Discovery of Eocene adakites in Primor’e

This paper presents the first results of petrochemical and geochemical studies (by the ICP-MS technique) of adakites comprising a small extrusive body in the Ilistaya River basin (West Primor’e). Based on the data of radioisotopic dating (K-Ar method), the age of adakites corresponds to the Middle Eocene (45.52 ± 1.1 Ma). In terms of the content of most microelements and the value of the Sr/Y ratio, the discussed rocks are close to Paleogene adakites from northwest China, the Kitakami massif in Japan, and the northwestern margin of North America; these rocks are attributed to gaps in the subducted plate (slab windows). Additionally, the adakites found in Primor’e significantly differ from adakite-like rocks found in Tibet formed during melting of bottoms of the superthickened continental crust. Thus, this discovery proves the hypothesis about formation of slab windows at the Paleogene stage of the region’s evolution.     

Cretaceous-Early Eocene Tectonic Stress Field in China

The Cretaceous-early Eocene tectonic stress field in China was reconstructed using the data of 369 largeand medium-scale flexural folds and 157 joint sets. It was found that the maximum compressive principal stress axis in eastern China dips 32° NE (nearly horizontal), and strikes SW 212°, whereas that in western China dips 15° NE (also nearly horizontal) and trends SW 195°. The estimation of the dip angles of fold limbs and the palaeotectonic stress values indicates that there was a tendency of gradual weakening of tectonism from southwestern to northeastern China in the Cretaceous-early Eocene. At the depth of 2-3 km, the differential stress value changes from 183 MPa in Tibet to 100 MPa in North and East China.The authors consider that the tectonic stress of this period was related to the north-northeastward movement and push of the Indian-Australian plate.     

Biostratigraphy of a Paleocene–Eocene Foreland Basin boundary in southern Tibet

This study of the Paleocene–Eocene boundary within a foreland basin of southern Tibet, which was dominated by a carbonate ramp depositional environment, documents more complex environmental conditions than can be derived from studies of the deep oceanic environment. Extinction rates for larger foraminiferal species in the Zongpu-1 Section apply to up to 46% of the larger foraminiferal taxa. The extinction rate in southern Tibet is similar to rates elsewhere in the world, but it shows that the Paleocene fauna disappeared stepwise through the Late Paleocene, with Eocene taxa appearing abruptly above the boundary. A foraminifera turnover was identified between Members 3 and 4 of the Zongpu Formation—from the Miscellanea–Daviesina assemblage to an Orbitolites–Alveolina assemblage. The Paleocene and Eocene boundary is between the SBZ 4 and SBZ 5, where it is marked by the extinction of Miscellanea miscella and the first appearance of Alveolina ellipsodalis and a large number of Orbitolites. Chemostratigraphically, the δ13C values from both the Zongpu-1 and Zongpu-2 Sections show three negative excursions in the transitional strata, one in Late Paleocene, one at the boundary, and one in the early Eocene. The second negative excursion of δ13C, which is located at the P–E boundary, coincides with larger foraminifera overturn. These faunal changes and the observed δ13C negative excursions provide new evidence on environmental changes across the Paleocene–Eocene boundary in Tibet.     

Primary Study on Quantitative Reconstruction of Middle-Late Eocene Climate in Jianghan Basin

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Provenance analysis of Eocene–Oligocene turbidite deposits in Pindos Foreland Basin, fold and thrust belt of SW Greece: constraints from framework petrography and bulk-rock geochemistry

The provenance of Eocene–Oligocene turbidites from the Pindos Foreland Basin, SW Greece, has been constrained using petrographical and geochemical techniques. Modal petrographic analysis of the studied sandstones shows that the source area comprises sedimentary, metamorphic, and plutonic igneous rocks deposited in a recycled orogenic environment and in magmatic arc province. The relative proportions of the detrital components indicate that the Late Eocene–Early Oligocene sandstones of West Peloponnesus are quartz-rich and were primarily derived from granitic and metamorphic basement rocks typically of a tectonically active area. Major, trace, and rare earth element (REE) concentrations in both sandstones and mudstones complement the petrographical data indicating an active continental margin/continental island arc signature. All the samples are light REE, enriched relative to heavy REE (HREE), with flat HREE pattern and positive Eu anomalies, suggesting that the processes of intra-crustal differentiation (involving plagioclase fractionation) were not of great importance. The results derived from the multi-element diagrams also suggest an active margin character and a mafic/ultramafic source rock composition.     

Formation conditions of paleovalley uranium deposits hosted in upper Eocene–lower Oligocene rocks of Bulgaria

The uranium deposits of Bulgaria related to the Late Alpine tectonomagmatic reactivation are subdivided into two groups: exogenic–epigenetic paleovalley deposits related to the basins filled with upper Eocene–lower Oligocene volcanic–sedimentary rocks and the hydrothermal deposits hosted in the coeval depressions. The geological and lithofacies conditions of their localization, the epigenetic alteration of rocks, mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium ore are exemplified in thoroughly studied paleovalley deposits of the Maritsa ore district. Argumentation of the genetic concepts providing insights into both sedimentation–diagenetic and exogenic–epigenetic mineralization with development of stratal oxidation zones is discussed. A new exfiltration model has been proposed to explain the origin of the aforementioned deposits on the basis of additional analysis with consideration of archival factual data and possible causes of specific ningyoite uranium ore composition.     

Biostratigraphic Study of the Paleocene–Eocene Boundary in Northern Tunisia, North Africa

A new section at Jebel Gorraa,in northern Tunisia,contains the Paleocene-Eocene transition interval.Sample analysis of the section delivers abundant and diverse microfauna of planktonic and benthic foraminifera.Biostratigraphically,the Acarinina sibaiyaensis index-species is identified for the first time in this region,which allows us to specify the location of the Paleocene-Eocene boundary as well as the first E1 biozone of the lower Eocene.Samples from this biozone contain calcitic tests poorly preserved with an enrichment of iron oxide signifying a period of upheaval in local marine environments linked to the global warming of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum （PETM）,the marker for the P/E boundary.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Paleocene–Eocene limestones in the Ching-dar syncline, eastern Iran

The Ching-dar syncline is located to the west of the city of Birjand, in the east of han. The ca. 500 m thick studied section at the eastern flank of the syncline contains a sequence of almost continuous shallow- marine limestones that exhibit no major sedimentary breaks or evidence for volcanic activity. Skeletal grains consist of large benthic foraminifera and green algae whereas non-skeletal grains are mostly peloids and intraclasts. They were deposited on a shallow-marine carbonate ramp. The limestones have undergone extensive diagenetic processes with varying intensities, the most important of which are micritization, cementation, compaction （chemical and mechanical）, internal filling and stylolitization. Chemical analysis of the limestone samples revealed high calcium and low magnesium content. Major and minor element values were used to determine the original carbonate mineralogy of these lime- stones. Petrographic evidence and elemental values indicate that calcite was the original carbonate mineral in the limestones of the Ching-dar syncline. The elemental composition of the Ching-dar car- bonates also demonstrates that they have stabilized in a meteoric phreatic environment. Variation of Sr/ Ca vs. Mn values suggests that diagenetic alteration occurred in an open geochemical system.     

K–Ar age and geochemistry of the SW Japan Paleogene cauldron cluster: Implications for Eocene–Oligocene thermo-tectonic reactivation

Systematic K–Ar dating and geochemical analyses of Paleogene cauldrons in the Sanin Belt of SW Japan have been made to explore the relationship between the timing of their formation and the Paleogene subduction history of SW Japan documented in the Shimanto accretionary complex. We also examine the magma sources and tectonics beneath the backarc region of SW Japan at the eastern plate boundary of Eurasia.Fifty-eight new K–Ar ages and 19 previously reported radiometric age data show that the cauldrons formed during Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene time (43–30 Ma), following a period of magmatic hiatus from 52 to 43 Ma. The hiatus coincides with absence of an accretionary prism in the Shimanto Belt. Resumption of the magmatism that formed the cauldron cluster in the backarc was concurrent with voluminous influx of terrigenous detritus to the trench, as a common tectono-thermal event within a subduction system.The cauldrons are composed of medium-K calc-alkaline basalts to rhyolites and their plutonic equivalents. These rocks are characterized by lower concentrations of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) including K₂O, Ba, Rb, Th, U and Li, lower (La/Yb)_n ratios, lower initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7037–0.7052) and higher ε_Nd(T) values (?0.5 to +3.5) relative to Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene equivalents. There are clear trends from enriched to depleted signatures with decreasing age, from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleogene. The same isotopic shift is also confirmed in lower crust-derived xenoliths, and is interpreted as mobilization of pre-existing enriched lithospheric mantle by upwelling depleted asthenosphere.Relatively elevated geothermal gradients are presumed to have prevailed over wide areas of the backarc and forearc of the SW Japan arc-trench system during the Eocene to Oligocene. Newly identified Late Eocene low silica adakites and high-Mg andesites in the Sanin Belt and Early Eocene A-type granites in the SW Korea Peninsula probably formed due to upwelling of hot asthenosphere and subduction of a young plate.The backarc region was an extensional tectonic setting, and some Paleogene rift basins and Sanin Belt cauldrons occur in linear arrays. The Eocene–Oligocene Sanin-SE Korea continental arc lies on the NE extension of the East China Sea Basin, the initial stage of which probably formed by continental arc rifting. This rifting may have been triggered by upwelling of hot asthenosphere into the wedge space created by rollback of the subducted slab, in response to decreased convergence rate between the Pacific and Eurasian plates.     

Oil charge history of Paleogene–Eocene reservoir in the Termit Basin (Niger)

A total of 73 oils from the sandstone reservoir of Paleocene–Eocene Sokor 1 Formation in the Termit Basin (eastern Niger) were analysed to investigate the distribution characteristics of biomarkers. Most of the oil samples are quite similar in their organic geochemical characteristics and should have been derived from the same source bed/source kitchen. The homogenisation temperatures of aqueous inclusions in Paleocene–Eocene reservoir of the Termit Basin vary with a range of 76–125?°C. By combining the homogenisation temperatures with the burial and geothermal histories reconstructed by 1-dimensional basin modelling, the timing and episode of oil charge can be obtained, i.e. 13 to 0?Ma for Paleocene–Eocene reservoirs in the Termit Basin. Two presentative geochemical parameters, i.e. Ts / (Ts?+?Tm) and 2,4-dibenzothiophene/1,4-dibenzothiophene (2,4-DMDBT/1,4-DMDBT) were applied to trace the oil migration direction and filling pathway. The preferred oil-filling points in the northwest section of the Termit Basin were determined, and the promising exploratory targets were proposed for further oil exploration in this region.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of Cretaceous–Eocene granites,Tengchong Block (SW China): Petrogenesis and implications for Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Eastern Tethys

The Early Cretaceous–Early Eocene granitoids in the Tengchong Block record the evolutionary history of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of Eastern Tethys. (a) The Early Cretaceous granitoids with relatively low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7090–0.7169 and ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.8 to ?7.8 display metaluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by I-type granite affinity and hybrid mantle–crust geochemical signatures. They may have been derived from melting of the subducted Meso-Tethyan Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust with terrigenous sediments in an arc-continent collisional setting. (b) The Late Cretaceous–Paleocene granitoids with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7109–0.7627, and ε_Nd(t) values of ?12.1 to ?7.9 exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by S-type granite affinity and hybrid Lower–Upper crust geochemical signatures, which may be originated from partial melting of the Meso-Proterozoic continental crust in the collision setting between the Tengchong Block and Baoshan Block. (c) The Early Eocene granitoids have metaluminous, calc-alkaline I-type and S-type granites dual affinity, with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.711–0.736, ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.4 to ?4.7, showing crust-mantle mixing geochemical signatures. They may have been originated from partial melting of the late Meso-Proterozoic upper crustal components mixed with some upper mantle material during the ascent process of mantle magma caused by the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Putao–Myitkyian oceanic crust, and collision between the Western Burma Block and the Tengchong Block. It is these multi-stage subductions and collisions that caused the spatial and temporal distribution of the granitic rocks in the Tengchong Block.     

Microtextural Characteristics and Origin of Dolomites in the Tepearasi Formation, SW of Beysehir-Konya, Turkey

The Tepearasi Formation of the autochthonous Geyikdagi Group in the Central Tauride Belt, SE of Beysehir, is Dogger in age and consists dominantly of massive limestones and greyish dolomites occurring within the middle to upper sections. The total thickness of the dolomitic levels ranges from 100-300 m and laterally extends 500-700 m. Three types of dolomite were distinguished through petrographic analyses: homogeneous, mottled (saddle-crystalline) and joint-filling dolomite, which were interpreted to have formed in two different stages, early diagenetic and late diagenetic. The homogeneous dolomite of the early diagenetic stage is light-coloured and monotonous-textured and shows the form of a dolosparite mosaic. The mottled dolomite formed in the late diagenetic stage is light- to dark-coloured and coarsely granular idiomorphic. The other type of late diagenetic dolomite, described as the joint-filling type, presents a crystal growth pattern from the joint walls towards the centre of the joint space. I     

Sources of Eocene Magmatism in Western Kamchatka by the Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb Isotope Characteristics of Basites

Doklady Earth Sciences - The isotope and geochemical characteristics of Eocene–Oligocene igneous rocks of Western Kamchatka were studied. It was shown that igneous rocks of the Eocene Kinkil...     

First finds of Eocene diatoms in the marine Paleogene reference section in the Il’pinskii Peninsula, northeastern Kamchatka

Diatom algae from the Eocene sediments of the marine Cenozoic section in the Il’pinskii Peninsula, northeastern Kamchatka, are studied. The taxonomic composition of the diatom assemblage is characterized, including rare representatives of oceanic plankton. Correlation with planktonic foraminifer associations found in the section indicates a Middle Eocene (Lutetian) age for the diatoms. These are the first records of Eocene diatoms from the northwestern Pacific rim for which such a correlation has been achieved.     

Non-point source pollution of Wujiang River watershed in Guizhou Province, SW China

The amount of pollution from non-point sources flowing in the streams of the Wujiang River watershed in Guizhou Province, SW China, is estimated by a GIS-based method using rainfall, surface runoff and land use data. A grid of cells, 100 m in size, is laid over the landscape. For each cell, mean annual surface runoff is estimated from rainfall and percent land use, and expected pollutant concentration is estimated from land use. The product of surface runoff and concentration gives expected pollutant loading from that cell. These loadings are accumulated going downstream to give expected annual pollutant loadings in streams and rivers. By dividing these accumulated loadings by the similarly accumulated mean annual surface runoff, the expected pollutant concentration from non-point sources is determined for each location in a stream or river. Observed pollutant concentrations in the watershed are averaged at each sample point and compared to the expected concentrations at the same locations determined from the grid cell model. In general, annual non-point source nutrient loadings in the Wujiang River watershed are seen to be predominantly from the agricultural and meadow areas.     

Evolution of a tertiary volcanogenic trough in SW Turkey — The Alakaya basins of the Lycien belt

Field study of several stratigraphic sections from allochthonous thrust fault slices of SW Turkey reveal that a deeply subsiding volcanogenic trough, the Alakaya basin existed during Paleocene-Middle Eocene times along the Lycian belt. The Alakaya basin was located along a tectonically active zone of weakness between two relatively stable tectonic terrains, the Menderes massif to the northwest and the Beydaglari continental platform to the southeast. The basin was underlain by continental substratum. All known outcrops of the Alakaya sediments overlie platform carbonates of Cretaceous age that correlate with the Beydaglari shelf sediments. The generation of the volcanogenic Alakaya basin reflects a tensional period that culminated in Middle Eocene when basic volcanic activity took place. The tensional stage was replaced by a compressional regime in Late Eocene and large scale overthrust faulting took place. The Alakaya basin was closed when the Tefenni nappe from the north was emplaced on its sediments in Late Eocene. The Alakaya sediments overlying the Tefenni nappe and underlying the Cretaceous platform carbonates moved southeastward over a hundred kilometers onto the autochthonous sediments of the Beydaglari terrain in Miocene time. The Alakaya basin is analogous to the Maden basin of SE Turkey thrust fault belt. Both basins were located along tectonically active belts. The main stage of basin subsidence and volcanism was in Middle Eocene. Closure of both basins by large scale thrust faulting was in Late Eocene. The creation and destruction of the volcanogenic Alakaya basin may be related to the regional adjustments in plate motions in Paleocene-Eocene times.

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Zusammenfassung Geländestudien einiger stratigraphischer Profile von allochthonen Überschiebungspaketen in der SW Türkei zeigen, daß ein tief abgesunkener vulkanogener Trog, das Alakaya Becken, während des Paläozäns und Mittel Eozäns entlang der Lyzischen Zone bestand. Das Alakaya Becken lag innerhalb einer tektonisch aktiven Schwächezone zwischen zwei relativ stabilen tektonischen Terrains, dem Menderes Massiv im NW und der Beydaglari Kontinentalplattform im SE. Das Becken besaß eine kontinentale Unterlage. Alle bekannten Aufschlüsse mit Alakaya Sedimenten lagern über kretazischen Plattformkarbonaten, die sich mit den Beydaglaria Schelfsedimenten korrelieren lassen. Die Entwicklung des vulkanogenen Alakaya Bekkens spiegelt eine Spannungsperiode wieder, die im Mittel Eozän mit basischem Vulkanismus kulminierte. Diese Periode der Zugspannung wurde im späten Eozän von einer kompressiven Beanspruchung abgelöst, welche zu großmaßstäblichen Überschiebungen führte. Das Alakaya Becken wurde geschlossen, als auf Grund der späteozänen Platznahme die aus dem Norden stammende Tefenni Decke auf deren Sedimenten zu liegen kam. Die Alakaya Sedimente zusammen mit der überlagernden Tefenni Decke und den unterlagernden kretazischen Plattformkarbonaten wurden während des Miozäns über einhundert Kilometer südostwärts auf die autochthonen Sedimente des Beydaglari Terrains überschoben. Das Alakaya Becken ist ein Analogon zu dem Maden Becken der SE Türkischen Überschiebungszone. Beide Becken lagen entlang tektonisch aktiver Zonen. Während des Mittel Miozäns war das Hauptstadium der Beckensubsidenz und des Vulkanismus. Das Schließen der Becken mittels großmaßstäblicher Überschiebung fand in beiden Fällen im späten Eozän statt. Die Bildung und der Zerfall des vulkanogenen Alakaya Beckens scheint mit den regionalen Anpassungen an die Plattenbewegung während des Paläozäns und Eozäns verbunden zu sein.

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Résumé L'étude de terrain de plusieurs coupes stratigraphiques dans les lames charriées de l'allochtone du sud-ouest de la Turquie révèle l'existence, du Paléocène à l'Eocène moyen, d'une fosse volcanogénique fortement subsidente: le bassin d'Alakaya, situé le long de la chaîne lycienne. Ce bassin d'Alakaya s'est localisé le long d'une zone de faiblesse tectoniquement active, entre deux blocs relativement stables: le massif de Menderes au nord-ouest et la plate-forme continentale de Beydaglari au sud-est. Le bassin repose sur un substratum continental. Dans tous les affleurements connus, les sédiments d'Alakaya surmontent des carbonates de plateforme d'âge Crétacé, corrélables aux sédiments de shelf de Beydaglari. La genèse du bassin volcanogène d'Alakaya reflète une période d'extension dont le maximum se situe à l'Eocène moyen, lors de l'apparition d'une activité volcanique basique. A la phase distensive a succédé, à l'Eocène supérieur, un régime compressif marqué par des charriages de grande échelle. Le bassin d'Alakaya était fermé au moment où la nappe de Tefenni, venant du nord, s'est mise en place sur ses sédiments, à l'Eocène supérieur. Au Miocène, l'ensemble formé par la plate-forme carbonatée crétacée sous-jacente, les sédiments dAlakaya et la nappe de Tefenni surincombante a été transporté d'une centaine de km vers le sud-est sur les sédiments autochtones de Beydaglari. Le bassin d'Alakaya est analogue au bassin de Maden de la ceinture charriée du sud-est de la Turquie. Tous deux se sont localisés le long de zônes tectoniques actives. Leur phase culminante de subsidence et de volcanisme se situe à l'Eocène moyen. Dans les deux cas, les bassins ont été formés à l'Eocène supérieur par un charriage à grande échelle. La formation et la destruction du bassin d'Alakaya semblent pouvoir être rattachées aux ajustements régionaux dans les mouvements des plaques au Paléocène-Eocène.

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Ichnological evidence of marine incursions in the lacustrine–palustrine Bembridge Limestone Formation (Eocene), Isle of Wight,southern England

Trace fossils are described from the Eocene Bembridge Limestone Formation from the Isle of Wight and used to constrain the paleoenvironmental interpretation. The lacustrine–palustrine succession contains three limestone beds, which are separated by clay and marl. The middle and upper limestone beds reveal complex burrow systems developed at their top. Based on their characteristics, these burrow systems are assigned to the ichnotaxon Balanoglossites triadicus Mägdefrau, which is associated with the shallow superficial grooves Sulcolithos variabilis Knaust. B. triadicus is a common marine trace fossil mainly known from shallow-marine carbonate successions throughout the Phanerozoic. It is accompanied by other marine ichnotaxa such as Arachnostega gastrochaenae Bertling, Gastrochaenolites isp. aff. G. ornatus Kelly and Bromley, Spongeliomorpha iberica Saporta and Thalassinoides suevicus (Rieth). This ichnological evidence confirms the occurrence of short-term marginal-marine incursions in a predominantly lacustrine to palustrine environment.