Structural evolution of a salt-cored,domed, reactivated fault complex,Jebel Madar,Oman

Fault and fracture patterns associated with domal structures are observed around the world both at outcrop and in the subsurface. However, the structural evolution of domes and the influence of previous fault and fracture sets are not yet fully understood. This study provides the first structural evolution analysis of Jebel Madar, a domal outcrop in the Adam Foothills of Northern Oman, and evaluates the role of multiple local tectonic events and the associated salt diapirism on fracture and fault distribution pattern development of a salt-cored domal outcrop.Analyses at Jebel Madar suggest that three local tectonic events with different stress regimes that are tentatively linked to three regional tectonic events resulted in a salt-cored, domed, reactivated fault complex: 1) initial dome-formation and NE–SW oriented mode 1 opening fractures and subsequent grabens; 2) E–W oriented dextral strike-slip faulting; and 3) reactivation and inversion of faults, and final dome formation. Salt emplacement is associated with the first and last tectonic events.This integrated study highlights the complicated evolution of fault and fracture distribution patterns at a salt-cored dome. Caution is therefore required in interpretation of similar structural patterns on top of and around salt-cored domes.     

Mineralogical and Geochemical Constraints on the Genesis of the Carbonate‐Hosted Jebel Ghozlane Pb–Zn Deposit (Nappe Zone,Northern Tunisia)

The Pb–Zn deposit at Jebel Ghozlane, in the Nappe zone (northern Tunisia), is hosted by Triassic dolostones and Eocene limestones and is located along faults and a thrust‐sheet boundary. The sulfide mineralization of the deposit consists mainly of galena and sphalerite and occurs as vein, stockwork, breccia, dissemination and replacement ores. Three hydrothermal stages are involved in the formation of the ores: stage I is dominated by celestite‐barite, hydrothermal dolomite DII, colloform sphalerite, and galena I; stage II consist of galena II; and stage III contains calcite. Galena in the deposit yielded average ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.705, 15.667 and 38.734, respectively, suggesting a single upper crustal source reservoir for metals. Trace element data indicate the presence of Zn‐ and As‐free galena and As‐rich galena (with 0.2–0.5% As). Sphalerite contains 0.4% As, 0.7–0.9% Cd and 0.1–1.5% Fe. Microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in celestite shows that the deposit formed from fluids composed of heterogeneous mixtures of saline (19.5 ± 1 wt% NaCl eq.) aqueous solutions sourced from basinal brines, and gaseous CO₂‐rich phases bearing low amounts of CH₄, N₂ and/or H₂S, at temperatures of 172 ± 5°C.     

Social and ecological constraints on decision making by transhumant pastoralists: a case study from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains

Transhumant pastoralism is an important activity in southern Morocco. Migration pattern of transhumant pastoralists can be affected by physical factors (e.g. droughts and diseases) or socioeconomic factors (e.g. schooling options for children and migration costs). We studied the spatio-temporal rangeland usage of the three tribes Ait Mgoun, Ait Zekri, and Ait Toumert in the south-central Atlas region with a two-fold approach. First, we tracked the migration movements of one representative transhumant herd using the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) collars, which record coordinates from satellite signals. Second, we interviewed herders to obtain information about general grazing practices of the respective tribe and to gain more direct information on motivations underlying decisions. For each tribe we observed small-, medium- and large-scale movements. We found that the most important drivers of migration decisions were seasonal fodder availability and weather conditions in combination with herd-specific risk and cost assessment, as well as personal factors. In conclusion, general migration patterns vary in time, both between and within the tribes, but according to a regulatory framework. Moreover, it appears that both the customary rules and its flexible adaptation to physical constraints are generally beneficial in terms of conservation of the arid and semiarid rangeland resources.     

Genesis of the Jurassic Carbonate‐Hosted Pb–Zn Deposits of Jebel Ressas (North‐Eastern Tunisia): Evidence from Mineralogy,Petrography and Trace Metal Contents and Isotope (O,C, S,Pb) Geochemistry

The Jebel Ressas Pb–Zn deposits in North‐Eastern Tunisia occur mainly as open‐space fillings (lodes, tectonic breccia cements) in bioclastic limestones of the Upper Jurassic Ressas Formation and along the contact of this formation with Triassic rocks. The galena–sphalerite association and their alteration products (cerussite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite) are set within a calcite gangue. The Triassic rocks exhibit enrichments in trace metals, namely Pb, Co and Cd enrichment in clays and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Cr enrichment in carbonates, suggesting that the Triassic rocks have interacted with the ore‐bearing fluids associated with the Jebel Ressas Pb–Zn deposits. The δ¹⁸O content of calcite associated with the Pb–Zn mineralization suggests that it is likely to have precipitated from a fluid that was in equilibrium with the Triassic dolostones. The δ³⁴S values in galenas from the Pb–Zn deposits range from ?1.5 to +11.4‰, with an average of 5.9‰ and standard deviation of 3.9‰. These data imply mixing of thermochemically‐reduced heavy sulfur carried in geothermal‐ and fault‐stress‐driven deep‐seated source fluid with bacterially‐reduced light sulfur carried in topography‐driven meteoric fluid. Lead isotope ratios in galenas from the Pb–Zn deposits are homogenous and indicate a single upper crustal source of base‐metals for these deposits. Synthesis of the geochemical data with geological data suggests that the base‐metal mineralization at Jebel Ressas was formed during the Serravallian–Tortonian (or Middle–Late Miocene) Alpine compressional tectonics.     

The ore genesis of the Jebel Mecella and Sidi Taya FBa (ZnPb) Mississippi Valley-type deposits,Fluorite Zaghouan Province,NE Tunisia,in relation to Alpine orogeny: Constraints from geological,sulfur, and lead isotope studies

Jebel Mecella and Sidi Taya F–(BaPbZn) deposits are located within the Fluorite Zaghouan Province (NE Tunisia). The mineralization occurs along the unconformity surface between the Jurassic limestones and Upper Cretaceous rocks. The mineralization consists mainly of fluorite, barite, sphalerite, and galena. The δ³⁴S values of barite at Jebel Mecella (14.8–15.4‰) and at Sidi Taya (21.6–22.2‰) closely match those of the Triassic evaporites and Messinian seawater, respectively. The range of δ³⁴S values of galena and sphalerite in both deposits (?6.9 to +2.4‰) suggests the involvement of thermochemical sulfate reduction and possibly organically-bound sulfur in the generation of sulfur. Lead isotope data with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.893–18.903, 15.684–15.699, and 38.850–38.880, respectively suggests a single homogeneous source reservoir of Paleozoic age and/or the homogenization of the Paleozoic–Cretaceous multireservoir-derived fluids along their long migration paths to the loci of deposition during the Alpine orogeny.     

Morphological analysis of the Sudd region using land survey and remote sensing data

An analysis of the vast wetland of the Sudd swamps in southern Sudan was designed to assess and describe interdependencies between morphology and hydrology. Findings based on field survey and remote sensing data include an assessment of the effect of ground slopes and morphological features on spill and flooding of the seasonally flooded grasslands. Through bathymetric surveys and analysis of Landsat images, depth profiles and cross‐sectional depth and flow distributions were established. Data from remote sensing, field survey and historical sources were correlated and correction factors established; the SRTM was found to be partly unsuitable for further assessments. Further analysis of remote sensing data was used to investigate the Sudd's inland delta as well as the question of spill into the Bahr el Ghazal basin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Petrography,mineralogy and geochemistry of the Late Eocene oolitic ironstones of the Jebel Ank,Southern Tunisian Atlas

The oolitic ironstones ore deposit of Jebel Ank (central Tunisia), is a simply folded stratiform ore body of about 2.5–8 m thickness located in the upper part of the epicontinental Souar Formation (Late Eocene) and is covered by the continental Segui Formation (Mio-Pliocene). The deposit contains about 20 Mt of ore with an average grade of 50% Fe. Generally, oolitic iron deposition occurs in shallow water lagoonal environments. The Jebel Ank deposit lies between two regional disconformities (Late Eocene and Miocene), and is evidence of a transitional stage at the end of regional regression before renewed transgression. The footwall of the oolitic iron ore-bearing bed consists of a fine-grained sandstone bed (10–20 cm-thick) pinching out laterally westward into green clays. The hanging wall is composed of thin-bedded limestone and clay alternations (2–3.5 m-thick).Iron occurs in the form of cryptocrystalline goethite with limited Al-Fe substitution. The goethite contains around 48% Fe, 5% Al and up to 1.5% P. Jarosite, alunite and manganese minerals (cryptomelane, psilomelane and manjiorite) are supergene secondary minerals, probably related to descending surface fluids. These manganese minerals occur as accessory minerals with the goethite and are most abundant at the lowermost part of the succession showing varied morphologies (local cement, space filling and free centimeter sized nodules). Fe-oolites in the deposit are similar to those documented in many other oolitic ironstone deposits. The dominant Fe-oolite type (>90%) has a concentrically laminated cortex with no nucleus. The nuclei of the oolites that do have a nucleus are most commonly detrital quartz grains.Major elements in high grade samples (Fe₂O₃ > 65%) vary within a limited range and show higher concentrations of SiO₂ (average 7.85%) and Al₂O₃ (average 5.1%), with minor TiO₂, MnO, MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, and SO₃ (less than 1%). PAAS-normalized trace elements of bulk samples and Fe-oolite generally show similar behavior, both are enriched in V, Co, Ni, Mo, As, Zn, and Y and are depleted in Cu, Rb, Zr, Nb, Ba, and Hf. Anomalous V, Cr, Ni, Zn, and REE-Y are correlated with goethite. PAAS-normalized REE-Y patterns of both bulk samples and Fe-oolite show slight HREE enrichment, positive Ce with negative Y anomalies.The mineralogy (goethite and cryptomelane) along with the geochemistry (Si vs. Al; As + Cu + Mo + Pb + V + Zn vs. Ni + Co binary plots; Zn–Ni–Co triangular diagram, REE-Y content and patterns and Ce/Ce¹ vs. Nd and Ce/Ce¹ vs. Y_N/Ho_N binary plots) of the studied oolitic ironstone are congruent with a hydrogenetic type. While two possible sources of iron for Jebel Ank ironstone can be proposed: (i) submarine weathering of glauconite-rich sandstone and (ii) detrital iron from adjacent continental hinterland, the later is the more plausible source of iron, based on paleogeographic setting, the occurrence of fine sandstone underlying the iron level, occurrence of Mn-ores in the lower part of the Fe-ores succession, high phosphorous, zinc, ∑REE-Y concentrations and Y/Ho ratios, and low La/Ce ratios.     

Le domaine Tariquide (arc de Gibraltar,Espagne et Maroc) : succession sédimentaire et événements structuraux au Lias et au Dogger

The Lias–Dogger successions of the Tariquide units in the Gibraltar Arc differ from the series of tectonically adjacent units, the Penibetic (Iberia margin) and the Limestone ‘Dorsale’ (Alboran Domain). Lower Lias limestones are eroded and covered by the Domerian, which starts by deposits of open sea, continuous up to the Dogger (J. Musa-type successions), and elsewhere (Los Pastores-type successions) by a thin series (Upper Lias to Upper Dogger), starting by a manganesiferous episode (Ras Leona) and including marls deposited into three episodes, dated by calcareous nannofossils. Faulting events occurred before the Domerian and during the Late Toarcian (Los Pastores). To cite this article: M. Durand-Delga et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).