Melt Generation and Fluid Flow in the Thermal Aureole of the Bushveld Complex

Granite sheets emplaced into the migmatite zone of the easterncontact aureole of the Bushveld Complex resulted from fluid-enhanced,incongruent biotite melting of the underlying Silverton Formationshales during prograde metamorphism. Ba concentrations are extremein both the sheets (>1000 ppm) and the hornfels (>800ppm) into which they have been emplaced. We conclude that aBa-rich, hydrothermal fluid induced melting in the aureole,and that fluid transport of Ba²⁺, and to a lesser extent, Sr²⁺and Eu²⁺, persisted in the melt zones under subsolidus conditions.Sr-isotope systematics from high-Ba localities define an errorchronof 2161 ± 106 Ma with an initial (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) ratio of0·705 ± 0·001. Metasedimentary rocks unaffectedby fluid infiltration were homogenized at the same time butwith an increased initial ratio, suggesting that whereas isotopehomogenization was achieved between outcrops permeated by fluids,there is no evidence of regional homogenization. Oxygen-isotopecompositions of psammitic metasediments in the aureole are uncorrelatedwith distance from the contact, suggesting the infiltratingfluid equilibrated isotopically with the metasediments. Theirelevated     

Sedimentology of the Lower Jurassic flint clay bearing Mishhor Formation, Makhtesh Ramon, Israel

Petrographical and mineralogical studies of the Lower Jurassic sequence exposed at Makhtesh Ramon, have shown the domination of a lateritic suite of epiclastic sediments of pisolite conglomerate and laterite arenite composition. Their subsequent modification by epigenetic processes of chemical weathering has given rise to the formation of flint clay, high alumina flint clay, laterite and mottled and variegated claystone. Within the Nahal Ardon area, both the transported laterite accumulates and the autochthonous lithologies occur interbedded within the same section. In all, a total of ten lithofacies have been defined and mapping of the various units, grouped into allochthonous and autochthonous classes, has established the existence of lateral facies changes between Nahal Ardon, where the sequence rests on a broad undulatory Triassic basement, and the zone to the west where it occurs as infillings of Triassic solution cavities, sink holes and irregular depressions. Vertical profile studies of the lithofacies indicate that the vertical range of ground water movements increased westwards from Nahal Ardon and resulted in the transported laterite accumulates being subjected to varying degrees of chemical weathering. The observed lateral facies changes are a direct consequence of this. Within the ‘karstic’ zone, the laterite accumulates in addition to the overlying younger carbonate lithologies have been converted to flint clay and demonstrate the intraformational genesis of the flint clay, whereby vertical ground water movements are related to recharge of aquifer zones within the underlying Triassic Mohilla Formation.     

Early diagenetic, Na-alunites in Miocene algal mat intertidal facies, Ras Sudar, Sinai

An early diagenetic non-hydrothermal deposit of Na-alunite [(Na,K)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆] is described from the Miocene Ras Maalab Group at Ras Sudar Sinai. The alunite is nodular and occurs along two horizons parallel to bedding. Displacive growth structures and disrupted bedding within the host rock, together with enterolithic growth structures within the nodules, indicate a period of growth prior to compaction. Linear arrays of fabric elements within the nodules, observed under the microscope, further support early diagenetic growth. The host sequence, believed to be the product of sedimentation within barred coastal lagoons has been subdivided into two lithofacies, one reflecting a subtidal open-lagoonal environment, the other an intertidal restricted-circulation environment. Anaerobic conditions of early diagenesis conducive to generation of H₂S and FeS₂ preceded an oxidation event produced either by contact with free-circulating oxygenated waters or by emergence. The sulphuric acid generated lowered the pH and clay minerals were converted to alunite.     

A time‐split, forward‐backward numerical model for solving a nonhydrostatic and compressible system of equations

In this paper, we present a numerical procedure for solving a 2‐dimensional, compressible, and nonhydrostatic system of equations. A forward‐backward integration scheme is applied to treat high‐frequency and internal gravity waves explicitly. The numerical procedure is shown to be neutral in time as long as a Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy criterion is met. Compared to the leap‐frog‐scheme most models use, this method involves only two time steps, which requires less memory and is also free from unstable computational modes. Hence, a time‐filter is not needed. Advection and diffusion terms are calculated with a time step longer than sound‐wave related terms, so that extensive computer time can be saved. In addition, a new numerical procedure for the free‐slip bottom boundary condition is developed to avoid using inaccurate one‐sided finite difference of pressure in the surface horizontal momentum equation when the terrain effect is considered. We have demonstrated the accuracy and stability of this new model in both linear and nonlinear situations. In linear mountain wave simulations, the model results match the corresponding analytical solution very closely for all three cases presented in this paper. The analytical streamlines for uniform flow over a narrow mountain range were obtained through numerical integration of Queney's mathematical solution. It was found Queney's original diagram is not very accurate. The diagram had to be redrawn before it was used to verify our model results. For nonlinear tests, we simulated the famous 1972 Boulder windstorm and a bubble convection in an isentropic enviroment. Although there are no analytical solutions for the two nonlinear tests, the model results are shown to be very robust in terms of spatial resolution, lateral boundary conditions, and the use of the time-split scheme.     

深海碎屑岩层序地层学50年(1970—2020)重要进展

层序地层学是当前地球科学研究颇为关注的领域,被广泛应用于沉积盆地分析和油气勘探.碎屑岩层序地层学理论方法源于海相盆地,是在被动大陆边缘油气勘探实践的基础上凝练而来的,至今已经历了约50年的发展历程.本文梳理了深海碎屑岩层序过去50年发展历程中的重要进展(包括1970—2000年的经典海相碎屑岩层序地层学、2000—20...     

Anatomy of a laterally migrating tidal bar in front of a delta system: Esdolomada Member,Roda Formation,Tremp‐Graus Basin,Spain

The first sandstone unit of the Esdolomada Member of the Roda Formation (hereafter referred to as ‘Esdolomada 1’) was formed by a laterally‐migrating, shelf tidal bar. This interpretation is based on detailed mapping of the bedding surfaces on the digital terrain model of the outcrop built from light detection and ranging data and outcrop photomosaics combined with vertical measured sections. The Esdolomada 1 sandbody migrated laterally (i.e. transverse to the tidal currents) towards the south‐west along slightly inclined (1.6° to 4.6°) master bedding surfaces. The locally dominant tidal current flowed to the north‐west. This current direction is indicated by the presence of stacked sets of high‐angle (average 21°) cross‐stratification formed by dunes that migrated in this direction, apparently in an approximately coast‐parallel direction. The tidal bar contains sets and cosets of medium‐grained cross‐stratified sandstone that stack to reach a thickness of about 5·5 m. Individual cross‐bed sets average about 50 cm thick (with a range of 10 to 70 cm) and have lengths of ca 130 to 250 m in a direction perpendicular to the palaeocurrent. Set thickness decreases in the direction of migration, towards the south‐west, and the degree of bioturbation increases, so that the cross‐bedded sandstones gradually change into highly bioturbated finer‐grained and thinner‐bedded sandstones lacking any cross‐stratification. The rate of thinning of individual dune sets as they are traced down any obliquely‐accreting master surface is some 40 cm per 100 m (0·004) for the older, thicker sandstones, whereas the younger, thinner beds thin at a rate of 15 cm over 100 m (0·0015). The tidal bar has a sharp base and top and is encased in finer‐grained bioturbated, marine sandstones. The Esdolomada bar crest was oriented north‐west to south‐east, parallel to the tidal palaeocurrents and to the nearby palaeoshoreline, but built by lateral accretion towards the south‐west. Lateral outbuilding generated a flat‐topped bar with a measured width of about 1700 m, and a preserved height of 5·5 m. The bar, disconnected from a genetically related south‐westward prograding delta some 2 km to the north‐east, developed during the transgressive phase of a sedimentary cycle. The tidal bar was most probably initiated as a delta‐attached bar at the toesets of the delta front and during transgression evolved into a detached tidal bar.     

Sedimentological and ichnological signatures of changes in wave,river and tidal influence along a Neogene tropical deltaic shoreline

Analysis of Neogene cores from the Eastern Venezuela Basin along 65 km of a west–east trending shoreline allows characterization of the sedimentological and ichnological signatures of wave, river and tidal processes. The area displays deltas prograding northward from the Guyana Shield. Twenty‐three facies are defined and grouped into four categories (wave‐influenced, river‐influenced, tide‐influenced and basinal). Wave‐dominated deltaic deposits occur mostly in the Tácata Field. The delta plain was characterized by tide‐influenced distributary channels separated by interdistributary bays. Fluvial discharge in the delta front and prodelta was repeatedly interrupted by storm‐wave reworking and suspended sediment fallout. Delta‐front and prodelta deposits contain some ichnotaxa that typically do not occur in brackish water (for example, Chondrites and Phycosiphon). Amalgamated storm deposits are unburrowed or contain vertical Ophiomorpha. Lateral (especially on the updrift side) to the river mouths, waves caused nearly continuous accretion of the associated strandplains. These deposits are the most intensely bioturbated, and are dominated by the estenohaline echinoid‐generated ichnogenus Scolicia. River‐dominated deltaic deposits are present in the Santa Bárbara, Mulata, Carito and El Furrial Fields. Low‐sinuosity rivers characterized the alluvial plain, whereas the subaerial delta plain was occupied by higher‐sinuosity rivers. The subaqueous delta plain includes distributary channels and tide‐influenced interdistributary bays. Further seaward, successions are characterized by terminal distributary‐channel and distributary mouth‐bar deposits, as well as by delta‐front and prodelta deposits showing evidence of sediment gravity‐flow and fluid‐mud emplacement. Delta‐front and prodelta deposits are unbioturbated to sparsely bioturbated, suggesting extreme stress, mostly as a result of high fluvial discharge and generation of sediment gravity flows. Tidal influence is restricted to interdistributary bays, lagoons and some distributary channels. From an ichnological perspective, and in order of decreasing stress levels, four main depositional settings are identified: river‐dominated deltas, tide‐influenced delta plains, wave‐dominated deltas and wave‐dominated strandplain–offshore complexes.     

Exhumed rotational slides and scar infill features in a Cretaceous delta front, eastern Spitsbergen

Coastal cliff exposures in the Helvetiafjellet Fm. deltaic succession near Kvalvågen on eastern Spitsbergen show spectacular evidence of syndepositional, gravity-driven deformation and resedimentation associated with delta-front instability, most probably triggered by earthquakes. This short article summarizes the results of a recent study of these features, with emphasis on the actual sequence of processes recorded in the outcrop. Detailed analysis of the structural style of the delta-front collapse and the associated sedimentation processes is presented elsewhere (Nemec et al. 1988).     

Facies architecture and sequentiality of nearshore and 'shelf'sandbodies; Haystack Mountains Formation, Wyoming, USA

The Haystack Mountains Formation (Campanian, Mesaverde Group, US Western Interior Basin, Wyoming) contains a series of shallow-marine sandbodies, extending tens of kilometres out from a basin margin. The study succession (around 200 m thick) is composed of eight major sandstone tongues (Bolten Ranch, O'Brien Spring, Seminoe 1–2–3–4, Hatfield 1 and 2 members), each partially encased within marine shale intervals. The Formation is ‘sequential’at several scales. At the largest scale, the whole succession presents an aggradational to basinward-stepping stacking pattern of the sandstone tongues. At a lower level, each tongue (member) is characterized internally by two different types of lithosome: the first represents shoreface progradation with hummocky cross-strata passing up to swaley and trough cross-stratified sandstones. This lithosome is erosively truncated at its top in most cases, and has a general sheet-like geometry along strike, whereas down dip it displays a series of sharp-bounded clinothems. The latter sometimes indicate a downward as well as a basinward shift through time, as suggested by the occurrence of coarser and/or shallower facies at a lower level in the shoreface profile. The second type of lithosome is sheet- or wedge-like and sharply overlies the shoreface deposits. The lithosome consists of laterally widespread units of planar tabular to trough cross-bedded medium sandstones passing laterally (in a dip direction) into bioturbated sandstones. The lower part of this lithosome is progradational, becoming retrogradational into the overlying shales. The facies within the cross-bedded lithosome suggest a tidally dominated delta front to estuarine depositional setting. The two types of lithosome are not related genetically. The erosion surface separating the two lithosomes is a sequence boundary separating forced-regressive (relative sea-level fall) shoreface deposits from lowstand to transgressive (early relative sea-level rise), cross-bedded deposits. The uppermost part of the cross-stratified lithosome shows a landward-stepping of component parasequences and is abruptly blanketed by open-marine shales. The most widespread cross-bedded lithosomes are apparently best developed in the lowermost members of the Haystack Mountains Formation, i.e. in the aggradational part of the large-scale progradational succession. In the uppermost, highly progradational sandstone tongues, the shoaling-upward shoreface lithosome dominates, whereas the cross-bedded lithosome occurs in narrow, lensoid belts, or is absent. The middle portion of the succession shows intermediate characteristics. The vertical variation in geometry, thickness and progradational extent of successive cross-bedded lithosomes results from greater confinement of the incised nearshore systems both in space (landward direction) and in time (from the aggradation to the progradation architecture). The latter is a consequence of a decreasing rate of accommodation creation through time.