The folds in the Taurus–Zagros Belt of northern Iraq have generally been considered to be decollement buckle folds. This implies the presence of a decollement horizon at or near the base of the sedimentary cover, the ‘Infra-Cambrian Hormuz Salt’ and a passive role of the Precambrian basement in the tectonic evolution of the folded belt. Structural, stratigraphic, geophysical and remote sensing evidence suggests that forced folding, due to faulting in the basement, has played a significant role in the development of many of the folds in this region. This is clear from the substantial evidence of basement faulting, the lack of any convincing evidence for the presence of an extensive and regional decollement horizon (i.e. the Hormuz Salt) between the basement and the cover rocks, and the geometries of the folds and related mesostructures. The study shows that in the Taurus Foothills Zone, the folds are short, oval in plan shape, and arranged in an en echelon pattern along two sets of dislocation zones in the basement. However, the folds in the Zagros Foothills Zone are longer, linear and arcuate in plan shape. Many of the studied folds show similar features to those observed in the Rocky Mountains, U.S.A.

High-magnesian andesites outcrop in a subvolcanic complex in the island of Skyros in the central Aegean Sea. Mineralogical indicators of this high-Mg content include bronzite and clinopyroxene phenocrysts, the former with high Cr2O3, and some phlogopite. Plagioclase (oligoclase–andesine) and Fe–Ti oxides were late phases to appear at the liquidus. Whole-rock geochemistry shows trace element features similar to those of subduction-related rocks. Radiometric dating indicates an early Serravallian (middle Miocene) age, approximately synchronous with the onset of post-orogenic rifting and extension of the Aegean Sea. This tectonic setting is consistent with an origin by adiabatic decompression of mantle peridotite previously modified by subduction-related fluids.

Schaubcylindrichnus, a distinctive sheaf of arcuate, well lined, congruent dwelling tubes, although poorly known in general, is a good indicator of shoreface depositional settings for many Cretaceous rocks of the United States. Until recently, in fact, it was known only from those rocks; but it has now been recognized in Tertiary rocks of Taiwan, possibly in slightly more distal depositional settings. In addition to its distinctive morphological and environmental significance, the ichnogenus also may have substantial biostratigraphical significance. Further reconnaissance is needed to confirm these seemingly unique distributions, that is, to help explain why the trace fossil so far seems to be restricted to certain Cretaceous rocks in North America and certain Tertiary rocks in Asia.

The sediments and organic calcite geochemistry (Fe2+, Mn2+, Sr, Mg, δ18O, δ13C) of the Plenus Marls at Dover (southeast England) reflect the changing oceanographic conditions associated with the development of the late Cenomanian-early Turonian S1SC excursion.

The Plenus Marls of Dover consist of five marl-chalk couplets with a total thickness of up to 3 m. The sediments were deposited in an increasingly shallowing sea during a major regressional phase of the Chalk Sea over Europe. Each marl horizon was deposited in slightly cooler water of lower productivity and higher energy level than the overlying chalk, and represents a phase of enhanced regression. Inoceramus prisms and shell fragments from the marls have enhanced Mg values, whereas all the biogenic calcite from the chalks is enriched in Fe2+. The high clay content of the Plenus Marls probably originated from the post-depositional argillization of unstable silicate detritus (possibly of volcanoclastic origin) introduced into the regressing sea by rejuvenated river systems. The δ18O values of individual planktic and benthic foraminifera species have been lightened by diagenetic reaction; however they demonstrate (1) the presence of a constant temperature gradient in the water column with warmer surface waters relative to the bottom waters, and (2) the association of a marked temperature drop with the appearance of Jefferies' cold water occidental fauna and the development of a Mn2+ anomaly (Bed 5) in the average calcite skeletons of all particle size fractions. The δ13C values of individual planktic and benthic foraminifera species show that a normal oceanic gradient existed except at two levels (Beds 3, 5), where this is reversed with heavier values shown by the benthic forms. The normal δ13C gradient steepened rapidly as the water shallowed and the δ13C excursion reached maximum values. Dysaerobic and anaerobic water conditions were completely absent and the level of oxygenation (macrofaunal diversity) increased in parallel with the shallowing and the enhanced δ13C excursion.

Comparison with the Plenus Marls section at Flixton (east Yorkshire), which shows evidence of restricted faunas and deposition under anoxic conditions (black bands rich in terrestrial organic matter), demonstrates that between these two localities there is unequivocal correlation of the δ13C excursion and the temperature drop associated with Jefferies' cold water occidental fauna. Anomalous geochemical features of the Dover Plenus Marls are explained by the redeposition of Flixton-type coccolith-rich chalk (very low Fe2+ content) and by the occasional introduction of cold northern bottom waters enriched in 13C.

The status of the Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event and its supporting evidence is discussed and is considered to be untenable on present evidence. An alternative hypothesis based upon a glacial mechanism is put forward; this is supported by evidence of widespread regression, restricted ocean circulation, lower ocean temperatures, enhanced input of terrestrial organic matter, and the presence of dropstones.

Low and very low grade metamorphism in a mudrock-dominated succession, ranging from Upper Cambrian to Wenlock, is characterized by the white mica (illite) crystallinity technique. Kubler indices indicate that grade ranges from late diagenetic to low epizonal. The prograde reaction most easily observed by XRD study is the progressive ordering of K/Na micas; diagnostic 2M1 polytypic reflections become recognizable at 0.4 Δ 2θ and strengthen as grade advances. Grade generally correlates with thickness of overburden in the > 9 km thick succession. However, strain exercises additionally a profound influence on grade, and the distribution of strain was related to décollement resulting from inhomogeneities and ductility contrasts within the succession. Strain energy is seen as an additional and important variable in the development of white mica crystallinity in slates. The distribution of metamorphic grade implies that the Lower Palaeozoic succession was augmented by several kilometres of Lower Devonian (Old Red Sandstone) strata at the metamorphic culmination. The culmination was syntectonic and represents an Acadian rather than an early diastathermal event. Subsequent dextral movement on the Bala Fault displaced the regional isocryst pattern by c. 4 km. Retrogressive smectite appears to be localized to the vicinity of the Bala Fault and is probably of Variscan age.

The sedimentology, micropalaepntology and palynology of Lower Pleistocene sediments recovered from a borehole at Ormesby St Margaret, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, have been investigated. The sediments, consisting of a lower clay facies overlain by an upper predominantly sandy facies, were deposited in inner neritic environments. Micropalaeontological and palynologicalevidence allows comparisons with the nearby Ludham sequence but an unequivocal correlation cannot be made. The Ormesby Borehole sequence includes representatives of the Pre-Ludhamian to Early Pastonian stage interval and the presence of a late Pre-Ludhamian to late Baventian/Pre-Pastonian a hiatus. Foraminiferal faunas matched to grain size analysis are indicative of transportation and considerable post-mortem sorting.

The Tien Shan is a Cenozoic orogenic belt in central Asia caused by the post-collisional convergence of India with Asia that reactivated Palaeozoic faults. The Korla Basin is a complex foreland basin within the Chinese Tien Shan; elongate sub-basins within it have received sediment from both the hangingwall and footwall blocks above and below reverse faults on their northern margins. The footwall blocks are themselves uplifted by the next fault to the south: the greater part of the sediment supply measured by area comes from the footwall block. This sediment supply pattern is analogous to that of extensional half-graben.

High precision U/Pb data obtained from zircons extracted from plagiogranite within the gabbro unit of the Shetland Islands oceanic fragment of northeast Scotland yield an age of 492 ± 3 Ma. Field relations indicate that the plagiogranites were generated by the partial melting of amphibolitized gabbros within high-temperature shear zones formed due to crustal deformation and fluid infiltration occurring in proximity to a spreading centre. The U/Pb data therefore constrain the crystallization age of the Shetland complex. This age is similar to U/Pb ages obtained from the Leka (497±2 Ma), Karmoy (493+7-4 Ma) and Gulfjellet (489±3 Ma) oceanic fragments of the Norwegian Caledonides, and the Pipestone Pond (4943-2 Ma) and Betts Cove (4893-2 Ma) oceanic fragments of the Canadian Appalachians.