Search results for "Surface Processes"
showing 10 items of 1294 documents
Geochemistry, geochronology and isotope geology of Nakfa intrusive rocks, northern Eritrea: products of a tectonically thickened Neoproterozoic arc c…
2001
Abstract The north-south-trending Neoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary plutonic associations in northern Eritrea are part of the Nubian Shield. The Nakfa intrusive rocks range in composition from gabbro to syeno-diorite to granite and alkaline syenite and intrude supracrustal rocks of volcanic and sedimentary origin. All granitoid rocks are metaluminous or slightly peraluminous and have typical I-type chemical signatures. The calc-alkaline intrusive rocks and the alkaline syenites have geochemical characteristics (e.g. low Nb values) typical of arc intrusives and plot as volcanic arc granites on various discriminant diagrams. Single zircon evaporation Pb-Pb ages and conventional multigrain U-…
Tectonic evolution of the Sierra Maestra Mountains, SE Cuba, during Tertiary times: From arc-continent collision to transform motion
2008
Abstract A structural study was carried out along the southern Sierra Maestra mountain range, SE Cuba. This was aimed to monitor the effects of Paleogene island arc formation and collision due to convergence of the Caribbean and North American plates and subsequent Neogene disruption of the arc by initiation of the North Caribbean Transform Fault. In the Sierra Maestra two different and unrelated volcanic arcs are exposed, one of Cretaceous age (pre-Maastrichtian) and the other of Paleogene age, the latter forming the main expression of the mountain range. The volcanic arcs are overlain by Middle–Upper Eocene siliciclastic, carbonate and terrigenous rocks. Six distinct phases of deformation…
Rhine flood deposits recorded in the Gallo-Roman site of Oedenburg (Haut-Rhin, France).
2006
13 pages; International audience; From the first to the fourth century AD, the Gallo-Roman town of Oedenburg developed in the alluvial landscape of the southern Upper Rhine Graben. Throughout this period, the landscape mosaic, composed of palaeochannels, stable palaeoislands and river terraces, continued to evolve. A district of this town, situated on a lateral Rhine channel system, was archaeologically excavated. Largescale excavation and cross-section analysis provide evidence of changing fluvial conditions during the period under study. At about AD 20 or earlier, this lateral part of the floodplain, affected by very fine sedimentation, was occupied by moribund marshy palaeochannels. When…
Freshwater discharge and sediment dispersal — Control on growth, ecological structure and geometry of Late Miocene shallow-water coral ecosystems (ea…
2007
Abstract Insolation-driven oceanographic changes are well documented in the Mediterranean deep-sea record and reflect episodes of high precipitation and/or freshwater discharge. In the shallow-water record, however, changes in relative sea-level and sea surface temperature are usually regarded as prime controls on Miocene coral reefs, whereas pulses of freshwater influx represent a hitherto unrecognized factor influencing their growth, ecological structure and geometry. On the island of Crete (NW Messara Basin, Greece) early Tortonian coral biostromes occur associated with deltas along the basin margin and rimming islands formed by large uplifted tectonic blocks. In turbid delta environment…
Occurrence of whale barnacles in Nerja Cave (Málaga, southern Spain): Indirect evidence of whale consumption by humans in the Upper Magdalenian
2014
A total of 167 plates of two whale barnacle species (Tubicinella major Lamarck, 1802 and Cetopirus complanatus Morch, 1853) have been found in the Upper Magdalenian layers of Nerja Cave, Mina Chamber (Maro, Malaga, southern Spain). This is the first occurrence of these species in a prehistoric site. Both species are specific to the southern right whale Eubalena australis, today endemic in the Southern Hemisphere. Because of Antarctic sea-ice expansion during the Last Glacial Period, these whales could have migrated to the Northern Hemisphere, and reached southern Spain. Whale barnacles indicate that maritime-oriented forager human groups found stranded whales on the coast and, because of th…
Elevation of the last interglacial highstand in Sicily (Italy): A benchmark of coastal tectonics
2006
Well-preserved MIS 5.5 terraces in Sicily are identified primarily by the index fossil Strombus bubonius, and dated by amino acid racemization (AAR), electron spin resonance (ESR), Uranium/Thorium (U/Th) and thermo luminescence (TL) methods. This review of published data and new results for the island of Sicily and neighbouring small islands of Egadi, Ustica and Lampedusa identifies areas of rapid uplift in the east (up to +175 m, elevation above sea level), slower uplift in the north (+29 m), and relative stability in the northwest (+2/+18 m). In contrast, about 250 km of the southern coastline of Sicily does not appear to contain MIS 5.5 outcrops. In eastern Sicily, correlation of MIS 5.5…
Etna and the perception of volcanic risk
2013
Sicily’s uneven geological structure is positioned within a system of tectonic plates, and its very active volcano has always made it prone to disasters. Many Sicilian cities have in fact been destroyed by natural events many times over the centuries. This can certainly be understood negatively as the destruction of entire towns, the emission of volcanic ash, and the mutation of landscapes by a terrifying force have instilled fearful memories in local populations. But from another point of view one must consider the positive elements of Etna. Its beautiful landscapes were a major attraction on the Grand Tour, and its inhabitants have long associated the volcano with the concept of rebirth a…
Sedimentary basins evolution and olistoliths formation: The case of Carpathian and Sicilian regions
2012
Abstract Comparative research carried out within two different basins, one in the Carpathians of Poland (Late Jurassic to Early Miocene) and another in the Apenninic-Maghrebian mountain chain of Sicily (Triassic-Miocene), indicate significant similarity not only in their evolution but also in the sedimentary features of horizons with olistoliths. The olistolith-bearing units are genetically related to stages of tectonic evolution and are independent of the size of the basins and of duration of these stages. However, the observed differences in composition and size of olistoliths suggested, among the others relationship with the size of source areas and thickness of their sedimentary cover.
Ramification of lithic production and the search of small tools in Iberian Peninsula Middle Paleolithic
2015
The notion of recycling and it relationship with ramified productions and small tool production in Late Middle Paleolithic from the Iberian Peninsula are investigated. Results from Amalda, Axlor, Pen~a Miel, and Quebrada show that the production of small tools is one of the principal objectives of lithic provi- sioning in these sites. Whereas in Axlor and Amalda, this is achieved through the ramification of pro- duction, due to the remoteness of flint sources, in Quebrada, where raw material sources are closer, small flakes are obtained at the end of Levallois production. The implications for Neandertal society organi- zation of this small tool production is discussed, and its evolution is …
Evaporite karst in Italy: A review
2017
none 16 si Although outcropping rarely in Italy, evaporite (gypsum and anhydrite) karst has been described in detail since the early 20th century. Gypsum caves are now known from almost all Italian regions, but are mainly localised along the northern border of the Apennine chain (Emilia Romagna and Marche), Calabria, and Sicily, where the major outcrops occur. Recently, important caves have also been discovered in the underground gypsum mines in Piedmont. During the late 80s and 90s several multidisciplinary studies were carried out in many gypsum areas, resulting in a comprehensive overview, promoting further research in these special karst regions. More recent and detailed studies focused…