The Honggong pluton is the largest ferroan alkalic (A-type) granite intrusion emplaced along the Jiangshan–Shaoxing fault zone in southwestern Zhejiang Province, and has important implications for understanding the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of SE China. U–Pb ages of 138.7 ± 0.8, 134.2 ± 1.1, 128.5 ± 1.5 and 126.1 ± 0.9 Ma were obtained from zircon by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, indicating that the Honggong pluton formed in the Early Cretaceous. The Honggong pluton has a clear ferroan alkalic (A-type) granite geochemical signature with, for example, high total alkali contents and FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) values. The Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions suggest that there was juvenile material in the magma source. Geochemical evidence indicates that the pluton was derived through extensive fractionation of melts that contained both asthenospheric mantle and Mesoproterozoic crustal components. These rare granites in southern China were emplaced during five episodes at 235–225, 190, 165–155, 100–90 and 140–120 Ma. The age of the Honggong pluton suggests that localized extension in southwestern Zhejiang Province began as early as ~138 Ma and continued to 126 Ma. This Early Cretaceous extensional event was triggered by localized rollback of the subducting Pacific Plate.

Abundant spherules of phengite, 50—150 μm in diameter and with a radial texture, occur in mudstones at the top of the lowest member of the Bonahaven Formation. They have smooth, sharp boundaries, show flattening next to desiccation cracks and exhibit a restricted, bi-or tri-modal size distribution. It is inferred that the spherules represent infilled voids in a sediment which was deposited entirely from suspension. Accordingly, it is considered likely that the spherules are microfossils, although characteristic morphological features are lacking. They were probably infihled by glauconite, which was transformed to phengite during diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism.

Three heavy mineral associations have been recognized in Palaeogene sands from the Hampshire Basin: one typical of the Scottish Highlands to the north, one of the Armorican massif to the south, and one characteristic of the Cornubian massif to the west. These associations interplay throughout the sequence to produce 10 heavy mineral units correlatable over the basin. The bases of several of the units correspond to commonly accepted time-surfaces and encourage correlation between areas showing strong facies variation. Transgressive units are dominated by Scottish-type material, regressive units by Armorican or Cornubian detritus. There is a relationship between local source area uplift and regression, the main reason for which is that the widespread transgressions submerged or otherwise cut off more local sediment sources, allowing input from the Scottish Highlands, a positive feature throughout much of Tertiary time, to dominate.

The recent reinterpretation of the structure of Rum presented by E. B. Bailey (1944) involves a revision of the age of the gneisses of that island. Harker's description of these banded and foliated rocks had referred them to a late date in the Tertiary igneous sequence of the plutonic centre (Harker, 1908). This interpretation had been arrived at in face of the earlier belief of Geikie that they formed part of the Lewisian Series and it is now known that Harker's contemporaries on the Geological Survey who had opportunity of examining his collections dissented from his conclusions though this opinion had until recently not been committed to print (Flett, 1944).

At Cil-maenllwyd (Cardiganshire) glacial outwash sands were found to contain layers of small wood fragments. A radiocarbon age determination of 33,750 yrs B.P. indicates that the wood fragments are probably of Middle Würm age, and that the last glaciation of St. George's Channel occurred during the Main Würm. Pollen and spores contained in the sands suggest that the environment prior to the last glaciation was at one stage predominantly forested. The organic remains are thought to relate to the problematical “ Middle Würm Interstadial ”, rather than the Paudorf Interstadial.

Two large gravel deposits, at Corran on Loch Linnhe, Inverness-shire, and at the entrance to Loch Etive, Argyll, are described, and it is considered that they are fluvio-glacial fans, marking a contemporaneous halt in the retreat of the valley glaciers which occupied the sites of these two lochs. Orientation analysis of the pebbles in the Corran deposit supports this conclusion. Similar analysis on gravels along the northern shore of Loch Etive indicates that they are not raised beaches, but were deposited in lakes held up by the glacier which deposited the Loch Etive fan.

The theropod teeth from the Berriasian (Early Cretaceous) site of Anoual (N Morocco) are described. The assemblage is important in that it comes from one of the very few dinosaur sites of this age globally and the only one for the whole of Gondwana. The theropod teeth from Anoual are morphologically diverse. Most of the material possibly belongs to the clade Dromaeosauridae, which would be an early occurrence for this taxon. The palaeogeographic position of Anoual enables it to provide data on the dispersal events that affected terrestrial faunas during Mesozoic times. A Laurasian influence is evidenced by the presence of Velociraptorinae and, on the whole, the theropod fauna from Anoual provides support for the existence of a trans-Tethyan passage allowing terrestrial faunal interchanges during Late Jurassic and/or earliest Cretaceous times. Additionally, Anoual records the existence of diminutive theropods. However, it cannot yet be determined whether the small size of the specimens is genetic or ontogenetic.

Central and southern Mexico represents a strategic place to understand the dynamics of Pangaea break-up and its influences on the evolution of the Pacific margin of North America. Lower–Middle Jurassic volcano-sedimentary successions, and scarce magmatic rocks, crop out discontinuously across this region and have been interpreted either as a vestige of a continental arc or as several deposits of syn-rift magmatism. At present, their origin is controversial. Available geochemical data on these igneous rocks suggest that they represent almost pure crustal melts produced in a rift environment rather than in an arc. In fact, the studied rocks exhibit the high silica contents and moderate to strong peraluminous character typical of sediment melts. The enriched isotopic composition (high 86Sr/87Sr and low 143Nd/144Nd) and the age distributions of inherited zircon grains readily identify the widespread Upper Triassic metasedimentary sequences presently exposed in southwestern and central Mexico as the most likely crustal source of these Jurassic igneous rocks. Accordingly, we argue that these Early–Middle Jurassic magmas originated in a syn-rift igneous province associated with extensional-driven crustal attenuation in the context of Pangaea fragmentation. Our findings also constrain post-Pangaea subduction initiation to be younger than Middle Jurassic time in central and southern Mexico.

A number of ecological and geochemical transformations occurred during late Ediacaran and early Cambrian time, the effects of which are difficult to overestimate. However, the strong linkage of biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic methods with lithofacies makes the localization of the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary and its correlation with lithologically contrasting sections highly debatable. We analyse the taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution of small skeletal fossils and trace fossils, the carbonate carbon and oxygen isotope composition, and U–Pb detrital zircon age in the Ediacaran–Cambrian transitional interval of the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift (southwestern Siberian Platform). This interval (Moty Group) comprises a transgressive succession with red-coloured alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic deposits (Shaman Formation) and overlying shallow-marine carbonates (Irkut Formation). The lower Irkut Formation hosts sporadic and poorly preserved tubular Cambrotubulus fossils, which are known from both the terminal Ediacaran Period (c. 550–541 Ma) and the Terreneuvian Epoch (541–521 Ma), and typical Fortunian trace fossils, including an index ichnotaxon of the Cambrian boundary Treptichnus pedum. The biostratigraphic and carbonate carbon isotope data and U–Pb concordia ages of 531.1 ± 5.2 Ma (mean weighted, 530.6 ± 5.3 Ma) of the five youngest zircon grains from the lower Irkut Formation indicate that at least the shallow-marine carbonates of the upper Moty Group correspond to the Cambrian Stage 2 (c. 529–521 Ma). In the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift, the Cambrian Period tentatively began before or during the accumulation of the alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic Khuzhir and Shaman formations, and this crucial divide remained unmarked in the palaeontological and isotopic records.

In contrast to the Norwegian and Danish sectors, where significant hydrocarbon reserves were found in chalk reservoirs, limited studies exist analysing the chalk evolution in the Dutch part of the North Sea. To provide a better understanding of this evolution, a tectono-sedimentary study of the Late Cretaceous to Early Palaeogene Chalk Group in the northern Dutch North Sea was performed, facilitated by a relatively new 3D seismic survey. Integrating seismic and biostratigraphic well data, seven chronostratigraphic units were mapped, allowing a reconstruction of intra-chalk geological events.

The southwestward thickening of the Turonian sequence is interpreted to result from tilting, and the absence of Coniacian and Santonian sediments in the western part of the study area is probably the result of non-deposition. Seismic truncations show evidence of a widespread inversion phase, the timing of which differs between the structural elements. It started at the end of the Campanian followed by a second pulse during the Maastrichtian, a new finding not reported before. After subsidence during the Maastrichtian and Danian, renewed inversion and erosion occurred at the end of the Danian. Halokinesis processes resulted in thickness variations of chalk units of different ages.

In summary, variations in sedimentation patterns in the northern Dutch North Sea relate to the Sub-Hercynian inversion phase during the Campanian and Maastrichtian, the Laramide inversion phase at the end of the Danian, and halokinesis processes. Additionally, the Late Cretaceous sea floor was characterized by erosion through contour bottom currents at different scales and resedimentation by slope failures.

In a report on a visit of the Geologists' Association to the exhibits of Polyzoa and Corals in the Geological Department of the British Museum in February, 1913, the author had occasion to mention two related and unnamed species of uniserial Chalk Polyzoa that hitherto had appeared in records as Hippothoa dispersa (von Hagenow). neither of which was this species, nor did either belong to the genus Hippothoa, Lamouroux. Since one of these two forms is very common in the English Chalk and the other not rare, it is time for a description of them to be published, that collectors may have distinctive names for them. In addition, a third form that has occurred in England is described, and the rest of the species included in the genus are mentioned, so that an idea of the genus as a whole may be formed.

Study of the fauna from a newly discovered fossiliferous outcrop of the Cove Lower Marine Band in Thornton Burn, East Lothian, has led to the correlation of this horizon with the Redesdale Ironstone in Northumberland and has thereby demonstrated the first palaeontological link between the Upper Calciferous Sandstone in S.E. Scotland and the Lower Limestone Group in N.E. England. The collection of D1 fauna made from the Thornton Burn outcrop includes goniatites, brachiopods, lamellibranchs, and crinoids. The discovery of Beyrichoceratoides redesdalensis (Hind) gives the first definite indication of the presence of B zone in the Scottish Carboniferous. Faunal lists and descriptions of some of the more interesting species are included in this paper as well as descriptions of the crinoids collected which are given in the succeeding paper by James Wright.

Shortly after the appearance of my paper on “ Some Cretaceous Echinoidea from Jamaica ” (Geol. Mag., Vol. LX, 1923, p. 199) Dr. C. T. Trechmann returned from a further visit to the Island, bringing with him a considerable collection of Echinoids. These he has entrusted to me for examination and report, possibly with the hope that the Cretaceous specimens might induce me to change my heretical opinions as to the horizon present! Once again I have to express regret that I can only repay his kindness by expressing views similar to those previously given, and this time with far greater precision than before.

The Cuddapah basin in southern India, consisting of the Palnad, Srisailam, Kurnool and Papaghni sub-basins, contains unmetamorphosed and undeformed sediments deposited during a long span of time in the Proterozoic. In the absence of robust age constraints, there is considerable confusion regarding the relative timing of sedimentation in these sub-basins. In this study, U–Pb isotopic dating of zircon and U–Th–Pbtotal dating of monazite and uraninite from the gritty quartzite that supposedly belongs to the formation Banganapalle Quartzite have been used to constrain the beginning of sedimentation in the Palnad sub-basin. Magmatic and detrital zircons recording an age of 2.53 Ga indicate that the sediments were derived from the granitic basement or similar sources and were deposited after 2.53 Ga. Hydrothermally altered zircons both in the basement and the cover provide concordant ages of 2.32 and 2.12 Ga and date two major hydrothermal events. Thus, the gritty quartzite must have been deposited sometime between 2.53 and 2.12 Ga and represents the earliest sediments in the Cuddapah basin. Monazite and uraninite give a wide spectrum of ages between 2.5 Ga and 150 Ma, which indicates several pulses of hydrothermal activity over a considerable time span, both in the basement granite and the overlying quartzite. The new age constraints suggest that the gritty quartzite may be stratigraphically equivalent to the Gulcheru Quartzite that is the oldest unit in the Cuddapah basin, and that a sedimentary/erosional hiatus exists above it.

Trilobites of upper Ludlow age are described from Member A of the Read Bay Formation on Cornwallis Island. Four new species are represented: Helokybe spio gen. et sp.nov. (Dechenellinae), Encrinurus hyperboreus sp. nov., Kailia? capra sp.nov. (Encrinurinae) and Hemiarges echinatus sp.nov. Other taxa present are: an effaced scutelluid; Cyphaspis sp.; a warburgelline; two more encrinurids; two other forms of Hemiarges. The trilobites occur in sediments indicative of a shallow subtidal environment, with the exception of the warburgelline which occurs in sediments deposited under deeper subtidal conditions below storm wave-base.

Intertidal molluscs are known to occur in similar positions or zones on shores throughout the world. However, little is known about the extent to which these distributions are preserved in the fossil record. This study attempts to define the relationship to present sea level of live and dead intertidal molluscs in the Mediterranean, and utilizes this information to interpret the position at which Quaternary shorelines were formed.

The preservation of zonation patterns in the fossil record is affected by post-mortem transport, breakage and burial of the shell material. To take account of such taphonomic changes, experimental studies of shell transport and burial under waves and unidirectional currents were made, and the distribution of dead molluscs on modern shores were compared with live distributions. It proved possible to predict the frequency with which certain species were deposited on the modern shore and, by analogy, the likelihood of their preservation in the fossil record. Thus death assemblages in fossil shorelines can be accurately related to past sea levels.

Nine species of ostracoda belonging to the genera Eucytherura and Cytheropteron are described from the Speeton Clay at its type locality. Eight of these species are described for the first time; the ninth species is recorded for the first time from Europe.

A conglomerate band exposed in Gullet Quarry, at the southern end of the Malvern Hills, contains a layer of shelly limestone in which are embedded large, often angular, boulders of Malyernian rock. The character of the limestone and the form and distribution of included boulders suggest that a near-shore environment of carbonate deposition was continually supplied with clastic material from adjacent sea-stacks. The limestone has yielded a conodont fauna indicative of a Llandovery age earlier than that assigned to the conglomerate by Reading and Poole (1961) on the basis of brachiopod evidence.

New deep seismic profiles in the southern Baltic region have failed to image the Trans-European Fault. Evidence for this structure, of suggested pre-Cadomian age, is critically re-examined. Localized geophysical anomalies are present, but these cannot be correlated with known structural features of the region. Based on the inconclusive evidence for this structure, we would therefore propose that the term ‘Trans-European Fault’ should not be used in the future, and that, to avoid confusion, authors use local names for local structures.

The Late Devonian South Mountain Batholith (SMB) of southwestern Nova Scotia is the largest batholith in the Appalachian Orogen of Eastern North America and contains economic deposits of U and Sn. The SMB comprises at least 11 individual plutons, which range in composition from granodiorite to biotite monzogranite, leucomonzogranite and leucogranite. Previous studies have suggested that a combination of fractional crystallization, assimilation of Meguma Supergroup country rocks and an influx of magmatic fluids contributed to the chemical evolution of the SMB. The amount of crustal assimilation is estimated to be as high as 33%. MELTS modelling assuming a starting composition of granodiorite with H2O = 4 wt%, pressure = 4 kbar (~12 km) and fO2 = FMQ can reproduce the chemical evolution observed in the SMB. However, some leucogranites likely require an additional component (e.g. hydrothermal fluids) to explain their alkali metal enrichment (e.g. Na, K, Rb). Zircon saturation thermometry estimates indicate the Salmontail Lake and Scrag Lake granodiorite plutons had high minimum initial temperatures of 823 ± 6°C and 832 ± 2°C, respectively, which are similar to low zircon-inheritance granitoids. The TiO2/Al2O3 and alkali-lime ratios of the surrounding country rocks and the leucogranites indicate the amount of crustal assimilation is likely to be between 10% and 20%. Our findings suggest the granodiorites of the SMB were likely produced by partial melting of the sub-Meguma Supergroup (e.g. Avalon terrane) lower crust caused by the contemporaneous injection of high temperature mafic to ultramafic magmas.