Conspicuous sediment structures in fossil beach deposits (southern Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain): paleoliquefaction features versus biogenic origin

Tubular-shaped concretions and concretionary dykes occur in Holocene fossil beach deposits between the township of El Médano and Punta Roja in southern Tenerife, Canary Islands. These sediment structures have been interpreted either as the result of (a) the interaction between hot ignimbrites that overflowed wet beaches; (b) fast accumulation of beach sands on hot and degassing ignimbrites; (c) paleoliquefaction caused by an earthquake (seismites). Based on the interpretation as seismites, an intense paleoearthquake with a moment magnitude of M = 6.8 was proposed to be responsible for the generation of the paleoliquefaction structures. However, we here reinterpret the sedimentary structures in question using the general criteria diagnostic for rhizocretions and root tubules with respect to their orientation, size, branching system, and style of cementation and, thus, consider them, to be of biogenic origin.     

Instability structures, synsedimentary faults and turbidites, witnesses of a Liassic seismotectonic activity in the Dauphiné Zone (French Alps): A case example in the Lower Pliensbachian at Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont

Instability structures, synsedimentary faults and turbidites have been studied in the Lower Pliensbachian succession of Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont, belonging to the Taillefer block, an ancient half-graben emplaced during the Liassic Tethyan rifting. Geometrical and mechanical analyses demonstrate that the instability structures occurred thanks to movements along spineless synsedimentary normal faults, when the turbiditic and limestone layers were already case-hardened and partly fractured by tension gashes even when the mudstones were still unlithified. Both the tension gashes and the synsedimentary faults are homogeneous in strike with the major regional faults and are in good agreement with the regional direction of extension for this period. The characters of the turbiditic beds, with erosive base, graded bedding, and incomplete Bouma sequence, are in favour of a seismic origin. Instability structures, spineless synsedimentary faults and turbiditic inflows are thus considered as seismites and interpreted as the result of high seismicity periods including some events with M > 5 in the general extensive ambiance of the Liassic Tethyan rifting. The analysis of the geometrical relationships between all these sedimentary features allows to distinguish the successive stage of occurrence of an instability structure, from the sedimentation of alternating marls and limestones, and sudden turbiditic inflows, then early case-hardening of the turbidites, until the important seismotectonic event generating the spineless normal faults, themselves triggering the fall of indurated blocks and locally the forming of breccias. The Ornon Fault, which constitutes the border of the Taillefer block, 15 km eastward, played a major role during the Liassic sedimentation and may represent the major seismic fault related to the seismites occurrence in the Beaumont basin.     

Paleoearthquake evidence in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and possible seismotectonic sources

A series of clastic dikes and tubular vents were identified in southern Tenerife (Canary Islands). These features are the result of seismic liquefaction of a Holocene sand deposit, as the consequence of a high intensity paleoearthquake. The peak ground acceleration (pga) and magnitude of the paleoearthquake generating these liquefaction features were estimated by back calculation analysis. A representative value of 0.30 ± 0.05 g was obtained for the pga. From this, an earthquake intensity of IX was estimated for the liquefaction site. Magnitude bound methods and energy based approaches were used to determine the magnitude of the paleoearthquake, providing a moment magnitude M = 6.8. The zone in which the liquefaction structures are found has undergone tectonic uplift and is affected by two faults. One of these faults was responsible for displacing Holocene materials. Dating of the uplifted sand formation indicates an age of 10,081 ± 933 years, the liquefaction features ranging from this age to 3490 ± 473 years BP. This paleoearthquake was of much greater magnitude than those known historically. Faults with neotectonic activity are significant features that should be borne in mind when assessing the seismic hazards of the Canary Islands, presently considered as low and mainly of volcanic origin.     

Evidence for a Neoproterozoic carbonate ramp on the northern edge of the Central African craton: relations with late Proterozoic intracratonic troughs

During Late Proterozoic times, the Archaean Central African craton was affected by trough faulting which led to the formation of grabens, the Sangha aulacogen being the main structure of this type in the studied area. This transverse basin connects with other basins on the northern and south-western borders of the craton. During the Cryogenian, this network of basins was filled with fluvio-deltaic and lacustrine periglacial deposits. The glacio-eustatic transgression in Neoproterozoic III (end-Proterozoic) times flooded extensive areas of shelf on the northern edge of the craton, leading to the development of carbonate sedimentation in a broad outer shelf environment associated with nearshore barriers and evaporitic lagoons. These facies are similar to those developed in the West Congolian Schisto-calcaire (shale-limestone) ramp succession. The North-Central African ramp succession (sediment slope) contains an example of tidal rhythmites in vertical accretion, which occurs beneath the barrier deposits on the subtidal outer shelf. Mathematical analysis of the bedding pattern yields a period of 29–30 days for the lunar month, a result which is in agreement with astrophysical evidence for this epoch (i.e. 650 Ma ago). Major subsidence and seismic activity on this gently sloping platform, associated with the proximity of the Sangha aulacogen, caused the triggering of carbonate turbidites and mass flow deposits. The proliferation of microbial mats under euphotic conditions on an extensive shelf led to the build-up of a carbonate platform. During early Neoproterozoic III times, the West Congolian and North-Central African ramps prograded northwards and southwards, respectively, into the Sangha aulacogen. The sea at that time was restricted to a long graben-like basin, while a remaining area of marine sedimentation persisted into the Palaeozoic. Thus the pattern of end-Proterozoic carbonate sedimentation on the borders of the Central African craton can be interpreted in terms of an overall gently sloping ramp model with progradation converging towards the Sangha aulacogen.     

四川类前陆盆地须家河组震积岩的发现及其研究意义

四川盆地是扬子地块上的一个多旋回类前陆盆地,盆地边缘长期剧烈的构造活动控制着上三叠统须家河组的沉积作用.通过地表剖面和岩芯观察,首次在该盆地上三叠统须家河组地层中识别出微裂缝、微褶皱层、微断层、液化砂岩构造、球一枕构造和角砾岩等典型的软沉积变形构造的地质记录,这些变形构造可能与印支构造运动期的地震活动有关.越靠近断裂带附近,软变形构造呈明显增加的趋势,表明震积岩的分布与龙门山和米仓山一大巴山构造活动有关.因此,研究该盆地须家河组震积岩,对了解控制盆地边界的龙门山和米仓山一大巴山造山带的活动史具有重要意义.     

Soft-sediment deformation structures in Late Miocene–Pleistocene sediments on the pediment of the Mátra Hills (Visonta, Atkár, Verseg): Cryoturbation, load structures or seismites?

The studied area, built up by silty clayey and partly sandy sediments and paleosols, lies on the tectonically active Northern margins of the Pannonian Basin. Wavy, sagging load casts can be observed in the upper part of the Late Miocene alluvial complex and larger scale sagging load casts, flame structures, drops and pillows detected in its Quaternary cover were studied in detail, in order to understand the origins of soft sediment deformation which characterized this young sedimentary suite. Sedimentological, paleopedological and mineralogical observations suggest that:

1. One of the reasons for the soft-sediment deformation might have been the relatively low cohesive strength of the predominantly smectitic sediment covering a gentle slope similar to the actual landscape.

2. On such a surface, the down-slope gravitational component of the mud-blanket might easily have been sufficient to overcome its cohesive strength.

3. Frost action traceable in the studied formations might also have contributed to the observed deformation, particularly along the eroded top of the Late Miocene sediments.

Combined evidence from field observations and laboratory analyses support the idea that liquefaction–fluidization was of prime importance in bringing about the observed structures. In conclusion two alternative Quaternary/Holocene scenarios are proposed, which might have resulted in the unusual behaviour of the sediments/paleosols. One is a seismic event, the other is the combined effect of freeze–thaw cycles and of the sloping foothill position, which might have resulted in episodic downslope transport and the associated deformation of the eroded soil material when its water content surpassed a certain threshold. We accept that the anomalous abundance of soft-sediment deformation in this marginal position may be causally related to paleo-earthquakes, but the obvious complexity of the phenomenon requires caution. In case the proposed scenarios would not have been alternatives but acted simultaneously, the analysed phenomena were to be interpreted as the joint results of tectonics and climate change.     

Paleoliquefaction features on Tenerife (Canary Islands) in Holocene sand deposits

On Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, a series of clastic dikes and tubular vents is attributed to liquefaction of sediments during a high-intensity paleoearthquake. Geotechnical, geological, tectonic, and mineralogical investigations have been carried out to identify the soil composition and structure, as well as the geological processes operating in the area. Geochronological analysis has indicated an age ranging from 10,081±933 to 3490±473 years BP for the liquefaction features. The area in which these liquefaction features are found has undergone tectonic uplift and is affected by two faults. One of these faults was responsible for displacing the Holocene materials. The paleoearthquake responsible for this liquefaction has been analysed in terms of its peak ground acceleration (pga) and magnitude by back calculation analysis based on the cyclic stress and Ishihara methods. A range of 0.22–0.35g was obtained for the pga, with the value of 0.30g being selected as most representative. From this, an earthquake-modified Mercalli intensity of I_MM=IX was estimated for the liquefaction site. The magnitude-bound method and energy-based approaches were used to determine the magnitude of the paleoearthquake, providing a moment magnitude M in the range of 6.4–7.2; M=6.8 is taken as the representative figure.     

The uppermost deposits of the stratigraphic succession of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert,Egypt): Evolution to a Post-Eocene continental event

This paper gives insight into continental sedimentary deposits that occur at the uppermost part of the stratigraphic succession present in the north-eastern sector of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert, Egypt). Using space imagery to complete the field work, the geology of the area has been mapped and the presence of a N–S oriented fault system is documented. The analysis of the morphotectonic features related to this fault system allows reconstructing the structural and sedimentological evolution of the area. The study indicates that the continental deposits were accumulated in alluvial systems that unconformably overlie shale and evaporitic rocks attributable to the Paleocene–Eocene Esna Formation. The deposits of the Esna Formation show soft-sediment deformation features, which include slump associated to dish and pillar sedimentary structures and provide evidence of syndepositional tectonic activity during the sedimentation of this unit. The outcrops are preserved in two areas on separated fault-bounded blocks. Proximal alluvial fan facies crop out in a dowthrown block close to the depression boundary. The proximal facies are made up mostly by polymictic conglomerates which occasionally contain boulders. The conglomerate clasts are mainly quartz, carbonate, anhydrite satin spar vein, mudrock, ironstone and nummulite fossils. The mid-fan facies consist of trough cross-bedded, rippled and cross-laminated quartzarenites with reworked glauconite grains and carbonate rock fragments, interpreted as deposited by distributary streams. The distal alluvial fan deposits consist of sandy marls that evolve toward the top of the sections into root-bioturbated lacustrine limestone beds that are locally silicified. The limestones are biomicrites containing characea, ostracods and gastropods with fenestral porosity.A number of features, including clast provenance (mainly from marine Paleocene and Eocene rocks), the observed fractural pattern (N–S direction related to the opening of the Red Sea), and the sedimentary relationships, suggests that the continental deposits were accumulated during the Oligocene–Miocene interval.     

Deglaciation and volcano-seismic activity in Northern Iceland: Holocene and early Eemian

The North Volcanic Zone of Iceland was unglaciated during most interglacials. Subsequently, the region was covered by the Weichselian ice cap. A widespread interglacial complex, the Sy?ra Formation, has been mapped in this zone. It covers probably O.I.S.5e, 5d and 5c. Its formation and preservation are discussed in terms of rift and volcanism activity, in interrelations with the former deglaciation. A topographic bulge, presumed of glacio-isostatic origin, limited the downstream drainage of the Jökulsa a Fjolum river enabling the interglacial sedimentation and the excavation of one of the canyons of Dettifoss. Effusive volcanic activity in the rift is important prior to the Sy?ra 4 unit in association with an early abrupt event (SY2: Sy?ra ash), related to a phreato-magmatic eruption at the eastern hyaloclastite ridge or from the Askja volcano and to jökulhlaup events. It corresponds probably to ash Zone B as defined by Sejrup et al., (1989) on the Northern Iceland shelf. The previous activity of hyaloclastite ridge is recorded during the Marine Isotope Stage 6 (MIS 6 = Saalian) and its deglaciation, a younger effusive event is dated at 80 ka. The Interglacial paleo-seismic region is similar to the present one; during deglaciation, the seismic zone is widened, up to 60 km to the East. Continuous micro-seismicity related to dyke intrusion and effusive or phreato-magmatic eruptions develop at the onset of deglaciation. It is discrete during the full interglacials, and most intense during pyroclastic eruptions. A comparison with the Late Glacial/Holocene deglaciation is provided in the same region.