Did Major Impacts Affect Sedimentologic/Sequence-Analytical Pattern of the Early Palaeozoic Sedimentary Systems of Jordan, Arabian Plate?
Affiliation(s)
Im Ziegenf?rth Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany. University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Im Ziegenf?rth Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany. University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
ABSTRACT
Based on profound sequence-analytical data of the early Palaeozoic sedimentary systems of Jordan, Arabian Plate, a correlation attempt is proposed with regard to possible major impact events after Price [10]. His methodological concept tells that abrupt 441 Ma. Referring to the fact that major impacts may trigger, respectively influence, exogenic and endogenic processes on an over-regional, even global, extent, this paper put the “sensitive” geological setting of Jordan at the Arabian Platform’s margin into focus. That mainly concerns the early Palaeozoic coastlines as to sea level change as well as the Jordan Valley Rift as being possibly to susceptible for tectonic re-activation changes of both direction and speed of plate motions would indicate such convulsive processes as occurred on: 550 Ma, 526.5 Ma, 514 Ma, 502 Ma, 456/455.4 Ma, and following triggering of magmatism at the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary. The following phenomena are taken into account: Faulting and magmatism triggered along the Jordan Valley Rift (Wadi Araba) in connection with the Pan-African Orogeny, anoxic sediments, temporary high detrital input onto the adjoining stable platform from Gondwana hinterlands, and significant chemical weathering in the Gondwana source areas by intensive acid (nitric) rain directing mineral content variation in the “Nubian Sandstones” (e.g. feldspar, kaolinite/dickite, tourmaline).
Based on profound sequence-analytical data of the early Palaeozoic sedimentary systems of Jordan, Arabian Plate, a correlation attempt is proposed with regard to possible major impact events after Price [10]. His methodological concept tells that abrupt 441 Ma. Referring to the fact that major impacts may trigger, respectively influence, exogenic and endogenic processes on an over-regional, even global, extent, this paper put the “sensitive” geological setting of Jordan at the Arabian Platform’s margin into focus. That mainly concerns the early Palaeozoic coastlines as to sea level change as well as the Jordan Valley Rift as being possibly to susceptible for tectonic re-activation changes of both direction and speed of plate motions would indicate such convulsive processes as occurred on: 550 Ma, 526.5 Ma, 514 Ma, 502 Ma, 456/455.4 Ma, and following triggering of magmatism at the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary. The following phenomena are taken into account: Faulting and magmatism triggered along the Jordan Valley Rift (Wadi Araba) in connection with the Pan-African Orogeny, anoxic sediments, temporary high detrital input onto the adjoining stable platform from Gondwana hinterlands, and significant chemical weathering in the Gondwana source areas by intensive acid (nitric) rain directing mineral content variation in the “Nubian Sandstones” (e.g. feldspar, kaolinite/dickite, tourmaline).
Cite this paper
Schneider, W. and Salameh, E. (2012) Did Major Impacts Affect Sedimentologic/Sequence-Analytical Pattern of the Early Palaeozoic Sedimentary Systems of Jordan, Arabian Plate?. Open Journal of Geology, 2, 241-252. doi: 10.4236/ojg.2012.24024.
Schneider, W. and Salameh, E. (2012) Did Major Impacts Affect Sedimentologic/Sequence-Analytical Pattern of the Early Palaeozoic Sedimentary Systems of Jordan, Arabian Plate?. Open Journal of Geology, 2, 241-252. doi: 10.4236/ojg.2012.24024.
References
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[1] P. E. Gretener, “Reflections on the ‘Rare Event’ and Related Concepts in Geology,” University of Calgary, Calgary, 1978, 17 p. [2] H. E. Clifton, “Sedimentologic Relevance of Convulsive Geologic Events,” Energy Citations Database, Vol. 229, 1988, pp. 1-5. [3] W. U. Reimold, “Revolutions in the Earth Sciences: Continental Drift, Impact and other catastrophes The 29th De Beers Memorial Lecture,” South African Journal of Geology, Vol. 110, 2007, pp. 1-46. doi:10.2113/gssajg.110.1.1 [4] P. R. Sharland, R. Archer, et al., “Arabian Plate Sequence Stratigraphy,” GeoArabia Specific Publications, Bahrain, 2001. [5] B. U. Haq and A. M. Al-Qahtani, “Phanerozoic Cycles of Sea-Level Change on the Arabian Platform,” GeoArabia, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2005, pp. 127-160. [6] W. Schneider, B. S. Amireh and A. M. Abed, “Sequence Analysis of the Early Paleozoic Sedimentary Systems of Jordan,” Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft Für Geowissenschaften, Vol. 158, No. 2, 2007, pp. 225-247. [7] M. I. Husseini, “Tectonic and Depositional Model of Late Precambrian-Cambrian Arabian and Adjoining Plates,” American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, Vol. 73, No. 9, 1989, pp. 1117-1131. [8] W. E. Galloway, “Genetic Stratigraphic Sequences in Basin Analysis, I: Architecture and Genesis of Flooding Surface Bounded Depositional Units,” American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, Vol. 73, 1989, pp. 125-142. [9] P. R. Vail, et al. “Seismic Stratigraphy and Global Changes of Sea Level,” In: C. E. Payton, Ed., Seismic stratigraphy—Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, 1977, pp. 49-212. [10] N. J. Price, “Major Impacts and Plate Tectonics,” Routledge, London, 2001, 354 p. [11] G. Jarrar, H. Wachendorf and D. Zachmann, “A Pan-African Alkaline Pluton Intruding the Saramuj Conglomerate, Southwest Jordan,” Geologische Rundschau, Vol. 82, No. 1, 1993, pp. 121-135. doi:10.1007/BF00563275 [12] G. Jarrar, H. Wachendorf, and G. Saffarini, “A Late Proterozoic Bimodal Volcanic/Subvolcanic Suite from Wadi Araba, Southwest Jordan,” Precambrian Research, Vol. 56, No. 1-2, pp. 51-72. doi:10.1016/0301-9268(92)90083-Z [13] B. S. Amireh, W. Schneider and A. M. Abed, “Evolving Fluvial-Transitional-Marine Deposition through the Cambrian Sequence of Jordan,” Sedimentary Geology, Vol. 89, No. 1-2, 1994, pp. 65-90. doi:10.1016/0037-0738(94)90084-1 [14] B. S. Amireh, W. Schneider and A. M. Abed, “Diagenesis and Burial History of the Cambrian—Cretaceous Sandstone Series in Jordan,” Neus. Jahrbuch fuèr Geologie und Palaèontologie Abhandlung, Vol. 192, No. 2, 1994, pp. 151-181. [15] L. M. Makhlouf, “Depositional Environments and Facies in the Dubaydib and Tubeiliyat Sandstones, Southern Desert, Jordan,” Subsurface Geology, Bulletin 3, Natural Resources Authority, Amman, 1992, pp. 1-28. [16] H. Armstrong, et al., “Origin, Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional Environment of an Upper Ordovician (Hirnantian) Deglacial Black Shale, Jordan,” Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Vol. 220, No. 3-4, 2005, pp. 273-289. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.01.007 [17] D. St?ffler, “Bedrohung Aus Dem Weltall—Asteroiden und Kometen,” In: R. Emmermann, Ed., An den Fronten der Forschung, Kosmos-Erde-Leben, Verhandl. Ges. dt. Naturforscher und ?rzte, Halle, 2002, p.122.. [18] W. von Engelhardt, “Die Bildung von Kratern Durch den Aufprall Extraterrestrischer Massen,” Naturwissenschaften, Vol. 61, No. 9, 1974, pp. 380-395. [19] S. V. M. Clube and W. M. Napier, “The Role of Episodic Bombardement in Geophysics,” Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 57, No. 2, 1982, 251-262. doi:10.1016/0012-821X(82)90148-0 [20] S. V. M. Clube and W. M. Napier, “The Cosmic Serpent,” A catastrophyst View of Earth History, Faber & Faber, London, 1982, 299 p. [21] P. J. Burek and H. W?nke, “Impacts and Glacio-Eustatic, Plate Tectonic Episodes, Geomagnetic Reversals,” Physics Earth Planetary Interiors, Vol. 50, No. 2, 1988, pp. 183-194. doi:10.1016/0031-9201(88)90005-2 [22] R. B. Stothers and M. R. Rampino, “Periodicity in Flood Basalts, Mass Extinctions and Impacts,” Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Vol. 247, 1990, pp. 9-18. [23] J. Negi, P. Agrawal, O. Pandey and A. Singh, “A possible K-T Boundary Bolide Impact Site Offshore Bombay and Triggering of Rapid Deccan Volcanism,” Physics of Earth and Planet, Vol. 76, 1993, pp. 189-197. [24] W. S. Wolbach, R. S. Lewis, et al., “Cretaceous Extinctions: Evidence for Wildfires and Search for Meteoritic Material,” Science, 230, 4722: 167-170. doi:10.1126/science.230.4722.167 [25] W. S. Wolbach, I. Gilmour, et al., “Major wildfires at the Cretaceous boundary,” Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Vol. 247, 1988, pp. 391-400. [26] K. J. Hsü, “Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary Sediment,” In: H. E. Clifton, Ed., Sedimentologic Consequences of Convulsive Geologic Events, Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Boulder, 1988. [27] I. Gilmour, W. S. Wolbach, et al., “Major Wildfires at the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary,” In: S. V. M. Clube, Ed., Catastrophes and Evolution, Boulder, 1990. [28] I. Gilmour, W. S. Wolbach, et al., “Early Environmental Effects of the Terminal Cretaceous Impact,” Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Vol. 247, 1990, pp. 283-390. [29] J. B. Pollack, O. B. Toon, et al., “Environmental Effects of an Impact-Generated Dust Cloud: Implications for the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction,” Science, Vol. 219, No. 4852, 1983, pp. 287-289. doi:10.1126/science.219.4582.287 [30] O. B. Toon, “Sudden Changes in Atmospheric Composition and Climate,” In: H. D. Holland and A. F. Trendall, Eds., Pattern in Change of Earth Evolution, Springer, Berlin,1984, pp. 41-61. [31] H. Flohn, “Singular Events and Catastrophes Now and in Climatic History,” Naturwissenschaften, Vol. 73, No. 3, 1986, pp. 136-149. doi:10.1007/BF00367402 [32] C. R. Chapman and D. Morrison, “Cosmic Catastrophes VIII,” Plenum Press, London, 1989, 302 p. [33] W. Krebs, “über Schwarzschiefer und Bituminose Kalke im Mitteleuropaischen Variscikum,” Erdol und Kohle, Hamburg, Vol. 22: No. 2-6, 1969, pp. 62-67. [34] B. S. Amireh, W. Schneider and A. M. Abed, “Fluvial-Shallow Marine-Glaciofluvial Depositional Environments of the Ordovician System of Jordan,” Journal of Asian Earth Science, Vol. 19, No. 1-2, 2001, pp. 45-60. doi:10.1016/S1367-9120(00)00010-9 [35] S. K. Croft, “A First-Order Estimate of Shock Heating and Vaporization in Oceanic Impacts,” Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Vol. 190, 1982, pp. 143-152. [36] R. G. Prinn, and J. B. Fegley, “Bolide Impacts, Acid Rain, and Biospheric Traumas at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary,” Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 83, No. 1-4, 1987, pp. 1-15. doi:10.1016/0012-821X(87)90046-X [37] P. J. Crutzen, “Acid Rain at the K/T Boundary,” Nature, Vol. 330, 1987, pp. 108-109. doi:10.1038/330108a0 [38] J. S. Lewis, G. H. Watkins, et al., “Chemical Consequences of Major Impact Events on Earth,” Special Paper—Geological Society of America, Vol. 190, 1982, pp. 215-221. [39] I. L. Janis, et al., “Personality and Persuasibility—New Haven (Yale University Press),” In: R. Saudek, Spearman, E. K. Ch. and K. E. Zener, Eds., Journal of Personality, Vol. 47, Duke University Press, Durham, 1979. [40] H. Menzel, “Planned and unplanned scientific communication,” Proceedings of the International Conferences on Scientific Information, National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, 1959, pp. 199-243. [41] A. M. K. Müller, “Interdisziplinare Forschung Als Geschichtliche Herausforderung, ” Pressestelle der Universitat Hamburg, Hamburg, 1991, pp. 37-45.