Deformation styles as a key for interpreting glacial depositional environments

Lithostratigraphical and lithofacies approaches used to interpret glacial sediments often ignore deformation structures that can provide the key to environment of formation. We propose a classification of deformation styles based on the geometry of structures rather than inferred environment of formation. Five styles are recognised: pure shear (P), simple shear (S), compressional (C), vertical (V) and undeformed (U). These dictate the first letter of the codes; the remaining letters conveying the evidence. This information can be used to reconstruct palaeostress fields and to infer physical properties of sediments when they deformed. Individual structures are not diagnostic of particular environments but the suite of structures, their relative scale, stratigraphical relationships, and orientation relative to palaeoslopes and to palaeoice‐flow directions can be used to infer the environment in which they formed. This scheme is applied at five sites in west Wales. The typical succession is interpreted as subglacial sediments overlain by meltout tills, flow tills and sediment flows. Paraglacial redistribution of glacial sediments is widespread. Large‐scale compressional deformation is restricted to sites where glaciers readvanced. Large‐scale vertical deformation occurs where water was locally ponded near the ice margin. There is no evidence for glaciomarine conditions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anomalous geochemical provenance and weathering history of Plio-Pleistocene glaciomarine fjord strata, Bardin Bluffs Formation, East Antarctica

Major and trace element chemical analyses of the Plio‐Pleistocene Bardin Bluffs Formation, on the margin of a major ice‐stream of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, yield an anomalous chemically altered sediment composition. The Bardin Bluffs Formation of the Pagodroma Group is one of the key deposits on the Antarctic continent recording glaciomarine sedimentation under open marine fjord conditions as recently as the Plio‐Pleistocene. In modern fjords occupied by outlet glaciers of ice sheets, the composition of fine‐grained terrigenous sediments approaches that of unweathered rock types exposed upstream. In the Bardin Bluffs Formation, average abundances of stable elements (Ti, Al, Zr) approach average upper crustal compositions and the element ratios are consistent with sediments with a cratonic source, implying glacial dispersal from a large shield area through the Lambert Glacier drainage system. Interestingly, the chemical index of alteration (CIA) of these sediments has values similar to those of average shales formed under conditions of chemical weathering. The sediments are particularly depleted in silicate Ca, which has been observed elsewhere in glacial muds sourced from pre‐glacial saprolites. The anomalous chemistry of the Bardin Bluffs Formation can be explained by a sequence of events, involving chemical weathering prior to glacial expansion and erosion. The presence of a remnant 1·5 m deep late Neogene weathering profile at the base of the Bardin Bluffs sequence corroborates this conclusion. Supply of large quantities of chemically weathered materials to Antarctic marginal basins requires at least partial deglaciation of the continent and was previously regarded as uncharacteristic for late Neogene Antarctica.     

The magmatic–hydrothermal transition—evidence from quartz phenocryst textures and endoskarn abundance in Cu–Zn skarns at the Empire Mine, Idaho, USA

Information about the magmatic to hydrothermal transition is preserved in late-stage features of quartz phenocrysts and endoskarn alteration in some Cu–Zn skarn deposits such as the Empire Mine in Idaho. Important features include: (1) quartz phenocrysts with strong resorption textures such as vermicular zones of igneous groundmass cutting primary quartz cathodoluminescence banding, (2) anomalous amounts of endoskarn (more than 50% of mineralized rock), (3) high F activities as evidenced by fluorite as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks, in alteration assemblages, and in fluid inclusions and by high F in hydroxyl sites in igneous biotite and amphibole, and (4) direct association of Zn, which normally is deposited distally at low temperature, with Cu in proximal locations and in endoskarn. These features are explained by the following model: (1) F lowers the solidus temperature of the magma, thus changing the timing, temperature, and duration of hydrothermal fluid exsolution. (2) Upon magmatic vapor saturation the F-rich hydrothermal fluids form bubbles that adhere to quartz phenocrysts and chemically corrode/tunnel into the quartz forming vermicular resorption textures. (3) F-rich hydrothermal fluids also promote the formation of endoskarn; silicic rocks are attacked by F-rich fluids in the same sense that carbonate wall rocks are dissolved by weakly to moderately acidic hydrothermal fluids. (4) Low fluid exsolution temperature facilitated by high F activity promotes high Zn/Cu ratios in proximal locations due to the solubility of Zn relative to Cu at lower temperatures. This model may be applicable at other localities such as the world-class Cu–Zn skarn Antamina mine, as well as some tin and rapakivi granites.     

湘东南—赣西地区加里东期沉积演化特征

通过对研究区加里东期沉积物的野外地质调查、剖面横向对比和岩相古地理编图,发现研究区加里东期主要发育五种沉积相类型,分别为碳酸盐岩陆棚相、碎屑岩—碳酸盐岩混积陆棚相、冰海相、欠补偿型硅质岩—页岩盆地相和补偿型浊积岩盆地相。剖面横向对比显示,研究区加里东期沉积物由西向东为连续相变沉积,横向上各种沉积相指状交叉、相互过渡;岩相古地理研究表明,加里东期湘东南—赣西地区主要发育硅质岩—页岩盆地相和浊积岩盆地相两大相带,从南华纪—奥陶纪时期两大相带的发育规模略有差异,在两大相带的结合部往往发育两种沉积相的交叉过渡带。笔者认为该区沉积相的过渡性质对探讨华南洋加里东期属性的问题有重要意义。     

Weichselian sediments at Foss‐Eikeland,Jæren (southwest Norway): sea‐level changes and glaciation history

The Jæren area in southwestern Norway has experienced great changes in sea‐levels and sedimentary environments during the Weichselian, and some of these changes are recorded at Foss‐Eikeland. Four diamictons interbedded with glaciomarine and glaciofluvial sediments are exposed in a large gravel pit situated above the post‐glacial marine limit. The interpretation of these sediments has implications for the history of both the inland ice and the Norwegian Channel Ice Stream. During a Middle Weichselian interstadial, a large glaciofluvial delta prograded into a shallow marine environment along the coast of Jæren. A minor glacial advance deposited a gravelly diamicton, and a glaciomarine diamicton was deposited during a following marine transgression. This subsequently was reworked by grounded ice, forming a well‐defined boulder pavement. The boulder pavement is followed by glaciomarine clay with a lower, laminated part and an upper part of sandy clay. The laminated clay probably was deposited under sea‐ice, whereas more open glaciomarine conditions prevailed during deposition of the upper part. The clay is intersected by clastic dykes protruding from the overlying, late Weichselian till. Preconsolidation values from the marine clay suggest an ice thickness of at least 500 m during the last glacial phase. The large variations in sea‐level probably are a combined effect of eustasy and glacio‐isostatic changes caused by an inland ice sheet and an ice stream in the Norwegian Channel. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geomorphic appraisals of active tectonics associated with uplift of the Gohpur–Ganga section in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Gohpur–Ganga section is located southwest of Itanagar, India. The study area and its adjacent regions lie between the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Himalayan Front Fault (HFF) within the Sub-Himalaya of the Eastern Himalaya. The Senkhi stream, draining from the north, passes through the MBT and exhibits local meandering as it approaches the study area. Here, five levels of terraces are observed on the eastern part, whereas only four levels of terraces are observed on the western part. The Senkhi and Dokhoso streams show unpaired terraces consisting of very poorly sorted riverbed materials lacking stratification, indicating tectonic activity during deposition. Crude imbrications are also observed on the terrace deposits. A wind gap from an earlier active channel is observed at latitude 27°04′42.4″ N and longitude 93°35′22.4″ E at the height of about 35 m from the present active channel of Senkhi stream. Linear arrangements of ponds trending northeast–southwest on the western side of the study section may represent the paleochannel of Dokhoso stream meeting the Senkhi stream abruptly through this gap earlier. Major lineament trends are observed along NNE–SSW, NE–SW and ENE–WSW direction. The Gohpur–Ganga section is on Quaternary deposits, resting over the Siwaliks with angular contact. Climatic changes of Pleistocene–Holocene times seem to have affected the sedimentation pattern of this part of the Sub-Himalaya, in association with proximal tectonism associated with active tectonic activities, which uplifted the Quaternary deposits. Older and younger terrace deposits seem to mark the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary in the study area with the older terraces showing a well-oxidized and semi-consolidated nature compared to the unoxidized nature of the younger terraces.     

拉萨北部旁多群坠石沉积的发现及其意义

报道了新发现的旁多群中部的打鲁雄剖面及其含有典型坠石的沉积特征。该剖面旁多群中部以陆源碎屑少、悬浮泥质沉积为主的欠补偿的深水盆地相沉积为特征，同时夹有水下冰碛岩、重力流沉积等。纹层状一薄层状的粘土质岩层内分布着粒径是基质的100-1000倍的棱角状一次棱角状、长轴垂直近垂直于纹层面或层面的碎屑和砾石。砾石上下的泥质岩具有顶凸下挠的现象。碎屑和砾石及其对上下地层的影响表明其为坠石沉积。旁多群中指示冰川、冰筏沉积作用存在的坠石的发现，有力地证明了青藏高原石炭纪——二叠纪冈瓦纳相地层形成于受到冈瓦纳大陆冰川影响的海相环境。     

拉萨林周地区下二叠统旁多群地层层序、岩石学特征及其成因的研究

西藏拉萨林周地区的下二叠统旁多群的地层层序以前并不十分清楚，其中“杂砾岩”的成因也争议很大。通过详细的野外地质调查和研究，在林周旁多地区新发现了其中部的含有坠石的纹层状粘土岩，并建立了旁多群中部和上部的地层序列。旁多群中部以陆源碎屑少、悬浮泥质为主的欠补偿深水盆地相沉积为特征，而上部以陆源碎屑丰富的滨、浅海相沉积为特征。旁多群自下而上反映了两期岩浆构造事件：第一期发生在该群中部沉积之初，伴随着基性玄武岩的喷发，该群中部沉积时，盆地进入裂谷鼎盛时期，随后进入以旁多群上部为代表的裂谷充填阶段；第二期构造事件可能发生在旁多群和乌鲁龙组沉积之交，乌鲁龙组沉积物中含有大量的长石碎屑、火山岩岩屑和凝灰质沉积岩，指示这期岩浆构造活动的存在。旁多群中的坠石沉积指示旁多群的形成背景是裂谷构造环境下的冰海相。旁多群中的杂砾岩按照成因可以划分为：具有正粒序结构的杂砾岩，为重力流沉积岩，反映侧向水流的搬运；不具有正粒序结构的厚层块状、含有坠石沉积的杂砾岩，为水下冰碛岩，反映冰川、冰筏作用存在，指示大陆上有冰川作用。这种分类和命名有助于石炭-二叠纪冰川发育过程和旋回性的研究，也有助于提高冰海相地层的划分和对比的可靠性和精度。     

Comparing the Use of Remote Sensing with Traditional Techniques to Detect Nitrogen Stress in Wheat

Abstract

An experiment was designed to compare ground‐based methods of nitrogen (N) stress detection with N stress detection using remote sensing. The study area, located in Minidoka, Idaho, is a 64 ha center pivot with a crop of Penawawa spring white wheat. Nitrogen was varied on four transects approximately 40 m wide and 805 m long. The N application rates chosen for the research were 0%, 40%, 100%, and 130% of normal. Nitrogen deficiency was quantified from tissue sampling, which was used as the response variable. Nitrogen was then measured or estimated at key stages in the wheat growth cycle using visual observation, a chlorophyll meter, and remotely‐sensed data. Visual observation was the normally‐employed method for area farmers. These methods of N stress detection were compared for accuracy, timeliness, usefulness, and cost. Remote sensing was comparable to the chlorophyll meter in accuracy. The chlorophyll meter was the timeliest method for obtaining a quantitative measurement.     

Late-Pleistocene tidewater glaciers and glaciomarine sequences from north County Mayo,Republic of Ireland

Late-Pleistocene deposits in north County Mayo were deposited in three main glacigenic environments. 1. Drumlins and basal tills were formed when ice moved from the Irish lowlands and local mountain catchments into Donegal Bay. 2. Gilbert-type deltas accumulated up to 80m I.O.D. on the lowlands and subaqueous moraines formed across minor valleys when marine-based ice grounded inland. 3. A thick drape of fossiliferous glaciomarine mud along the coastal fringe was deposited from meltwater plumes and by ice-rafting immediately outside of these ice limits. The muds contain an Elphidium clavatum-dominated, low-diversity microfauna which is characteristic of cold-water conditions adjacent to glacier termini. Valves of Macoma calcarea from the mud have been ¹⁴C dated at 16940 ± 120 and 17300 ± 100 BP. The high-level delta complex was deposited from tidewater glaciers in a peripheral depression adjacent to the drumlin ice limits of north County Mayo. Although the field evidence cannot be used to determine former sea level history with any accuracy, it poses general problems for sea level history and isostatic effects of the last major ice sheet in the west of Ireland. Raised glaciomarine sequences commonly occur in close association with drumlin ice limits elsewhere in Ireland and represent marine transgressions prior to glacial unloading. It is suggested that the magnitudes and patterns of crustal depression are greater and geometrically more complex at the margins of ice sheets in Ireland than hitherto realised.