Textural re-equilibration is required for these crystals to form a single population in CSD. A second episode of crystal growth at shallower levels is represented by chemically homogenous plagioclase crystals <1.6 mm in size. Crustal assimilation is indicated by, for example, oxygen isotopes and based on the CSD data, crystallisation combined with contamination is likely semi-continuous in these upper crustal storage chambers. The CSD data observed in the basaltic-andesite samples are remarkably consistent and require a large-volume steady state magmatic system beneath Merapi in which late textural equilibration plays a significant role. Plagioclase CSDs of co-eruptive magmatic and plutonic inclusions may contain a third crystal population (<1 mm) not found in the lavas. This third population has probably formed from enhanced degassing of portions of basaltic-andesite magma at shallow crustal levels which resulted in increased crystallinity and basaltic-andesite mush inclusions. A suite of coarse plutonic inclusions is also present that reflects crystallisation and accumulation of crystals in the deep Merapi plumbing system, as deduced from CSD patterns and mineral assemblages.