GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0010
A. Safari, Hossein Ghanbarloo, Parisa Mansoury, Mehran Mohammadian Esfahani
{"title":"Reconstruction of the depositional sedimentary environment of Oligocene deposits (Qom Formation) in the Qom Basin (northern Tethyan seaway), Iran","authors":"A. Safari, Hossein Ghanbarloo, Parisa Mansoury, Mehran Mohammadian Esfahani","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract During the Rupelian–Chattian, the Qom Basin (northern seaway basin) was located between the Paratethys in the north and the southern Tethyan seaway in the south. The Oligocene deposits (Qom Formation) in the Qom Basin have been interpreted for a reconstruction of environmental conditions during deposition, as well as of the influence of local fault activities and global sea level changes expressed within the basin. We have also investigated connections between the Qom Basin and adjacent basins. Seven microfacies types have been distinguished in the former. These microfacies formed within three major depositional environments, i.e., restricted lagoon, open lagoon and open marine. Strata of the Qom Formation are suggested to have been formed in an open-shelf system. In addition, the deepening and shallowing patterns noted within the microfacies suggest the presence of three third-order sequences in the Bijegan area and two third-order depositional sequences and an incomplete depositional sequence in the Naragh area. Our analysis suggests that, during the Rupelian and Chattian stages, the depositional sequences of the Qom Basin were influenced primarily by local tectonics, while global sea level changes had a greater impact on the southern Tethyan seaway and Paratethys basins. The depositional basins of the Tethyan seaway (southern Tethyan seaway, Paratethys Basin and Qom Basin) were probably related during the Burdigalian to Langhian and early Serravallian.","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"93 - 111"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43771536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0011
P. Urbański, M. Widera
{"title":"Is the Złoczew lignite deposit geologically suitable for the first underground gasification installation in Poland?","authors":"P. Urbański, M. Widera","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The present study focuses on alternative methods of exploiting lignite in comparison to conventional opencast mining and combustion in power plants for the generation of electricity. In Poland, opencast lignite pits cover large areas, creating social and environmental conflicts. In order to stabilise the production level of electricity and reduce the negative effects of opencast mining, alternative ways of exploiting lignite are suggested, one of these being underground gasification in situ. The Złoczew lignite deposit, which will most likely be exploited in the near future, provides an opportunity to discuss the unconventional method of underground coal gasification (UCG). On the basis of technological and geological criteria that have been established to determine the suitability of Polish lignite for underground gasification, resources to be used this way have been estimated. Through gasification, over 15 million tonnes of lignite can be utilised, which is about 2.5 per cent of resources of the Złoczew deposit intended for opencast mining. With this in mind, we suggest to take action by starting a pilot installation, to be followed by a commercial one for underground gasification after completion of superficial mining. Naturally, any future application of this method will be preceded by assessment of geological conditions at the Złoczew opencast pit.","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"113 - 125"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47739193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0017
C. Scarpati
{"title":"Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Campanian volcanism, by Benedetto De Vivo, Harvey E. Belkin and Giuseppe Rolandi (Eds.), 2019. Elsevier Inc., Amsterdam. 520 pages. Paperback: price $175.00, ISBN 9780128164549","authors":"C. Scarpati","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0017","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"179 - 180"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49352881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0013
J. Chlachula
{"title":"Gemstones of eastern Kazakhstan","authors":"J. Chlachula","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract An overview is presented of gemstones from eastern Kazakhstan in terms of their geographical distribution, geological provenance and genesis, gemmological characteristics, historical use and current applications. Locally occurring precious, semi-precious and decorative stones were extracted and traded along the northern part of the Silk Road that traversed the area in earlier historical times. Currently, non-metallic minerals, which largely originate from mafic igneous and metamorphic bodies of the Altay and Kalba Mountains of Kazakhstan, still are insufficiently known and exploited industrially only marginally. For the present study, selected depositories of coloured stones at the Mineralogy Museum of the East Kazakhstan State Technical University were used, supplemented by the newly collected material during personal fieldwork in the southern Altay between 2005 and 2015. Standard documentation of the gemstones selected is provided, alongside with their known occurrence sites and an evaluation of the perspective gemstone-bearing deposits with respect to regional morphostructural bedrock characteristics. The most precious gemstones include topaz, corundum (sapphire and ruby), beryl (emerald and aquamarine), coloured tourmalines, agates as well as diamonds. Despite the great variety, the majority of these traditionally most valued stones are currently commercially not viable, unlike high-quality decorative stones.","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"139 - 162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46026818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0014
I. Smalley
{"title":"Leonard Horner in Bonn 1831–1833, finding loess and being incorporated into Lyell’s Loess Legion","authors":"I. Smalley","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Leonard Horner (1785–1864) was a pioneer in the study of loess. His 1836 paper on the geology of Bonn contained detailed descriptions of loess in the Rhine valley. He identified and presented loess as an interesting material for geological study. He investigated loess in the crater of the Rodderberg with Charles Lyell in 1833. He presented the first significant paper on loess in Britain in 1833, but it was not published until 1836. With the assistance of G.A. Goldfuss and J.J. Noegerath he conducted early studies of the Siebengebirge and published the first geological map of the region, and the first picture of loess, at Rhondorf by the Drachenfels. He became the eleventh person to be included in the list of loess scholars which Charles Lyell published in volume 3 of the Principles of Geology. These were Leonhard, Bronn, Boue, Voltz, Steininger, Merian, Rozet, Hibbert in 1833, Noeggerath, von Meyer in 1835, Horner in 1837. Horner arrived after the publication of his studies on the loess at Bonn in 1836.","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"163 - 170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46897599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0015
R. Graf
{"title":"Extreme hydrology and climate variability, monitoring, modelling, adaptation and mitigation, by A. Melesse, W. Abtew & G. Senay (Eds.), 2019. Elsevier Inc., Amsterdam. 580 pages. Paperback: price $170.00, ISBN 9780128159989","authors":"R. Graf","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0015","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"171 - 173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47576663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-04-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0005
T. Habibi, D. Ruban, N. Yashalova
{"title":"The Nowdan anticline of the Zagros orogen as a geoheritage ‘window’ into the late Mesozoic–Cenozoic evolution of the African–Arabian continental margin","authors":"T. Habibi, D. Ruban, N. Yashalova","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Geological heritage can contribute to our understanding of the long-term evolution of important sectors of our planet. Cretaceous–Neogene rocks (chiefly carbonates) crop out in the Nowdan anticline of the Zagros orogen. Field investigations have permitted the establishment of 10 key localities (stratigraphical reference sections) that represent these rocks within this anticline, which is a single large geosite. The formations are related to the main phases in the evolution of the northeastern sector of the African–Arabian continental margin. For instance, carbonate rocks of the Asmari Formation mark changes in the affinity of the study area, from the African–Arabian plate to only the Arabian plate, separated in conjunction with Red Sea rifting during the Oligocene. Information on the palaeogeographical changes is really precious to geoscientists and geotourists alike, and contributes to the great value of the Nowdan anticline geosite. Evidence from the latter, as well as from a few other places (i.e., the Mountainous Adygeya geodiversity hotspot in Russia, the North Coast of São Paulo in Brazil and the possible Gondwanan geopark in Namibia) illustrates the necessity of distinguishing a palaeomapping subtype in palaeogeographical characterisation of geological heritage.","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"65 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48460626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-04-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0001
G. V. van Loevezijn, J. Raven
{"title":"Facies patterns and depositional processes in two Frasnian mixed siliciclastic-carbonate systems in the Cantabrian Mountains, northwest Spain","authors":"G. V. van Loevezijn, J. Raven","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Relative sea level fluctuations during the Frasnian generated two shallow-marine, mixed siliciclastic-carbonate successions in the Devonian Asturo-Leonese Basin. Each system represents a third-order sequence-stratigraphical unit deposited in the same basin during comparable extreme greenhouse conditions without nearby fluvial entry points. Depositional control on the siliciclastic and carbonate distribution was driven by relative sea level fluctuations, basin geometry, availability of sand and the way sediment was distributed by shelf currents. Early Variscan flexural bending of the continental crust changed the basin shape from a shelf with a gradual profile and low dip (early Frasnian) towards a shelf with a steep depositional dip (late Frasnian). Shelf distribution changed from along-shelf transport (early Frasnian) towards offshore-directed gravity flows (late Frasnian). As a consequence, siliciclastic-carbonate distribution changed from a predominance of skeletal carbonate in the proximal shoreface – foreshore area and siliciclastic predominance distally (early Frasnian), to a distribution pattern with proximal shoreface skeletal carbonates, offshore muddy carbonates and a siliciclastic zone in between where gravity flows distributed the siliciclastic sediment down dip (late Frasnian).","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"1 - 23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42908708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeologosPub Date : 2020-04-01DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0009
M. Strzelecki
{"title":"Periglacial geomorphology, by Colin K. Ballantyne, 2018. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. 454 pages. Paperback: price $78.00, ISBN 9781405100069.","authors":"M. Strzelecki","doi":"10.2478/logos-2020-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2020-0009","url":null,"abstract":"geomorphology witness the most notable progress within the ranks of earth science disciplines. On the one hand, this results from a more widespread exchange of information on extreme processes that affect the frozen ground and cold environments, such as rapid erosion of permafrost coastlines and/or intensified activity of periglacial processes in slope and river systems. On the other hand, the majority of predictions of climate and environmental change suggest that in most polar regions and mountainous environments, including high-altitude plateaus, there will be a reduction of both permafrost and periglacial regime that control landscape development. Another issue that promotes the recent surge in periglacial studies are investigations of the planetary surface of Mars where Earth cold-region analogues are applied to describe the mechanism of extra-terrestrial landform evolution. Finally, as a result of increased ground temperatures most of the communities living in cold regions are exposed to geohazards, including destruction of infrastructure associated with permafrost degradation. Therefore, apart from traditional scientific curiosity, the newly obtained knowledge on the development of cold region geomorphology is treated as a key to reduce socio-economic implications of a non-frozen future. The dramatic changes observed in cold region landscapes demonstrate the urgent need of education and training of young generations of experts on permafrost and periglacial processes. There is good news for both current and future students and researchers: a unique synthesis of our fundamental knowledge on periglacial environments has been recently published by Colin Kerr Ballantyne, professor emeritus of physical geography at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. The writing of the present textbook took almost seven years, but, to be honest, to summarise his knowledge and experience in cold region landscape evolution, gained over several decades of active research, is a genuine academic masterpiece! As his former student and active practitioner of the paraglaciation theory developed by him to conceptualise the diversity of geomorphic processes transforming previously glaciated landscapes, I feel privileged to add my humble comments on his ‘life-time achievement’. The first impression, after having read the book of seventeen chapters in six parts, is that it comes close to the great atmosphere during his lectures which always paid respect to the development of this research field by the ‘fathers of periglacial science’, including Łoziński, Washburn, Jahn, Pissart, Mackay, Dylik, French, Harris and Tricart (and others). They were also brimming over with field evidence and numerous examples from across cold regions and that ‘stereotypical British’ will to explore the natural world and challenge difficult questions deeply rooted in academic identities of graduates from leading Anglo-American universities. Before exploring the contents of the individual cha","PeriodicalId":44833,"journal":{"name":"Geologos","volume":"26 1","pages":"91 - 92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46812218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}