European Rocks Research Articles

Special Interest Tourism (SIT) in Murmansk (Arctic NE Scandinavia): Touristic Route around the City to Explore the Oldest Rocks in Europe

The city of Murmansk together with the neighboring town of Kola is an agglomeration in the Arctic, in the northern part of the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea fjord. Some of its roots date back to the 16th century when the foundations of Russian civilization were built in this region. Rock paintings and labyrinths indicate that there were peoples living in this area before then: the Saami were here much earlier. This historic heritage is superimposed on the extraordinary environment of the far north, with a relatively mild climate associated with the warm Norwegian stream. An important and inseparable element of the city’s landscape is a non-freezing port on the coast, which offers a window to the world, and numerous hills forming an interesting city landscape built of Archean gneisses as old as 3.75 billion years. These are among the oldest rocks in Europe. Murmansk, with its wealth of tourist features and as a center of science, industry, and trade, also aspires to be the capital of the entire Arctic. Walking the streets of this city, which is just over a century old, past its neoclassical buildings, one can observe several inanimate natural forms that show visitors the unusual nature of the city’s topography. Efforts to promote these have been partly implemented around the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, where a small ecological route has been marked out. However, tourist interest in the city is increasing, and this article attempts to answer this interest by proposing a loop of tourist routes displaying many interesting features of the city.

A new genus of the family Locustopsidae (lnsecta, Caelifera) in the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Northeast Brazil)

The new genus Crarozeunerella (Caelifera, Locustopsidae) and three constituent new species, C. neotropica n. sp., C. nordestina n. sp., and C. amedegnatoi n. sp., are described from the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of northeastern Brazil. The family Locustopsidae was hitherto represented in the Brazilian Cretaceous by two other genera: Zessinia Martins-Neto and Locustopsis Handlirsch, suggesting that the group was most successful in the Southern Hemisphere during Cretaceous times. This family is typical of the Mesozoic and the oldest record is from the Lower Triassic of Australia. The family is represented now by nine genera including more than forty species. Thirty in the genus Locustopsis Handlirsch Handlirsch, which is known from Jurassic rocks in Europe and Asia as well as from Cretaceous rocks in Asia, Africa and Brazil.

The evolution of hermit crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Paguroidea) on the basis of carapace morphology: a state-of-the-art-report

In our ongoing studies of both extinct and extant hermit crabs (Paguroidea Latreille, 1802), we have observed and recorded a number of morphological changes that have taken place between Early Jurassic times (c. 185 million years ago) and the present day. Species compositions of paguroid assemblages from marine Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous rocks in Europe are here compared with those of modern marine settings. Basal paguroids with cylindrical carapaces predominated in reefal environments during the Late Jurassic, but were gradually replaced by hermit crabs with non-cylindrical carapaces. The most basal paguroids reveal a branchial groove, but branchial condensation towards a single (i.e., cervical) groove is here shown to have occurred early in their evolutionary history. In several extant, genera remnants of a branchial groove, in combination with several other basal features, can be seen. For this reason, these are here considered to be the most primitive members amongst extant paguroids. In this study, we resurrect the family Probeebeidae and erect a new family, Paguropsidae n. fam, to accommodate extant basal hermit crabs such as Paguropsis Henderson, 1888, Eopaguropsis Fraaije, Krzemiński, Van Bakel, Krzemińska & Jagt, 2012 and Paguropsina Lemaitre, Rahayu & Komai, 2018. Described are also one pair of Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) and two pairs of Middle Jurassic (Callovian) isochelous paguroid chelae, all collected recently. A new specimen of Schobertella reveals some important morphological traits of the shield that had not been observed previously. The earliest known example to date of clearly heterochelous chelae in the fossil record of hermit crabs originates from upper Kimmeridgian/Tithonian strata in the Boulonnais (northwestern France). For the first time, a phylogenetic scheme of marine Paguroidea, as based on morphological data of carapaces, is presented.

The Caledonian Structures of Shetland – Funzie and Norwick Geological Conservation Review sites

Locations at Funzie on the island of Fetlar, and at Norwick on the island of Unst contain excellent examples of structures relating to the Caledonian age disruption and emplacement of the Shetland Ophiolite Complex. The Caledonian age Shetland Ophiolite Complex contains exceptionally well developed and exposed sections of the lower parts of the characteristic ophiolite sequence, including layered gabbro, cumulates and mantle rock. Composed of two tectonic units (the Lower Nappe and Upper Nappe) each underlain by an imbricate zone, it is among the finest and most accessible examples of ophiolitic rocks in Europe. The sites at Funzie and Norwick have been selected to be part of the Caledonian Structures of Great Britain Geological Conservation Review (GCR) network, as the best examples in Britain of structures relating to Caledonian ophiolite disruption and emplacement. As the Funzie GCR site and the Norwick GCR site they form the Caledonian Structures of Shetland GCR block.Accounts of all other sites in the Caledonian Structures of Great Britain Geological Conservation Review (GCR) network are already published (Treagus, 1992). Accounts of the Caledonian Structures of Shetland GCR block sites are, therefore, presented in this paper to complete publication of the Caledonian Structures of Great Britain Geological Conservation Review (GCR) network.

Geochronology and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope constraints on the petrogenesis of teschenites from the type-locality in the Outer Western Carpathians

Abstract The Teschenite Association Rocks (TAR) in the Outer Western Carpathian (OWC) flysch form a classic suite of alkaline intrusions where teschenite and picrite were first defined. They represent continental intraplate volcanism that produced a wide range of melano- to mesocratic rocks emplaced during the Early Cretaceous rifting within the southern margin of the European Plate. Geochemical modelling indicates that they may be a product of ~2–5 % partial melting of the metasomatised, asthenospheric mantle. The variations in REE (low / heavy REE content, LaN/YbN = 11–34) are consistent with deep melting of garnet peridotite. Initial ε(Nd)i = 5.0–6.3 and ε(Hf)i = 4.9–10.0 preclude the significant mature crust involvement. Instead, a linear array formed by the 143Nd/144Nd and 176Hf/177Hf isotopic ratios points to a genesis from the mixed, HIMU–OIB source with the more depleted, MORB-type component. Mantle metasomatism was most likely caused by the Variscan subduction–collision processes as indicated by the depleted mantle Nd model ages. The isotope and trace element ratios of the TAR resemble the European Asthenospheric Reservoir (EAR) — the common mantle end-member for the widespread Cenozoic volcanic rocks in Europe. This confirms a long-term existence of the EAR mantle component beneath the Central Europe, at least since the Early Cretaceous. In situ laser-ablation ICP-MS U–Pb dating of titanite indicates short duration of mafic alkaline magmatism in the OWC, lasting from 123.7 ± 2.1 to 117.9 ± 1.8 Ma. Emplacement of the TAR is correlated with the maximum lithospheric thinning that triggered adiabatic decompression and partial melting of the upwelling asthenospheric mantle. Magmatism ceased most likely due to transition to the dominantly compressive regime associated with the major stress field reorganization directly preceding the Carpathian– Alpine Orogeny.

Extensive yellow crusts below limestone overhangs: a new taxon close to a minute epiphytic lichen

A conspicuous yellow crust forming extensive covers on some dry and shaded limestone rocks in Europe is described here as Caloplaca substerilis subsp. orbicularis M. Haji Moniri, Vondrák & Malíček subsp. nov. Based on nuITS rDNA, 28S nuLSU rDNA and mtSSU rDNA sequence data, the new taxon is closely related to Caloplaca substerilis and C. ulcerosa. The three taxa form a supported clade in the subfamily Xanthorioideae (Teloschistaceae), but none of the recently seggregated genera are suitable for them. In the ITS phylogeny, the new taxon forms a monophylum nested within C. substerilis. However, its extensive yellow thalli and absence of vegetative diaspores clearly distinguish it from Caloplaca substerilis (subsp. substerilis). Indeed, if it had not been for the molecular evidence, we would have described it at the rank of species. We suggest that the substrate switch and accompanying processes are responsible for the striking phenotypic difference between Caloplaca substerilis subsp. substerilis and C. substerilis subsp. orbicularis.

Aspicilia goettweigensis (Megasporaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes) – a poorly known and overlooked species in Europe and Russia

Aspicilia goettweigensis is a poorly known species from xerothermic siliceous rocks in Europe. It is considered to be common in the Czech Republic and it is new to Hungary and Russia. The main diagnostic character is formation of cracked, popcorn‐like, areoles in the central parts of the thalli. Analysis of nrITS sequences revealed its close relationship to Aspicilia subdepressa and A. volcanica. TLC revealed stictic acid in analysed A. goettweigensis samples. A key to non‐lobate Aspicilia with stictic acid known from Europe is provided.

Misinterpreting by localism: transposing European geology and tectonics onto Jamaica and the Antilles

Abstract ‘Localism’ occurs when geologists are most influenced by data with which they are familiar, applying it to new, but not necessarily appropriate, areas of study. Jamaica has been particularly prone to localist interpretations. Henry T. De la Beche (1796–1855) mapped eastern Jamaica in 1823–1824, and made lithostratigraphic comparisons between Jamaica and Europe that were the first attempt at intercontinental correlation. He correlated the Jamaican succession on the basis of lithological similarity to rocks in Europe. Charles A. Matley (1866–1947) is best remembered for his mapping in North Wales. He was geologist to the second geological survey of Jamaica in 1921 and developed the Basal Complex hypothesis which envisaged a geological structure analogous to that of North Wales, where the deformed Mona Complex underlies the Lower Palaeozoic succession. Matley thus provided a ‘factual’ basis for theories that the Antillean islands were the peaks of a foundered continent. Charles T. Trechmann (1885–1964) was the principal opponent of the Basal Complex hypothesis, not recognising evidence for old basement in Jamaica. His ‘answer’ was the Theory of Mountain Uplift, based on gravitational tectonics, but Trechmann's theory was comparable to the earlier fixist theories of tectonics that he learnt as a student.

Co-eruption of carbonate and silicate magmas during volcanism in the Limagne graben (French Massif Central)

Peperites in the Limagne graben (French Massif Central) have been interpreted up to now as phreatomagmatic eruptions involving fragmentation of sedimentary rocks during magma–water interaction. We report about the possible magmatic origin of the carbonates involved in the peperites from Gergovie and Pileyre localities. In these two volcanic deposits, carbonates are manly dolomitic in composition, while the Limagne sediments are almost exclusively detrital formations or limestones. In the studied rocks, the carbonates can be found in different habits, but are sometimes closely associated with Cr-diopsides and Cr-spinels, minerals never found in the Limagne Miocene volcanic rocks and related to deep mantle processes. Dykes crosscutting the layered deposits are mainly composed of euhedral dolomite grains. Trace elements and Sr isotopes confirm that the carbonates are chemically different compared to the sedimentary rocks from the Limagne and therefore that the studied volcanic rocks are not a mixing between silicate magma and the local sediments. Based on our new petrological and geochemical data, we interpret these carbonates as evidence for the eruption of carbonatitic magmas associated with the silicate magmas found in the deposits. The high Sr isotopic ratios of these rocks imply the melting of an enriched metasomatised mantle for the source of the carbonates, as already advocated for many ultrapotassic or carbonatitic volcanic rocks in Europe. These results call for a reappraisal of the origin of the volcanism in the Limagne volcanic province and more generally of the carbonatitic volcanic provinces in Western Europe.

Geology and lithic procurement in Upper Palaeolithic Europe: a weights-of-evidence based GIS model of lithic resource potential

In this paper we examine ways to predict the distribution of siliceous rock in Europe, using a Bayesian technique known as ‘Weights-of-Evidence’. We use the technique to classify bedrock geological formations in terms of their likelihood of yielding tool-quality lithic raw materials, and we use the results to re-examine possible causes of a west–east cline in maximum lithic raw material transfer distances observed when comparing sites in both Middle and Upper Palaeolithic Europe. It is evident from our results that there is a decline in abundance of geological formations highly predictive of tool-quality rock along a west–east cline, predominantly reflecting a decrease in abundance of Jurassic and Cretaceous chert-bearing sedimentaries. Our results are consistent with an interpretation of the Upper Palaeolithic record of transfer distances as indicating special-purpose procurement.

Bacidia coprodes—resurrecting a misinterpreted species

Abstract:Bacidia coprodes (Körb.) Lettau, until now treated as a synonym of Bacidia trachona (Ach.) Lettau, is resurrected. Morphological, chemical and ecological characteristics place this species close to Toninia in the Ramalinaceae, but we retain it in Bacidia because of uncertainties in the generic taxonomy of this family. Bacidia coprodes is fairly widespread on calcareous and enriched siliceous rock in Europe and eastern North America. In North America the species has also been known under the synonyms Bacidia granosa (Tuck.) Zahlbr. (basionym: Lecidea granosa Tuck.) and Bacidia pammellii (Fink) Zahlbr. (basionym: Bilimbia pammellii Fink). Morphological and chemical features, together with molecular data, suggest that B. trachona does not belong to Bacidia, but rather in the Pilocarpaceae.

Plant succession in abandoned gypsum quarries in SE Spain

Gypsum outcrops harbour a considerable number of rare species the presence of which is restricted to these soils. By the rarity and richness of their flora, gypsum soils of Almer‡a Province (SE Spain) are the most valuable in Spain from a conservation view- point, whereas at the same time the territory is being intensively exploited by quarrying and holds the most important production of gypsum rocks in Europe. It was hence con- sidered a priority to investigate the recovery patterns of gypsophilous species after quar- ries abandonment in order to seek for information that can help to develop restoration plans with an ecological basis. For this aim, chronosequences were established and the colonising flora (presence and abundance) in each successional state was recorded and compared to the non-disturbed communities. Data were mainly analysed by means of Frequency Diagrams and Multivariate Methods. Dendrograms resulting from the Cluster Analyses showed the existence of two well-defined groups of species that differed in their colonisation power. One of the groups harboured Gypsophila struthium subsp. struthium, the dominant gypsophyte in the early states (in quarries abandoned up to 25 years ago), which coexists with other less abundant ruderal species. The other group was character- ised by the presence of the remaining gypsophytes such as the endemisms Teucrium turredanum or Helianthemum alypoides , which show a low colonisation ability and ap- pear in the last stages (mainly in quarries abandoned more than 30 35 years ago). Ordina- tion Analyses separated the samples taken from the unaltered scrub from the others, which indicates that although there is a clear tendency towards the recovery of gypsum soils by the gypsophytes of the area, the primary succession does not lead to the re- establishment of the relative abundances of all the original species in the interval of time considered.

Emissivity measurements of several soils and vegetation types in the 8–14, μm Wave band: Analysis of two field methods

The two variants of the box method (with one and two lids) has been rigorously analyzed. As a result of this analysis, a correction factor that takes into account the nonideality of the materials used for the box, as well as its geometry, has been derived A simple method for determining the effective downward atmospheric temperature that uses only the temperature measurement at the zenith also has been proposed. Finally, by using one of the two variants of the box method, 72 in situ emissivity measurements in the 8–14 pin wave-band region of typical vegetation, soils, and rocks of Europe and South America, has been obtained. The use of these data for the ernissivity correction of satellite thermal measurements has been analyzed, and emissivities for the Landsat Thematic Mapper band 6 and NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer channels 4 and 5 have been derived.

Palaeomagnetism and palaeogeography of Variscan formations of the Bohemian massif: A comparison with other regions in Europe

Statistical evaluation of palaeomagnetic data from the Early Carboniferous to the Middle Triassic rocks in Europe, north of the Alpine tectonic belt, confirmed previously defined palaeotectonic stability of the whole European Plate since the Early Permian. The Trans-European Suture Zone represents a plate boundary, SW of which the Early Variscan and pre-Variscan formations show different degrees of palaeotectonic rotations, predominantly rotations of clockwise sense. A theoretical model simulating the translation and rotation movements was proposed showing that the West European Variscides underwent Hercynian palaeotectonic rotations comparable with the rotations derived for the Alpine tectonic belt.

Demosponges and hexactinellid sponges from the Lower Devonian Ross Formation of west-central Tennessee

A fauna of eight taxa of demosponges and hexactinellid sponges has been collected from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) Ross Formation, largely out of the upper Birdsong Shale Member in Benton, Decatur, and Perry Counties in west-central Tennessee. The Upper Birdsong Shale (“bryozoan zone”) in which the sponges are most common appears to have been deposited below normal wave base in a quiet marine environment, and represents a terrigenous clastic sediment influx onto a carbonate shelf that had existed in the area from at least the middle Silurian. Benton Quarry in Benton County was the most productive locality for fossil sponges.The new demosponge genera and species Ginkgospongia foliata and Coniculospongia radiata occur with the new species Haplistion lobatum and skeletal mats of fine spicules, along with moderately rare specimens of Hindia sphaeroidalis Duncan. The new hexactinellid genus and species Stiodermiella amanita and Stiodermiella tetragona are characterized by peculiar ornamented papillose, swollen spicules that produce a massive, armored layer on the upper part of the sponge. The latter are associated with the new hexactinellid species Twenhofelella bulbulus, which has relatively normal-appearing hexactines, and with an indeterminate hexactinellid genus, which has spinose hexactines in irregular orientation in a small, platelike fragment. Root tufts of probable hexactine origin also occur.Swollen spicules in Stiodermiella are reminiscent of swollen spicules in the family Stiodermatidae Finks, largely from the Permian of western Texas, but elements of the family are also known from Lower Carboniferous to Permian rocks in Europe and North America.

Oldest rocks in Europe

Oldest rocks in Europe

The evolution of the avalonian plate

The Avalon Platform of Newfoundland is the type locality of the Avalonian plate, that is characterized by late Precambrian volcanic and clastic rocks, marine at the bottom and terrestrial at the top. All are intruded by 650-550 Ma granites. Late Precambrian rocks in the southern British Isles are similar. In both areas, northeastern parts of the belt are affected by deformation and metamorphism that have orogenic aspects. The orogeny is referred to as the Avalonian in Newfoundland and Monian in Britain. To the southeast of the Avalonian rocks in Europe lies another late Precambrian (Cadomian) orogenic belt of rocks. As a part of the Pan-African orogenic belt the Cadomian and Avalonian belts extend into North Africa (Morocco). Since these belts are ophiolite-bearing, it is suggested that the plate was bordered by oceanic domains. It is, therefore, proposed that a microcontinental volcanic arc, that was generated in the late Precambrian, was orogenically deformed by collision with North America, Europe and Africa and survived as a coherent terrain until the late Carboniferous.

Lingulichnites , a new trace fossil genus for lingulid brachiopod burrows

Holocene lingulid brachiopods are well-known burrowing organisms. Fossil lingulid burrows have been reported from rocks in Europe and North America that range from Ordovician and Devonian through Pennsylvanian. However, the latest authoritative compendium on trace fossils, The Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (1975). makes no mention of lingulid burrows. The obvious reason for this omission is that the burrows, although important paleontologically and ichnologically, have never been named formally thereby making it awkward to include them in faunal lists. The monotypic genus Lingulichnites is proposed to remedy this problem. The type specimens are from Upper Devonian rocks in northeastern Ohio.

Age and extent of the Hercynian complex

Stratigraphic field studies and nuclear age determinations outline a vast belt of essentially contemporary crystalline rocks extending from southern England through France eastward into central Europe and Asia. The belt (here referred to as the Hercynian complex) lies south of the Scandinavian-Baltic-Ukrainian shield area and north of the Alpine-Himalayan chain. The stratigraphic ages of the crystalline rocks in this belt fall into late Visean to Stephanian (Carboniferous) time wherever they can be determined. Nuclear ages measured on rocks of this belt by several methods on mica, zircon and uraninite fall within the bracket of about 290 to 330 million years ago. It is concluded that a large expanse of rock in Europe and Asia intruded (or was heated and metamorphosed enough to remove radiogenic daughter isotopes) and then cooled within a geologically short period in Carboniferous time. Isolated intrusive and volcanic events took place in Permian time but most of the belt remained unaffected until the large-scale Alpine events of about 20 million years ago.

Anthracopupa Britannica sp. nov., a Land Gastropod from the Red Beds of the Uppermost Coal-Measures of Northern Worcestershire

This paper records for the first time the occurrence of representatives of the Gastropod Order Pulmonata in the Carboniferous rocks of this country. Although several species of the group have been known for many years from rocks of Upper Devonian and Carboniferous age in North America, the only previous record from the Palæozoic rocks of Europe is that of one species, represented by a single fragmentary specimen, from the Lower Permian of France (see p. 405). The specimens which are the subject of this paper were discovered by Mr. W. Wickham King, F.G.S., in January, 1924; I must express my appreciation of his kindness, both in inviting me to undertake their description, and in furnishing all the stratigraphical and other particulars of their occurrence. The shells described have been presented by him to the Geological Department of the British Museum (Natural History), a second series having been given to the Geological Survey. For other information I am indebted to Mr. E. G. Carruthers, Mr. J. Pringle, Prof. P. Pruvost, Dr. A. E. Trueman, and Mr. T. H. Whitehead. The localities to which reference will be made all lie on the northern slope of Clent Hill, in Northern Worcestershire (about 10 miles west-south-west of Birmingham), and are shown on the accompanying sketch-map (p. 402). The geological details in the map are a rather diagrammatic presentation of the results of recent mapping by Mr. King, but the Geological Survey 6-inch map (Worcs. 9 N.E.), published in 1924, should also be consulted, since