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deposit lies a mixture of slumped/convoluted marine sand and coarse, angular debris- Sea level changes and coastal evolution flow/rock-avalanche gravel (Figure 2). Abundant shallow marine shells, having (INQUA) and Neotectonics (INQUA) lived in a water depth of 5-50 m (identified by H.W. Chen of the Central Geological Sur- vey, R.O.C.), are included in the deformed Taipei, China, October 17–24, 2001 sand body. They are dated around 8.9 and 9.2 ka (unpublished data by M.Y. Hsu). Wood The international meeting on both Sea level zone. The middle and southern portions of fragments are commonly incorporated in the changes and coastal evolution (INQUA) and eastern coast have a high uplift rate. debris-flow deposits; they are dated 8-9 ka. Neotectonics (INQUA) was held in Taiwan Holocene transgression deposits reach more These debris-flow gravel and deformed sand on 17–24 October 2001. Participants came than 50 m amsl or more. There are com- deposits (maximum thickness 20 m) are trun- from more than 10 countries including mem- monly 3–4 flights of Holocene terraces. The cated and overlain by beach (and fluvial) bers of these two commissions of INQUA flight with altitude 37~40 m amsl in the mid- gravel, which inclines shoreward and con- and scientists who were interested in these dle portion of the eastern coast is dated as 5 nects the modern beach at the easternmost topics. This meeting includes two days pre- ka—the age corresponding to the maximum part of the terrace. At the western part of the sentation and four days field excursion to the Holocene transgression around Taiwan. Fan terrace, abundant pottery fragments are very rapid uplift of eastern coast and the deposits superposed on marine deposits of found within this beach gravel. The pottery (at level of 42–46 m in elevation) belongs to 1999 earthquake fault of Taiwan. People terrace is common in this high relief coastal the culture that probably ranges from 4000 to experienced the topography and geological zone. This photo of Tulan Terrace in south- 3500 years ago (Liu and Yen, 2000), and that features under very dynamic natural forces, ern portion of the eastern coast shows tec- yields an uplift rate of at least 1 cm/yr. internal and external. Internal (tectonic) tonic uplift and debris—flow events from Walk to the sea cliff, almost all types of forces coming from the continuous collision deglacial fan-delta sequence. marine sediments on the coast can be of Philippine Sea plate with Eurasian plate The Tulan terrace (Figure 1) is one of observed. Look at the spectacular outcrop on since late Miocene results in the very high the two largest emergent fan-deltas on the the sea cliff and try to imagine what hap- uplift rate of this mountain belt especially eastern coast. The terrace is underlain by a pened to the coast 8000–9000 years ago and eastern coast and large part of southern Tai- mudstone platform which slopes to and even- since then. wan. External forces may be partly due to the tually submerges beneath the sea. This plat- high precipitation during summer in this form is overlain by well-sorted nearshore island—the frontal belt of Asian monsoon sand, which increases landward in height and Ping-Mei Liew and Meng-Long Hsieh situation. Both erosion and deposition thickness. Marine shell fragments in this Department of Geosciences process intensively. deposit are dated 12–15 ka (Pirazzoli et al., National Taiwan University Eastern coast of Taiwan is situated on 1993; Yamaguchi and Ota, 2001), which 245 Choushan Rd., Taipei the accreted arc and proximal to the collision yields uplift rate of 6–9 mm/yr. Above this TAIWAN, CHINA

Figure 2 Debris-flow and slump deposits exposed on the Tulan sea cliff (25–30m in height). (a) – A view to the southwest. The more resistant tuffaceous debris-flow gravel (white colored) (T) forms precipitous cliffs. In contrast, the negative topography between these cliffs is composed of slumping and convoluted marine sand (S). These disorganized deposits are underlain by well-stratified shallow marine sand (N), which overlies a shoreward-sloping mudstone platform (M). The top of the debris-flow and slumping deposits is truncated and covered by beach gravel and sand dunes. (b) and (c) – Close view of the Figure 1 Morphology of the coast around Tulan. tuffaceous-gravel blocks (T) and deformed marine sand (S).

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Polar regions of the earth: geology, tectonics, resource value, natural environment St. Petersburg, Russia, November 1–3, 2001

The international conference Polar Regions general geological knowledge and tectonic of the Earth: Geology, Tectonics, Resource interpretations, and systematic production of Value, Natural Environment was held in St. GIS-based State Geological Map Series of Petersburg, Russia, on November 1–3, 2001 the Russian continental shelf. G. Grikurov at the premises of All-Russia Research Insti- presented evolution of views on tectonic tute for Geology and Mineral Resources of structure and history of Antarctica in context the World Ocean "VNIIOkeangeologia" of modern isotopic and geochemical analyti- (Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russ- cal data from bedrock geology on land , and ian Federation/Russian Academy of Sci- new geophysical evidence from submarine ences) and Arctic and Antarctic Research continental margin. A. Danilov and V. Institute (Federal Survey for Hydrometeorol- Lipenkov spoke about present-day and pale- ogy and Environmental Monitoring). It was oclimate changes in the Polar regions with an EUROPROBE program in the Arctic, and A. an immediate continuation of the 7th Zonen- emphasis on comparative studies of Arctic Opekunov concluded the session by address- shain Conference on plate tectonics that had and Antarctic records. I. Gramberg gave a ing the environmental geology aspects of assembled during the three preceding days in comprehensive overview of oil and gas exploration and development of the Arctic Moscow. Both events were jointly arranged potential of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent subsurface resources. by the same organizing committee that lands and stressed the outstanding impor- During two subsequent days the main agreed on presentation of most Arctic and tance of this region as a global energy source themes outlined in the plenary session were Antarctic contributions at the St. Petersburg in the third millennium. A. Dodin argued for elaborated in seven parallel oral/poster ses- meeting. a similar value of the Arctic hard minerals sions. Speakers in a half-day Session 1 The conference in St. Petersburg was and the existence in the Arctic of a circum- "Deep-sea Basins, Oceanic Ridges and Rises dedicated to 100-years anniversary of two polar and a transpolar metallogenic belts rich of the Arctic Ocean" concentrated mainly on prominent Arctic scientists, Nikolai Gedroitz in variety of ore deposits. A. Grantz summa- the Eurasian Basin and its immediate conti- and Yakov Gakkel, both born in 1901. The rized concepts on geologic framework and nental flanks. O. Engen showed distribution former was the first of polar explorers who tectonic evolution of the Arctic Ocean Basin and focal mechanisms of earthquakes along foresaw enormous hydrocarbon potential of shared by the majority of western geologists the Gakkel Ridge plate boundary; V. Pease the Arctic region and attracted attention of who believe that, with the exception of the discussed the results of isotopic dating of earth scientists to oil and gas exploration in Lomonosov Ridge and the Chukchi Border- detrital zircons derived from the Lomonosov the Russian North, including the shelf basins land, the crust beneath the entire Arctic deep Ridge bedrock; V. Poselov and B. Kim in on Eurasian continental margin. Ya. Gakkel seabed was formed by Cretaceous and Ceno- separate presentations stressed the peculiar was famous for diversity of his scientific zoic spreading processes. Yu. Pogrebitsky features of sediment distribution in the Eura- interests that covered a variety of Arctic presented an alternative concept of an essen- sia Basin and on the Lomonosov Ridge and research disciplines and enabled him to theo- tially epicontinental evolution of the considered the limitations imposed by those retically predict the existence of submarine Amerasian Basin, and A. Zatzepin supported features on commonly accepted models of ridges in the central Arctic Ocean; one of this view by demonstrating the results of the Eurasia Basin evolution by ocean floor such ridges was named after Gakkel and has geophysical and geological studies carried spreading. I. Gramberg recognized in the his- since become a major focus of modern geo- out in 2000 on the Mendeleev Rise and inter- tory of the Eurasian Basin a rifting stage (late logical and geophysical exploration and a preted in terms of a continental nature of this Cretaceous to Eocene) and a spreading stage site of many recent exciting discoveries. major bathymetric high. Contrasting views (Oligocene to Recent); he also interpreted the The attendance of the polar conference on geodynamic evolution of the Polar elevated Barents-Kara Seas margin and the exceeded 200 participants who contributed regions were also presented by several next Lomonosov Ridge as structural highs that over 150 oral and poster presentations. All speakers. R. Kurinin explained the observed compensated the deepening of the Eurasian oral sessions were conducted in Russian and satellite gravity anomalies by advective Basin in the course of rifting and spreading English languages and equipped with simul- forces in the mantle that cause long-term processes. A. Pavlenkin talked about general taneous translation. The conference started changes in the lithosphere; S. Kostyuchenko characterization of passive margin to ocean with one day-long (1st November ) plenary used the results of deep seismic profiling to transition in the Arctic and the Atlantic, and session that included welcoming and intro- highlight the specific features of sedimentary M. Verba offered an untraditional explana- ductory remarks followed by 15 invited talks basins bordering the Northern Siberia; and tion of the Eurasian Basin opening by multi- covering all principal conference themes. V. Zakharov argued, on the basis of Meso- directional extension of the Earth's crust, as The talk by N. Bogdanov* and V. Ivanov zoic fossil fauna distribution and climate opposed to a common concept of simple described the achievements and the chal- reconstructions, that ancient oceans in the bilateral separation of a rifted margin. V. lenges of geological cartography in the Arc- Arctic existed since at least the Triassic. Ustritsky viewed the Amerasian Basin as a tic region, including the compilation of Later in the day D. Gee made an impressive plate tectonic collage of exotic terranes. In overview cartographic images summarizing overview of scientific achievements of the poster contributions to Session 1 the atten-

* Only the names of those participants who actually made oral or poster presentations are given here. Their co-authors, sometimes quite numerous, are fully listed in the book of abstracts which is currently under preparation for publication and will be printed at VNIIOkeangeologia in 2002.

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tion was focused on the preliminary results of this amount about 30 million tons of in frontier research. A. Ivanova considered of bottom sampling performed on the recoverable reserves are concentrated in economic geology of placer concentrations Mendeleev Rise during M/V "Akademik large oil and gas fields discovered in the currently known in the Russian Arctic in Fedorov" 2000 cruise (I. Andreeva), modern Pechora Sea and adjacent coastal mainland. terms of regional mineragenic zoning and seismic activity analysis (G. Avetisov), plate V. Soloviev summarized all available data on distribution of infrastructural facilities. Ye. kinematics in the Arctic since Ordovician (A. gas hydrates in the Arctic marine environ- Korago systematized mineral resources of Grantz), density models of the Arctic Oceran ment and concluded that up to 2✕1013 cubic the Russian Arctic in accordance with pecu- ridges (E. Astafurova), whereas several other meters of methane, or close to 12% of total liarities of regional tectonic and magmatic posters additionally illustrated the results of gas contained in hydrate accumulations in features and assigned them to basement cra- seismic studies in the central Arctic Ocean. the entire World ocean, was likely to occur tonization, tectono-thermal activations, accu- Session 2 "Circum-Arctic Continental within only about 30% of the Arctic seabed. mulation of cover sequences, erosional Margin" addressed two main topics: (i) struc- Yu. Grigorenko highlighted the problems episodes and other historical events. N. ture and evolution of shelf sedimentary related to research, exploration and develop- Patyk-Kora reviewed paleogeography of the basins, and (ii) geology and tectonics of the ment of shallow-water zone transitional Russian Arctic seas in connection with their Arctic islands. Oral and poster presentations between the Arctic coastal land and deeper placer potential. A. Molchanov described in sub-session (i) included generalized struc- shelf environments and containing probably radioactive minerals occurrences in the tural interpretations of the Russian Arctic as much as 20% of total hydrocarbon Anabar crystalline massif as possible indica- offshore based on potential fields evidence resources of the Arctic offshore. L. Pod- tors of prospects for discovery of economic (A. Piskarev), summary results of long-term gornykh and Ye. Verzhbitsky in separate uranium deposits, and A. Kuznetzov pre- systematic studies of the Barents-Kara shelf presentations considered specific aspects of sented an original model of protocrustal evo- (S. Shkarubo), basement and cover tectonics heat flow studies relevant to evaluation of oil lution and its probable metallogenic implica- analysis in the Bering Sea (E. Miller), East and gas potential of the Barents and Kara tions, specifically for platinum mineraliza- Siberian and Chukchi Seas (M. Kos'ko), Seas Basins. V. Zhuravlev focused on geo- tion in the Anabar Shield. In conclusion, V. Laptev and East Siberian Seas (S. Drachev; logic and structural factors critical for evalu- Zolotukhin outlined methodological E. Gusev; V. Vinogradov), South Kara Sea ation of hydrocarbon expectations in the approaches to evaluation of potentially dia- (A. Bogolepov), Barents Sea (D. Gee), and Kola-Kanin Monocline, including character- mond-bearing provinces for discovery of White Sea (A. Amantov). Sub-session (ii) ization of most likely reservoirs and traps. I. diamond deposits. Poster presentations were included oral contributions on basement tec- Peshkova recognized in the Russian Arctic made by V. Kuzmin (on the primary and tonics of Svalbard and northern "Barents- shelf the basins formed by continental rifting intermediate sources of placer gold in the Kara platform" (A. Teben'kov), on impact and related sag sedimentation, passive mar- Taimyr — Severnaya Zemlya Province), A. structures in the Barents Sea shelf (D. Hen- gin basins, and collisional basins and Smirnov (on biogenic placer resources in the ning), magmatic manifestations in Svalbard attempted to explain their geodynamic dis- Russian Arctic) and A. Grigor'ev (on use of (A. Evdokimov) and on Franz Josef Land (N. tinctions. N. Oknova proposed to identify X-ray radiometric methods in prospecting Stolbov); general geological structure and non-anticlinal traps in the Pechora Sea by and exploration of polymetallic deposits on history of individual Arctic archipelagos offshore extrapolation of the regularities of Novaya Zemlya). were reviewed by G. Kovaleva (Novaya their distribution in terrigenous and carbon- Session 6 "Antarctica and the Southern Zemlya), A. Makar'ev (Franz Josef Land) ate reservoirs in the Timan-Pechora Ocean" was opened by E. Kamenev who and A. Kuzmichev (New Siberian Islands). Province. In poster session V. Suslova used the limited bedrock evidence on mineral Session 3 "Circum-Arctic Continental demonstrated an informational-analytical occurrences and geological data to demon- Land" focused on controversial tectonic system "Oil and Gas potential of the Russian strate the probable presence in Antarctica of issues. S. Shults, Jr. speculated that the Shelves" developed in VNIIOkeangeologia; metallogenic provinces similar to those rec- Anabar Massif might represent a part of the I. Vinokurov emphasized the significance for ognized on Gondwana continents. E. Paleoproterozoic SWEAT belt; L. Lane con- hydrocarbon prospecting of geochemical Mikhal'sky reviewed modern isotopic geo- sidered the Proterozoic to Mesozoic tectonic studies of bottom sediments; S. Shkarubo chemistry data and showed that, with the history of the Arctic through reconstructing focused on tectonics and hydrocarbon expec- exception of the oldest crystalline nuclei (> Paleozoic paleogeography and orogenic tations in the southern Barents-Kara shelf; A. 3,500 Ma) of East Antarctica and the events in the northern North America; plate Pavlov addressed sedimentology and gas youngest (< 200 Ma) accretionary complexes tectonics interpretation of evolution of the potential of a specific Middle Jurassic pro- on the Pacific active margin, most of the ana- Baltic Shield was presented by V. Kostin, ducing unit in the South Barents Trough, and lyzed rocks reveal isotopic marks of much and A. Pystin extended Paleoproterozoic in another contribution presented a regional older crustal precursors, thus suggesting a plate reconstructions in the European north- assessment of anticipated degree of catagen- protocontinental derivation for the bulk of east. Much younger stages of geological his- esis in cover sequences on the Russian Arctic the Antarctic crust with only very limited tory were addressed by Yu. Musatov who shelf based on seismic velocity data; finally, collisional component. A. Laiba summarized highlighted recent geodynamics in northern Yu. Novikov outlined the principles of a the results of Russian multi-year geological continental Eurasia, and in D. Zarkhidze's complex approach to developing the prog- research in a key mountainous region of East analysis of neotectonic dislocations in the nostic models that may help to identify in the Antarctica bordering the major intraconti- Bolshezemel' skaya tundra. Poster presenta- Arctic the unique (giant and super-giant) oil nental rift zone, and V. Masolov described tions were focused on tectonics of Timan (V. and gas fields capable to stimulate economic Russian remote sensing operations in the Olovyanishnikov) and Pai-Khoi (N. Timo- development. interior of East Antarctica where a large sub- nin), and on the results of the 2001 Russian- In Session 5 "Arctic Metallogeny" A. glacial lake is being explored beneath almost German expedition to the Polar Urals (F. Evdokimov convincingly demonstrated the four kilometers of ice. F. Ferraccioli high- Shaefer). outstanding importance of the Russian Arctic lighted recent achievements of the Italian In Session 4 "Oil and Gas Potential of for federal economy (90% of national nickel Antarctic expedition in recognition and pre- the Arctic" L. Levin gave an overview of and cobalt resources, 60% of copper, over liminary study of crustal structure of sub- thermal regime of the Arctic lithosphere and 98% of platinum metals, almost 100% of dia- glacial rift zones in East Antarctica, and G. its bearing on petroleum resources and rec- monds and apatite, over 40% of gold, 80% of Udintzev reported new data on geomorphol- ognized in the Polar region "hot", "warm" tin and mercury, 60% of oil and about 90% ogy and shallow subbottom profiling of the and "cold" sedimentary basins with total of gas production) and summarized the main southern Scotia Arc collected under Russian- resources reaching almost 240 billion tons in challenges in exploration and development German cooperative program. G. oil equivalent. According to O. Suprunenko, of the already discovered deposits, as well as Leitchenkov argued that, despite the lack of

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refraction evidence on the lower crustal and deglaciation history in terms of degradation logical safety during industrial development upper mantle structure, the position and the of separate Scandinavian and Svalbard-cen- of mineral reserves (V. Aplonov, V. nature of the continent-ocean boundary tered ice sheets. Paleo-oceanographic evolu- Yakupov); A. Zinchenko regarded geomor- around Antarctica could sufficiently well be tion of the Sea of Okhotsk during the last phological and morphodynamic analysis as defined from the already existing seismic 350,000 years (with special emphasis on an integral component of environmental (predominantly reflection) and potential field interplay between surface productivity, ter- geology studies and a scientific basis for data. Tectonic setting and geodynamic evo- rigenous supply and sea ice coverage) was monitoring the landscape-dependent geo- lution of individual sedimentary basins on discussed by N. Biebow on the basis of data chemical and biological parameters. the Antarctic continental margin were char- acquired in the course of the Russian-Ger- The conference demonstrated the per- acterized by G. Kudryavtzev (Riiser-Larsen man KOMEX project, and I. Burmistrova sistent interest of the earth science commu- Sea), J. Rogenhagen (Weddell Sea) and K. reconstructed climate and hydrological nity in exploration of the Polar regions and a Gohl (Belligshausen and Amundsen Seas). regime in the Sea of Okhotsk during the last significant progress in research results Morphostructural and magmatic features of 25,000 years from planktonic foraminifera achieved during the past decade. At the same sub-Antarctic regions were described by E. evidence. D. Futterer reported the progress of time, these results often generate new puz- Lodolo (Tierra del Fuego) and N. another ongoing joint Russian-German pro- zles rather than provide answers to old ques- Sustchevskaya (circum-Antarctic spreading ject that concerns the Siberian rivers run-off tions, and the ambiguities in recent history ridges). In poster session E. Kamenev dis- into the Kara Sea and provides valuable data appear by no means less apparent than in played the draft of a new 1 : 5,000,000 map of on freshwater, contaminant and sediment remote geological past — the controversy metamorphic facies of Antarctica, S. Popov input by the rives Ob and Yenisei and its over the LGM events is just one example. presented a variety of geomorphological data impact on the environment in the inner Kara The most important outcome of the confer- derived from radar measurements of bedrock Sea. N. Romanovsky characterized the main ence is, perhaps, the growing realization that topography and ice thickness, A. Grushinsky features of structure and evolution of cry- the Arctic Ocean is unique in complexity of reported new gravity data relevant to under- olithozone in the Laptev and East-Siberian its internal structure which may be explained standing the Antarctic deep structure, A. Seas shelf and adjacent onshore lowlands by relatively young age of spreading Laiba described the peculiar features of a and modeled the processes responsible for processes as opposed to extremely prolonged specific sub-alkaline plutonic body, and K. degradation of permafrost in submarine envi- pre-oceanic depositional history. As a conse- Gohl portrayed the dynamics of sedimentary ronment. V. Shevchenko summarized the quence, the geodynamic concepts developed transport along the Pacific margin of West data on atmospheric input into the Arctic for more mature parts of the World Ocean Antarctica. Ocean collected during systematic studies of may not easily apply to the central Arctic. Session 7 "Polar Regions Environment" particle size and composition of aerosols on Future investigations in this juvenile oceanic included two oral sub-sessions — on natural board Russian and German research vessels. region not only will clarify the peculiarities processes and on environmental protection In posters the majority of authors pursued the of its own history but are also likely to sig- — and a number of poster presentations on a main topics addressed in oral talks or closely nificantly improve our understanding of variety of topics related to climate change, related issues (e.g. N. Romanovsky, E. global geodynamic processes by highlighting permafrost and environment-oriented human Kozlova, V. Zernova, M. Timofeeva, N. those features of tectonic evolution that have activity. In the first sub-session J. Thiede Belyaeva, D. Subetto), but other aspects were probably been destroyed beyond recognition gave an overview of achievements of also involved, such as relationship between during more prolonged development of QUEEN program and concluded that new the duration of Milankovi orbital cycles and larger and older oceans. data collected during its implementation do glacial stages in the Earth's history (L. not support the existence of a thick Transarc- Kamentzev), neotectonic and paleoenviron- tic ice sheet during the last glacial maximum mental factors influencing the development Garrik E. Grikurov though indicate the presence of continental of the White Sea depression (V.Kol'ka), the Deputy Director ice over the Barents and Kara Seas shelves behavior of gases trapped in Paleozoic intru- VNIIOkeangeologia and a dense sea ice cover in the central Arctic sive rocks in relation to modern environmen- 1 Angliisky Ave. Ocean. In contrast, D. Bol'shiyanov argued tal changes (V. Nivin), geomorphology of 190121 St. Petersburg that the hypothesis of large LGM ice sheets the Lena delta (E. Pavlova), etc. The presen- RUSSIA on the Arctic shelves has not received suffi- tations in the second sub-session addressed E-mail: [email protected] cient confirmation even for the western Eura- legal aspects of environmental protection in Phone: 7-812-114-3113 sia and stressed asynchronous nature of the the Arctic and the Antarctic (V. Makeev), the Fax: 7-812-114-1470 Arctic and Antarctic glaciations. The concept problem of unification of methodological of a single Barents ice sheet was further chal- approach to evaluation of ecosystemsí condi- lenged by V. Yevzerov who presented the tions (M. Sadikov), means of securing eco-

China. Despite the travel difficulties encoun- tered by some registrants, due to the tragic 4th International Archaean Symposium events in the United States and the collapse of one of Australia's national airlines, most Perth, Western Australia, September 24–28, 2001 participants arrived in time for the sympo- sium, if not the pre-symposium excursions, The 4th International Archaean Symposium Deposits and the Society of Economic Geol- albeit more weary and jet-lagged than nor- (4IAS) was held from 24–28 September ogists, and was supported by the Australian mal. Unfortunately a few registrants from the 2001 in Perth, Western Australia. The Sym- Tourist Commission and the Perth Conven- United States, including some keynote posium was presented by Geoconferences tion Bureau. Several other companies and speakers, were obliged to cancel their atten- (WA) Inc. and was sponsored by the Geo- organisations sponsored individual events. dance due to the flight travel restrictions logical Society of Australia (WA Division), The Symposium attracted almost 500 imposed by their government. Some Aus- IUGS-IGCP Project 427 (Ore-Forming participants from 20 countries all over the tralian registrants were unable to travel inter- Processes in Dynamic Magmatic Systems), world, including large contingents from state due to the collapse of Ansett Australia the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Canada, Japan, USA, Netherlands and Airlines.

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The Symposium was officially opened major logistical difficulties due to events in Guides for all of these excursions, and by the Hon. Dr Geoff Gallop, MLA, Premier the USA and Australia, all the scheduled for a further two—one covering the West of Western Australia and Minister for Sci- trips but one went ahead, albeit in an abbre- Pilbara Granite–Greenstone Terrane, and the ence. The overall scientific focus of the Sym- viated or amalgamated format in some other examining volcanic and sedimentary posium was Evolving Earth Systems during instances. Although some overseas visitors environments in the Eastern Goldfields the Early Precambrian and keynote did not arrive in time for the pre-Symposium Province—can be obtained from the Geolog- addresses by renowned international and excursions, most of those who did make it to ical Survey of Western Australia (see national researchers focussed on different Australia were able to be accommodated in www.dme.wa.gov.au/ebookshop). aspects of this subject. Hiroshi Ohmoto was some way on alternate trips. In all, more than Two pre-Symposium workshops were the first keynote speaker and although he was 100 people took part in the five pre-Sympo- also held in conjunction with 4IAS. Partici- unable to attend in person, we were able to sium, and three post-Symposium excursions. pants in the orogenic gold workshop spent a use the latest technology to enable him to They were led by researchers and staff from day examining their nature, distribution, deliver his talk live from his base in Penn. the Geological Survey of Western Australia, wallrock alteration and targeting characteris- State University. He presented evidence for the Australian Geological Survey Organisa- tics, with lots of hands-on practical exer- the evolution of the Archaean atmosphere, tion, CSIRO, Curtin University, The Univer- cises. The second workshop on tectono- oceans, continents and life during an almost sity of Western Australia, and Memorial metamorphic interpretation and problem instantaneous period around 4.0 Ga. Maarten University of Newfoundland, with much solving in the field made extensive use of de Wit discussed controversies related to assistance from numerous individuals and digital technology to enable participants to Archaean tectonics in his keynote presenta- companies from within the Western Aus- view real outcrops from several angles using tion. Crustal evolution and the Archaean tralian mining industry. computers in order to discuss tectono-meta- magmatic record was the focus of a keynote There were two excursions to the Pil- morphic problems and make interpretations. talk by Paul Slyvester, while Nick Arndt pre- bara—one that examined the stratigraphy sented evidence supporting very high tem- and critical evidence for structural models of peratures (~1600˚C) Archaean mantle. Ken the East Pilbara Granite–Greenstone Ter- Dr Stephen Wyche Eriksson focussed on Archaean sedimentary rane; and another that looked at mineral Geologial Survey of Western Australia rocks and basins, particularly their composi- deposits and metallogenesis throughout the 100 Plain St. East Perth, Western Australia tion, scale, and mechanisms of formation and north Pilbara. The latter excursion included a subsidence. The possible role of large mete- AUSTRALIA 6004 visit to the newly developed Wodgina tanta- E-mail: [email protected] orite impacts in Archaean tectonics was just lum mine, one of the largest deposits of its one part of Dallas Abbott's keynote talk. kind on Earth. Two keynote presentations relating to the Dr Janet M. Dunphy The other excursions focussed on Postdoctoral Fellow mineralisation theme were presented, with aspects of geology in the Yilgarn Craton and Centre for Global Metallogeny Neil Phillips highlighting the extensive con- adjacent areas. They included the Narryer The University of Western Australia tributions of Professor David Groves to met- Terrane in the northwestern part of the Yil- 35 Stirling Highway allogenic studies, followed by Alan Galley's garn Craton and the adjacent Proterozoic Crawley, WA 6009 synthesis of mineralisation in Archaean vol- Gascoyne Complex; the stratigraphy and AUSTRALIA canic belts. The final keynote speaker was Tel: 08 9380 2669 structural evolution of the central Yilgarn Leo Hartmann who presented an overview of Fax: 08 9380 1178 Craton; the Jimperding greenstone belt just the hidden Archaean of South America and E-mail: [email protected] how isotopic studies have contributed to a to the east of Perth; komatiite volcanology in better understanding of the distribution of the Eastern Goldfields; lode-gold deposits of Archaean terrains in this part of the world. eastern Yilgarn Craton; and the southwest Unfortunately, scheduled keynote talks by Yilgarn and nearby Neoproterozoic rocks of Geoff Davies, David McKay and Kevin the Leeuwin Complex. Zahnle were cancelled, due to their inability Participants who were unfamiliar with to make it to Perth for the Symposium, as a the Yilgarn were somewhat disconcerted by result of the Ansett collapse and US tragedy. the vastness and emptiness of the landscape. Almost 200 papers (oral and poster) The sheer distances involved in travelling were presented during the five days of the between significant outcrops, the depth of Symposium and a comprehensive volume of the weathering profile, and the lack of expo- extended abstracts and a searchable CD sure in critical areas, brought home to visi- ROM was presented to each registrant. tors from other parts of the world how diffi- Copies of the volume are available for pur- cult it is to work up coherent stratigraphic chase from AGSO-Geoscience Australia and structural models for the Yilgarn Craton. (Cassidy et al. eds, 2001. 4th International However, there is some great geology Archaean Symposium 2001, Extended to be seen in the Yilgarn. Those on the Abstracts. AGSO-Geoscience Australia, komatiites trip saw many of the classic East- Record 2001/37). ern Goldfields localities, and some excellent All the scientific posters and sponsor sections in the Murrin Murrin area. In the displays were on view for the entire week central Yilgarn, exposures of regional-scale and everyone greatly appreciated having shear zones prompted animated discussions such complete and continuous access. The concerning the mechanism of granitoid late afternoon Sundowners were held in the intrusion. On the lode-gold excursion, the poster and sponsor display venue, provided sight of large chunks of free gold in the floor many networking and socialising opportuni- of the openpit at Jundee–Nimary was a high- ties. A highlight of the social program was light for locals and visitors alike. For those the Symposium dinner which was very well on camping trips, a major bonfire each night attended. was a high priority; and at least one A total of eight field excursions were researcher from northern Europe got his first- held in conjunction with 4IAS. Despite ever suntan.

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was no consensus. Further uncertainty was contributed by M. Weyland (University of The 33rd Lunar and Planetary Science Cambridge), who showed three-dimensional reconstructions of these magnetites based on Conference transmission electron tomography. This innovative method, analogous to CAT and PET scans used in medicine, allowed Wey- Houston, Texas, USA, March 11–15, 2002 land to produce accurate three-dimensional models of magnetite crystals from the bac- terium MV-1. Distressingly, these tomo- The Thirty-third Lunar and Planetary Sci- northern plains. The depressions are proba- graphic reconstructions bear little resem- ence Conference was held on March 11-15, bly impact craters, partially buried under 1 to blance to the accepted shapes of the MV-1 2002 near Houston, Texas. The conference 2 kilometers thickness of lava and sediment magnetites. In the view of Peter Buseck (Ari- covered the full range of planetary science, that make up the plains. The northern low- zona State University), the shapes of all these including studies of all the planets, the aster- lands of Mars were believed to be relatively magnetites are still known poorly. oids, comets, Kuiper belt objects, interplane- young, but (based on these depressions) the The earliest Lunar Science Conferences tary dust, planets around other stars, and life surface beneath the lava and sediment is (predecessors of the LPSC) focussed on the on other worlds. This year's LPSC was quite ancient. It has approximately the same Apollo lunar samples, and studies of the among the largest, with 1160 registered abundance of craters as the southern high- Moon are still integral to the conference. attendees and 1064 abstracts of presenta- lands, and so is about the same age. Results from spacecraft missions of the last tions. The conference is truly international in Chemical analyses from the Mars five years are still being analyzed. This year, scope. A total of 25 countries were repre- Pathfinder spacecraft and infrared spectra the Gamma-ray Spectrometer team from the sented, including 241 scientists from outside from the TES instrument on Mars Global Lunar Prospector spacecraft has produced the United States. Summarizing such a large Surveyor have engendered the surprising global maps of the concentrations of all and diverse meeting is impossible, and we suggestion that andesite is common on Mars. major rock-forming elements. Many of the have chosen a few of the scientific high Andesite lavas on Earth form mainly near elements are direct detections, and the points here. The complete program and subduction zones, and there is no strong evi- remainder are based on element correlations abstracts for the meeting are available on the dence for subduction (or plate tectonics) on from lunar samples (e.g., Al is assumed to internet at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meet- Mars. A recalibration of the Mars Pathfinder correlate with Fe). In general, the new global ings/lpsc2002/. data, at last year's LPSC conference, revised maps show consistent patterns, but large Many presentations dealt with the flood the composition of the rocks near its landing uncertainties prohibit detailed interpreta- of spacecraft data returned from Mars in site to have less silica (SiO2 down by 5 to 9 tions. The South Pole-Aitken basin is the recent years. Several presentations of the ini- weight %), making its rocks look more largest impact structure on the Moon and tial science results from the Mars Odyssey basaltic than andesitic. At this year's LPSC, presumably exposes rocks from the lower mission were made to a standing-room-only Michael Wyatt (University of Tennessee) crust or upper mantle. The new maps show crowd. Phil Christensen (Arizona State Uni- discussed TES infrared spectra for the north- elevated amounts of Mg on the floor of this versity) discussed results from THEMIS, an ern plains of Mars, which have been inter- basin, but uncertainties in the technique pre- infrared imaging system. By obtaining preted to represent abundant andesite lavas vent the determination of the precise rock images of a region both in daylight and at or ashes. Wyatt showed that the spectra are composition. Because of the strength of night, THEMIS can measure how rapidly equally consistent with aqueously altered gamma ray emissions from thorium, it is different materials heat up and cool down, a basalts. The "andesitic" spectra occur across more easily detected, and a new map shows property known as thermal inertia. These the northern plains, which may have once Th abundances with a resolution of 15 km. measurements can constrain the spatial dis- contained an ocean or lake of water (based on The issue of a lunar "cataclysm" tribution of dust and large rocky blocks. geomorphic evidence including possible remains a point of controversy. This idea, Thermal images shown at the conference shorelines). Could the ocean's water have rehabilitated by the late Graham Ryder, showed details in the ejecta blankets of altered basalt lavas? holds that the Moon formed rapidly at 4.5 Ga impact craters and on the floors of fluvial Martian meteorite ALH84001 has and experienced little impact cratering until structures. These initial images suggest that maintained its interest as a possible host to about 3.9 Ga. Then, in a short cataclysmic THEMIS will be an important tool for high- Martian bacteria or bacterial fossils, although period, all of the Moon's large basins were resolution geomorphology studies. These evidence against these ideas continues to formed by impacts of asteroids or comets. results will also assist in selecting landing mount. Over the last few years, this debate This scenario itself is disputed—some work- sites for future missions to Mars. has focused on some sub-micrometer mag- ers argue that there was a continuous but William Boynton (University of Ari- netite crystals in the Martian carbonate declining flux of these large impactors, and zona) described results from Mars Odyssey's deposits in the meteorites. Are these mag- that impact melts from these early collisions Gamma Ray Spectrometer. William Feld- netites identical to those made by the terres- were destroyed by later impacts. On the other man (Los Alamos National Laboratory) pre- trial bacterium MV-1? If so, does this iden- hand, it is possible that no ancient impact sented results from Odyssey's Neutron Spec- tity imply that the Martian magnetites were melts are found because there never were trometer. Both instruments show strong con- also made by bacteria? Two separate groups any. Dynamic models of the early solar sys- centrations of hydrogen between the south (headed by D.C. Golden of NASA Johnson tem have difficulty explaining a cataclysm; a pole and 60˚ south latitude. Most likely, the Space Center and by Andrea Koziol of large population of planetesimals must be hydrogen is present as water ice in the upper Miami University of Ohio) produced mag- 'stored' for about 500 million years and then meter of the regolith. The strength of the netite grains (by thermal breakdown of iron released into the solar system at about 3.9 hydrogen signal is stronger than expected, carbonate) that they claimed were identical Ga. A new suggestion by John Chambers although the abundance of water ice cannot to the grains in ALH84001. However, Kathie (NASA Ames Research Center) is that the be quantified yet. Thomas-Keprta (NASA Johnson Space Cen- solar system originally had another "inner Many presentations dealt with data ter) and her colleagues disagreed pointedly, planet" which migrated away from the sun from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. both in their presentation and in question and and then broke apart at 3.9 Ga to form the Herb Frey (NASA Goddard Space Flight answer. They maintain that these magnetite objects that hit the Moon. One clear way to Center) presented topographic data on the grains in ALH84001 are quite distinct from solve this problem would be to determine the many subdued circular depressions on Mars' the grains produced in the laboratory. There age of the oldest and largest impact feature

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on the Moon, the South Pole-Aitken basin. that the ice must be thicker than 8 kilometers als (diamond, silicon carbide, graphite), We would need a spacecraft mission to for the central peaks of Europa's impact among the lower-temperature silicate com- obtain samples of the impact melt from craters to form and remain standing over mon to the whole solar system. Many inter- South Pole-Aitken, but its geological com- long times. In related work, Paul Schenk planetary dust particles (IDPs) also contain plexities and great age seem to imply that a (Lunar and Planetary Institute) measured the evidence of pre-solar components in the human mission would be much more likely sizes and depths of craters on Europa and forms of odd glassy particles that are spec- to succeed than a robotic sample return. compared them to Jupiter's other icy moons, trally similar to interstellar dust and of The Moon also continues to be impor- Ganymede and Callisto. On all three moons, unusual isotopic ratios (in hydrogen and tant for future human missions into space. small craters have similar depth versus diam- nitrogen) that are unlike bulk solar system The presence of ice at the poles of the Moon eter trends. But larger craters on Europa materials. Scott Messenger (Washington continues to be puzzling; a new study of the (greater than 9 kilometers diameter), are University) now has found that many silicate distribution of shadowed terrain near the shallower than those on Ganymede and Cal- mineral grains in cluster IDPs (probably north pole suggests that some craters a sig- listo, and become shallower still with from comets) are pre-solar. Their oxygen nificant distance from the pole might contain increasing crater diameter. Schenk interprets isotope compositions are widely different permanently shadowed portions, in which ice these trends as indicating that Europa's icy from bulk materials of the solar system, and could exist. This new result might explain the shell gradually becomes weaker with depth, seem consistent with formation near high puzzling wide distribution of hydrogen in the with the liquid ocean being at least 19 km metallicity stars and type II supernovae. His Lunar Prospector neutron data, some of below the surface. results are possible because of a break- which occurs some considerable distance Jupiter's innermost large moon, Io, is through in analytical instrumentation, the from the geographic pole. the most volcanically active body in our solar nano-SIMS, which permits measurement of The outer solar system was also a 'hot'- system. Laszlo Keszthelyi (University of isotopic ratios on spots 0.1 micrometer topic at the LPSC, based both on the new Arizona) described high resolution imaging across. Among Messenger's pre-solar sili- data from the Galileo spacecraft and the pos- of many volcanic features on Io, including an cates is the mineral forsterite (Mg2SiO4), sibilities of liquid water and life on the Jov- eruption plume that reaches a height of 500 which is known from astronomical spec- ian satellites. The surface of Jupiter's moon km. Thermal emission from the Pele lava troscopy as a major constituent of the young Europa is known to be made of ice, and the lake indicates a surface temperature of 1400 circumstellar disks. interactions between Europa and Jupiter's K, which is consistent with the eruption of The Lunar and Planetary Science Con- magnetic field suggest that Europa is electri- basaltic lava. John Spencer (Lowell Observa- ference was sponsored by the National Aero- cally conductive inside, which probably tory) combined a variety of data sets to esti- nautics and Space Administration, the Lunar means abundant liquid water. How far down mate a global heat flux for Io of 2.2 Watts per and Planetary Institute, and the NASA John- is the water? Either it is only 1 to 2 km down, square meter, which is 25 times that of the son Space Center. This is Lunar and Plane- or it is at least 8 km down, depending on how Earth. tary Institute Contribution 1119. one interprets the patterns of deformation on Origins of solar systems (especially Europaís surface. Large impact craters can ours) has been a growing theme in planetary Walter S. Kiefer, Paul D. Spudis, and Allan H. Treiman be used to probe the structure of the outer science, and includes the search for solid Lunar and Planetary Institute few kilometers of Europa. Elizabeth Turtle materials that survived intact through forma- 3600 Bay Area Blvd. (University of Arizona) has attacked this tion of our sun and the planets. Chondrite Houston, Texas 77058, USA problem using the heights of central peaks meteorites contain small proportions of these associated with impact craters. She showed pre-solar grains, all high-temperature miner- CAG in Graz, Austria where more than 200 th scientists attended, the Chouaib Doukkali The 19 Colloquium of African Geology University at El Jadida Morocco, was elected to organise the 19th CAG in 2002. and the post-colloquium Anti-Atlas field Technical sessions in El Jadida (19–22 March) trip The 19th CAG took place in March 2002, in the El Jadida Geology Department, with Pro- fessor Nasser Ennih as Chairman of the El Jadida, Morocco, March 19–27, 2002 Organising Committee. El Jadida is an attractive seaside resort in western Morocco. A better understanding of the geology and scientists and African scientists and students The meeting was attended by more than 350 mineral potential of Africa is important in (English- and French-speaking) domiciled in participants from 28 countries (Algeria, Aus- the overall context of social and economic Europe. During this period, CAGs were held tria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, deve-lopment across the continent. Four in London (1965), Clermont-Ferrand (1969), Cameroon, Egypt, France, Germany, Hol- decades ago, scientists undertaking geologi- Leicester (1971), Florence (1973), Leeds land, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, cal research in Africa decided to hold a meet- (1975), Göttingen (1977), Montpellier Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, ing to exchange ideas and discuss results. (1979), Open University, UK (1981), Ter- South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Consequently, in 1964, the "Colloquium of vuren-Brussels (1983), Saint Andrews Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA, African Geology" (CAG) was born. At the (1985), Berlin (1987) and Nancy (1990). In Zambia and Zimbabwe). Delegates from beginning, this meeting was limited to Heads 1990, the decision to organize the next CAG North Africa were particularly well repre- of Departments and selected scientists. in Africa was taken. So in 1993 the well- sented, indicating the positive role that hold- Afterwards, growing numbers of participants attended and highly successful 16th CAG ing the CAG in Africa can play. Following made this meeting a must for all geologists was held in Swaziland, but only 45 delegates selection, 348 abstracts were published in an and students of African geology, so that 500 attended the 17th CAG in Harare, Zimbabwe attractive abstract volume printed in Bel- delegates attended the colloquia in Berlin in 1997. gium. (1987) and Nancy (1990). The Geological Society of Africa then A broad range of topics and themes was Between 1965 and 1990, CAG was held decided to alternate the biennial CAG covered in four parallel technical sessions in Europe, and catered mainly for European between Europe and Africa. Thus, at the18th over the four days:

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– Record of continental construction and fragmentation in Africa, geological corre- lation between Europe and Africa. – Rift-related structures and magmatic phe- nomena, ore deposits and gem minerals, hydrogeology – Petroleum geology and geophysics, cover sequences, stratigraphy and palaeontology – Orogenic cycles and related magmatism, environmental geology and Quaternary geology. Plenary sessions were set at the begin- ning of each half-day: – Anti-Atlas geology: an overview, by Nasser Ennih, El Jadida, Morocco; – Un nouveau scénario tectonique pour la formation de la chaîne du Rif by Ahmed Challouan, Rabat Morocco (A new tec- tonic scenario for the formation of the Rif belt, by Ahmed Challouan, Rabat, Morocco); Figure 2 Ezzoura Errami and Nasser Ennih describing the Imiter inlier geology. – Terranes rheology and the Pan-African orogeny in the Tuareg shield (central – Post-collision/postorogenic vs. anorogenic Africa (Elsenbroek, Ingram, Macey, Master, Sahara) by Jean Paul Liégeois, Tervuren, alkaline magmatism: the Gondwanan Thomas), Tanzania (Muhongo), United Belgium; Europe record by Bernard Bonin, Paris, Kingdom (Bennett), under the able leader- – Soil quality build-up means durable agri- France; ship of Nasser Ennih, Abdelilah Fekkak and culture and viable environment by Rachid – Utilisation de la carte thématique à la com- Ezzoura Errami, from El Jadida. Mrabet, INRA, Morocco (Metallogenic préhension de l'histoire géologique by Jean The Anti-Atlas belt is of particular geo- provinces and mining exploration in Sougy, Marseille, France (Use of thematic tectonic interest, being located along the Morocco, by Abdellah Mouttaqi, BRPM, maps for the understanding of geological northern boundary of the West African Cra- Morocco); history, by Jean Sougy, Marseille, France). ton (WAC) and including some important – Provinces métallogéniques et exploration In addition to oral presentations, 76 mineral deposits, some of which are cur- minière au Maroc by Abdellah Mouttaqi, posters were displayed. Both oral and poster rently mined. The belt has recently been the BRPM, Morocco (Metallogenic provinces presentations precipitated many animated subject of a series of publications, emanating and mining exploration in Morocco, by discussions. The wonderful social events that from different teams, often with different Abdellah Mouttaqi, BRPM, Morocco); were organised during the colloquium were interpretations put forward. In addition, sys- – Le Plomb au Maroc by Ahmed Wadjinny, typically Moroccan in flavour and highly tematic 1: 50 000 scale mapping has recently Touissit, Morocco; appreciated. been carried out on various parts of the belt – Apport des techniques isotopiques à l'étude by various teams, many of whom were repre- Anti-Atlas field excursion (23 to 27th des ressources en eaux by Lhoucine sented, so that the excursion generated much March) Bouchaou, Agadir, Morocco; discussion. The Anti-Atlas belt is elongated – Isotopic imprint of present and past pollu- The post-colloquium field excursion to the NE-SW and limited to the north by the South tant lead invasion by Alain Veron, Mar- Palaeoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic Anti- Atlas Fault (SAF), a major tectonic still seis- seille, France (Input of isotopic techniques Atlas belt was attended by 28 participants mically active (Agadir earthquake in 1960) to the study of water ressources, by from 10 countries: Belgium (Demaiffe, feature extending from Agadir on the coast to Lhoucine Bouchaou, Agadir, Morocco); Laduron, Liégeois), Burkina-Faso (Lompo, Algeria in the East. The SAF separates the – New chances for Carboniferous/Permian Naba), France (Bonin, Burollet, Le Goff, Phanerozoic orogenic belts to the north from biostratigraphic correlations Gond- Lerouge, Lescuyer), Germany (Kröner, the Proterozoic belts to the south. The Anti- wana–Euramerica by Jörg W. Schneider, Schenk, Sommer), Italy (Sacchi), Romania Atlas is classically separated into two Berlin, Germany; (Berza, Costea, Gabudeanu, Iliescu), South domains by the Anti-Atlas Major Fault (AAMF): 1) a stable Eburnian (c. 2 Ga) domain forming the south-western Anti- Atlas (Ifni, Bas Draa, Kerdous and Ighrem inliers) and the southern part of central Anti- Atlas (Bou-Azzer and Zenaga inliers); 2) a mobile Pan-African domain including the northern part of the central Anti-Atlas (Bou Azzer and Sirwa inliers) and the eastern Anti-Atlas (Saghro (or Sahro) and Ougnat inliers). The AAMF is spatially associated with ophiolitic complexes in the Bou Azzer and Sirwa inliers that have traditionally been considered to represent a Pan-African palaeosuture formed between 600 and 700 Ma. This view has been challenged recently by Ennih and Liégeois (2001, Precambrian Research, 112, 291-304), who considered the actual northern limit of the WAC to be the SAF. This implies that the Pan-African Figure 1 CAG19 Anti-Atlas field trip party. oceanic material is thrust upon, and under-

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lain by, the WAC. Part of the excursion took On the way, the group stopped to look at the flows and erosion products covered the gran- place in the Zenaga region, an area recently transition between rhyolite of the Ouarzazate itoids. Consistent U-Pb ages of c. 580 Ma mapped at 1: 50 000 by a South African team Group and the overlying Tata Group (sedi- from such granitoids, obtained by different (Thomas and co-workers), four of whom par- mentary rocks with trachytic layers), which teams working in different areas, confirm ticipated in the excursion. hosts the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary. this–the high-K calc-alkaline volcanics of The first day was dedicated to the Within the Bou-Azzer El Graara inlier, after the Ouarzazate Group have given the same Zenaga inlier around Tazenakht. Here, the a presentation at the mine, we inspected a ages. The thick and extensive Ouarzazate Palaeoproterozoic basement (Zenaga Com- convincing cross-section through the ophio- Group was also seen during the excursion plex) is made up of several peraluminous and lite comprising dunite, pyroxenite, harzbur- where it dominates the Anti-Atlas landscape. calk-alkaline granitoids dated at c. 2035 Ma gite, sheeted dykes (at a distance), trond- The group is made up of volcanic/volcani- (U-Pb zircon, Thomas et al., 2002, Precam- hjemite (plagiogranite) dykes and larger clastic and volcano-detrital deposits with brian Research, in press) that intruded masses of quartz diorite. Some of the several eruption centres recognised. In the Eburnean mica schists, gneisses and extracted minerals such as the skutterudite Imiter area, the Ouarzazate Group and the migmatites. One outcrop showed a strong ((Co, Ni) As3) were also seen. The Bou- granitoids are overlain with a sharp uncon- foliation with mylonitic to blastomylonitic Azzer area consists of tectonic slices of formity by middle Cambrian rocks. characteristics and the proximity of the tran- allochthonous ocean crust and fore-arc flysch On the last day, before returning to scurrent AAMF induced warm discussions sedimentary rocks that were well seen in the Casablanca, a short touristic detour was about the possible Pan-African origin of the plain north of the ophiolite (Tidiline/Sarhro made to the spectacular Todra Gorges before fabrics. The second part of the day was taken Group). Island arc building has been demon- traversing the Atlas Mountains via the up with early Neoproterozoic (pre-Pan- strated between 760 and 740 Ma in the Sirwa Tichka pass (2200 m) and Marrakech. African) lithologies: 1) swarms of continen- inlier, while accretion occurred between 680 What is remarkable about the well- tal tholeiitic dykes (gabbro, dolerite, trachy- and 660 Ma. exposed Anti-Atlas belt is the dearth of Pan- andesite) dated at c. 780 Ma (Rb-Sr) cross- The third day was devoted to the Boul- African high-grade metamorphic rocks. The cutting the Zenaga basement. These could be mane and Imiter inlier in the Saghro area. At Neoproterozoic story starts with continental a useful target for palaeomagnetic studies to the first section, we examined folded Neo- break-up (780 Ma?), island-arc building determine the WAC position at that time; and proterozoic Sarhro Group sedimentary rocks (760-740 Ma) and accretion (680-660 Ma), 2) passive margin sedimentary rocks (Taghd- and pillow basalts, with structures compati- followed by emplacement of largely unde- out Group), composed of limestones, ble with thrusting to the south. The deposi- formed, high-level, high-K calc-alkaline and quartzites and jaspilites preserving spectacu- tional setting of these rocks in either a back- alkaline granitoids and rhyolites (580-560 lar shallow-water sedimentary features (rip- arc/ forearc basin or a distal passive margin Ma). Arc accretion and ophiolite emplace- ple marks, mudcracks, etc), despite their sub- basin was debated. Lunch was kindly pro- ment are demonstrated, but no continent- vertical attitude in the visited area. This suc- vided by the Imiter silver mine, where major continent collision-related event. cession was deposited in rift basins related to mineralization is associated with the Sarhro As a direct result of this field excursion, the pre-Pan-African break-up of the northern Group and Pan-African transcurrent tecton- therefore, this interesting situation has led to margin of the WAC. At the end of the day, a ics, even though the source of silver is not two new initiatives to elucidate the nature of Pan-African alkaline granite was briefly known. the boundaries of the WAC. seen, cross-cutting the Palaeoproterozoic The afternoon was devoted to the vol- 1) A book in French, "Le craton ouest- basement. This granite is related to the post- caniclastic rocks and granitoids of the Imiter africain et ses ceintures de chaînes kinematic Ouarzazate Group rhyolites and inlier, the granitoid being mainly of high-K mobiles (The West African craton and its ignimbrites (c. 580 Ma) that cover a large calk-alkaline composition (gabbro, diorite, surrounding mobile belts)" ; part of the Anti-Atlas. The evening and night quartz-diorite, granodiorite, monzodiorite 2) A proposal for a new IGCP project will be was spent in a typical Moroccan small hotel etc), intrusive in the Sarhro Group. Outcrops submitted, with the provisional title: "Cra- that gave a taste of the local cuisine and an showed that these high-level granitoids are ton boundaries: the case of the West opportunity to inspect the newly-available closely linked temporally to the Ouarzazate African Craton". It will be led by the El geological maps. Group and its precursor, the Mgouna Group. Jadida team. The project will aim to corre- The second day was spent examining Rocks of the latter group (~605 Ma?) are late the tectonostratigraphic terranes the renowned Bou Azzer ophiolite sequence. crosscut by the granitoids, while Ouarzazate within the WAC; examine the nature of the boundaries between the Palaeoprotero- zoic, Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic ter- ranes and the role of shear zones in accre- tional tectonics; and study the magmatism around continental margins, the thermal evolution and geochronology of key lithologies, and the mineral deposits within and around the craton. Calls for let- ters of support to accompany the proposal will soon be sent to interested parties in the international community. Conclusion CAG19 was a great success due to the large number of participants, the high level of many presentations and ensuing discussions. Additionally, good conference organization and the warm welcome given to delegates by our Moroccan colleagues and from the offi- cials and general population of El Jadida, contributed greatly to this success. Social Figure 3 CAG19 Anti-Atlas field trip party within the Palaeoproterozoic Zenaga inlier events, such as the royal lunches under a with, on the horizon, the Pan-African Ouarzazate volcanic Group. huge traditional caïdal tent on the campus

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and the extraordinary, typically Moroccan, gala dinner in an Andalou palace generated a friendly and relaxing ambience. For the Aquifer Heterogeneity and Environmental lucky delegates able to join the excursion, other facets of Moroccan life in addition to Implications—Ancient and Modern fascinating geology were to be enjoyed. CAG19 demonstrated the important role that such colloquia can play in Africa. Coastal Plain Depositional Environments Two major Elsevier publications should result from this conference: 1) a series of SEPM/IAS Research Conference, Charleston, SC, USA, short, provocative, high quality articles in English to make up a special issue of the March 24–27, 2002 Journal of African Earth Sciences ("Key points on African Geology", guest edited by A SEPM/IAS research conference on solidated and consolidated coastal sediments. N. Ennih, J.P. Liégeois and R. Thomas); 2) a Aquifer Heterogeneity and Environmental The cores illustrated both modern book in French (still under discussion, but Implications with emphasis on ancient and (Holocene) and ancient (Pleistocene and Ter- hoped to be the first of a series published in modern coastal plain environments was held tiary) coastal plain depositional facies/sys- that language and devoted to African geol- in Charleston, SC – March 24–27th, 2002. tems and illustrated the heterogeneity com- ogy). The first book will comprise review The conference objectives were to bring monly encountered in trying to environmen- papers or syntheses and will be entitled "Le together individuals from a variety of disci- tally characterize these types of deposits. craton ouest-africain et ses ceintures de plines including sedimentologists, hydroge- Monday's theme was "sedimentology and chaînes mobiles (The West African craton ologists, geochemists, regulators, and engi- characterization of coastal plain and fluvial and its surrounding mobile belts)" with neers to facilitate discussion and broaden depositional environments and systems". invited editors B. Bonin, N. Ennih, J. P. Lié- cooperative research initiatives amongst sci- Invited talks focused on the historical signif- geois and J. P. Milési. entists in the environmental field. icance and recognition of depositional sys- The present GSAf Council Members Over 50 participants representing the United tems and sequences as a basis for hydrostrati- and all CAG19 participants enthusiastically States, Canada, Ukraine, France, and New graphic analysis and how to construct geo- approved that the 20th Colloquium on Zealand attended the oral and poster sessions logical models using advanced geostatistics. African Geology (CAG 20) will be held dur- held on Monday and Wednesday, with over A unique aspect of Monday was an oral pre- ing July 2004 in Orléans (France) and orga- 60 participants attending the day-long field sentation on the interaction of geology and nized by the BRGM (Bureau de Recherches trip on Tuesday. One unique aspect of the groundwater flow related to groundwater Géologiques et Minières). conference was student sponsorships. The contamination at Chernobyl by Alexander US Department of Energy (DOE) at the Bohuslavksy from the National Academy of Savannah River Site sponsored 10 students Sciences in Ukraine. Afternoon posters cov- Jean-Paul Liégeois to attend the entire conference, while the ered topics of field mapping techniques for Isotope Geology College of Charleston's Geology Department characterization of aquifer heterogeneity in Africa Museum B-3080 Tervuren sponsored 8 students to attend the field trip. large-scale fluvial systems. BELGIUM These sponsorships provided valuable oppor- Tuesday was an all day field trip (by boat) to E-mail: [email protected] & tunities for students to interact with profes- Price Inlet and Capers Island located north of [email protected] sional geoscientists in an informal setting. Charleston, SC to observe "modern shoreline The meeting was initiated by providing par- depositional environments —aquifer and Bob Thomas ticipants the opportunity to attend an infor- aquitard heterogeneity". Field trip stops Council for Geoscience mal core workshop and cone penetrometer included 1) Price Inlet which is an excellent P.O. Box 572, Belville 7535 demonstration on Sunday, March 24th. modern example of an ebb-tidal delta and SOUTH AFRICA Cores presented for viewing were obtained associated sedimentary deposits and bed- E-mail: [email protected] using a variety of drilling techniques includ- forms, and 2) Capers Island which is a ing vibracoring, sonic, rotosonic, wireline, regressive mesotidal barrier island formed and cone penetrometer. The cores illustrated when the shoreline prograded seaward. the diversity of subsurface drilling tech- Washover fans and back barrier tidal and niques available for retrieving both uncon- marsh deposits were observed. These fea-

Participants of the conference.

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sea level change, fluvial depositional sys- tems, carbonate depositional systems, and seismic geomorphology.

For additional information contact: Mary Harris, Savannah River Technology Center, [email protected]; Jerry Sexton, Athena Technologies, [email protected]; Michael Katuna, University of Charleston, [email protected]; Tommy Temples, University of South Car- Ancient tidal marsh deposits exposed along olina, [email protected]; regressive shoreline at Capers Island. Mary Harris, Savannah River Technology Center, [email protected].

Mary Harris Savannah River Technology Center Savannah River Site B.O. Box 616 Aiken, SC 29808 USA [email protected] Tidal river point bar, South Edisto River, South Carolina.

dual-media contaminant transport applica- tions, geochemical heterogeneity, and sto- chastic frameworks for site characterization XV Argentine and subsequent modeling needs. Comments received from participants Geological have been positive. The majority of the par- ticipants felt that the meeting provided posi- Congress Magaripples and small-scale current tive technical exchange and enlightening dis- ripples on the swashbar in Price Inlet. cussions. The attendees represented a diverse group including hydrogeologists, El Calafate, Argentina, tures illustrated the complexity of aquifer and modelers, environmental engineers, sed- and aquitard heterogeneity associated with imentologists, stratigraphers, representing April 23–26, 2002 modern coastal environments. academic, industry (environmental and Wednesday's theme focused on petroleum), and regulatory agencies. The Nearly 500 geologists from Argentina and "groundwater modeling approaches and small number of invited participants and the from 16 foreign countries converged to El applications addressing aquifer and aquitard informal setting of the meeting contributed Calafate in southern Argentina to attend the heterogeneity". Invited talks and posters to the professional and rewarding experi- XV Argentine Geological Congress. Almost ranged from theoretical/geostatistical ence. Many felt they would develop future 200 geology students attended also the meet- insights to practical modeling applications. collaborative research initiatives based upon ing assisted by a special hosting program. Topics included evolving concepts and mea- the information gained and the relationships During the scientific sessions 284 scientific surement techniques related to subsurface made with other participants. The field trip communications were read, the CD version heterogeneity, the prediction of hydraulic was a big success and having it in the middle having been distributed at the beginning of conductivity, and the relation of thermoha- of the meeting was positive. It broke up the the Conference. line convection to sedimentary rocks. After- formality of the scheduled talks and posters Nine special Symposia were also held. noon posters covered a variety of topics and allowed participants to have the opportu- "The Patagonian Arc- and Back-Arc Mag- including scaling issues for heterogeneous nity for informal technical discussions in a mas and the contribution from Mantle anisotropics aquifers, geostatistical environ- relaxed atmosphere. Suggestions for future Source" (coordinated by Carlos A. Cingolani mental workflows for geological modeling, research conferences included Quaternary and Giorgio Rivalenti) was devoted to the origin of magmas in the special tectonic framework of southern Patagonia. "Suban- dean Fold and Thrust Belts" (Victor A. Ramos and Victor Ploszkiewicz) focused on the evolution and thrusting mechanism in the southern Andes. "Horizontal Subduction" (Victor A. Ramos) was concerned with the geology of the shallowly deeping subduction zone in the Chilean Argentine Andes. Urban and Environmental Geology (Omar R. Lapido and Martín A. Hurtado), dealing with the geological information about the ground upon which the cities are built and, aspects of interactions among humans, ecosystems and Field trip participants discussing the bedding found in a 60 m trench dug on the active the earth. "Geological Heritage" (Alberto T. beachface of Capers Island. Caselli and Mariana Cagnoni) concerning

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the promotion, evaluation criteria, designa- tion and protection of the geological heritage sites. "Geological Aspects of Speleology" New advances of palaeontology and (Silvia Barredo), dealing with Speleo-geneti- cal importance of local geology. "Geo- geology in the Junggar basin, Xinjiang, science Education in the XXI Century" (JoséSellés Martínez and Héctor Lacreu) focused on innovations in geoscience teach- China ing. "Geoprocessing" (Graciela Marín and Guillermo Re Kuhl) devoted to applications —Sino-German Cooperation Symposium on Prehistory Life to geological surveying and resources assess- ment. "New Scenery for the Mining Explo- and Geology of Junggar Basin, Xinjiang ration in Argentina" (Eduardo Zappettini and Guillermo Re Kuhl) concerning with the Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, August 25–September 2, 2001 advances in mining exploration in Argentina during the last years. An IGCP special meeting for argentine earth-sciences researchers interested in inter- The "Sino-German Cooperation Symposium and Prof. Volker Mosbrugger (Vice Presi- national cooperation programs was held, on Prehistory Life and Geology of Junggar dent of Tuebingen University, Germany). coordinated by Victor A. Ramos and Carlos Basin, Xinjiang" was successfully held in Over 15 honorable guests were invited to A. Cingolani. Also in the frame of the IGCP, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China from August 25 to participate the ceremony, including Prof. progress reports were presented from IGCP September 2, 2001. About 50 geologists, W.J. Zhuang (Vice Chairman of Xinjiang 471 "Evolution of Western Gondwana dur- paleontologists and the related experts from Educational Committee), Prof. E. Schaich ing the Late Paleozoic: Tectosedimentary Germany, United States and China attended (President of Tuebingen University), Prof. B. Record, Paleoclimates and Biological two-days lecture sessions in Urumqi fol- Wu (President of Jilin University), Prof. Changes".Roberto A. Violante, National lowed by five-days field excursions around David L. Dilcher, NAS (University of Representative for IGCP 464 "Continental the Junggar Basin. The symposium was an Florida, USA), as well as the senior officers shelves during the last glacial cycle, knowl- impressive gathering mostly financed by the of the NSFC and CAS. Additionally, about edge and applications" made a presentation National Natural Science Foundation of 35 geologists and paleontologists from the of the Project inviting researcher to join it. China (NSFC) and the Research Association Tuebingen University, Nanjing Institute of Special Plenary Conferences were of Germany (DFG). It was organized and Geology and Palaeontology, Institute of Ver- given by Horacio H. Camacho (Geologists' sponsored by the Nanjing Institute of Geol- tebrate Palaeontology of CAS, Xinjiang role in Argentina), Antonio Cendrero (From ogy and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Geological Survey Institution, Geological the Earth's History Understanding to the Sciences (CAS), the Jinlin University, the Institute of Xinjiang, Coal Geological Interaction of Human Beings and the Natural Regional Geological Survey No.1 of Xin- Bureau of Xinjiang, Xinjiang Branch of Environment Analysis and Prediction), John jiang, China and Tuebingen University of PetroChina attended this symposium and the Germany. field excursions. This meeting also attracted Suppe (Progress in active foreland tectonics) The opening ceremony was held at attention from the mass media, such as the and Robert Pankhurst (Pre-Mesozoic Devel- Mingyuan New Times Hotel of Urumqi on CCTV, XJTV, NJTV, Science Times and the opment of Patagonia in the Gondwana Mar- the morning of August 25, 2001, which was Xinjiang Daily, China. gin Context). presided over by Prof. Ge Sun (Nanjing Insti- Eleven key lectures and oral presenta- Other special meetings dealt with the tute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS and tions were given during the symposium History of the Geological Knowledge of Jilin University, China), the Vice President focused on paleobotany, palynology, verte- Argentina, Geoarcheology and Geology of IOP (Int'l Organization of Palaeobotany), without boundaries (cooperative work brate palaeontology, paleoclimatology, pale- between Chilean and Argentine geologists). Two pre-Congress courses, Epithermal Deposits given by Bruce Gemmel (Univer- sity of Tasmania) and Reserve Assessment and Risk Analysis in Oil Exploration given by Gabriel Weiner and Eduardo Sánchez (PeCom Energía S.A.) complemented the educational aspects of the Congress. La Plata city was designated as the site for the next Argentine Geological Congress to be held in 2005.

Miguel J. Haller Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco Puerto Madryn. ARGENTINA

The opening ceremony of the symposium held inUrumqi, Xinjiang on August 25, 2001.

June 2002 129

ogeography and sedimentology. A work institutions and a number of colleagues from fied including Araucaryoxylon, Cupressinoxy- shop on "Sino-German Co-Working Station my universality", Prof. Schaich (President of lon, Protopiceoxylon and Xenoxylon. Annual of Geosciences in Xinjiang" held discussions Tuebingen University) said at the opening growth ring analysis indicated a mild with to encourage further cooperative research. ceremony of the symposium. It also pro- seasonal variation climatic condition. This Four post symposium field excursions were moted the discussions of the evolution of represents a change from the Early to Middle organized to examine the typical geological Mesozoic life, and showed contributions to Jurassic humid climate to the terminal Late sections and fossil localities around the the exploration and development of natural Jurassic arid in the Junggar Basin. southern, eastern and northwestern margins resources in China's western region. The The early origin and evolution of of the Junggar Basin. symposium was centered upon achievements angiosperms is a long debated subject in by the geoscientists from China, Germany paleobotany and botany circles, which has Brief research history and the Sino- and the USA in areas of paleontology, gained more attention in recent years due to German cooperation program stratigraphy, palaeogeography and palaeocli- the discoveries from China. In this sympo- The Junggar Basin of Xinjiang is one of the matology and research on sedimentary sium, a presentation, "A new synthesis for largest sedimentary basins in China. The processes. angiosperm phylogeny" was given by D.L. continuous Upper Paleozoic to Cenozoic Dilcher (University of Florida, USA). Much sediments are exposed and the Mesozoic flu- Paleobotany and palynology of our current interest in angiosperm phy- vial to lacustrine deposits are especially well A detailed palynological study was reported logeny and changes made about this phy- developed bearing coal, oil and gas reser- from the Triassic-Jurassic transition in Hou- logeny have been generated from molecular voirs. It is therefore of particular interest to jiagou section southwest of Urumqi, Xin- data. The fossil record has lagged behind and geoscientists for basic geology research and jiang (by R. Ashraf et al.). The well-pre- is most often presented in support of the phy- the exploration of natural resources. In the served microflora for the section was pre- logenies already established from work with past 70 years, the biostratigraphy of the sented based upon recent four yeas field extant angiosperms. It was emphasized that Mesozoic formations of the Junggar Basin which incorporated data from over 400 sam- the fossil angiosperms, in theory, should pro- was investigated based on some palynoflo- ples. Three palynological assemblage zones vide a record of the early lineages of the ras, non-marine bivalves and vertebrates. were recognized as Norian, Rhaetic and group. It is important to combine both strati- The results are still controversial. For exam- Lower Jurassic in age from the Huangshan- graphic records of floras and character analy- ple, the position of the boundaries between jie, Haojiagou and Badaowan Formations. ses of the individual components of these flo- the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic and These zones enable the precise correlation ras. The angiosperm fossil record data set between the Lower and Middle Jurassic are and identification of the Triassic-Jurassic (including leaves, flowers, fruits, wood and still a matter of debate. boundary with those in Afghanistan, Iran and pollen, etc.) were presented by D.L. Dilcher, Since 1997, a bi-lateral research project Germany. Further discussion were made in which showed important aspects of the ori- was established between the Chinese Acad- relation to the paleoecology and paleophyto- gin, the evolution of early basal lineages and emy of Sciences (CAS) and Max-Plank Soci- geography of the Junggar Basin. the evolution of higher clades of flowering ety of Germany (MPSG), aiming at estab- A remarkable Late Triassic flora was plants, and also for the construction of a new lishing a detailed biostratigraphic framework reported by G. Sun et al. from the Huang- model of angiosperm phylogeny incorporat- for the Triassic and Jurassic of the Junggar shanjie and Haojiagou Formations exposed ing the fossil record. If angiosperm phy- Basin. Based on micro- and megaflora data, in southwestern Urumqi. The flora is repre- logeny is going to have an evolutionary the vegetation and climate history will be sented by Danaeopsis- Nanzhangophyllum basis, then the fossil record must play a role reconstructed for the Junggar Basin during assemblage and Glossophyllum- Cycadocar- in its construction. As this happens, it should the Upper Triassic and Jurassic. Particular pidium assemblage, which shows the charac- be expected that fossil families and orders teristics of an ecotone of the Late Triassic emphasis is laid on the changes across the should become part of this phylogenetic Northern- and Southern- type floras of Triassic/Jurassic boundary. The project is record. The integration of the fossils can be China. Floristic analysis implied that the cli- closely linked to other multidisciplinary done in the anatomy/morphology data set for mate in the southern Junggar Basin might be studies which analyze the vertebrate fauna extant angiosperms but the fossil angiosperm gradually warming up and becoming wetter and fluvial sedimentology and organic record probably will always remain as a hole in the early to late Late Triassic. petrology of the Triassic/Jurassic deposits. in the molecular data set that requires DNA The Late Jurassic Shishugou Group of This research project is attempting to or protein analyses. the Junggar Basin is develop an integrated model of the environ- famous for fossil mental evolution of the Mesozoic Junggar forests, which is Basin. In recent years, under the positive mainly distributed in support by CAS and MPSG, geologist from Jiangjunmiao area of China and Germany developed a fruitful col- northern Qitai laboration for a series of field investigations. County, containing These have concentrated upon a study of the abundant fossil logs typical geological sections and fossil locali- and stumps. A recent ties in the Junggar Basin and obtained inter- anatomical investiga- esting results. tion of this locality Significant advances presented at the was reported in this symposium symposium by Y.D. WANG (Nanjing This symposium was an international forum Institute of Geology for geoscientists from China and overseas, and Paleontology, which enabled them to summarize new dis- CAS) based on thin coveries in the field of paleontology and section analysis of fos- geology in the Junggar Basin and related sil wood. Up to now, regions. "This symposium is another mile- four fossil conifer gen- Field trip at the type locality of the Lower Jurassic Sangonghe stone and very successful cooperation era have been identi- between Chinese geoscientists from various Formation in Fukang County, Xinjiang.

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Vertebrate palaeontology dle Jurassic), Mamenchisaurus—Sinraptor as diagnostic and predictive tools in subsur- Vertebrate palaeontology is one of the signif- complex (Late Jurassic), Psittacosaurus- face reservoirs. This kind of study is impor- icant research areas of focus in the Junggar Pterosaur faunal complex (Early Creta- tant for the further investigation of terrestrial Basin. The results of work on "Cyclic growth ceous) and Tarbosaurus-Hadrosaur com- fluvial sedimentology in the Triassic to in dinosaur bones from the Upper Jurassic of plex (Late Cretaceous). Jurassic of the Junggar Basin. NW-China and its paleoclimatic implica- Regarding to coal geology, B. Ligouis tions" by H.-U. Pfreschner (Tuebingen Uni- Palaeoclimatology and paleogeography (Tuebingen University) presented a poster versity) were especially noteworthy. Palaeoclimatology and palaeogeography for the symposium entitled "Organic petrog- Dinosaur (sauropods) bones from the Upper were emphasized during the symposium. V. raphy, geochemistry, stratigraphy, facies Jurassic of Qitai in the Junggar Basin were Mosbrugger (Tuebingen University) pre- geology and basin analysis in the Triassic examined for histological evidence of cyclic sented a report on "Evolution of Palaeo- and Jurassic of the Junggar-Basin". This rep- growth, which include two modes of ontoge- climtatic in Eurasia continent from Mesozoic resents preliminary results of recent work netic bone growth types (e.g. multiple and Cenozoic". Based on the analysis of cli- done for coal and organic petrography and growth marks in the fibrolamellar bone and matic affect factors, the palaeoclimate of the geochemistry in the Mesozoic deposits of the the regular fibrolamellar plexiform bone). Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous were sum- Junggar Basin. Detailed investigations The presence of these two histological types marized with special references to tectonic revealed the low heterogeneity and homo- in sympatric dinosaurs indicates that physio- movement. The Tertiary vegetation was geneity of the coal lithotypes, as well as the logical response to external climatic signals emphasized for reconstruction of the climate. vitrain, durain and fusain characteristics of differs between contemporary dinosaur The major impacts for the climate change the coal. The coal lithotypes and their species, a phenomenon which is also known was suggested to be closely linked to the dis- organic geochemistry analysis also provided to occur among polar dinosaur forms. In tribution of ocean and continents. important indications for reconstruction of addition, study of the silicified wood that are "The Permian-Triassic climate and the climate. associated with the dinosaur bones, also paleoenvironment in Junggar Basin" was yields strong evidence for a megamonsoonal summarized by S. Z. Wu (Geological Insti- Field trips, proceeding volume and others climate during at least part of the Upper tute of Xinjiang). Based on the review of tec- A series of post symposium field trips were Jurassic in the Junggar Basin. Probably the tonic outlines, the palaeogeographical condi- provided for examining the typical geologi- tions were summarized on a broad time scale observed growth cycles in the sauropod cal sections and famous fossil localities bones are due to an extreme annual seasonal- for the Permian and Triassic periods. The along with the margins of the Junggar Basin. ity of the palaeoclimate. evolution of palaeoclimate in the Junggar They include: 1) the Triassic-Jurassic and The Junggar Basin is rich in fossil verte- Basin was highlighted based upon new data Lower Cretaceous in Haojiagou Section in brate fauna, especially from the Middle to of historical geology, stratigraphy, sedimen- western part of Urumqi; 2) the typical Upper Jurassic in central and northern parts tology (e.g. sandy balls, coal seams and Lower-Middle Jurassic Sangonghe Section of the basin as reached by the Sino-Canadian siderites) and palaeontology (e.g. vertebrate in Fukang City; 3) the Jurassic Petrified For- dinosaur project (1987-1990). However, the fauna, megaplants and spores and pollen roughly coeval sediments of the Toutunhe grains). est Park and dinosaur localities in northern and Qigu Formations along the southern Qitai County, and 4) the Triassic-Cretaceous Sections in northern Karamay District. These margin of the basin have received little atten- Sedimentology and coal geology trips covered most of the typical geological tion and few collecting has been done in "Quantitative facies-analysis: an example exposures around the southern, northeastern these areas. Recent collecting by the Sino- from the Upper Triassic of SW-Germany" and western margins of the Junggar Basin. German research showed the potential to was presented by J. Hornung (Tuebingen yield well preserved and important verte- University). Advances of sedimentology Participants enjoyed much in the field about brate fossils. A presentation of ‘The fossil shows that quantitative data are needed for the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous strata vertebrate faunas of the Toutunhe and Qigu reservoir numerical simulations at a variety and subdivision in the Haojiagou Section in Formations of the Southern Junggar Basin of scales, including sequence stratigraphy, southwestern of Urumqi, and were impressed and their biostratigraphical and paleoecolog- cycle stacking patterns analysis, sediment by the fossil bearing beds for plants and ver- ical implications’ presented by M. Maisch body-architecture, and petrophysical rock tebrates. The well-known Petrified Forest (Tuebingen University) indicated that the type characterization. Hornung and Aigner Park and dinosaur locations in Jiangjun Gobi current new collections of vertebrate fossils illustrated an outcrop analogue study on flu- Desert of northern Qitai was another impres- are interesting for many aspects, including vial Upper Triassic sandstones of the SW sive trip. The Petrified Forest is spectacularly taxonomy, phylogeny, functional morphol- German Keuper ogy, biogeography and biostratigraphical Basin. The succession correlations. was quantitatively A general review of "Mesozoic fossil investigated in terms vertebrates from the Junggar Basin and Tur- of poroperm-charac- pan Basin, Xinjiang, China" was presented teristics, gamma ray by Z.M. Dong (Institute of Vertebrate intensity and lithofa- Palaeontology and Palaeoanthroplogy, cies-and archi- tec- CAS). The Mesozoic continental sediments tural element analysis. are extensively developed ranging in age It is significant that from Late Permian to Late Cretaceous in the the synthesis of all Junggar and Turpan basins. Mesozoic verte- outcrop information brate faunas from both basins provide a allows to the charac- nearly complete stratigraphic coverage of the terization of lithofa- Mesozoic and include seven major faunal cies and architectural complexes. They include the Chas- elements. By this matosaurus-Lystrosaurus complex (Early means it is possible to Triassic), Dicynodont-Parakannemeyeria establish some gen- complex (Middle Triassic), Bogdania- eral rules for the Fukangolepis complex (Late Triassic), Bel- depositional system, Field trip at the Haojiagou section, southwest Urumqi for lusaurus- Monolophosaurus complex (Mid- which could be used examining the Triassic-Jurassic deposit and strato-boundaries.

June 2002 131

preserved and exposed in the Late Jurassic palynoflora of Turpan-Hami Basin of Xin- cal Survey No.1 of Xinjiang for providing strata and is containing abundant silicified jiang and Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province. the sponsorship of the symposium. wood (including trunks, stems and logs). Par- Limited copies of this volume are available We express our sincere thanks to Prof. ticipants were pleased to examine the types from Prof. Ge Sun (email: [email protected]) Ge Sun (Jilin University), Prof. Volker Mos- and sizes of annual rings evident in the fossil A work-shop of "Sino-German Co- brugger (Tuebingen University) for reading wood, and understood that they indicate sea- working Station of Geosciences in Xinjiang" through the manuscript and providing valu- sonal climates during the Late Jurassic in the was held in Urumqi during the symposium. able comments and suggestions. Also we Junggar Basin. Dinosaur fossils were also The aim of this co-working station is to pro- much appreciate Prof. David Dilcher, (NAS, found in the field by participants during this vide better condition and supplies for the University of Florida, USA) for carefully trip. In the Lower Jurassic section in San- research work in Xinjiang for the Sino-Ger- reading and providing linguistic revision of gonghe Village near Fukang, participants man Program, including accommodations, the manuscript. observed the stratigraphic sequences and col- research facilities and supplies (e.g. com- lected fossil plants in the type locality of the puter, fax, internet access and car services). It Sangonghe Formation. The field trip to Kara- reached a consensus that this station will Wang Yongdong may region was a special and impressive have a further development and perspective Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology excursion for all the participants. The Trias- future for surviving as an international Chinese Academy of Sciences sic and Jurassic strata exposed along the research and exchange center facing for geo- Nanjing 210008 CHINA Baiyanghe River, northwest of Karamay, scientists not only for the Sino-German pro- *Florida Museum of Natural History contain fossil plants in which some new taxa gram, but also for the other related geo- University of Florida were collected by the participants. The trip to sciences research in Xinjiang. Gainesville, FL 32611 Urho of northeastern Karamay was the final "It was really exiting to meet all the U.S.A. stop for the field excursion. Spectacular Cre- researchers which are involved in one way or taceous deposits and weathering land forms the other into the investigation of the geology Shi Yan were attractive, and the presence of fossil of Xinjiang, especially the Junggar Basin", Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology dinosaur bones made for an exciting finish of Prof. Pfreschner, the director of the Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences the trip. of Geology and Palaeontology, Tuebigen Nanjing 210008 The symposium organizers had pub- University, said. "The meeting gave a strong CHINA *Florida Museum of Natural History lished a proceeding volume for the Sino-Ger- impulse to the geological research of the University of Florida man cooperation symposium entitled "New Junggar Basin both in Germany and in Gainesville, FL 32611 advanced studies on the Prehistory Life and China", he emphasized his impression and U.S.A. Geology of Junggar Basin, Xinjiang". It was the fruitful research of the symposium. distributed to participants during the sympo- Miao Yuyan sium. This volume included 13 professional Acknowledgements Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology research papers covering the updated The organizing committee of the Sino-Ger- Chinese Academy of Sciences research progress in the Junggar Basin, and man symposium acknowledges their appreci- Nanjing 210008 the related study in Germany and the neigh- ation for the financial support from National CHINA *Florida Museum of Natural History boring basins in northwestern China as well. Natural Science Foundation of China University of Florida Some of them were reported as key lectures (NSFC), the Research Association of Ger- Gainesville, FL 32611 during the symposium (e.g. Triassic flora, many (DFG) and Max-Plank Society, Ger- U.S.A. Triassic-Jurassic palynostratigraphy, verte- many. Thanks are due to Chinese Academy brate paleontology, fluvial sedimentology). of Sciences (CAS), Tuebingen University, Other papers were dealing with fossil con- Jilin University, Nanjing Institute of Geol- odont assemblages in Xinjiang, Jurassic ogy and Palaeontology, CAS, and Geologi-

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EEpisodes, Vol. 25, no. 2