Phanerozoic Quartz Arenite Formation and Sequence-Analytical Patterns: Indirectly Relating to Major Impacting and Super Plume Volcanism, Jordan, Arabian Plate

Abstract

This paper deals with indirect effects of major impacting throughout the Early Paleozoic resp. with those of super plume activity during the Early Cretaceous, both applied to the siliciclastic series of Jordan deposited on the Arabian Platform, Arabian Plate. Its focus is mainly directed on gases released by both processes (CO 2 , SO 2 , NO x , HCl, HF) and the relating acids, challenged by experiments and microscopic analysis of grain mounts and thin sections that reveal chemical instability of quartz and ultrastable heavy minerals (i.e. tourmaline) under high acidity (pH < 4). Jordan located on the northwestern edge of the stable Arabian Platform between the Arabian-Nubian Shield as source area and the Tethys Seaway, which represented throughout the Phanerozoic a remarkably "sensitive depositional environment" documented by Cruziana Ichnofacies-bearing, even thin pelite layers, intercalating the siliciclastic braid plains/braid plain deltas during the Early Paleozoic resp. by fossil-bearing Tethys incursions during the Early Cretaceous. All quartz arenites (95%-100% quartz) analyzed exhibit an enormous loss of primary mineral assemblages of hinterland source rocks (mainly granite, granodiorite, metamorphics). The heavy mineral composition (zircon, tourmaline, rutile, anatase and brookite) varies to a high extent quantitively across architectural elements, lithofacies and formations at all, reflecting manifold reworking and resedimentation. Tourmaline shows strong progressive "hack sawing" through Cambrian/Lower Ordovician suites; angular and corroded quartz grains contrast the high compositional maturity despite long transport affection. Kaolinite dominates the clay-fraction throughout the Phanerozoic and became transformed to dickite as neoformation and cement replacing quartz! by increasing burial depth below 2000 m (T = 85˚C-90˚C

End-Cretaceous Quartz Arenite Formation in an Estuarian Environment under Brine Influence, N. Germany; Linked to both Deccan Volcanism and Chicxulub Impact Degassing during Climate Change

“…A recent paper [20] submits similar results by application of boron isotope analysis of planctic and benthic foraminifera showing kill mechanism for ecologic collapse in global marine realm by impact-induced ocean water acidification (pH-drop) as well as the recovery of marine carbon recycling after the W. Schneider, E. Salameh Hence, the clue of our paper tells: if such highly acidic mixtures generated by both volcanism and major impacting attack clastic sediments through a certain time-span in a suitable geologic setting of arkosic/subarkosic deposits (stable platforms, rim synclines as trap), mature quartz arenite may be the final product in paragenesis with neoformed kaolinite [15] [16].…”

Effects on Sedimentary Processes via Upper Triassic Climate Forcing Caused by Multiple Impacting and Large Igneous Provinces (LIP)-Rifting/Degassing: Jordanian Platform/Arabian Plate and Germanic Basin/Central Europe

“…Several Phanerozoic siliciclastic systems (Cambrian, Lower Ordovician, Upper Permian, Lower Cretaceous) deposited on the Jordanian Platform, expose an abrupt change of sedimentologic pattern (i.e. architectural elements, lithofacies, mineral assemblage) matching formation boundaries and climate changes [1] [2].…”

The Permian-Triassic Transitional Zone: Jordan, Arabian Plate; Linked to Siberian Large Igneous Province and Neo-Tethys Breakup Degassing via Climate Forcing, Atmospheric Hazard and Metal Toxicity

“…One subject concerned Early Paleozoic and Lower Cretaceous quartz arenite fining upward cyclothems (FUC) on the Jordanian platform [4] [5], and another one focuses on end-Cretaceous transitional quartz arenite deposited in N Germany, northern Harz-foreland with regard to Deccan volcanism, India, Chicxulub impact, Mexico and volcanic arc origination (Lesser Antilles, Seychelles, Scotia) [6]; furthermore, at the latter locality (Uhry, Braunschweig County), the Eocene/Oligocene boundary in connection with both impact cratersPopigai, Russia and Chesapeake, USA [7].…”