From Cycles to Sequences:Sequence Stratigraphy and Relative Sea Level Change for the Late Cambrian of the North China Platform

In the Late Cambrian, the North China Platform was a typical carbonate ramp platform. The Upper Cambrian of the northern part of the North China Platform is famous for the development of bioherm limestones and storm calcirudites and can be divided from bottom to top into the Gushan, Changshan and Fengshan formations. In this set of strata, the deep-ramp mudstone and marls and the shallow-ramp packstones and grainstones constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of subtidal type. More tidal-flat dolomites are developed in the Upper Cambrian of the southern margin of the North China platform, in which limestone and dolomite beds also constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of the peritidal type. These cycles are marked by a variety of litho-facies successions. There are regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles in long-term third-order sequences, which is the key to discerning such sequences. Third- order sequence is marked by a particular sedimentary-facies succession that is the result of the environment-changing process of deepening and shoaling, which is genetically related to third-order sea level changes. Furthermore, four third- order sequences can be grouped in the Upper Cambrian of the North China Platform. The main features of these four third -order sequences in the northern part of the platform can be summarized as follows: firstly, sequence-boundaries are characterized by drowning unconformities; secondly, the sedimentary-facies succession is generally constituted by one from deep-ramp facies to shallow-ramp facies; thirdly, a succession of “CS (?)+HST” (i.e., “condensed section and high- stand system”) forms these four third-order sequences. The chief features for the third-order sequences in the southern part of the North China Platform comprises: more dolomites are developed in the HSTs of third-order sequences and also developed more carbonate meter-scale cycles of peritidal types; the sedimentary-facies succession of the third-order sequences is marked by “shallow ramp-tidal flat”; the sequence boundaries are characterized by exposure punctuated surfaces. According to the changes for the third-order sequences from the north to the south, a regular sequence- stratigraphic framework can be established. From cycles to sequences, the study of sequence stratigraphy from litho-facies successions to sedimentary-facies successions exposes that as follows: meter-scale cycles that are used as the basic working unit actually are litho-facies successions formed by the mechanism of a punctuated aggradational cycle, and third -order sequences that are constituted by regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles are marked by sedimentary-facies successions. On the basis of the changing curve of water depth at each section, the curve of the relative third-order sea level changes in the late Cambrian of the North China Platform can be integrated qualitatively from changing curve of water depth. The correlation of Late Cambrian long-term sea level changes between North China and North America demonstrates that there are not only similarities but also differences, reflecting control of long-term sea level changes both by global eustacy and by regional factors.

Sea level change along the coast of China relative to the isostatic datum

On the basis of the analyses of significant periods for the sea level observation data taken from recent several decades at 12 tide stations, the monthly mean sea level observations are fitted by a model of linear trend of sea level change superimposed with several variations of different fixed periods. The trends of sea level relative changes and their errors are estimated by the LS method. The results are reduced to the isostatic datum proposed and established in the paper (Huang et al. , 1991, Seismology and Geology , 1, 1-15). The trends of sea level changes in the near future along the coast of China are studied. It is pointed out that the general trend of the sea level change along the coast of China is going up slowly and the rate of the change is not the same in different segments of the coasts. In a few segments, the sea level is even relatively going down. The numerical results given in this paper provide a basis for the predictions of the future sea level changes and their effects.

Analysis of sea level changes in the Caspian Sea related to Cosmo-geophysical processes based on satellite and terrestrial data

Analysis results of the average annual sea levels in the Caspian Sea obtained from ground and satellite observations, corresponding to solar activity characteristics, magnetic field data, and length of day are presented. Spectra of the indicated processes were investigated and their approximation models were also built. Previously assumed statistical relationships between space-geophysical processes and Caspian Sea level(CSL) changes were confirmed. A close connection was revealed between the low-frequency models of the solar and geomagnetic activity parameters and the CSL changes. Predictions extending into the next decades showed a high probability of an increase in the CSL and a decrease of the compared space-geophysical parameters.

Impact of the formation and ablation of Antarctic ice sheet on the global geoid and sea level

It is convenient to investigate the gravimetry using a harmonic spheric function for the description of the distribution and thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet. The gravitational theory and the Stokes' harmonic spheric function formula were used to determine the impact of the Antarctic ice cap on the global geoid. The Antarctic ice cap is formed from the condensation of seawater vapour whose mass is equal to a layer of seawater 59 m thick of covering the earth's surface, i.e. 2.7×10 19 kg. This will cause the global averaged geoid to decrease for around 23 m. The authors' computations show that the Antractic ice cap has a great impact on the global geoid, which increases (+) in some regions, but decreases (-) in other reigions. The geoid is +115 m, -37 m and +8 m at the South Pole, the 25°S parallel and the North Pole, respectively. If the Antarctic ice cap melts completely, on the rigid Earth's surface the seawater and geoid will return to its original position (and height) due to the balancing force of the fluid. Since the crust is almost in a state of isostasy, assuming that the crust is an elastic solid and the mantle is an incompressible fluid, the load of seawater will deflect the crust and drive the mantle material to flow. The material above the isostatic surface compensates mutually. If the densities of the mantle and seawater are 3270 kg/m 3 and 1030 kg/m 3, respectively, then the variation in the elevation of the continent is only 2.8 m with respect to the sea level after the Antarctic ice cap melts;it is not larger than that estimated by some people.It is worth noting that the above results were derived from an ideal Earth model. In the real Earth, the mantle and crust are visco elastic.

Triassic Transgressive-Regressive Sequences in Guizhou-Guangxi Region, South China

Seven third-order transgressive-regressive sequences are recognized in the Early Triassic -Early Carnian stratigraghc succession of Guizhou-Guangxi region, South China. Based on currently available ages by the correlation of conodont ammonites and bivalve faunas, these sequences range approximately from 1.0 Ma to 5.6 Ma, with the average of 3 Ma. They occur largely in the Griesbachian-Dienerian, Smithian,uppermost Smithian-lowermost Anisian, Lower Anisian, Middle Anisian, Upper Anisian-Upper Ladinian and the uppermost Ladinian-Lower Carnian respectively, and can be grouped into three second-order transgressive-regressive supersequences. A relative sea level curve is established from the sequence stratigraghic analysis. Transgressive-regressive sequences,bounded by transgressive surfaces and the correlatable unconformities, are real unconformity-bounded units of lower rank. Each sequence comprises transgressive, highstand and regressive systems tracts, and can be easily correlated with the depositional sequence.

The Fiji Tide-Gauge Stations

We analyse the location, stability and continuity of the two tide-gauge stations in Fiji. Both stations are awkwardly placed on heavy harbour constructions resting on soft sediments susceptible to serious compaction problems. The nearby GPS stations resting on a bedrock hill offer no solution to the stability problems. The Suva tide-gauge has been moved three times, and must accordingly be analysed in segments. Even the last location covering years 1989 to 2917 provides a mixed picture of 16 years of stability, 10 years of rapid rise, and 4 years of rapid fall in relative sea level. This suggests the interaction of subsidence and cyclic changes in sea level. Any application of mean trends would produce meaningless values rather misguiding than assisting in the handling of estimation of on-going absolute sea level changes. We find this vital for the discussions of local sea level changes to be held at the UN conference on “Our Oceans, Our Future” in June in New York and at the main COP23 conference in November in Bonn.