The Permian Kas Formation of SE Turkey—palynological correlation with strata from Saudi Arabia and Oman

The Kas Formation in SE Turkey was deposited as part of the Permian sequence on the northern margin of the Arabian Plate. Its stratigraphic relationship to time‐equivalent strata of the Arabian Plate was mentioned briefly in previous studies, but has not been elaborated and illustrated in detail. This biostratigraphic review of existing palaeontological data has improved the accuracy of age interpretation for the Kas Formation, and the relationship of its excellent palynological record to the international Permian chronostratigraphic units. As a result, this study has identified a number of key palynological species from the Kas Formation, which occur as well as in the ‘Basal Khuff Clastics’ of Saudi Arabia and in the ‘Khuff transition section’ of Oman. All these units have approximately the same age: Wordian to early Capitanian, based on ‘age control’ provided by Foraminifera. This study also demonstrates that, by using key palynological taxa, correlation of strata would be possible across the entire Arabian Plate in this narrow time range. Hence, the ‘Oman and Saudi Arabia Palynological Zone 6’ (OSPZ6) is applicable throughout the Arabian Plate area, including the northern regions of SE Turkey and Iraq. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Oman Exotics: a key to the understanding of the Neotethyan geodynamic evolution

Abstract

The study of the exotic blocks of the Hawasina Nappes (Sultanate of Oman) leads to give apposit data that allow us to propose a new paleogeographic evolution of the Oman margin in time and space. A revised classification of exotic blocks into different paleogeographical units is presented. Two newly introduced stratigraphic groups, the Ramaq Group (Ordovician to Triassic) and the Al Buda’ah Group (upper Permian to Jurassic) are interpreted as tilted blocks related to the Oman continental margin. The Kawr Group (middle Triassic to Cretaceous) is redefined and interpreted as an atoll-type seamount. The paleogeography and paleoenvironments of these units are integrated into a new scheme of the Neotethyan rifting history. Brecciae and olistoliths of the Hawasina series are interpreted to have originated from tectonic movements affecting the Oman margin and the Neotethyan ocean floor. The breccias of late Permian age were generated by the extension processes affecting the margin, and by the creation of the Neotethyan oceanic floor. The breccias of mid-late Triassic age coincide in time with the collision of the Cimmerian continents with Eurasia. In constrast, the breccias of late Jurassic and Cretaceous age are interpreted as resulting to the creation of a new oceanic crust (Semail) off the Oman margin.     

黔南地区中二叠世碳酸盐台地边缘沉积演化及古海洋意义*

华南地区二叠纪为东特提斯地区一个大型碳酸盐台地。中二叠世茅口亚世,上扬子碳酸盐台地经历了从全盛到萎缩的重要转折。黔南地区地处该台地南缘,是通过地层结构及其变化探讨台地演化控制因素的最佳地区。文中选取黔南罗甸纳水和沫阳2个代表性剖面,通过对茅口组的岩石类型和骨屑颗粒组合统计分析,从碳酸盐生产工厂的角度开展研究。野外和室内研究共识别出15种岩石类型、5种沉积相和6种骨屑颗粒组合,并恢复了各组合对应的碳酸盐生产工厂的特征。沉积相及碳酸盐生产工厂分析表明,黔南地区自晚孤峰期开始经历了由热带浅水、暖水工厂到热带较深水、温凉水工厂的明显转变,表现为孤峰阶上部开始出现较深水沉积。这一碳酸盐生产工厂的转变现象在华南地区孤峰期—早冷坞期普遍存在,表现为台地萎缩、台地边缘被淹没。中二叠世晚孤峰期至晚二叠世吴家坪期是全球重大地史转折期,光合作用生物遭受重创、海洋生态环境急剧恶化,上述碳酸盐生产工厂的急剧转变与当时热带浅海碳酸盐生产工厂被抑制或破坏有关。     

Hyperpycnal-fed turbidite lobe architecture and recent sedimentary processes: A case study from the Al Batha turbidite system, Oman margin

The main sediment depocenter along the Oman margin is the Al Batha turbidite system that develops in the Gulf of Oman basin. It is directly connected to the wadi Al Batha, and forms a typical sand and mud rich point source system that acts as regional sediment conduit and feeds a ~ 1000 km² sandy lobe.The Al Batha lobe depositional architecture has been investigated in detail using very high-resolution seismic, multibeam echosounder data and sediment cores. Several scales of depositional architecture can be observed. The Al Batha lobe is composed of several depositional units, made of stacked elementary sediment bodies (thinner than 5 m) that are each related to a single flow event. The lobe is connected to the feeder system through a channel-lobe transition zone (CLTZ) that extends on more than 25 km. The lobe can be divided into proximal, middle and distal lobe areas. The proximal lobe is an area of erosion and by-pass with small axial feeder channels that rapidly splay into several small distributaries. They disappear in the mid-lobe area where deposits consist of vertically stacked tabular to lens-shaped sediment bodies, with a lateral continuity that can exceed 10 km. The distal lobe fringe shows a classical facies transition towards thin-bedded basin plain deposits.Sub-surface deposits consist of sandy turbidites and hyperpycnites, interbedded with fine-grained deposits (thin turbidites, hyperpycnites, or hemipelagites). Although these distal deposits are mainly related to flow transformations and concentration evolution, they highlight the importance of flooding of the wadi Al Batha on the sediment transfer to the deep basin. The thick sandy hyperpycnites recovered in such a distal area are also possibly related to the initial properties of gravity flows, in relation to the flooding characteristics of mountainous desert streams.Finally, the Al Batha lobe depositional architecture is typical of sand-rich lobes found within “small”, sand and mud rich turbidite systems fed by mountainous “dirty” rivers. Turbidite sedimentation in the Al Batha system appears to be primarily controlled by the strong climatic and geomorphic forcing parameters (i.e. semi-arid environment with ephemeral, mountainous rivers subjected to flash-flooding).     

Possible correlation between a mantle plume and the evolution of Paleo-Tethys Jinshajiang Ocean: Evidence from a volcanic rifted margin in the Xiaru-Tuoding area, Yunnan, SW China

Several Paleozoic sutures in Southwestern China provide a record of the history of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, whose birth and final closure are associated with the breakup and assembly of Gondwanaland. Recent studies indicate that there are widespread OIB-type mafic volcanic rocks within these suture zones and intervening terranes. This paper examines the geology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks in the Xiaruo-Tuoding area, a remnant passive margin succession of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethyan Ocean. The sedimentary and volcanic stratigraphy of this area is interpreted as a seaward dipping margin with a few continentward dipping normal faults. The available geochemistry of these volcanic rocks suggest that they are OIB-like basalts, characterised by SiO₂ = 42.78–50.46 wt.%, high TiO₂ contents (TiO₂ = 2.2–3.55 wt.%), moderate MgO = 4.15–6.49 wt.%, Mg# = 0.37–0.50, high Ti/Y ratios (mostly > 450), large ion lithosphere elements enrichment, high strength field elements and rare earth elements, with La/Nb = 1.04–1.39, Ce/Yb = 18.38–30, Sm/Yb = 2.16–3.52, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i = 0.705350–0.707867, and Nd(t) = − 1.43–1.90. These geochemical and isotopic signatures are generally similar to those of the Emeishan flood basalts, which together with stratigraphic constraints, demonstrate that these volcanics were formed in a volcanic rifted margin, probably associated with a mantle plume. A new model is proposed to interpret the evolution of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethyan Ocean and its possible relationship to the Emeishan mantle plume. In this model, we argue that the opening of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethyan Ocean in the Carboniferous was caused by a mantle plume. The mantle plume was active to the east along the western margin of the Yangtze Craton between 300 and 260 Ma, from which the voluminous Emeishan flood basalts were erupted at 260 Ma. The closure of the Jinshajiang Ocean occurred since the Middle Permian. Continuous westward subduction generated the Jiangda-Weixi magmatic arc to the west of the Jinshajiang suture. This subduction also partly destroyed and/or tectonically sliced the volcanic rifted margin. Some seaward dipping volcanic-sedimentary sequences on the east flank of the Jinshajiang Ocean were preserved, but are strongly deformed.     

First record of Bystrowianid Chroniosuchians (Amphibia: Anthracosauromorpha) from the Middle Permian of China

Chroniosuchians are basal tetrapods owing to Anthracosauromorpha and the oldest species of chroniosuchians have been recorded in the Late Permian of Russia so far. In this study, we present evidence for their existence in the Middle Permian of China, based on well preserved diagnostic vertebrae with associated osteoderms from the Dashankou fanua in northwestern China. The finds clearly show interosteoderm articulation pattern between the adjacent scutes in bystrowianids. The features observed in Yumenerpeton yangi may warrant the close proximity or phyletic succession of the chroniosuchid and bystrowianid types of the osteoderm design.     

Middle Permian cephalopods from central Peninsular Malaysia: implications for faunal migration through the southern Tethys

A Wordian (Middle Permian) cephalopod fauna consisting of four ammonoid species, Tauroceras aff. scrobiculatum (Gemmellaro), Agathiceras sp., Bamyaniceras orientale n. sp. and Pronoritidae gen. and sp. indet., and two nautiloid species, Tainoceras sp. and Orthocerida fam. indet., were recovered from the Bera South area, southern Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The outcrop represents the southernmost extent of the Bera Formation. Bamyaniceras and Tainoceras are recorded in Malaysia for the first time. The presence of T. aff. scrobiculatum suggests a regional correlation with an ammonoid-bearing bed of Sungai Cheroh, western Pahang, and permits global correlations with strata of northeastern Iraq, northern Oman and Sicily (Italy). A possible eastwards faunal migration through the southern Tethys is suggested.     

Final-stage Southward Subduction of the Eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean: Evidence from the Middle Permian Mafic Intrusions in the Northern Margin of the North China Craton

The northern margin of the North China Craton(NCC)contains widespread Permian magmatic rocks,but the origin of these rocks remains controversial.This uncertainty hampers us from better understanding of tectonic framework and evolution of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean,particularly with respect to its final-stage subduction and closure time.To address these questions,this study presents petrological,zircon U-Pb geochronological,whole-rock geochemical and in situ zircon Hf isotopic data for these Permian mafic intrusions in the northern margin of the NCC.Precise zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that these mafic intrusions were emplaced in the Middle Permian(ca.260 Ma).Geochemically,the studied mafic intrusions have high MgO and transition metals element contents,with high Mg^# values,indicating a mantle origin.These mafic intrusions are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements(LILEs;e.g.,Rb,Ba,and K)and light rare earth elements(LREEs),and depletions in high field strength elements(HFSEs;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti)and heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),indicating that they were formed in a subduction-related setting.These geochemical features,together with zircon ε_Hf(t)values(-1.1 to+11.2),indicate that their parental magmas were derived from partial melting of heterogeneous mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-related fluids,with the contributions of slab sediments.The studied mafic intrusions also show wide range of major and trace elements contents,and variable Mg^# values,Eu and Sr anomalies,suggesting that their parental magmas had undergone variable degrees of fractional crystallization.Together with the E-W trending Permian continental arc along the northern margin of the NCC,we confirm that the generation of the Middle Permian mafic intrusions was related to southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic lithosphere beneath the NCC and the Paleo-Asian Ocean had not closed prior to the Middle Permian.     

准噶尔盆地西北缘晚石炭系-早二叠系火山岩岩石学和地球化学研究

晚石炭纪-早二叠纪,在准噶尔盆地西北缘,发育区域性的火山岩建造,岩性以酸性英安岩和流纹岩为主,同时发育少量中性玄武安山岩和安山岩,多属于中-低钾的钙碱性系列。样品全碱(Na₂O+K₂O)含量为0.99％ ～8.12％,K₂O的含量较低,为3.01％ ～0.05％,稀土元素总量(∑ REE)较低。稀土元素轻重分异,轻稀土元素(LREE)相对于重稀土元素(HREE)富集:(La/Yb)_N=0.76～5.18,且部分样品显示轻微的Eu负异常和Ce正异常:δEu=0.533～1.148,δCe=0.979～1.224。微量元素中大离子亲石元素(LILE)富集,高场强元素Nb、Ta亏损。分析认为石炭系末期-二叠系早期,研究区所处构造环境为洋内弧附近的前弧盆地,发育的火山岩是母源岩浆经历了一定程度分异作用后的产物,以岛弧环境为主,兼具有部分板内大陆环境特征。     

川西北中二叠统栖霞组白云岩储层特征及控制因素

本文以四川盆地西北部钻井岩心及露头剖面样品的镜下岩石学特征为基础,以微区多参数实验分析数据为依据,对四川盆地西北部中二叠统栖霞组白云岩储层进行了研究。认为栖霞组白云岩储层类型主要为结晶型白云岩及残余颗粒型白云岩。储集空间主要为晶间孔、晶间溶孔、粒间孔、溶蚀孔洞以及裂缝。白云岩储层的发育主要受到沉积微相、早期白云石化作用、晚期白云石化作用、溶蚀作用以及构造作用等因素控制。其中浅滩沉积微相是储层形成的环境基础;早期白云石化作用是储层保存的重要条件;溶蚀作用及构造裂缝是储层改善的关键因素;而晚期白云石的生成则对储集空间有一定的破坏作用。     

New specimens of Stenocybus acidentatus (Therapsida: Dinocephalia) from the Middle Permian Dashankou Fauna of China

The basal dinocephalian clade Stenocybusidae was known from two incomplete specimens representing one generus,Stenocybus,from Dashankou fanua in Yumen,Gansu Province of China.The holotype of Stenocybus acidentatus is laterally compressed,making some characters unclear.Here we describe two new specimens of Stenocybus acidentatus from the same locality,an anterior portion of skull with articulated jaws,and a right dentary with nearly complete dentition.They show some detailed features on the morphology of the premaxilla,maxilla,nasal,external nares and dentary.The phylogenetic relationship between Stenocybus acidentatus and the relatively large Sinophoneus yumenensis is still difficult to determine,and needs more new complete material and further evidences.     

The age of the Tunas formation in the Sauce Grande basin-Ventana foldbelt (Argentina): Implications for the Permian evolution of the southwestern margin of Gondwana

New SHRIMP radiogenic isotope dating on zircons in tuffs (280.8 ± 1.9 Ma) confirms the Early Permian (Artinskian) age of the uppermost section of the Tunas Formation. Tuff-rich levels in the Tunas Formation are exposed in the Ventana foldbelt of central Argentina; they are part of a deltaic to fluvial section corresponding to the late overfilled stage of the Late Paleozoic Sauce Grande foreland basin. Recent SHRIMP dating of zircons from the basal Choiyoi volcanics exposed in western Argentina yielded an age of 281.4 ± 2.5 Ma (Rocha-Campos et al., 2011). The new data for the Tunas tuffs suggest that the volcanism present in the Sauce Grande basin can be considered as the distal equivalent of the earliest episodes of the Choiyoi volcanism of western Argentina. From the palaeoclimatic viewpoint the new Tunas SHRIMP age confirms that by early Artinskian glacial conditions ceased in the Sauce Grande basin and, probably, in adajacent basins in western Gondwana.     

The Early Permian Woniusi Flood Basalts from the Baoshan Terrane, SW China: Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications

The Woniusi flood basalts from the Baoshan terrane, SW China, represent a significant eruption of volcanic rocks which were linked to the Late Paleozoic rifting of the Cimmeria from the northern margin of East Gondwana. However, the precise mechanism for the formation and propagation of the rifting is still in debate. Here we report ⁴⁰ Ar/³⁹ Ar dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes for the Woniusi basalts from the Baoshan terrane of SW China, with the aim o...     

The upper Hawasina nappes in the central Oman Mountains: stratigraphy,palinspastics and sequence of nappe emplacement

Abstract

In the Oman mountains, a succession of sedimentary decollement nappes, the Hawasina nappes, is sandwiched between the Samail ophiolite nappe and its underlying melange and the “autochthonous” sequences of the Arabian platform. The sediments of the Hawasina nappes document the Mesozoic evolution of the northeastern Arabian continental margin and the adjacent Tethys Ocean. In earlier paleogeographic reconstructions, based on simple telescoping of the tectonic units, the upper Hawasina nappes represent the distal part and the lower nappes the proximal part of the margin. New stratigraphic data suggest a revision of the paleogeography and a more complex model for nappe emplacement in the central Oman mountains. The lower Hawasina nappes with their Jurassic and Cretaceous base of slope and basin sediments (Hamrat Duru, Wahrah) form the original cover of part of the upper Hawasina nappes. In the latter (Al Ayn, Haliw), Triassic pelagic sediments, locally overlain by massive sandstone successions are preserved. Complete Mesozoic sequences with pelagic Cenomanian sediments as youngest dated elements are found in the highest Hawasina units (Al Aridh and Oman Exotics). The stratigraphic data indicate polyphase thrusting in the central Oman mountains. Downward propagation of thrusting in front of the Samail is responsible for cutting the original stratigraphie sequence into a number of thrust-sheets, involving successively older and more external formations. This kind of thrust propagation eventually leads to the observed superposition of originally lower stratigraphie units onto their original cover. Regional deformation of the nappe contacts in post-nappe culminations (J. Akhdar, Saih Hatat) is related to ramp-flat-systems in the Arabian foreland.     

青海西金乌兰还东河中二叠世埃达克岩的发现及其意义

在西金乌兰-金沙江缝合带西段还东河发现了中二叠世埃达克岩,其岩石类型主要为闪长岩。还东河埃达克岩与Ⅰ类埃达克岩化学成分相近,可能是俯冲洋壳熔融形成的产物。还东河埃达克岩的大地构造位置相当于西金乌兰-金沙江缝合带西段西金乌兰段,进一步证明了西金乌兰大洋板片向南俯冲消减的重要事实。埃达克岩常与金、银、铜、钼等热液和斑岩矿床密切共生,西金乌兰-金沙江缝合带东段具有丰富的铜、金等矿产资源,这一发现对在该带西段寻找该类矿产提供了一定的理论依据。     

Discussion on Sedimentary Environments,Origin and Source of Middle Permian Gufeng Formation Bedded Cherts in theNorthern Margin of the Middle-Lower Yangtze Area

Cherts contain important information of paleogeography, paleostructure and paleo-ocean, which is the important means of studying petrotectonics. With regard to the major disputes on the sedimentary environments, origin and source of Gufeng Formation bedded cherts in the northern margin of middle-lower Yangtze area, demonstrations from both forward and reverse aspects from the perspective of the sedimentary-tectonic evolution were given. By summarizing previous views on the genesis of bedded cherts in Gufeng Formation, and extensively collecting published original geochemical data, in the forward demonstrations we created the database of the cherts about rare earth elements to systematically identify the sedimentary environments, origin and source of cherts. By sorting out the time and cause of the main geological events in the middle Permian in south China, in the reverse demonstrations we established the sequence of tectonic evolution to verify or explain the current series of disputes. The results show that:\mathrm{①} Except some areas, such as Guichi-Tangtian, Tongling-Huashupo and Chaohu-Pingdingshan in Anhui province, which were affected by volcanic activities and faults, the bedded cherts of Gufeng Formation in the northern margin of middle-lower Yangtze area are mainly of non-hydrothermal origin or biological origin, and deposited in the passive continental margin deep water environments.\mathrm{②} Paleocontinental uplift in cathaysian and sea level eustacy controlled the input of some terrestrial materials in the the Gufeng Formation bedded cherts in the study area, but the contribution of terrestrial materials to cherts is not obvious.\mathrm{③} The study of cherts in Gufeng Formation is of great significance to the eruption time and dynamic mechanism of Emeishan basalts.     

新疆塔里木盆地哈拉奇地区晚石炭世—早二叠世哈拉奇组的建立简

哈拉奇组为新疆阿合奇县开展1∶5万区域地质矿产调查工作时建立的岩石地层单位,分布在新疆阿合奇县哈拉奇地区北部,主要为一套深水碳酸盐沉积,与该区南部属碳酸盐台地沉积的康克林组在岩性、岩石组合及古生物组合上形成明显的差别。通过对该组重力流成因的生物屑砾屑灰岩中古生物化石的研究,确定其 带为Triticites带和Pseudoschwagerina带,进而确定该组地质时代为晚石炭世—早二叠世,与南区康克林组为同时异相沉积。哈拉奇组的建立完善了该地区上石炭统—下二叠统的地层系统,确定了该地区晚石炭世—早二叠世台地边缘斜坡相的存在,对塔西北地区晚石炭世—早二叠世岩相古地理研究具有重要意义。     

新疆北部中二叠统烃源岩地球化学特征与沉积环境

首次对新疆北部准噶尔、吐哈及伊犁盆地中二叠统碳酸盐岩类、泥岩类烃源岩的微量元素、稀土元素和有机地球化学丰度进行了系统分析 ,其主要特征是微量元素含量与同类岩石的克拉克值相比 ,有的较高 ,有的偏低 ;轻稀土富集程度较高 ,重稀土相对较低 ,Ce/ Ce*具有较明显的正异常 ,反映出烃源岩沉积环境总体为还原环境。有机地球化学分析证实 ,烃源岩中微量元素含量对沉积水体中生物的分布有一定的影响 ,部分微量元素丰度与有机质含量呈明显的正相关关系。还原程度强的沉积相带是原始有机质沉积的良好场所 ,沉积有机质能及时沉积、保存 ,烃源岩大多有机质丰度高 ;反之 ,则明显变差     

新疆塔里木盆地哈拉奇地区晚石炭世—早二叠世哈拉奇组的建立

哈拉奇组为新疆阿合奇县开展1∶5万区域地质矿产调查工作时建立的岩石地层单位,分布在新疆阿合奇县哈拉奇地区北部,主要为一套深水碳酸盐沉积,与该区南部属碳酸盐台地沉积的康克林组在岩性、岩石组合及古生物组合上形成明显的差别。通过对该组重力流成因的生物屑砾屑灰岩中古生物化石的研究,确定其 带为Triticites带和Pseudoschwagerina带,进而确定该组地质时代为晚石炭世—早二叠世,与南区康克林组为同时异相沉积。哈拉奇组的建立完善了该地区上石炭统—下二叠统的地层系统,确定了该地区晚石炭世—早二叠世台地边缘斜坡相的存在,对塔西北地区晚石炭世—早二叠世岩相古地理研究具有重要意义。     

Geobiological interpretation of the oxygen-deficient deposits of the Middle Permian marine source rocks in South China:A working hypothesis

To decipher the origin of oxygen-deficient shelfal deposits is significant for tracing the distribution of marine source rocks and interpreting the evolution of depositional environment. The origin of the Middle Permian Chihsia Formation in South China remains a puzzle for long with its evident oxygen-deficient features but diverse benthos. This paper shows a typical Chihsian depositional rhythm composed of the massive and the laminated limestones with ecological and geochemical features. Massive bioclastic limestone from the rhythm was aerobic in paleoxygenation condition indicated by both the ecological and geochemical features. However, a contradictory oxygenation was inferred for the “laminated” counterpart from the rhythm, with the ecological signal being aerobic and the geochemical one being anoxic. The difference in ecological and geochemical indications was interpreted as the instability of paleoxygenation condition in shelf environments, caused by an enhanced paleoproductivity. Rhythmic occurrence of the oxygen-deficient condition might have been stemmed from paleo-Tethyan paleocurrents flowing across South China. __________ Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6): 789–796 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]