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Current Issue   2017 Vol.  6 No.  1 Published: 2017-03-07 1 A successful symposium of “Multi-origin of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites” Zeng-Zhao Feng A great progress has been made in researches of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) and seismites in China. However, the research thought was not open-minded. About the origin of SSDS, it was almost with one viewpoint, i.e., almost all papers published in journals of China considered the beds with SSDS as seismites. It is not a good phenomenon. In order to change this phenomenon, in early 2016, Feng et al. wrote a paper “Researches of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites in China ? A brief review” as “to cast a brick to attract the jade”, emailed this paper to many geologists in China and other countries, and invited them to write papers for the symposium of “Multi-origin of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites”. “The seismite problem” by Prof. G. Shanmugam is the first paper that we have received. The symposium was successfully held in September 24, 2016 at Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, China. The products of this symposium are as follows: (1) The terms “SSDS” and “Multi-origin of SSDS” were accepted by numerous geologists. (2) The definition of seismites by Seilacher (1969), i.e., “fault-graded beds interpreted as seismites”, should be obsoleted, however, the definition by many geologists today, i.e., “the seismites are the beds with SSDS really induced by earthquakes", should not be obsoleted and should be retained. (3) The term “seismites” should be strictly restricted to the beds with SSDS that are really induced by earthquakes. (4) The clastic injections are also with multi-origin, and they cannot definitely be the seismites and may not be the exact criteria of in-situ earthquakes. (5) The most important product of this symposium is that the phenomenon of almost one viewpoint or almost one voice of the researches of SSDS and seismites in China has been Changed eventually. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 1-6 [Abstract] ( 386 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (210 KB)   ( 72 ) 7 Preface of the Chinese version of “The seismite problem” Zeng-Zhao Feng During the past 30 years (1987?2016), a great progress has been made in researches of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) and seismites in China. However, the research thought of the academic field was not open-minded. It was almost with one viewpoint, i.e., almost all the papers of this field published in China considered the beds with SSDS as seismites. In order to change the phenomenon of one viewpoint, Feng et al. (2016) wrote a paper “Researches of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites in China — A brief review” as “to cast a brick to attract the jade”, emailed this paper to many geologists in China and other countries, and invited them to write papers for the symposium of “Multi-origin of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites”, to orally present their papers at the symposium, and to discuss the problems of SSDS and seismites. “The seismite problem” by Prof. Shanmugam is the first paper that we have received from those geologists invited by us. It is an excellent paper that covers 153 years researches of geologists worldwide and has 268 references. It is beneficial to the researches of SSDS and seismites in China. The most important contribution of this paper is to challenge and negate the term “seismites” introduced by Seilacher (1969). Therefore, the term “seismites” should be obsoleted. Chinese geologist translated the term “seismites” into “震积岩”(Zhenjiyan) (the beds induced by earthquake and sedimentation). It is a mistranslated term and should not be used any more. Whether the term “seismites” should be obsoleted or not, and whether the term “震积岩” (Zhenjiyan) should not be used any more, these problems should be discussed and determined by numerous geologists in China and worldwide, and should be determined by geological practice. Another important contribution of “The seismite problem” is introduction of triggers and emphasis of liquefaction. 21 triggers and 2 types of soft-sediment constitute the theoretical foundation of the formation process of SSDS. If we utilize the method of “On contradiction” by Tse-Tung Mao (Mao, 1937), study the formation process of SSDS in which there are many contradictions, and devote every effort to finding its principal contradiction, the SSDS can reveal something about the triggers, i.e., can reveal something about the origin of SSDS. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 7-11 [Abstract] ( 361 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (187 KB)   ( 67 ) 12 The fallacy of interpreting SSDS with different types of breccias as seismites amid the multifarious origins of earthquakes: Implications G. Shanmugam At present, there are no criteria to distinguish soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) formed by earthquakes from SSDS formed by the other 20 triggering mechanisms (see a companion paper in Vol. 5, No. 4 of this journal by Shanmugam, 2016). Even if one believes that earthquakes are the true triggering mechanism of SSDS in a given case, the story is still incomplete. This is because earthquakes (seismic shocks) are induced by a variety of causes: (1) global tectonics and associated faults (i.e., mid-ocean ridges, trenches, and transform faults); (2) meteorite-impact events; (3) volcanic eruptions; (4) post-glacial uplift; (5) tsunami impact; (6) cyclonic impact; (7) landslides (mass-transport deposits); (8) tidal activity; (9) sea-level rise, (10) erosion; and (11) fluid pumping. These different causes are important for developing SSDS. Breccias are an important group of SSDS. Although there are many types of breccias classified on the basis of their origin, five types are discussed here (fault, volcanic, meteorite impact, sedimentary-depositional, sedimentary-collapse). Although different breccia types may resemble each other, distinguishing one type (e.g., meteorite breccias) from the other types (e.g., fault, volcanic, and sedimentary breccias) has important implications. (1) Meteorite breccias are characterized by shock features (e.g., planar deformation features in mineral grains, planar fractures, high-pressure polymorphs, shock melts, etc.), whereas sedimentary-depositional breccias (e.g., debrites) do not. (2) Meteorite breccias imply a confined sediment distribution in the vicinity of craters, whereas sedimentary-depositional breccias imply an unconfined sediment distribution, variable sediment transport, and variable sediment provenance. (3) Meteorite, volcanic, and fault breccias are invariably subjected to diagenesis and hydrothermal mineralization with altered reservoir quality, whereas sedimentary-depositional breccias exhibit primary (unaltered) reservoir quality. And finally, (4) sedimentary-collapse breccias are associated with economic mineralization (e.g., uranium ore), whereas sedimentary-depositional breccias are associated with petroleum reservoirs. Based on this important group of SSDS with breccias, the current practice of interpreting all SSDS as “seismites” is inappropriate. Ending this practice is necessary for enhancing conceptual clarity and for advancing this research domain. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 12-44 [Abstract] ( 344 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (16625 KB)   ( 61 ) 45 Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of deposition of NsukkaFormation, AnambraBasin, southeastern Nigeria S.A.Bankole, A.O. Ola-Buraimo A great progress has been made in researches of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) and seismites in China. However, the research thought was not open-minded. About the origin of SSDS, it was almost with one viewpoint, i.e., almost all papers published in journals of China considered the beds with SSDS as seismites. It is not a good phenomenon. In order to change this phenomenon, in early 2016, Feng et al. wrote a paper “Researches of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites in China ? A brief review” as “to cast a brick to attract the jade”, emailed this paper to many geologists in China and other countries, and invited them to write papers for the symposium of “Multi-origin of soft-sediment deformation structures and seismites”. “The seismite problem” by Prof. G. Shanmugam is the first paper that we have received. The symposium was successfully held in September 24, 2016 at Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, China. The products of this symposium are as follows: (1) The terms “SSDS” and “Multi-origin of SSDS” were accepted by numerous geologists. (2) The definition of seismites by Seilacher (1969), i.e., “fault-graded beds interpreted as seismites”, should be obsoleted, however, the definition by many geologists today, i.e., “the seismites are the beds with SSDS really induced by earthquakes", should not be obsoleted and should be retained. (3) The term “seismites” should be strictly restricted to the beds with SSDS that are really induced by earthquakes. (4) The clastic injections are also with multi-origin, and they cannot definitely be the seismites and may not be the exact criteria of in-situ earthquakes. (5) The most important product of this symposium is that the phenomenon of almost one viewpoint or almost one voice of the researches of SSDS and seismites in China has been Changed eventually. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 45-59 [Abstract] ( 320 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (7162 KB)   ( 72 ) 60 A latest Permian non-reef calcisponge fauna from Laibin, Guangxi, southern China and its significance Ya-Sheng Wu A calcisponge fauna occurs in latest Permian Conodont Clarkina meishanensis yini zone of the sequence exposed in the vicinity of Laibin, Guangxi Province, southern China. The fauna is dominated by one thalamid species, Amblysiphonella vesiculosa de Koninck, 1863, and one new sclerosponge genus and species, Radiofibrosclera laibinensis gen. et sp. nov. They are associated with a few other accessory species, including the thalamid sponges Amblysiphonella laibinensis Deng, 1981, Colospongia sp., Polycystocoelia sp., and the inozoan sponge Acoelia discontinua sp. nov. Though the individuals are abundant, the species diversity is very low. Without common calcisponge components of Changhsingian reefal faunas, the assemblage is interpreted as not a reefal fauna. The water depth at which they dwelled was less than 105 m, and more probably less than 40 m. Its occurrence indicates a significant sea-level drop at the close of Late Permian Changhsingian Stage. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 60-68 [Abstract] ( 257 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (4750 KB)   ( 61 ) 69 Major geologic events of the Cauvery Basin, India and their correlation with global signatures — A review R. Nagendra, A. Nallapa Reddy The present review is aimed at correlating major geologic events of the Cauvery Basin with analogous global episodes. The Cauvery Basin came into existence due to Gondwana break up during late Jurassic-early Cretaceous by taphrogenic rift process. The first marine transgression close to Aptian/Albian boundary at the western margin of the basin terminates the syn-rift tectonic phase, which is also precise in adjoining Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin. Two regional tectonic episodes are well documented in the basin which has global significance viz. (1) a major basinal uplift during late Turonian caused by Marion hot mantle plume resulted in widespread subaqueous volcanism in the southern part of the Cauvery Basin. This uplift also led to relative sea level fall (RSL) of about 100 m in Cauvery and KG Basins and an unconformity of a magnitude of 2.3Ma. The RSL fall closely correlates with global sea level fall. This volcanic episode also resulted in Madagascar detachment from India. (2) The reunion hot mantle plume that led to Deccan volcanism in central India resulted in E-SE tilt of the Cauvery Basin during upper Maastrichtian (CF1-CF3 zones). This tilt caused a sea level fall of about 80 m and lateral withdrawal of sea by about 50 km developing a major erosional unconformity ranging in magnitude of ~1.8-30 My. The magnitude of RSL correlates well with global sea level fall. This sea level fall caused widespread development of canyon features in the Cauvery Basin resulting in differential subaqueous erosion. The globally significant ocean anoxic events viz. OAE-1b, OAE-1d, OAE-2 and OAE-3 are fairly discernible in the Cauvery Basin. The new isotopic palaeotemperature data suggests that southern India and Madagascar were located apparently in middle latitudes within the tropical-subtropical climatic zone during Albian and Early Maastrichtian. The magnitude of hiatus across K-Pg boundary varying from 0-30Ma is estimated based on planktic foraminifera for subsurface sections. The magnetostratigraphy of outcrop sediments with rich fossil evidences reveal that magnetic polarity reversals consist of 13 magnetozones in the Late Cretaceous sedimentary strata. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 69-83 [Abstract] ( 286 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (4603 KB)   ( 55 ) 84 Role of flood discharge in shaping stream geometry: Analysis of a small modern stream in the Uinta Basin, USA Guang-Ming Hu, Ru-Xin Ding, Yan-Bing Li , Jing-Fu Shan, Xiao-Tao Yu , Wei Feng This small modern river system is located on a relatively flat (about 1°-2°), unconsolidated sandy pediment surface in the Uinta Basin of Utah, USA, and it is with a scale of about 30 m long and 0.4-0.8 m wide, similar as a natural flume experiment model. The small stream is informally divided into upstream, midstream and downstream. The analysis shows that flood discharge influences channel sinuosity and morphology to produce an initial meandering pattern which is later changed to a braided and then a straight pattern in the downflow direction. The upstream segment has a high sinuous geometry dominated by both erosion (cutbanks) and deposition (point bars). In the resistance of sporadic vegetation rooting in banks, the upstream flood deviates its original direction, which results in the powerful flood intensively eroding the cutbank and accreting clastics to build point bars, and thus producing a high sinuous channel. The midstream is dominated by deposits (many small bars) with a moderate to low sinuosity. Due to the bad drainage of the high sinuous channel in the upstream, the strong flood can cut off the point bar completely or even surmount the levee in the last meandering upstream, which widens the channel suddenly with a quick decreasing current power. Then, the clastics from the upstream are unloaded in the midstream and form many small bars. Unloaded sediments protect the bank, and the low-power current brings a moderate erosion to the bank, which forms a moderate to low sinuous channel in the midstream. The downstream shows multistage erosional terraces in its relatively straight channels. After the midstream water drops its load, it becomes “clear” and reaches downstream, the lower current power is helpless to reform channel geometry. Thus, the downstream channel segment keeps a lower sinuous geometry, even straight partially. Small amounts of fine clastics are deposited, and simultaneously multistage terraces are formed due to regressive flood erosion.This stream example demonstrates the subtleties of stream flow and the importance of flood discharge in shaping the channel geometry. Although it is difficult to scale up this example to a large river system that carves geomorphic landscape, this case shows how river geometries vary from the traditional patterns due to different gradient. 2017 Vol. 6 (1): 84-95 [Abstract] ( 252 ) [HTML 1KB] PDF (6540 KB)   ( 77 )

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