The exceptional andalusite±kyanite±andalusite sequence occurs in Al-rich graphitic slates in a narrow pelite belt on the hangingwall of a ductile normal fault inNWVariscan Iberia. Early chiastolite is replaced by Ky±Ms±Pg aggregates, which are overgrown by pleochroic andalusite near granites intruded along the fault. Slates plot in AKFM above the chloritoid-chlorite tie-line. Their P±T grids are modelled with Thermocalc v2.7 and the 1998 databases in the NaKFMASH and KFMASH systems. The univariant reaction Ctd+And/Ky=St+Chl+Qtz+H2O ends at progressively lower pressure as F/FM increases and A/AFM decreases, shrinking the assemblage Cld±Ky±Chl, and opening a chlorite-free Cld±Ky trivariant ®eld on the low temperature reaction side. This modelling matches the observed absence of chlorite in high F/FM rocks, which is restricted to low pressure in the andalusite stability field.

The P±T path deduced from modelling shows a ®rst prograde event in the andalusite ®eld followed by retrogression into the kyanite ®eld, most likely coupled with a slight pressure increase. The ®nal prograde evolution into the andalusite field can be explained by two different prograde paths. Granite intrusion caused the ®rst prograde part of the path with andalusite growth. The subsequent thermal relaxation, together with aH2O decrease, generated the retrograde andalusite±kyanite transformation, plus chlorite consumption and chloritoid growth. This transformation could have been related to folding in the beginning, and aided later by downthrowing due to normal faulting. Heat supplied by syntectonic granite intrusion explains the isobaric part of the path in the late stages of evolution, causing the prograde andalusite growth after the assemblage St±Ky±Chl. Near postectonic granites, a prograde path with pressure decrease originated the assemblage St±And±Chl.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, geologists and paleontologists have recognized the scientific importance and unique nature of the richly fossiliferous sediments exposed along the Tjörnes Peninsula in Northern Iceland. In the following century and a half, Tjörnes has attracted the attention of an international “who’s who” in Cenozoic paleontology, as well as many paleoclimatologists unraveling the complex climatic history of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

I take pleasure in presenting a further edition (volume 32) of the internationally recognized and acclaimed series ‘Palaeoecology of Africa’ (PoA). Already since 1966 the series has published a large number of interdisciplinary scientific papers on landscape evolution and on former environments of selected areas within the African continent. Since the re-edition and re-launch of ‘Palaeoecology of Africa’ in 2007/2008 it is the fifth volume of the yearbook series that follows the new concept and layout under the restructured editorial board and by support of the publishing houses Routledge and CRC Press. Therefore, the ambitious goal of the editorial board and its editor in chief to have one book a year was almost reached. Many thanks go to all the contributing authors, colleagues and friends who directly and indirectly contributed during the last years to make this re-edition of ‘Palaeoecology of Africa’ a reality and a success. <...>

1. Über rasenilden, ringsteadiiden und pictoniiden des nördlichen Frankenjura

2. Neue dipteren (brachycera et cyclorhapha) aus dem oberoligozan von Rott