In this 11th issue of your project newsletter you will find final information on the coming Third Annual Conference of IGCP Project 381 (SAMC III) , Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, 17-19 November 1998, and related field trips.
Also included are the technical programmes and information about forthcoming meetings related to SAMC, such as:
•the 1998 AAPG International Conference & Exhibition (RIO98), Poster Session #P26 (IGCP Project 381),  Rio de Janeiro, 8-11 November 1998;
• Fourth Annual Conference of IGCP Project 381 (SAMC IV), Serra Negra, SP, Brazil, 29/08-2/09/1999;
• VII International Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 1999;
  A complete list of SAMC members (as of October 1998)  may be found on page 12. Please check this to confirm that your address is correct (otherwise, please inform us as soon as possible), and to gather information about ongoing research activieties by other project participants.
   The next issue of SAMC News offers you an update of project research activities worldwide, with the reports of research activities (October 1997-September 1998) by national representatives, regional coordinators and working group chairmen.
   SAMC News is abstracted and/or indexed in Petroleum Abstracts (Tulsa, Oklahoma; http://www.pa.utulsa.edu/), GeoArchive  and GeoSearch (Oxon, UK).

Project Leaders:
Eduardo A. M. KOUTSOUKOS - PETROBRAS-CENPES/Divex, Cidade Universitária, Quadra 7, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL. Tel.: +55-21-5986417 or 5986440, Fax: 5986795, Tel./Fax (home): 3254982 E-mail: koutsoukos@cenpes.petrobras.com.br

Peter BENGTSON - Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, D-69120 Heidelberg, GERMANY. Tel.: +49-6221-548293, Fax: 548640 or 545503, E-mail: Peter.Bengtson@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

"IGCP is interdisciplinary, covering all specialities of geology, geophysics and geochemistry. IGCP maintains active interfaces with disciplines related to the geological sciences such as marine sciences, atmospheric sciences and biological sciences."

Editor of SAMC News: E. A. M. Koutsoukos (Rio de Janeiro)

SAMC-Net: Mailing list "SAMC-Net" through listserv@vm.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
 
Contacts and further information: If you are interested in participating in SAMC please send a registration form or write (letter or e-mail) to E. Koutsoukos, P. Bengtson or the SAMC Secretariat (addresses below) giving your name and full address, telephone, fax, e-mail address, main research interests and, if you wish, a short account of current research related to SAMC.

For French-speaking participants:
Mitsuru ARAI - PETROBRAS-CENPES, Cidade Universitária, Quadra 7, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL. Tel.: +55-21-5986452, Fax: 5986795, E-mail: arai@cenpes.petrobras.com.br
 
 

Responsible for liaison among participants, for disseminating information about the progress of the project and forthcoming meetings, for stimulating and coordinating research in their fields of expertise, and for reporting national research activities related to SAMC.

ANGOLA:  Mário Gil Pereira BRANDÃO  -  SONANGOL, P.O. Box 3506, 1000 Luanda, Angola.
 Tel.:  +244 2 36-1681 (home),  fax:  +244-233-5426.

ARGENTINA:  Eduardo A. MUSACCHIO - Universidad Nacional de La Patagonia, Ciudad Universitaria km 4, 9000 Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, ARGENTINA.   Tel./fax: +54-97-550339,   e-mail: aldo@unpbib.edu.ar
 Eduardo B. OLIVERO - Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Av. Malvinas Argentinas s/n , C.C. 92, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, ARGENTINA. Tel.: +54-901-22 310/312, fax: 30644, e-mail: eolivero@satlink.com

BRAZIL:  Eduardo A. M. KOUTSOUKOS - PETROBRAS-CENPES, Cidade Universitária, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL.   Tel. +55-(0)21-5986417  or  5986440,   fax: 2803318  or  5986795,   e-mail:  koutsoukos@cenpes.petrobras.com.br
 Peter SZATMARI - PETROBRAS-CENPES/Divex, Cidade Universitária, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL.
 Tel.: +55-(0)21-5986435,   fax: 5986792,   e-mail: szatmari@cenpes.petrobras.com.br

COLOMBIA:  Luis VERGARA  -  Ingeominas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, A.A. 5997, Bogotá, COLOMBIA.
 fax: +57-1-3681326/2220797,   e-mail: lvergara@ciencias.campus.unal.edu.co

CUBA:  Jorge R. SANCHEZ-ARANGO - Centro de Investigaciones del Petróleo (CEINPET), Washington No. 169, Esquina a Churruca - Cerro, La Habana 12000, CUBA.   Tel.: +53-7- 408900,  411132,   fax: +53-7- 333072,  338027

EGYPT:   Mohamed I.A. IBRAHIM  -  Faculty of Science, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Alexandria University, Moharram Bay 21511, Alexandria, EGYPT. (Current address: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Qatar, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar,   e-mail:  M.Ibrahim@qu.edu.qa)

FRANCE:  Edwige MASURE  (Correspondante Française pour le PICG 381)  -  Laboratoire de Micropaleontologie, Département de Géologie Sédimentaire, URA 1761, Université P. & M.  CURIE, 4 PLACE Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, FRANCE.   Tél. : +33- 44 27 49 87,   fax. +33- 44 27 38 31,   e-mail: edmasure@ccr.jussieu.fr
 Ivan de KLASZ - “La Verdiane”, 74 Av. du Mont Alban, F-06300 Nice, FRANCE.     Tel.: +33-93-268843,  fax:  894820

GERMANY:  Peter BENGTSON - Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg,, D-69120 Heidelberg, GERMANY.    Tel.: +49-6221-548293,   fax: 548640 or 545503,   e-mail: Peter.Bengtson@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

GHANA:  Lawrence APAALSE  -  Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), PMB, Tema, GHANA.
 Tel.: +233 21 712930,   fax: +233 21 712916,   e-mail:  gnpcexplo@ncs.com.gh

IVORY COAST:  Victor N'DA LOUKOU  (Coordinateur national au niveau de la Côte d'Ivoire) - Société Nationale d'Opérations Pétrolières (PETROCI), B.P.V. 194, Abidjan, IVORY COAST.   Tel.: 221-466820 or 466816,   fax: 221-216824

SWEDEN:   Joen WIDMARK -  Marine Geology, Earth Science Centre, Göteborg University, 41381 Göteborg, SWEDEN.  Tel.+46-31-773 44 70,   fax +46-31-773 49 03,   e-mail:   joen@gvc.gu.se / joen@marine-geology.gu.se

UNITED KINGDOM:   Kenneth Thomson (UK national correspondent) - Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.   Tel.: +44-191-374-4784,  fax: 374-2510, e-mail: Kenneth.Thomson@durham.ac.uk
 Alistair CRAME - British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.
 Tel.: +44-1223-251443,   fax:  62616,   e-mail:  jacr@pcmail.nerc-bas.ac.uk

U.S.A. :  Thomas W. DIGNES - Chevron Overseas Petroleum, Inc., 6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd., P.O. Box 5046, San Ramon, CA 94583, USA.   Tel.: +1-510- 8423367,   fax: 8423030,   e-mail:  twdi@chevron.com

VENEZUELA:   Francia A. GALEA-ALVAREZ - CORPOVEN S.A., filial of P.D.V.S.A., Laboratorio Geológico, Apartado Postal 4326, Puerto La Cruz 692, VENEZUELA.   Tel.: +58-81-606429,   fax: +58-81-606445.

The following thematic Working Groups reflect the diversity of geological understanding and needs within the Project area:
• Aptian/Albian and Albian/Cenomanian Stage Boundaries: E. Koutsoukos
• Cenomanian/Turonian and Turonian/Coniacian Stage Boundaries: P. Bengtson
• Coniacian/Santonian, Santonian/Campanian and Campanian/ Maastrichtian Stage Boundaries: Eduardo Olivero (CADIC, Ushuaia, Argentina)
• Atlas of Cretaceous Carbonate Microfacies: D. Dias-Brito (IGCE-UNESP, Brazil)
• Chemostratigraphic Correlations: René Rodriques (PETROBRAS- CENPES)
• Cretaceous Continental Ecosystems: Ismar Carvalho (UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Dating of the First Marine Transgression: E. Koutsoukos
• K/T Boundary: E. Koutsoukos
• Biochronostratigraphy and Biogeography of Non-Marine Microfossil Assemblages: E. Musacchio (Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina)
• Paleogeographical and Paleoclimatical Maps: Antonio J. Vasconcellos Garcia (UNISINOS) and Biostratigraphic Group of PETROBRAS-CENPES
• South Atlantic Evaporites: Peter Szatmari (PETROBRAS-CENPES)
• Regional Tectonics: P. Szatmari
• Biochronostratigraphic Framework for the Mesozoic Successions: biostratigraphic groups of EXXON and PETROBRAS-CENPES.
For additional information please contact the WGs' chairmen.
 

This is a long-term research programme initiated by IGCP Project 381 comprising several research working-groups on the various types of index fossils on both sides of the South Atlantic. Each WG should have a co-leader on each side of the ocean, who would, in addition to contributing, coordinate the collecting and publishing of data. The final aim would be, among others, the publishing of iconographic atlases of index fossils for the various basins. This would made possible the establishment of an integrated stratigraphic scale. The following WG's have been set:

• Mesozoic ostracodes.
Coordinator for West Africa:
    Jean-Paul Colin - (ESSO Rep., Bègles)
    Ray Bate (Lacustrine Basin Research, London)

Coordinators for South America:
    E. Musacchio (Universidad Nacional de La Patagonia, Comodoro Rivadavia)
    Marta Cláudia Viviers and Jarbas V. P. Guzzo (PETROBRAS-CENPES)

• Mesozoic [benthic] foraminifers.
Coordinators for South America:
    E. A. M. Koutsoukos and M. C. Viviers (PETROBRAS)

Coordinator for West Africa:
    Ivan de Klasz (Nice)

• Mesozoic [planktic] foraminifers.
Coordinator for West Africa: Jean-Pierre Bellier (Université Pierre et Marie Curie)
Coordinator for Latin America: José Longoria (Florida International University, Miami)

• Ammonites.
Coordinators:
    Peter Bengtson (Heidelberg University)
    Eduardo Olivero (CADIC, Ushuaia)

• Inoceramids.
Coordinators: Gregorio Lópes (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

• Calcareous nannofosils.
Coordinators: Luis C. V. Oliveira and Rogério L. Antunes (PETROBRAS)

• Palynomorphs.
Coordinators for West Africa:
    Chris Denison (CHEVRON)
    Mohamed Ibrahim (Alexandria University)

Coordinators for South America:
    Rodolfo Dino and Mitsuru Arai (PETROBRAS)

SAMC participants wishing to work in close collaboration with any of these WG's are invited to contact directly the coordinators or the SAMC Secretariat. Suggestions are welcome.

IGCP Project 362: Tethyan and Boreal Cretaceous (TBC)
Co-leaders: Jozef Michalik (Bratislava, Slovakia) and Han Leereveld (Utrecht, The Netherlands)
Interaction between IGCP Projects 362 and 381 is of foremost importance to unveil the geological connections, palaeoceanographic links and biogeographic affinities between the Cretaceous northern South Atlantic and low-latitude, western Tethyan regions, which are common goals to both projects.

Contacts and further information:
TBC-Secretariat: M. TIEMESSEN - Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS. Tel.: +31-30-2532629, Fax: +31-30-2535096, E-mail: M.Tiemessen@boev.biol.ruu.nl

As a contribution to the aims of SAMC the following thematic and symposium volumes have been proposed to be edited with collections of papers addressing specific issues within the framework of IGCP Project 381:

This Thematic Volume will be a Special Issue of the journal Cretaceous Research.

Information: Please contact E. Koutsoukos (koutsoukos@ cenpes.petrobras.com.br) or the Editor-in-Chief of Cretaceous Research, Prof. David Batten, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, Wales, UK (dgb@aber.ac.uk).

Main Topics:  stratigraphic framework, depositional models, palaeogeographic reconstructions, source rock characterization, oil vs.  source rock correlations and petroleum systems.
To be published as an AAPG Memoir.
Information: Please contact Márcio R. Mello (marcio@cenpes.petrobras.com.br), L. A. Trindade (luizt@ cenpes.petrobras.com.br) or the SAMC Secretariat.

This Symposium Volume contains the papers presented at the meeting held at the Geological Society, London, 24-26 February 1997. The book remains dedicated to IGCP Project 381.

The book will differ in two aspects from the Special Publications previously produced by the Geological Society. Firstly, the book will include a first for the Society - the release as a CD-ROM of Ian Davison's much admired tectonic map of the South Atlantic, showing tectonic features and now key strat columns, play elements and reserves for many basins. A CD-ROM format has been adopted as we believe that industry, as well as using the map for conventional display purposes, will wish to work the compilation into computer products. Secondly, greater provision of colour than is the norm is intended.
The book is all but ready to go to the publishers. A publication date by the end of the year is just about possible.
For further information contact: Nick R. Cameron - Dept. of Geology, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK. E-mail: nick@topaz.primex.co.uk
 
 

This Thematic Volume, to be published as an AAPG Memoir,  will comprise contributions from the AAPG/ABGP Joint Hedberg Research Symposium on Petroleum Systems of the South Atlantic Margins, held 16-19 November 1997 in Rio de Janeiro.
Information:   Please contact  Márcio Mello (marcio@cenpes.petrobras.com.br) or  Barry Katz (103021.3227@compuserve.com).

Proceedings of the 2nd European Meeting on the Palaeontology and Stratigraphy of South America and the Regional Meeting of IGCP 381 "South Atlantic Mesozoic Correlations", 2-4 September 1997, Heidelberg, Germany.
To be published as a Special Issue of Journal of South American Earth Sciences.

For further information contact:
P. Bentson (E-mail: Peter.Bengtson@urz.uni-heidelberg.de)
or
E.A.M. Koutsoukos (koutsoukos@ cenpes.petrobras.com.br).

The Regional Coordinators of Argentina for the South Atlantic Mesozoic Correlations Project (IGCP Project 381) have the honour of inviting you to participate in the Third Annual Conference (SAMC III) and associated field trips. The meeting will be held at the campus of the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut Province, Argentina, 17-20 November 1998.
This friendly scientific gathering offers you an opportunity to present the results of your research to an international meeting and to examine some of the best exposures of Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks from hydrocarbon productive basins in Argentine Patagonia.

Post-Conference :
Field Trip No. 2 (21 to 24 November): San Jorge Basin.
Day 1: SanJorge Gulf Basin (one day in Sarmiento, overnigth in San Martin Village).
• Aptian lacustrine facies (Post-rift II).
• Middle to Upper Cretaceous non-marine (mainly pyroclastic facies) of Sag style.

Days 2-3: Chubut River, MediumValley: North San Jorge Basin
Three overnight stays in Los Altares Village are planed; return to Comodoro Rivadavia over Trelew City, both having daily cabotage flights to BuenosAires.
• Lower and Middle Jurassic volcanic Complex (Rift I).
• Upper Jurassic non-marine units (Post-rift II).
• Neocomian continental sequence (Rift II).
• Pyroclastic and terrigenous units of mid-Cretaceous age (Post-rift II).
• Upper Cretaceous deposits (marine and non-marine) of Sag style.
Estimated Costs: US$400.-

 Field Trip No. 3 (22* to 24 November): Austral-Marginal Basin of Tierra del Fuego.
Day 1: Geology of the National Park area, visiting the polyphased-deformed basement and/or Jurassic volcanics in Lapataia-Ensenada area; the copper-lead old mine; basaltic espilites; and the Yahgan Formation. The area includes important structural features of stratigraphic inversion by thrusting and a magnificent scenery of C. Darwin and Cpt. Fitzroy first entrance into the Beagle Channel. Round trip from Ushuaia about 50 km. 1 day, departing from Ushuaia early in the morning; lunch at Casita del Bosque in the National Park area, returning late-evening.

Day 2 (in combination with Day 3): Geological transect across de the Andes Fueguinos visiting the main outcrops of the Upper Jurassic silicic volcanics of the Tobifera/Lemaire Formation; the deep-marine Early Cretaceous Yahgan Formation; and the main strike-slip fault of the Tierra Mayor Valley. Geological subjects include: stratigraphy, sedimentology, trace fossils, and structures of the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous marginal basin of Tierra del Fuego. Departing early in the morning from Ushuaia, lunch at Hosteria Petrel (Lago Escondido), about 70 Km from Ushuaia. Geology of the folded-thrusted belt of the Upper Cretaceous-Cenozoic Austral foreland basin, visiting the Paleocene Rio Claro Formation and the spectacular syntectonic clastic dykes of the Rio Penia-Sierra Leona Complex (uppermost Eocene-Oligocene). Night dinner and breakfast at Hosteria Lago Khami.

Day 3: Continuation of the field trip with the magnificent, 1.5 Km thick exposures of the foreland Eocene La Despedida Group along the Atlantic shore of Tierra del Fuego, including the recognition of shelf mudstones and spectacular channeled and cross-stratified estuarine sandstones. Best viewing of the geology is at low tide (tide amplitude in the order of 8/9 meters. Lunch at the field site. Returning to Ushuaia at late evening.

Field Leader: Eduardo B. Olivero (CADIC-CONICET).
Estimated Costs: U$S 300.-

The fee includes:
Field guide book.
Day 1: transportation and lunch. (*) Please note that hotel accommodation is not included for Day 1.
Day 2: Transportation, all meals, and hotel accommodation on the basis of double room.
Day 3: transportation, breakfast, and lunch.
 

Organization:
    Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco
    Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientficas (CONICET)
    Asociación Paleontológica del Golfo SanJorge

Organizing Committee:
Eduardo A. Musacchio
Eduardo Olivero
Eduardo A. M. Koutsoukos
Peter Bengtson

Adresses and Contact:
Eduardo A. MUSACCHIO
UNPSJB, Ciudad Universitaria km 4, 9000 Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, ARGENTINA
Tel./Fax: +54-97-550339; E-mail: aldo@unpbib.edu.ar

Eduardo B. OLIVERO
Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC)
Av. Malvinas Argentinas s/n, C.C. 92, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, ARGENTINA
Tel.: +54-90-122 310/312/314; Fax: 30644; E-mail: eolivero@satlink.com

ABSTRACTS:
Deadline for submitting an abstract for either oral or poster presentation is 10th October 1998.
Please send a printout of the text and a diskette containing the file in Microsoft Word to E. Musacchio. Alternatively, abstracts may be submitted by e-mail to aldo@unpbib.edu.ar

FORAMS’98 - International Symposium on Foraminifera, was held 4-11 July 1998, organized by Florida International University (Miami) and Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo. Oral and poster contributions of research results and progress reports were presented by project participants.
  In addition several papers and oral contributions presented at the Theme Sessions (e.g.,  Foraminifera in Oil Exploration - New Advances and Techniques;  Advances in Foraminiferal Biochronology at the K/T Boundary), included project related topics which  are of direct relevance to the correlation of bioevents and reconstruction of major palaeoceanographic events in the evolution of the South Atlantic Ocean.
   The Proceedings of the meeting are published as a Special Publication of the Sociedad Mexicana de Paleontologia, July 5, 1998, edited by José F. Longoria and Martha A. Gamper , 127 pp.
   An ad-hoc IGCP Project 381 Session to discuss aspects on Cretaceous Foraminiferal Biogeography and Biostratigraphy, was held in conjunction with FORAMS’98. The discussions of project related topics discussed focused on the structure and progress of the Working Group on Mesozoic Planktonic Foraminifers.
  Jean Pierre Bellier (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris) will join José Longoria (Florida International University, Miami) as joint coordinators of the Working Group on Mesozoic Planktonic Foraminifers of the South Atlantic. It was proposed that the publication of a Taxonomic and Biostratigraphic Atlas  (illustrating the index microfossil species), to be edited by both WG chairmen, should be considered as a priority for the present activities of this and other related WG’s. This is of key importance if we are to see results being produced before or at the final meeting of the project, at the year 2000. In that purpose publications of the atlases are foreseen through major paleontological and stratigraphic journals.
   A Post-Meeting Field Excursion to the K/T Boundary Outcrops in Tamaulipas - El Mimbral and La Lajilla Sections, allowed participants to study and sample in detail the complete and controversial K/T boundary sections of northern Mexico.
  Complementary outcrop samples were taken from K/T boundary type-sections in northern Mexico (El Mimbral and La Lajilla). These shall be used in sudies of composite graphic correlation, to compare with results of the multidisciplinary working team currently studying the Brazilian K/T boundary sections, recorded both onshore (Poty and Ponta do Funil, in NE Brazil) and offshore (Campos Basin, in SE Brazil).

The Conference will be conducted jointly by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Brazilian Association of Petroleum Geologists (ABGP).

Poster Session #P26 will be held dedicated to IGCP Project 381, and coordinated by E.A.M. Koutsoukos and P. Bengtson.

Papers submitted to Poster Session #P26 :
Brigaud, F. (Elf Exploration Production) - Termal regime of the Congo coastal basin.
Chen, Y.Y. (Exxon Exploration Co.), Huang, T. C. & McLaughlin, P.F. - Calibration of marine and non-marine Cretaceous biostratigraphic framework on the African margin of the South Atlantic and correlatin to South America.
Denison, C.N., (Chevron Overseas Petroleum) - The Vermelha Formation (Cenomanian) in Area A, Cabinda, Angola: new palynomorph biozonation.
GAPONOFF, S.L. (Chevron Overseas Petroleum), LOMANDO, A.J. & MAGUIRE, R. - Interpreting paleoenvironment in the Albian Pinda Formation, Cabinda, Angola, using palynologic and petrographic data.
GONÇALVES, F.T.T. (Petrobras) & FROTA, E.B.T. - Early Cretaceous rift source rocks from eastern Brazilian margin: isotopic and molecular correlation.
SWANSON, W.A. (Exxon Exploration Co.), HARTMAN, D.A., SMITH, P.R., CAMPBELL, M.P., & HOOD, K.E. - Evolution of the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary depositional fill and structural trends along the West African continental margin.
VILLAR, H.J. (Cirgeo) & LEGARROTA, L. - The source rocks of the Mesozoic petroleum systems of Argentina: a comparative overview on their geochemistry, paleoenvironments and hydrocarbon generation patterns.
WOOD, G.D. (Amoco E&P Technology Group), MILLER, M.A., POCKNALL, D.T., ALEMAN, A.M., STEIN, J.A. & DINO, R. - Paleoclimatologic, paleoecologic and biostratigraphic significance of the middle Cretaceous Elaterate Microfloral Province, Gondwana.
WOOD, G.D. (Amoco E&P Technology Group), MILLER, M.A. & KREBS, W.N. - The opening of the South Atlantic Ocean: palynological and geochemical evidence from the North Gabon Subbasin.
WORNARDT, JR. W.W. (Micro-Strat Inc.), PACH, J. & BATUPE, M. - Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of the Douala Basin.
 

The 1999 meeting (SAMC IV)  was planned to be held in Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco, April 1999. However, due to difficulties in the organization it was transferred to be held in Serra Negra, São Paulo, as a joint event with the 5th Symposium on the Brazilian Cretaceous and First Symposium on the Cretaceous of South America, 29 August-2 September 1999.
Two field-trips are being planned to Cretaceous sequences of the Paraná and Sanfranciscan Basins.
Adresses and Contact:
 Dimas DIAS BRITO  (dimasdb@caviar.igce.unesp.br)
 José Alexandre de Jesus Perinotto (perinoto@caviar.igce.unesp.br)
 UNESP-IGCE-DGS,  Caixa Postal 178, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, BRAZIL.
 Tel.: +55-(0)19-526-2811/ 526-2812/ 526-2849; fax: 534-0327;
 

The meeting will take place at the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "B. Rivadavia", Av. Angel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Scientific program follows that of the previous meeting on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems Symposia, emphasizing the studies on continental vertebrates, as well as invertebrates, floras and sedimentology for a better understanding of the Mesozoic terrestrial Ecosystems.
The following Symposium topics and theme sessions have been suggested:
• Evolution of Mesozoic Faunas and Floras.
• Evolution of Gondwanian Dinosaurs and Birds.
• Evolution of non-Archosaurian Reptiles.
• Faunal relationships between Laurasia and Gondwana.
• Evolution of Mesozoic Gondwanian Floras.
• Floral relationships between Laurasia and Gondwana.
• Origin of Angiosperms.
• Evolution of Mesozoic Mammals.
• Stratigraphy of Terrestrial Mesozoic Basins.
• Sedimentology, Paleoenvironments and Paleogeography.
• Mesozoic Climates.
• Heterochrony and Evolution.
• Paleoecology and Taphonomy.
• Ichnology.

In addition, we plan to hold an IGCP Project 381 Symposium on Cretaceous Continental Ecosystems, in conjunction with the VII International Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems.

Field-Trips
The following field-trips are planned (provisionally):
    A) Triassic Basin of Ischigualasto-Talampaya.
    B) Jurassic Basin of Cerro Cóndor, Chubut.
    C) Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin.
    D) Late Jurassic (Petrified Forest) - Early cretaceous (Baqueró Flora), Santa Cruz Province, to examine fossil vertebrates and plant localities and their stratigraphy.

For further information please contact:
Secretary of the
VII International Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems
Division Paleontology
Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "B. Rivadavia",
Av. Angel Gallardo 470
1405 Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA

The location for the next project meetings are as follows:

• Regional Meeting of IGCP Project 381, to be held in conjunction with the Annual meeting of the Brazilian Palaeontological Society, at the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Rua Anfilófilo de Carvalho, no. 29, 3rd floor, Rio de Janeiro), December 1999.

• Regional Meeting of IGCP Project 381, to be held in conjunction with the 14th African Micropaleontological Colloquium and the 4th Colloquium on the stratigraphy and Paleogeography of the South Atlantic, in Luanda, Angola, 21-24 May 2000.

• The 5th Annual Conference of IGCP Project 381 (SAMC V) will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in conjuntion with the XXXIs International Geological Congress (31t IGC) - Symposium 1-3,  6-17 August 2000.
Conveners: E.A.M. Koutsoukos  and  P. Bengtson
For further details:
  31st International Geological Congress - Secretariat Bureau
  Av. Pasteur, 404 - Anexo 31 IGC - Urca, 22290-240 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL
  Tel.: +55-(0)21-295 5847,  fax: 295 8094,  e-mail: 31igc@org.br
  Home-Page:  http://www.31igc.org
 

Simposio Jurasico Superior  de America del Sur [1^er Simposio Jurasico de America del Sur], Bahia Blanca  (Bs.  As.), Argentina, 5th October 1998
in conjunction with the Congreso Argentino  de Paleontologia y Bioestratigrafia.
 

2^do Simposio Jurasico de America del Sur, Salta, Argentina, September 1999
 
 
 

Note: References of published contributions to IGCP Project 381 will be compiled and listed in each issue of SAMC News. Please report them for inclusion in our newsletters and annual reports, by sending to the editor or the SAMC Secretariat an offprint.

Cunha, A.S. & Koutsoukos, E.A.M., 1998. Calcareous nannofossils and planktic foraminifers in the upper Aptian of the Sergipe Basin, northeastern Brazil: palaeoecological inferences. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Vol. 142, No. 3/4, p. 175-184.

Fauth, G. & Koutsoukos, E.A.M. 1998. Paleoecology of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Poty quarry, northeastern Brazil, based on Ostracoda: a preliminary study. In 16. Geowissenchaftliches Latinamerika-Kolloquium. Terra Nostra (5), p. 36. Bayreuth.

Koutsoukos, E.A.M., 1998. Upper Cretaceous palaeogeography of the Sergipe Basin, NE Brazil: area of the Divina Pastora and Mosqueiro Lows.  Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie, Teil I, H. 11/12, pp. 1325-1337.

Jonathan P Turner¹ & Bruce R Rosendahl²
1: The University of Birmingham, School of Earth Sciences, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
2: Rosentiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA

Post-stack reprocessing of c.8000 line-km of the PROBE deep seismic data set (20sec two-way travel time) has resulted in a refined tectonic model of the continental margin between Cameroon and southern Gabon. This model is summarized by Rosendahl & Groschel-Becker in the forthcoming special publication of the Geological Society of London, Hydrocarbon Habitats of the South Atlantic (due February 1999). In May 1998, JPT visited BRR in Miami to initiate a collaborative research project aimed at investigating the potential of the PROBE dataset as a tool in regional basin analysis.

   The PROBE data traverse the transition zone from continental to oceanic lithosphere between northern Cameroon and southern Gabon. In the model of Rosendahl & Groschel-Becker, the margin is divided into the North Douala and Gabon Basins by the Kribi Fracture Zone, a 75km-wide transform fault zone trending NE-SW that intersects the coastline between 2-3º N. Given the proximity of oceanic crust to the coastline of northern Cameroon, it now seems futile to seek out offshore syn-rift plays in the North Douala Basin (north of the KFZ) because almost all the rift geology must be located onshore. This implies that potential sources and targets lie entirely within the post-rift section in the offshore area north of the KFZ. Offshore Equatorial Guinea, where the KFZ abuts the continental shelf at depths within range of the drill bit, the setting is that of a continent-bounded transform fault. This is not an environment where standard exploration strategies can be employed because much of the margin off Equatorial Guinea is strongly influenced by fracture zone tectonics. The PROBE data also show clearly why almost all of the major offshore drilling successes on this margin have occurred in the Gabon Basin. South of the Kribi Fracture Zone, oceanic crust is offset about 350 km to the southwest, resulting in a broad rift margin off Gabon that is unaffected by major-offset fracture zones.

   Much more work needs to be done with the PROBE data and ongoing work includes: i) Validation of the seismic interpretation described above using gravity models backstripped to the brittle-ductile boundary, ii) Computation and removal of the effects of loading to produce corrected nominal depth sections of the evolving margin architecture, and iii) Development of a comprehensive conjugate margin model integrating the PROBE data with a comparable dataset owned by Petrobras offshore NE Brazil. The sorts of unconventional settings exemplified by the model of Rosendahl & Groschel-Becker will play an important exploration role in the coming century if they can be properly exploited. We believe that elucidation of passive margin architecture may be a cost-effective way to approach frontier margins. However, this requires a proper understanding of tectonic provenance. As we learn more about the relationships between basinal development and the underlying margin architecture, this type of information could represent the "exploration edge” in the next century.

CECCA, Fabrizio - Centre de Sidimentologie et Paliontologie, Université de Provence. 3, place Victor Hugo, F-13331 Marseille Cedex 03, FRANCE.
 Fax: 0033-4-91106303,  e-mail: reef@newsup.univ-mrs.fr (provisional).

GOBBO-RODRIGUES, Silvia Regina - Avenida Rui Barbosa, 72, V. Rezende, 13.405-010 Piracicaba, SP, BRAZIL. Tel/fax: +55-(0)19-4215560,  e-mail: silviagr@caviar.igce.unesp.br
 Research interests: Upper Cretaceous micropaleontology (vertebrates and invertebrates).

JONES, Peter A. - Robertson Research International Limited, Llandudno, North Wales  LL30 1SA,  UK.  Tel:  +44-(0)1492-581811,  fax:  583416,  e-mail:  paj@robresint.co.uk
 Research interests:  West African stratigraphy, West African Cretaceous Post- and Pre-Salt palynology: biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation, application of biostratigraphy to sequence stratigraphy".

MANSO, Cynthia Lara de Castro - a/c Prof. Maria Helena Zucon, Campus Universitário “Prof. José Aloísio de Campos” (UFS), Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Paleontologia, 49100-000 São Cristóvão-SE, BRAZIL.  Tel.: 241-2848/ext. 375,  e-mail: march@sergipe.ufs.br
 Research interests:  Cretaceous echinoids from Sergipe basin.

MAGALHÃES RIBEIRO, Cláudia M. - Praia de Botafogo, 58, apt. 61, Botafogo, 22250-040Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL.  Tel./fax: 5531470,  e-mail: claudiamaria@igeo.ufrj.br
 Research interests: Cretaceous paleovertebrates anf  fossil eggs.

TAYLOR, Gary A. - Amoco, Room 28.178, P. O. Box 3092, 501 WestLake Park Blvd, Houston, TX  77253-3092, USA.   Tel.: +1-281-366-5417

BARROS, Silvana Diene Sousa - Laboratório de Geofisica de Prospeccao e Sensoriamento Remoto da UFC (Campos do Pici). Mailing address:R: Jose Alexandre, 117 Bairro Farias Brito 60011-050 Fortaleza, CE, BRAZIL. Tel.: +55-(0)85-2437147, fax: 2877012 (DEGEO/UFC), e-mail: dienelgp@ufc.br / barros@wolfran.geologia.ufrn.br

do CARMO, Dermeval Aparecido - Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Geociências, 70.910-900 Brasília, DF, BRAZIL.  Tel. +55(0)61-3482874,  fax: 3474062,  e-mail: derme@guarany.cpd.unb.br

FARLEY, Martin B. - Exxon Exploration Co., P.O. Box 4778, Houston, TX 77210, USA.
 Tel.: +1(281)423-7513,  e-mail: martin.b.farley@exxon.sprint.com / mbfarle@eec.exxon.com

HERRMANN, Achim - Penn State University - 308 Deike Bldg, University Park, PA 16802, USA. E-mail:  achim@geosc.psu.edu

MAGALHÃES, Mara Regina da Costa - PETROBRAS-E&P-BC/GEXP/GELAB, Av. Elias Agostinho 665, 27913-350 Macaé, RJ, BRAZIL.

JONES, Mark A. - Ranger Oil Ltd., Ranger House, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4US, UK, Tel: +44-(0)1483-401444,  fax: 401409,  e-mail: majones@guildford.ranger-oil.com

MARTINEZ, J. Ignacio - Universidad EAFIT - Dept. Geología, A.A. 3300 Medellin, COLOMBIA. Tel.: +57-4-2660500, ext.: 329,  fax: 2664284.,  e-mail: jimartin@sigma.eafit.edu.co

MILHOMEM, Paulo S. -PETROBRAS-Cenpes/Divex/Sebipe, Cidade Universitária, Quadra 7, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL.   E-mail:  milhomem@cenpes.petrobras.com.br
 Research interests: Cretaceous non-marine ostracods.

Reicherter, Klaus - Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstr. 55, D-20146 Hamburg, GERMANY.
 Tel.: +49-(0)40-4123-6369,  fax: 4123-5007,  e-mail: reicherter@geowiss.uni-hamburg.de

da ROSA, Atila Augusto Stock -  Laboratório de Estratigrafia e Paleobiologia, Departamento de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus da UFSM, Faixa de Camobi km 09, prédio 17, 97119-900 Santa Maria-RS, BRAZIL. Tel.:   +55-(0)55-2208639, e-mail: atila@base.ufsm.br

SAMIR, Ashraf M. - Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, PO Box 21526, Alexandria, EGYPT.  Tel: 03-597-2852,  fax: 213-491-1194,  e-mail: ashrafsamir@alex.eun.eg
 Research interests: biostratigraphy, paleoecology, environmnetnal geology by means of foraminifera.

SCHLICHT, Peter - Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, D-69120 Heidelberg (Mailing address: Doernerstrasse 1, 56479 Elsoff, GERMANY).
 Tel.: +49-(0)6221-544866,  fax.: 545503 (department),  e-mail: Peter.Schlicht@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

SPINNLER, Jacopo - OSS 3060 - Shell Deepwater Development, Inc., 701 Poydras St. New Orleans, LA 70139, USA. Phone: +1-504-7284418,  fax:  7280488,  e-mail: jspinnler@shellus.com

VERGARA, Luis - Departamento de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, A.A. 14490, Bogota, COLOMBIA.  Fax: +57-1-3681326,  e-mail: lvergara@ciencias.ciencias.unal.edu.co

WILPSHAAR, Martin - PDVSA, VENEZUELA.  E-mail: EPXG311@ep.pdv.com

BASSETTO, Marcelo - Rua Cândido Mendes, 279 / 903 - Glória, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, BRAZIL.
 Tel.:  +55-(0)21-5343696,  e-mail: basseto@ep.petrobras.com.br

CATRULLO, Donata - AGIP s.p.A./ SIG, P.O. Box 12069, 20120 Milano, ITALY.
 Tel.: +39-2-52099907,  fax: 52022371,  e-mail: catru.llo@agip.geis.com

KRONMAN, George E. - AMOCO Overseas Exploration Co., c/o Amoco Prod. Co., Mail Code 24140, 501 WestLake Park Boulevard, P.O. Box 3092, Houston, TX 77253-3092, U.S.A.
 Tel.:  +1-713-3364452,  fax:  713-3663195

ROBERTO, Marcos F. - Amoco Peop. Co. P.O. Box 3092 - Houston TX  77253-3092.
 Tel.: +1-713-3663918,  fax:  366-5171,  e-mail: mfroberto@amoco.com

WESTON, Janice F. - Stratigraphic Services Int. Ltd., Chancellor Court, Surrey Research Park, Guildford GU2 5YL, UK.  Tel.: 483 506605,  fax: 31106.
 

Acknowledgements :

We would like to express our gratitude to PETROBRAS-CENPES,  Rio de Janeiro, for support involved in editing, photocopying and mailing all the copies of SAMC News 11.
 

Maintaned by Peter Bengtson and Jens Seeling