Slump-initiated and controlled syndepositional sandstone remobilization: an example from the Namurian of County Clare, Ireland

Remobilization of sandstones can dramatically reconfigure original depositional geometries and results in very unusually shaped sandstones, which resemble little, if any, of the original geometry. A number of deformational sandstone bodies, dykes and volcanoes from the upper part of the Carboniferous Ross Formation are described, which offer the opportunity to examine a suite of field-scale reconfigured sandstones. These structures are located in close proximity to the Ross Slide, which outcrops along a 2-km section on the northern coast of the Loop Head Peninsula, County Clare, Ireland. Dome- and ridge-shaped deformational sandstone bodies, dykes and volcanoes are interpreted to be the product of remobilization of a turbiditic sandstone. Liquification and remobilization were triggered by translation, cessation and loading of the underlying turbiditic sandstone by the Ross Slide. Deformational sand body, dyke and volcano development occurred in an asynchronous fashion with deformational sand bodies formed during slump translation. Sand dykes and volcanoes developed after the cessation of slump movement. During slump translation, the minimum principal stress (σ₃) was orientated vertically and the slump behaved in a `ductile' manner. After slump arrest, the minimum principal stress was oriented horizontally, and the unit regained shear strength to behave in a `brittle' manner. The relative change in rheological states with changing applied shear stress is indicative of thixotropic-like behaviour within the slump mass. Ridge-shaped deformational sand bodies are aligned parallel to slump folds, and their morphology is inferred to be controlled by compressional slump deformation associated with heterogeneous cessation of slump movement that was initiated by frontal arrest of the translating mass.     

Allocycles and Autocycles in the Upper Part of the Limestone Coal Group (Pendleian E1) in the Glasgow–Stirling Region of the Midland Valley of Scotland

The upper part of the Limestone Coal Group (Pendleian E₁), between the major marine transgressions of the Black Metals and the Index Limestone, represents an early example of ‘coal measures’ facies. It comprises a distal and a proximal facies association. The distal facies association, which was subject to relatively strong marine influences and included both deltaic and fluvial elements, is characterized by a regular ‘layer-cake’ succession with laterally-persistent lithological members. By contrast, the proximal association, which was more subject to fluvial influences and is typified by the variable Bannockburn Main Complex, is characterized by abrupt lateral changes in lithofacies. The distal facies association is dominant in the west of the Kilsyth Trough, but proximal facies intercalations increase eastwards, so that they constitute a fairly high proportion of the succession in the Kincardine Basin, particularly in areas of locally-increased tectonic subsidence that were frequently occupied by major channel belts. Some of the sheet sandstones within the distal association have a lower, upward-coarsening portion succeeded by a coarser-grained, erosive-based, upward-fining portion. The resulting ‘two-storey’ profile may reflect deltaic sand bodies having been suceeded by fluvial sand bodies, following a general fall in base level. Linear regression lines showing the relationship between the number of horizons colonized by vegetation and net subsidence, suggest that local autocyclic, tectonosedimentary processes, such as delta switching, channel migration, and avulsion, were superimposed upon a widespread allocyclic, probably glacial-eustatic, process. The former processes were most effective within the proximal facies association and in the Kincardine Basin and the latter in the distal association and the Kilsyth Trough.     

The carboniferous lithostratigraphy of Southeast County Limerick,Ireland, and the origin of the shannon trough

The Carboniferous succession in southeast County Limerick, on the southeastern margin of the Shannon Trough, is Courceyan to mid-Namurian in age and over 1900 m thick. The lithostratigraphy is described in detail. Its most important aspect is the presence of two thick volcanic sequences, a Chadian one of the alkali basalt to trachyte suite and one of Asbian age dominated by limburgites and ankaramites. The associated Dinantian carbonates are of shelf or ramp facies throughout, and no fundamental division into shelf and basin facies occurs as in the Dublin and Craven Basins in early Viséan times. Rapid differential subsidence between this area and the Shannon Estuary began during deposition of the late Courceyan to early Chadian Waulsortian facies but was less marked in the remaining Viséan when much of the volcanic topography was preserved by rapid basinal subsidence. There was basinal inversion in the late Dinantian to lower Namurian, followed by renewed subsidence in mid-Namurian times. This contrasts with the continuous rapid subsidence of the area further west on the Shannon Estuary. This behaviour, together with a comparison of that of nearby Carboniferous basins such as the Dublin, South Munster, and Craven Basins, which lack substantial volcanic sequences, suggests an origin in a transtensional regime rather than one of simple crustal stretching.     

The Roaches and Ashover Grits: sequence stratigraphic interpretation of a ‘turbidite-fronted delta’ system

A single Upper Carboniferous fluvio-deltaic cycle (Namurian, R₂b5) in the south part of the Pennine Basin of northern England has been reinterpreted using a sequence stratigraphic approach. In upward succession the deposits comprise basinal mudstones, localized thick density current deposits, delta slope deposits and delta-top sandstones, followed abruptly by basinal mudstones. Earlier interpretations linked these elements with a single, mainly regressive, cycle, referred to as a turbidite-fronted delta. Recent evidence for strong glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations in the Namurian suggests that it is unlikely that the previous simple model can explain the spatial arrangement of all the lithological units. This paper attempts to identify elements of the Exxon sequence stratigraphic model, in which changes of sea level are an essential part. The basinal mudstones represent deep-water deposition and imply a highstand of sea level. Thick density current deposits are now known to be localized close to the basinward limit of delta progradation, so cannot be seen as a ubiquitous component of the depositional system. They may form a detached fan, or a fan located at the foot of the delta slope. Slope siltstones include turbidite-like sandstones, but these are interbedded with tractional sandstones and Pelecypodichnus trace fossils, giving no clear indication of water depth. The delta-top sandstones, some coarse and pebbly, can in places be shown to consist of two parts separated by a significant erosion surface now regarded as a type 1 sequence boundary. The erosion surface is locally incised about 80 m into the delta deposits, forming a major palaeovalley. Giant cross-beds (foresets 20 m thick) forming part of the palaeovalley fill are restricted to the basinward end of this feature. A curve of relative sea level inferred for the R₂b5 interval suggests a fourth-order cycle in which two sharp rises are separated by a gradual fall. Possible minor (fifth-order) rises and falls may be superimposed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Problems correlating the late Brigantian–Arnsbergian Western European substages within northern England

A detailed study of foraminiferal assemblages recorded in limestones from northern England in the Stainmore Trough and Alston Block permits their assignment to different European substages than in previous studies. Comparisons with foraminiferal assemblages, mostly from Russia, allow the biozonations to be correlated with the Viséan, Serpukhovian and Bashkirian international stages, as well as with the Russian (and Ukrainian) substages for the Serpukhovian (Tarussian, Steshevian, Protvian and Zapaltyubian). The Scar Limestone and Five Yard Limestone Members are assigned to the Tarussian and, thus, represent the lowermost part of the formal Serpukhovian Stage. This new correlation coincides closely with the first occurrence of the conodont Lochriea ziegleri from levels equivalent to the Single Post Limestone that could potentially form the revised base for the Serpukhovian. The Three Yard Limestone Member is correlated with the base of the Steshevian substage which also includes the Four Fathom Limestone Member, Great Limestone Member and Little Limestone. The base of the Protvian is considered to lie within the Crag Limestone, whereas the Rookhope Shell Band contains foraminiferal assemblages more typical of the Zapaltyubian in the Ukraine and Chernyshevkian in the Urals. Assemblages of the Upper Fell Top Limestone and Grindstone/Botany Limestones contain foraminiferal species that have been used for the recognition of the Bashkirian elsewhere. There is no other fossil group which allows the calibration of those foraminiferal assemblages, because ammonoids are virtually absent in the shallow‐water cyclothemic successions and conodonts have not been studied in detail in this region. The Mid‐Carboniferous boundary and the Voznessenian substage might be reasonably located below the Upper Fell Top Limestone. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

北祁连山东段晚石炭世巴什基尔期植物群 ——兼论华夏植物群起源中心

北祁连山东段纳缪尔晚期(相当于巴什基尔期)植物群,共33属95种植物,其中地方性的土著分子(属、种)占有整个植物群总数的80%以上,华夏植物群(Cathaysia Flora)的典型特征分子较多,如①东方型鳞木类占植物群总数的25%左右,包括从早石炭世延续下来的华夏木(Cathaysiodendron)、多种东方型鳞木(Lepidodendron)、窝木(Bothrodendron)及扁圆封印木(Sigillaria brardii);②由晚泥盆世开始出现的龙潭楔叶(Sphenophyllum lungtanense)、长沙楔叶?(Sphenophyllum?(Tetrafolia)changshaense)、早石炭世的靖远楔叶(Sphenophyllum jingyuanense)到纳缪尔晚期的微缺楔叶(Sphenophyllum emarginatum),这类具有长楔形叶的植物出现得比欧美地区早许多,可能是二叠纪瓣轮叶(Lobatannularia)的最早祖先;③齿叶属(Tingia)在早石炭世晚期已经出现,到纳缪尔晚期(红土洼组)已有三种之多,加上贝叶属(Conchophyllum),这两属一直被认为是华夏植物群的典型代表;④多种早石炭世中、晚期繁盛的真蕨类植物偶脉羊齿(Paripteris)及网羊齿(Linopteris)到晚石炭世早、中期仍十分发育,是华夏植物群早期最显著的特征;⑤早石炭世的畸羊齿(Mariopteris(Karinopteris))继续发育,而后可能演化成大羽羊齿类植物(Gigantopterids)的先祖。本文通过对比研究证实,北祁连山东段的纳缪尔晚期植物群已经进入华夏植物群的早期演化阶段;自从晚泥盆世的沙流水组开始,先后经历了早石炭世的臭牛沟组,靖远组及晚石炭世红土洼组和羊虎沟组(本溪组)代表了前华夏植物群(Procathaysian Flora)演替为华夏植物群的关键地质时期。北祁连山东段亦成为前华夏植物群和华夏植物群早期发育、繁盛之地区,在纳缪尔期可能是华夏植物群的起源和早期演化中心。     

宁夏纳缪尔期含鱼地层新知

宁夏石炭纪纳缪尔期地层为海陆交互相，富含植物、海生无脊椎动物化石。在这套地层的上部首次发现了保存完整的鱼化石，为该套地层划分对比及沉积环境的恢复提供了新的证据。这一鱼群化石在中国石炭纪亦是首次发现。初步研究表明，该鱼群包括古鳕类（palaeoniscoids)和软骨鱼类中的近似于Listracanthus化石。根据埋藏特征推断，这些鱼类的沉积环境为近岸滨海，但可能非原地沉积。建议在宁夏采用土坡组作为岩石地层单位来代表本区原定为“靖远组”和“红土洼组”的地层，而仅将靖远阶作为年代地层单位。     

宁夏中卫、中宁地区纳缪尔期贫氧生物相特征

宁夏中卫、中宁地区纳缪尔期动物群以游移的软体动物为主,伴以底栖固着的珊瑚、苔藓动物、腕足类和棘皮动物;个体小;具有以食肉或食腐肉及食沉积物为主的独特营养结构,食悬浮物的滤食性生物较少;有些化石已黄铁矿化。上述特征均直接与贫氧环境的含氧度低有关。根据岩石学特征分析,本区纳缪尔期的古地理环境为温暖、贫氧、盐度不稳定、水动力较弱、能量较小的浅海深水盆地。     

L'écaille des Gaux (Ardennes beiges): un exemple d'évolution tectono-sédimentaire complexe lors du développement d'un pli de propagation

The kinematics of internal structuration in the Gaux thrust sheet (Charleroi Coal basin; Belgium) is explained with the help of a geometric model. This model is controlled by the distribution of Landelies red breccia outcrops that was syntectonically deposited, probably during the Namurian. We suggest that the tectono-sedimentary evolution was controlled by (1) the growth of a Fault-propagation fold, (2) the formation of collapse structures and (3) localized interbed extension.

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L'écaille des Gaux (Ardennes beiges): un exemple d'évolution tectono-sédimentaire complexe lors du développement d'un pli de propagation

     

辽南金州本溪组下部植物(孢粉)化石的发现

研究了发现于辽南金州地区本溪组下部的植物化石 6属 9种及孢粉化石 15属 2 2种 ,确认其时代为纳缪尔A期 ,较辽东太子河流域本溪组下部发现的植物 (孢粉 )化石的发育时代 (维宪期至纳缪尔 A期 )略晚。这一发现不仅在古植物学和地层学上 ,而且在古地理学及古构造研究等方面都具有重要意义。