| 1. |
- Fairchild, Ian J., et al.
(författare)
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Tonian-Cryogenian boundary sections of Argyll, Scotland
- 2018
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Ingår i: Precambrian Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-9268 .- 1872-7433. ; 319, s. 37-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Tonian-Cryogenian System boundary is to be defined at a GSSP (Global Boundary Stratigraphic Section and Point) beneath the first evidence of widespread glaciation. A candidate lies within the Dalradian Supergroup of Scotland and Ireland, which is least deformed and metamorphosed in Argyll, western Scotland. We present new stratigraphic profiles and interpretations from the Isle of Islay and the Garvellach Islands, update the chemostratigraphy of the Appin Group Tonian carbonates underlying the thick (ca. 1 km) glacigenic Port Askaig Formation (PAF) and demonstrate an environmental transition at the contact. The Appin Group forms a regionally extensive, > 4 km-thick, succession of limestones, shales and sandstones deposited on a marine shelf. On Islay, the upper part of the lithostratigraphy has been clarified by measuring and correlating two sections containing distinctive stratigraphic levels including molar tooth structure, oolite, stromatolitic dolomite and intraclastic microbial mounds. Significantly deeper erosion at the unconformity at the base of the overlying PAF is demonstrated in the southern section. Carbonate facies show a gradual decline in delta C-13(VPDB) from +5 to + 2 parts per thousand upwards. In NE Garbh Eileach (Garvellach Islands), a continuously exposed section of Appin Group carbonates, 70 m thick, here designated the Garbh Eileach Formation (GEF), lies conformably beneath the PAF. The GEF and the GEF-PAF boundary relationships are re -described with new sedimentological logs, petrological and stable isotope data. Interstratified limestone and dolomicrosparite with delta C-13 of -4 to -7 parts per thousand (a feature named the Garvellach anomaly, replacing the term Islay anomaly) are overlain by dolomite in which the isotope signature becomes weakly positive (up to +1 parts per thousand) upwards. Shallow subtidal conditions become peritidal upwards, with evidence of wave and storm activity. Gypsum pseudomorphs and subaerial exposure surfaces are common near the top of the GEF. The basal diamictite (D1) of the PAF is rich in carbonate clasts similar to slightly deeper water parts of the underlying succession. D1 is typically several metres thick with interstratified sandstone and conglomerate, but dies out laterally. Scattered siliciclastic coarse sandstone to pebble conglomerate with dropstones associated with soft -sediment deformation is interbedded with carbonate below and above D1. Dolomite beds with derived intraclasts and gypsum pseudomorphs are found above D1 (or equivalent position, where Dl is absent). Published and new Sr isotope studies, including successive leach data, demonstrate primary Tonian Sr-87/Sr-86 values of 0.7066-0.7069 on Islay, decreasing to 0.7064-0.7066 in the younger GEF limestones on the Garvellachs, with 1700-2700 ppm Sr. Other typically Tonian characteristics of the carbonates are the Sr-rich nature of limestones, molar tooth structure, and dolomitized peritidal facies with evidence of aridity. Seabed surveys suggesting uniformly-dipping strata and shallow borehole core material illustrate the potential for extending the Tonian record offshore of the Garvellachs. A candidate Tonian-Cryogenian GSSP is proposed on Garbh Eileach within the smooth delta C-13 profile at the cross-over to positive delta C-13 signatures, 4 m below the first occurrence of ice-rafted sediment and 9 m below the first diamictite. Although lacking radiometric constraints or stratigraphically significant biotas or biomarkers, the Scottish succession has a thick and relatively complete sedimentary record of glaciation, coherent carbon and strontium chemostratigraphy, lateral continuity of outcrops and 100% exposure at the proposed boundary interval.
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| 2. |
- Sahlin, Eva A. U., et al.
(författare)
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Connectivity analyses of valley patterns indicate preservation of a preglacial fluvial valley system in the Dyfi basin, Wales
- 2009
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-7878. ; 120, s. 245-255
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Coastal valleys in the west part of Mid-Wales, such as the Mawddach, Dysynni, Tal-y-Ilyn and Dyfi, acted as corridors for ice which drained the Welsh Ice Cap during the Devensian. Analyses of detailed digital elevation models, and interpretation of satellite images and aerial photographs, show the existence of large variations in the amount of glacial modification between these valleys. Although all the valleys are glacially over-deepened along late Caledonian fault lines, only the Dyfi basin exhibits a dendritic pattern, with V-shaped cross-profiles and valley spurs typical of valleys formed by fluvial processes. Connectivity analysis of the Dyfi basin shows that it exhibits an almost completely dendritic pattern with connectivity alpha and beta values of 0.74 and 1.01, respectively, with little glacial modification of the preglacial fluvial valley pattern in the form of glacial valley breaching. Several examples of glacial meltwater incision into a well-developed pre-existing river valley system, causing river capture across watersheds, have been identified in the Dyfi basin. The degree of preservation of the preglacial fluvial valley system within the Dyfi basin indicates limited modification by glacial processes, despite the area being subjected to glacier activity during the Late Devensian at least. It is possible that major parts of the basin were covered by cold-based or slow-moving ice, close to, or under, a migrating ice-divide, with the major ice drainage Occurring along the weaker zone of the Pennal Fault along which teh Dyfi valley is located, causing minor adjustments to the Surrounding interfluves and uplands. it is proposed here that the general river valley morphology of the Dyfi basin is of a pre-Late Devensian age.
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| 3. |
- Sahlin, Eva A.U. 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Connectivity analyses of valley patterns reveal Devensian glacial drainage activity in Mid-Wales (poster)
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Coastal valleys in the west part of Mid-Wales, such as the Mawddach, Dysynni, Tal-y-llyn and Dyfi, are believed to have acted as corridors for ice which drained the Welsh Ice Cap during the Devensian. Connectivity analyses of valley patterns from detailed digital elevation models, and interpretation of satellite images and aerial photographs show the existence of large variations in the amount of glacial modification between these valleys. Although all the valleys are glacially over-deepened along Silurian fault lines, only the Dyfi basin exhibits a dendritic pattern, with V-shaped cross profiles and valley spurs typical of valleys formed by fluvial processes.The connectivity analyses show that the Dyfi basin exhibits a purely dendritic pattern with little glacial modification of the preglacial fluvial valley pattern in form of valley breaching. It is proposed here that the general river valley morphology of the Dyfi basin is of a pre-Late Devensian age. This suggests a complex glacial drainage history, where cold-based ice was not only confined to the interior uplands, but also covered low-altitude areas previously believed to be a major drainage conduit for the Welsh Ice Cap. This indicates that Late Devensian glacial erosion was not as intense as previously believed and larger areas might have been overlain by cold-based ice.
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| 4. |
- Sahlin, Eva A.U. 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Evidence for cold-based ice at low altitudes : Preservation of a preglacial fluvial valley system in the Dyfi basin, Wales (poster)
- 2009
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Coastal valleys in the west part of mid-Wales, such as the Mawddach, Dysynni, Tal-y-llyn and Dyfi, are believed to have acted as corridors for ice which drained the Welsh Ice Cap during the Devensian. Analysis of detailed digital elevation models and interpretation of satellite images and aerial photographs show the existence of large variations in the amount of glacial modification between these valleys. Although all the valleys are glacially over-deepened along Silurian fault lines, only the Dyfi basin exhibits a dendritic pattern, with V-shaped cross profiles and valley spurs typical of valleys formed by fluvial processes. Connectivity analysis of the Dyfi basin shows that it exhibits a nearly dendritic pattern with connectivity α and β values of 0.74 and 1.01 respectively, with little glacial modification of the preglacial fluvial valley pattern in the form of valley breaching. It is proposed that the general river valley morphology of the Dyfi basin is of a pre-Late Devensian age. Several examples have been identified of glacial meltwater incision into a well-developed pre-existing river valley system, causing river capture across watersheds. The degree of preservation of the pre-glacial fluvial valley system within the Dyfi basin indicates limited modification by glacial processes, despite the area being subjected to Late Devensian glacier activity. It is possible that major parts of the basin were covered by cold-based or slow-moving ice close to or under a migrating ice divide, with the major ice drainage occurring along the weaker zone of the Pennal Fault, causing minor adjustments to the surrounding interfluves and uplands.
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