IASINTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SEDIMENTOLOGISTS IASINTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SEDIMENTOLOGISTS

August 2008 http://www.iasnet.org Nº 217

Contents

3 Super Sedimentological Exposures 15 Erratum 16 5th L atin American Congress of Sedimentology 18 From River to Rock Record 21 IAS P ostgraduate Grant Scheme 24 Calendar IAS Bureau and Council

President: Finn SurlykSurlyk, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (e-mail: [email protected])

Past-President: Judith A. McKenzieMcKenzie, ETH-Zentrum, Zurich, Switzerland (e-mail: [email protected])

Vice-Presidents: Maria MuttiMutti, Universität Potsdam, Germany (e-mail: mmutti@)geo.uni-potsdam.de) Davor Pavelicavelic, University of Zagreb, Croatia (e-mail: [email protected]) Eduardo PiovanoPiovano, GIGES, Córdoba, Argentina (e-mail: [email protected])

General Secretary: José-Pedro CalvoCalvo, IGME, Madrid, Spain (e-mail: [email protected])

Treasurer: Patric JacobsJacobs, Ghent University, Belgium (e-mail: [email protected])

Editors: Paul A. CarlingCarling, University of Southampton, UK (e-mail: [email protected]) Peter SwartSwart, Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, USA (e-mail: [email protected])

Special Publications Ian JarvisJarvis, Kingston University, UK Secretary: (e-mail: [email protected]) Thomas StevensStevens, Kingston University, UK (e-mail: [email protected])

Council Members: A.S. AlsharhanAlsharhan, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (e-mail: [email protected]) Nic BeukesBeukes, University of Johannesburg, South Africa (e-mail: [email protected]) Gilbert CamoinCamoin, CEREGE CNRS, France (e-mail: [email protected]) Brian JonesJones, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (e-mail: [email protected]) Ryo MatsumotoMatsumoto, University of Tokyo, Japan (e-mail: [email protected]) Dilce RossettiRossetti, INPE, Sao Paulo, Brazil (e-mail: [email protected])

Link to IAS National Correspondents: http://www.iasnet.org/about/ correspondents.php SUPER SEDIMENTOLOGICAL EXPOSURES

AN IDEAL GEOTOUR THROUGH SOME OF MOST THE SPECTACULAR TRIASSIC TO QUATERNARY OUTCROPS OF NORTH SARDINIA (CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN, ITALY)

Introduction northern part spectacular outcrops are witness of its post-orogenic Sardinia is one of the largest Mesozoic and Cenozoic history (Fig. islands of the Mediterranean Sea 2). Most of these outcrops are (Fig. 1) and presents, in a relatively modern cliffs surrounded by the small area, an amazing variety of Sardinian Sea (eastern part of the geology ranging from Palaeozoic to Balearic Basin) and they offer Quaternary. The Island is known spectacular locations for both worldwide for its record of the geology and tourism. The aim of this Variscan orogen, a collisional belt brief note is to provide an overview developed in Devonian- of some of the best outcrops in the Carboniferous times. However, in its northern part of Sardinia, giving

Figure 1. Location map of the study area and main geological features of the Mediterranean region. Sardinia is in green.

3 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Figure 2. Schematic geological map of northern Sardinia (after Fu- nedda et al., 2003). details of how to reach them. Most orogenic prism. An extensional of the selected stops are part of field regime continued during Mesozoic trips that will be organized to times, allowing a general subsidence accompany the IAS-2009 meeting to that favoured the deposition of a be held in Alghero. complete Triassic transgressive continental to shallow-marine cycle Geological setting followed by middle Jurassic to Cretaceous relatively deep-marine conditions (Carmignani et al., 2001; Mesozoic Barca & Cerchi, 2002). The Variscan continental collision Cenozoic took place during the early Carboniferous and was followed by an From the Triassic to the extensional event related to the Paleocene, Sardinia and Corsica (the gravitational collapse of the island to the north of Sardinia) were

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 4 part of the southern margin of Geotour Europe (Iberian Peninsula and This ideal geotour starts from the southern France). During the city of Alghero (Fig. 3) and goes toward Oligocene they separated from it the Triassic siliciclastic successions from the European landmass due to cropping out along the wonderful the spreading of the Balearic Basin beaches of Torre del Porticciolo (Stop and, with anticlockwise rotation, in 1), moves to the Capo Caccia the late Miocene they moved to their promontory of Cretaceous limestones present-day position in the (Stop 2), goes 50 km inland (close to Mediterranean Sea (Casula et al., the city of Sassari) to observe the 2001). Extension related to this spectacular Miocene syn-rift deposits spreading was responsible for the (Stop 3), and finally ends with the formation of several basins and those Quaternary outcrops of the Alghero of Sardinia constitute the easternmost coast (Stop 4). part of this system (Sardinian rift, Cherchi & Montadert, 1982). Syn-rift Stop 1 Triassic siliciclastic succession deposition continued up to the From Alghero take road SS127bis, Tortonian when full post-rift direction Fertilia-Capo Caccia (after conditions were established and 10 km, stop to take a look at the widespread alkaline basaltic Nuraghe Palmavera ruins). After 18 magmatism occurred (Funedda et al., km, at the crossroads, turn right, 2003). From late Pliocene times following the direction of Torre del onwards, Sardinia is considered to Porticciolo. At the first intersection have been relatively stable (Ferranti to the left, leave the main road and et al., 2006). As a result of this continue up to the end where you tectonic stability, Sardinia has been will find a car parking (Fig. 3). This used to document sea-level place takes its name from the fluctuations and, therefore, climate Spanish tower that dominates the change occurring over the last 200 small bay with its lovely sandy beach kyr (Andreucci et al., 2006; Antonioli (Fig. 4). Take the path and go et al., 2007). downhill toward the beach.

Figure 3. Road map of the proposed stops.

5 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Figure 4. Panoramic view (from the car park) of the Triassic succession cropping out at Torre del Porticciolo. Note that below the tower there is a thick conglomerate layer. The excellent outcrops and 5). The sandstones show well- surrounding the bay are Triassic developed cross-beds (Fig. 6), planar strata of comparable facies to the lamination and climbing ripples. German Buntersandstein. The They have been interpreted as succession consists of medium- meander river deposits. The reddish grained grey sandstones (up to 4 m beds are highly bioturbated and traces thick) alternated with reddish silty to of roots and tree trunks may be clayey (up to 7 m thick) beds (Figs 4 observed. These latter have been

Figure 5. Panoramic view (from the tower) of the Triassic succession with the alternation of sandstone (whitish) and reddish silty-clay layers, cropping out at Torre del Porticciolo.

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 6 interpreted as alluvial plain deposits metamorphic quartz pebbles. Cut- (Cassinis et al., 2002). Towards the and-fill and trough cross-beds are the top, the sandy succession is cut by an most common structures. This up to 8 m thick, normal-graded, conglomerate has been interpreted as matrix-supported conglomerate. a braided stream deposit (Fig. 4; Clasts are well-rounded, often Cassinis et al., 2002; Fontana et al., imbricated and mainly composed of 2003).

Figure 6. Cross beds in the Triassic sandstones. Pen is 12 cm long for scale.

Stop 2 Cretaceous rudist-bearing viewpoint of Belvedere di Capo limestones Caccia (Fig. 3). In front of you there Take the road back to the lies the small island of La Foradada intersection with the SS127bis. Go to (perched island; Fig. 7) and to the the right, direction Capo Caccia. left the beautiful promontory of Along the road enjoy the wonderful Capo Caccia (Fig. 8). The views of Porto Conte Bay with its surrounding rocks are Upper Jurassic incredible variety of colours. After and Cretaceous limestones. Those about 4 km, you reach the village of cropping out along the Capo Caccia Tramariglio. Do not forget to take a promontory are referred to Upper lunch stop at Ristorante La Nuvola Cretaceous (Cherchi et al., 2002). (on the right side of the road)!! The limestones display metre- Continuing on the road, after 3 km thick bedding (maximum 7 m thick) you will find an intersection to the generally characterized by a verti- right, leading to the panoramic cal transition from bioclastic

7 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Figure 7. Panoramic view of the Jurassic- Cretaceous limesto- nes cropping out at Belvedere di Capo Caccia. In the fore- ground lies La Foradada Island.

Figure 8. Panoramic view of Jurassic- Cretaceous limesto- nes of Capo Caccia.

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 8 wackestones and packstones to Stop 3 Miocene syn-rift deposits grainstones (Carannante & Simone, Take the road SS127bis, and go 2002). Abundant mollusc (rudist) back to the intersection with the clusters are superimposed to form Torre del Porticciolo road. Turn buildups that may reach up to 2 m left, and continue along the road, in thickness (Fig. 9). These rudist- direction Sassari. Along the road rich limestones have been related you cannot miss the lovely beach to a shallow sea flooding a of Porto Ferro (intersection to the moderately deformed Jurassic-early left, after 4 km) and Agriturismo Cretaceous platform that was Bonsai (to the left, after the Lago dissected during a mid-Cretaceous Baraz intersection) where you may tectonic event (Carannante & enjoy the local food!! Continuing Simone, 2002). on the road towards Sassari, you Continuing on the road to Capo pass Santa Maria La Palma village Caccia, you reach a car parking where you may buy local wine at where, behind the rubbish bins, the the Cantina Sociale store. After 11 rudist buildups are well exposed. km, take the new 4-lane highway. From the car park, a 600-step When you reach Sassari, take the pathway takes you to the Neptune SS131, direction Cagliari, and drive Caves. These karstic caves can be for 15 km south. Exit at Florinas- visited all through the year (10€). Codrongianus. Turn to the left, The Capo Caccia karst system is direction Ploaghe, and continue for one of the best developed in about 1.5 km until you reach a sand Sardinia and has recently been the pit. Park by the side of the road focus of palaeoclimate studies and walk to the outcrop (Stop 3a of (Antonioili et al., 2007). Fig. 3).

Figure 9. Rudist bivalves. Lens cap for scale is 5 cm.

9 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Rocks cropping out belong to the deltaic to marine deposits onlapping Porto Torres-Logudoro Basin (PLB; onto Sequence 1. Sequence 3 (late Fig. 2). This basin developed as a Messinian-Pliocene) is characterized half graben from the early Miocene. by continental and marine post-rift Three depositional sequences deposits resting unconformable on characterize the basin fill (Figs 2 and the older sequences. These sequences 10). Sequence 1 consists of continen- have been clearly identified on high- tal, to deltaic and marine deposits, resolution seismic profiles from the Burdigalian-Langhian in age, Asinara Gulf, the seaward unconformable overlying Aquitanian continuation of the Porto Torres- volcanic strata. Sequence 2 Logudoro Basin (Fig. 2; Thomas & (Serravalian-late Tortonian, probably Gennesseaux 1986; Funedda et al., early Messinian) is represented by 2003).

Figure 10. Schematic cross section (not to scale) of the Porto Torres-Logudoro Basin (after Funedda et al., 2003).

In the working face of the sand pit Sassari. After 2.5 km you will find a well-preserved prograding sand the Abbey of St. Trinity of body referred to the lower sandstone Saccargia, a wonderful example of of Sequence 1 may be observed. Pisano-gothic style. Continuing on Sands are medium- to coarse-grained, the same road, after 3.5 km turn to and are mainly composed of quartz the right on the SS131, direction and feldspar. Topset, foreset and Sassari. A few kilometres before bottomset beds may be followed at Sassari, in-between two tunnels, you outcrop scale. This prograding body may examine the Miocene has been interpreted as a Gilbert-type carbonate facies (Sassari Channel) delta (Fig. 11; Martini et al., 1992; of the Porto Torres-Logudoro Basin Funedda et al., 2003). (Stop 3b of Fig. 3; Fig. 12). This Continuing along the road toward consists of coarse rhodolith-rich Ploaghe, you reach a major limestones alternated with crossroads. Turn left, direction calcareous clayey siltstones,

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 10 Figure 11. Gilbert-type delta (10 m thick) in the lower sandstones at Codrongianus. carbonate–siliciclastic sands and emplacement of megabreccia beds marls. The complex fill architecture (Vigorito et al., 2006). of the Sassari Channel developed as Continue on the SS131, direction a consequence of multiple erosional/ Sassari. After the tunnels take a left depositional events as well as of towards Alghero (about 35 km). On large-scale fault-controlled the way back, you may stop at Sella gravitational collapses and the & Mosca (5 km before Alghero) to

Figure 12. Panoramic view of the Sassari Channel. Note channels and slumps in the lower part and plane beds in the upper part.

11 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Figure 13. Panoramic view of the «Cantaro» quarries. Key to symbols: Ps=reddish palaeosol; U = unconformity; E1= Eemian bioturbated and massive deposits; E2= aeolianites foresets (Würmian). taste and purchase a selection of late Quaternary deposits lapping excellent local wines. onto different substrata (Triassic Stop 4 Quaternary deposits sandstones and dolostones, Cretaceous limestones and Oligocene From Alghero, take the road south lavas). In the Alghero area the towards Bosa. The road cuts through

Figure 14. Detailed view of the «Cantaro» quarry. Note the intense bioturbation of the lower unit.

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 12 Quaternary succession has been on the right-hand side of the road subdivided into two unconformity- in one of the parking spaces. Take bound units (Andreucci et al., 2006). one of the numerous paths going The lower Unit 1 consists of sands down to the shore and walk and conglomerates yielding warm- southward. You will walk over climate marine fossils (i.e. Strombus marine (beach/shoreface) Eemian bubonius and Patella ferruginea). It deposits. The reddish palaeosol has been referred to the Eemian separates marine deposits from interglacial stage (OIS 5) and is sandy coastal dunes and alluvial interpreted to have been deposited strata. One of the best outcrops is during a relative sea-level rise, under located in an abandoned quarry warm and moist climate conditions close to the Cantaro Spring (there (Andreucci et al., 2006). A well- is a sign on the road). The quarry developed unconformity separates was the source of dimension stone Unit 1 from Unit 2. This is normally used to build the city of Alghero marked by the presence of a quasi- (Fig. 14). continuous reddish palaeosol (Ps in This outcrop displays sandy Fig. 13). Unit 2 is mainly composed deposits characterized by of foreset sandstones referred to bioturbated, highly cemented, coastal dune deposits, and structureless aeolian sand sheets (E1 subordinate alluvial sandy in Fig. 13) and high-angle cross- conglomerates. The unit is assigned bedded dunes (E2 in Fig. 13). E1 and to OIS 4, and is interpreted to have E2 are separated by an angular developed during the sea-level fall unconformity (U in Fig. 13) gently that occurred at the beginning of the dipping seaward. E1 deposits are last glacial stage (Würmian; Fig. 13, referred to the Eemian (age date of Andreucci et al., 2006). 100 ka), while E2 is Würmian (age A kilometre after the end of date of 80 ka; Pascucci et al., Alghero, going toward Bosa, stop 2007).

Figure 15. Panoramic view of the «Zio Peppino» quarry. Sandstone foresets are part of a barchan palaeodune system.

13 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Continuing another kilometre della Carta Geologica della Sardegna a south along the road, you reach a scala 1:200.000. Memorie descrittive second quarry (Fig. 15) locally Carta Geolologica Italiana, 60, 283 pp. named «Zio Peppino». Inside the Cassinis G., Durand M. and Ronchi A. quarry it is possible to observe a (2002). The Permian and Triassic conti- spectacular 3D-view of a barchan nental framework of Nurra (NW Sardi- dune (E2). E1 deposits are well nia). Rend. Soc. Paleont. It., 1, 297-305. developed only in the lowermost Casula, G., Cherchi, A., Montadert, L., part of the quarry where the bones of Murru, M. and Sarria, E. (2001). The terrestrial vertebrates Cenozoic grabens system of Sardinia (Praemegaceros cazioti) occur. The (Italy): geodynamic evolution from new black hole in the central part of seismic and field data. Marine and Pe- Fig.15 is the entrance to an troleum Geology. 18, 863– 888 abandoned copper mine. Cherchi, A. and Montadert, L. (1982). The Oligo-Miocene rift of Sardinia and the References early history of the West Mediterranean Basin. Nature, 298, 736– 739. Andreucci S., Pascucci V. and Clemmensen Cherchi A. Schroeder R. and Simone L. L. (2006). Upper Pleistocene coastal de- (2002). Punta Malrepos: Urgonian trans- posits of West Sardinia: a record of sea gressive limestones on Purbeckian fa- level and climate change. GeoActa, 5, cies. Rend. Soc. Paleont. It., 1, 315-319 79-96. Ferranti L., Antonioli F., Mauz B., Amoro- Antonioli F., Anzidei M., Lambeck K., si A., Dai Pra G., Mastronuzzi G., Mona- Auriemma R., Gaddi D., Furlani S., co C., Orrù P., Pappalardo M., Radtke Orru‘ P., Solinas E., Gaspari A., Karinja U., Renda P., Romano P., Sansò P. and S., Kovacic V. and Suracel L. (2007). Verrubbi V. (2006). Markers of the last Sea-level change during the Holocene in interglacial sea-level high stand along Sardinia and in the northeastern Adriatic the coast of Italy: tectonic implications. (central Mediterranean Sea) from archaeo- Quaternary International, 146, 30-54. et logical and geomorphological data. Qua- la., 20006 ternary Science Reviews, 26, 2463– Fontana D., Neri C., Ronchi A. and Stefani 2486. C. (2003). La successione Permo-Trias- Barca S. and Cerchi A. (2002). Introduction sica della Nurra (Sardegna Nord-Occi- to the geology of Sardinia. Rend. Soc. dentale). In: Pacucci, V. (Ed.), Atti del Paleont. It., 1, 11-34 Convegno GEOSED 2003, Editoria and Carannante G. and Simone L. (2002). Late Stampa, Sassari, Italy pp. 363-379. Cretaceous foramol carbonate factories of Funedda, A., Oggiano, G. and Pascucci, V. the Nurra region (North-western Sardi- (2003). I depositi Miocenici della Sar- nia, Italy). Rend. Soc. Paleont. It., 1, degna settentrionale: il bacino del Logu- 135-140 doro. In: Pacucci, V. (Ed.), Atti del Con- Carannante G., Cerchi A. and Simone L. vegno GEOSED 2003, Editoria and (1995). Chlorozoan versus foramol litho- Stampa, Sassari, Italy, pp. 381–414. facies in Upper Cretaceous rudist limes- Martini, I.P., Oggiano, G. and Mazzei, R., tones. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclima- 1992. Siliciclastic –carbonate sequence tology, Palaeoecology, 119, 137-154 of Miocene grabens of northern Sardinia, Carmignani L., Oggiano G., Barca S., Con- western Mediterranean Sea. Sedimentary ti P., Salvadori I., Eltrudis A., Funedda Geology, 36, 63– 78. A. and Pasci S. (2001). Note illustrative Pascucci V., Andreucci S., Clemmensen L.

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 14 and Murray A. (2007). Stratigraphy and submarine channel, Porto Torres Basin, sea-level evolution of West Sardinia du- Miocene, Sardinia, Italy. Sedimentary ring the last 200 Ky, based on OSL da- Geology, 186, 213–236. ting. 25 th IAS Regional Meeting of Sedi- mentology, Patras (Greece), 4-7 Septem- ber 2007. Abstracts book p 137. Vincenzo Pascucci and Stefano Thomas, B. and Gennesseaux, M., 1986. A two stage rifting in the basin of the Cor- Andreucci sica– Sardinia strait. Marine Geology, Dipartimento di Botanica ed Ecologia 72, 225– 239. Vegetale (Sezione di Geologia) Vigorito M., Murru M. and Simone L. Università di Sassari (2006) - Architectural patterns in a mul- Corso Angioy 10, 07100 Sassari tistorey mixed carbonate–siliciclastic E-mail: [email protected]

Erratum

In the April issue of the IAS The correct and complete author’s Newsletter (nr. 216), both the name and reference is as follows: Dr. Gail M. Ashley, address of the author of the article Department of Earth & Planetary «Environmental Sedimentology» Sciences, Rutgers University, New devoted to the International Year of Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA. Planet Earth appeared erroneously José-Pedro Calvo (partly) printed. IAS General Secretary

15 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Announcement

5 th Latin American Congress of Sedimentology

The Latin American Congress of most important events of this kind Sedimentology is an event that takes that has been taken place in Vene- place every three years, and has the zuela. An event of this nature is purpose of promoting integration particularly important to discuss among geoscientists interested in issues of great international interest, interchanging experiences on several as the sedimentology of petroleum disciplines related to Sedimentology reservoirs. The focus of the V and Stratigraphy of South America, Congress is petroleum exploration, including their application for which is particularly important in hydrocarbon and other mineral Venezuela, due to the importance of exploration. The first congress of this country in the worldwide this nature took place in Margarita petroleum industry. Island, Venezuela, in 1997, the The Organizing Committee has second one in Mar del Plata, Argenti- included several activities in the na, in 2000, the third one in Belém, programme in order to join Brazil, in 2003, and the fourth one professionals and students from in Bariloche, Argentina, in 2006. several countries. The congress will Among the AAPG in Caracas in run several conferences with 1996, the First Latin American outstanding lectures. Eleven Congress of Sedimentology in Marga- technical sessions will discuss clastic rita Island, in 1997 and the XI Latin- sedimentation, carbonate rocks, American Geochemical Organic diagenesis of siliciclastics, carbonates Congress that will be held in Marga- and evaporates; ichnology: rita Island, in November 2008, this applications in sedimentology and Fifth Latin American Congress of stratigraphy; influences in Sedimentology will be one of the hydrocarbon reservoir, taphonomy

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 16 and paleontology, basin analysis, provided on the Congress web-site. tectonics and sedimentation, More information about the sedimentology of source rocks and congress, including registration fees hydrocarbon reservoirs, and direction for abstract geochemistry of sedimentary rocks, preparation, might be accessed later environments, sedimentary facies, in the following web sites: seismic facies, seismic stratigraphy, http://www.pdvsa.com and sequence stratigraphy, modern sedimentary environments. Short courses and workshops will be also offered for those who are interested Any questions related to this congress in learning more about specific issues should be addressed to: on sedimentology and stratigraphy. Rosa C. Aquino H. Workshops will offer discussions on Edf. Guaraguao, Módulo A, PB, Ofc. interesting subjects including core 15 samples of Venezuela hydrocarbon Edif. Sede PDVSA, Puerto La Cruz, reservoirs and trace fossils. Apdo 4326 Abstracts should be submitted to Edo Anzóaegui, Venezuela the congress address not later than Fax: (58)281-2603181 October 31st, 2008. Options for Phone: (58)281-2604208 abstract submission will be online, E-mail: [email protected] using the abstract submission form [email protected]

17 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 Announcement

FROM RIVER TO ROCK RECORD: The Preservation of Fluvial Sediments and Their Subsequent Interpretation

Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 12-14 January 2009

e know that the rock record is who are working on this problem, W a mosaic of remnants from and we hope to get a good discussion the deposits of a river at any instant going. We want to bring together not in time, but we still struggle to map only the academic researchers in from modern examples to that re- geomorphology and sedimentology, cord, and river models fail to take but also those, from academia and into account the many modifications industry, who are trying to apply this that occur as the sedimentary research to characterising the architecture is built up. We still do subsurface for management of natu- not have good answers to many of ral resources. We hope this will the basic questions and we suggest stimulate all our thinking and that published facies models activity, by helping each group to (particularly the ones in textbooks) understand the needs and problems of are grossly over-simplistic. We the others. There should be believe that this meeting is necessary immediate gain for attendees in because understanding fluvial systems having a wider appreciation of the is far from complete. For example, subject, and we hope a longer term maximising hydrocarbon recovery gain for all because future research from fluvial reservoirs still remains a should be better focussed. daunting challenge for industry, in An objective of this conference is large part, we would argue, because to attract a broad spectrum of understanding of the architecture of contributions, ranging from those fluvial deposits is still poor. thinking about the character of In an attempt to advance modern fluvial systems, right understanding further, we are inviting through to the «end-user» trying to together in one place lots of people make sense of the subsurface record.

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 18 To this end, keynotes have been existing interpretations of some of chosen to sample the whole spectrum that core. We are aiming to have a of research, from geomorphologists selection of different examples of to subsurface modellers, and a wide fluvial successions in core to form range of spatial and temporal scales the basis for discussion on the for river deposits, from studying problems of subsurface analysis of movement of individual river bars at fluvial successions. Our intention is the annual, river-reach scale, to to focus the workshop around sequence stratigraphy of entire specific questions, such as: successions at the continental- determination of sinuosity and sand- margin scale. Several leading body style; estimating size of the researchers from academia and river system and thus resultant industry have agreed to be keynote sediment bodies; correct speakers and we hope they will identification of in-channel, levee tempt others from their own sub- and floodplain genetic elements, discipline to attend and contribute, separating channelised from to make a truly interdisciplinary and unconfined alluvial units, and international meeting. Additionally, detecting aeolian units within fluvial we intend to use the conference as a successions; recognition and use of catalyst for producing a publication palaeosols, and distinguishing on this theme with the session pedogenic from groundwater themes providing the structure. We (diagenetic) carbonate concretions; plan to have ideas and concepts palaeogeographic reconstruction, papers re-evaluating dogma on flu- distinguishing alluvial units from vial architecture and some data-rich lacustrine successions and marine chapters on modern examples that (lagoonal?) incursions. will be of great assistance to those The two subsequent days of oral struggling to interpret the rock re- presentations and poster displays will cord. be focussed on sessions discussing The three day conference will be issues such as: an examination of the held at the University of Aberdeen, problems involved in transferring Scotland, and a nearby core store. modern geomorphological knowledge We will? start this meeting with a to the sedimentary record, or «what one-day core workshop to stimulate not to do!»; what is preserved in the thinking and discussion, followed rock record, and implications for then by two full days of oral and reconstructing fluvial architecture?; poster presentations and debate, what lessons can we learn from arranged in a single plenary session modern processes - how do we work (no parallel events). We welcome at back to the rock record?; the meeting not only those who wish complicated fluvial architecture with to present material but also those a consideration of the autogenic and who just want to listen in or ask allogenic controls, and the influence questions. of medium-term processes on fluvial The core workshop is aimed at sedimentary architecture; sequence helping familiarise researchers with stratigraphy and the interaction the problems and end-goals of between fluvial and non marine interpreting the subsurface, and sequences, and the influence of long- might even result in challenges to term processes on fluvial

19 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 sedimentary architecture; the open and we are accepting abstracts interaction of sediment and water in until 30th September 2008. Those affecting incision or aggradation, and who cannot attend but would like to the influence of short-term processes contribute to the post-conference on fluvial sedimentary architecture; publication are welcome to contact modelling river deposits and the us. petrophysical implications; and the problems involved in interpreting Stephanie Davidson, Sophie Leleu and fluvial reservoirs. Colin North We want to encourage young University of Aberdeen researchers to contribute and will be E-mail: [email protected] offering some financial support for Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ student attendees (see website for geology/deptinfo/events/river2rock/ details). On-line registration for the river2rock.php conference and core workshop is now

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 20 IAS Postgraduate Grant Scheme

has established a grant Research proposal - 2 pages IAS scheme designed to help PhD maximum students with their studies. We are Bibliography - ½ page offering to support postgraduates in Budget - ½ page their fieldwork, data acquisition and Curriculum Vitae – 1 page analysis, visits to other institutes to use Recommendation letter (or e- specialised facilities, or participation in mail) from the supervisor supporting field excursions directly related to the the applicant is mandatory and the PhD research subject. research proposal must be sent Up to 10 grants, each of about € directly to the Treasurer of IAS by 1000 are awarded twice a year. the application deadline These grants are available for IAS members only, and only for PhD Guidelines for letter from students. Students enrolled in MSc supervisor programs are NOT eligible for grants. Research grants are NOT given for The letter from the supervisor travel to attend a scientific conference, should provide an evaluation of the NOR for acquisition of equipment. capability of the student to carry out Student travel grants for conferences the proposed research, the can be usually obtained directly from significance and necessity of the organizers of the meeting. research, and reasonableness of the The Grant Scheme Guidelines budget request. The letter must be provide a summary of required sent directly to the Treasurer of IAS information needed for successful a by post or e-mail by the application Grant Application. Applications are deadline (Patric Jacobs, evaluated on the basis of the Department of Geology and Soil scientific merits of the problems, the Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan capability of the researcher, and 281/S8, B-9000 Gent, BELGIUM. reasonableness of the budget. E-mail: [email protected]). An application form is on our website Supervisor’s Letter Guidelines list (http://www.iasnet.org). the information needed. Grant application IAS Grant Scheme Guidelines Research Proposal – The application should be concise Š Title and informative and contains the Š Introduction: Introduce following information (limit your the topic and provide application to 4 pages):

21 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 relevant background such as field and information; summarise laboratory equipment, previous work by you or computers, library. others. Provide the Š Bibliography: provide a context for your list of key (5-10) proposed study in terms publications that are of geography, geology, relevant to your and /or scientific disci- proposed research. The pline. list should show that you Š Motivation: It should have done adequate have a clearly written background research on hypothesis or a well- your project and are explained research assured that your problem of geologic methodology is solid and significance. It should that the project has not explain why it is been done already. important. Simply Š Budget: Provide a brief collecting data without summary of the total an objective is not cost of the research. considered wise use of Clearly indicate the resources. amount (in euros) being Š Methods: Outline the requested. State research strategy specifically what the IAS (methods) that you plan grant funds will be used to use to solve the for. problem in the field and/ Š Curriculum Vitae: or in the laboratory. Name, postal address, e- Please include mail address, university information on data education (degrees & collection, data analyses, dates), work experience, and data interpretation. awards and scholarships, Š Facilities: Briefly list independent research research and study facili- projects, your abstracts ties available to you, and publications.

Application deadlines: 1st session: March 31 2nd session: September 30

Recipient notification: 1st session: before June 30 2nd session: before December 31

IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 22 LIST OF STUDENT MEMBERS WHO GOT GRANTS IN THE PAST SESSION Name Institution Financial support

Cassle, Christopher Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, USA 1,000 € CrneCrne, Alenka Eva I. Rakovec Inst. Pal., Ljubljana, Slovenia 1,000 € Eros, James Michael Univ. California-Davis, California, USA 1,000 € ForemanForeman, Brady University of Wyoming, USA 1,000 € Glunk, Christina University of Neuchatel, Switzerland 1,000 € HaberlahHaberlah, David University of Adelaide, Australia 1,000 € MartindaleMartindale, Rowan Univ. of Southern California, L.A., USA 1,000 € RicciRicci, Christiano Univ. G. D’Annunzio, Chieti, Italy 1,000 € RocheRoche, Ronan Manchester Metropolitan Univ., UK 1,000 € Rodríguez BrizuelaBrizuela, Rafael Museo Argentino C. N., Córdoba, Argentina 1,000 € SantelloSantello, Lisa University of Padova, Italy 1,000 € Thomas, Stephanie Southern Methodist Univ., Dallas, USA 1,000 €

23 IAS Newsletter 217 August 2008 CALENDAR

26TH MEETING OF SEDIMENTOLOGY *

1-3 September, 2008 Dr. Adrian Immenhauser Bochum, Germany Ruhr-University Bochum Faculty of Earth Sciences Institute for Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics Universitätsstrasse 150 D-44801 Bochum/Germany E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sediment/

THE S ECOND I NTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON I CHNOLOGY ICHNIA 2008

Prof. Alfred Uchman Institute Nauk Geologicznych 1 – 5 September, 2008 Jagiellonian University Cracow, Poland Cracow, Poland Tel. +48 126336377 E-mail: [email protected] Web-page: http://www.uj.edu.pl/ING/ichnia08/index.html

IAS Newsletter 216 June 2008 24 POKOS’3 - POLISH SEDIMENTOLOGICAL CONFERENCE REGIONAL CONTEXT OF SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND PROCESSES

17-19 September, 2008 Dr. Jurand Wojewoda Kudowa Zdrój, Institute of Geological Sciences, Sudetes, Poland University of Wroclaw E-mail: %[email protected] Web-page: http:// www.pokos.img.uni.wroc.pl/

GEOSED 2008 CONGRESS

23-24 September, 2008 Prof. Luisa Sabato Bari, Italy E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.geosed.it/index.php

HAQ COURSE 2008 Sequence Stratigraphy: from source to sink 28 September – 2 Dr. Marcello Tropeano October, 2008 E-mail: [email protected] Matera, Italy Website: http://www.geosed.it/index.php

XIII LATINAMERICAN CONGRESS OF GEOLOGY & XIV PERUVIAN CONGRESS OF GEOLOGY *

29 September - Contact: José Arce (President of the Organizing 3 October, 2008 Committee) Lima, Perú E-mail [email protected] José Daudt (Sedimentology/Stratigraphy/Hydrocarbon Geology) E-mail [email protected] Website (under construction) http:// www.congresosgp.com/ Website Sociedad Geológica del Perú http://sgp.org.pe/

25 IAS Newsletter 216 June 2008 5TH I NTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DELTA’S

26 October – 2 Yoshiki Saito November, 2008 E-mail: [email protected] Shanghai – Qingdao, Website: http://unit.aist.go.jp/igg/rg/ China cug-rg/ADP.html

FROM RIVER TO ROCK RECORD: THE PRESERVATION OF FLUVIAL SEDIMENTS AND THEIR S UBSEQUENT I NTERPRETATION

12-14 January, 2009 Stephanie Davidson, Sophie Leleu and Colin North Aberdeen, Scotland, University of Aberdeen, UK UK [email protected] Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/geology/deptinfo/ river2rock/river2rock.php

5TH LATIN AMERICAN S EDIMENTOLOGICAL CONGRESS

15-20 March, 2009 Dr. Rosa Aquino Puerto La Cruz, E-mail: [email protected]; Venezuela [email protected]

IAVCEI – IAS Third International Maar Conference *

14-17 April, 2009 Dr. Corina Risso Malargue, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.3imc.org

27TH IAS MEETING OF SEDIMENTOLOGY *

20-23 September, Dr. Vincenzo Pascucci and Dr. Stefano Andreucci 2009 Università di Sassari, Sardinia, Italy Alghero, Sardinia, [email protected]; [email protected] Italy Website: www.ias2009.com

IAS Newsletter 216 June 2008 26 18 TH INTERNATIONAL SEDIMENTOLOGICAL CONGRESS* 26 September, Eduardo Piovano 1 October, 2010 GIGES Mendoza, Dpto. Química, Facultad de Ciencias Argentina Avda. Velez Sarsfield 1611 X501GCA, Córdoba, Argentina E-mail: [email protected]

* THESE EVENTS HAVE FULL OR PARTIAL IAS SPONSORSHIP

27 IAS Newsletter 216 June 2008 Contributions to be sent to: José P edro Calvo IAS-Homepage: IAS General Secretary Instituto Geológico y Minero de España http://www.iasnet.org c/ Ríos Rosas, 23. This Newsletter has been printed by 28003, Madrid, Spain Data P rint Ltd. 11a West Way Botley Oxford OX2 0JB , UK Tel.: +34 913 495 962 Designed by P roedex s.l. F rancisco Silvela 27 Fax: +34 913 495 817 28028 Madrid, Spain [email protected] [email protected]