230Th/234U and 14C dating of a lowstand coral reef beneath the insular shelf off Irabu Island, Ryukyus, southwestern Japan

Abstract   High-resolution seismic reflection profiles delineated the distribution of mound-shaped reflections, which were interpreted as reefs, beneath the insular shelf western off Irabu Island, Ryukyus, southwestern Japan. A sediment core through one of the mounded structures was recovered from the sea floor at a depth of −118.2 m by offshore drilling and was dated by radiometric methods. The lithology and coral fauna of the core indicate that the mounded structure was composed of coral–algal boundstone suggesting a small-scaled coral reef. High-precision α-spectrometric ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U dating coupled with calibrated accelerator mass spectrometric ¹⁴C ages of corals obtained reliable ages of this reef ranging from 22.18 ± 0.63 to 30.47 ± 0.98 ka. This proves that such a submerged reef was formed during the lowstand stage of marine oxygen isotope stages 3–2. The existence of low-Mg calcite in the aragonitic coral skeleton of 22.18 ± 0.63 ka provides evidence that the reef had once been exposed by lowering of the relative sealevel to at least −126 m during the last glacial maximum in the study area. There is no room for doubt that a coral reef grew during the last glacial period on the shelf off Irabu Island of Ryukyus in the subtropical region of western Pacific.     

Joint cross-well and single-well seismic studies of CO2 injection in an oil reservoir

A series of time‐lapse seismic cross‐well and single‐well experiments were conducted in a diatomite reservoir to monitor the injection of CO₂ into a hydrofracture zone, based on P‐ and S‐wave data. A high‐frequency piezo‐electric P‐wave source and an orbital‐vibrator S‐wave source were used to generate waves that were recorded by hydrophones as well as 3‐component geophones. During the first phase the set of seismic experiments was conducted after the injection of water into the hydrofractured zone. The set of seismic experiments was repeated after a time period of seven months during which CO₂ was injected into the hydrofractured zone. The questions to be answered ranged from the detectability of the geological structure in the diatomic reservoir to the detectability of CO₂ within the hydrofracture. Furthermore, it was intended to determine which experiment (cross‐well or single‐well) is best suited to resolve these features. During the pre‐injection experiment, the P‐wave velocities exhibited relatively low values between 1700 and 1900 m/s, which decreased to 1600–1800 m/s during the post‐injection phase (?5%). The analysis of the pre‐injection S‐wave data revealed slow S‐wave velocities between 600 and 800 m/s, while the post‐injection data revealed velocities between 500 and 700 m/s (?6%). These velocity estimates produced high Poisson's ratios between 0.36 and 0.46 for this highly porous (～50%) material. Differencing post‐ and pre‐injection data revealed an increase in Poisson's ratio of up to 5%. Both velocity and Poisson's ratio estimates indicate the dissolution of CO₂ in the liquid phase of the reservoir accompanied by an increase in pore pressure. The single‐well data supported the findings of the cross‐well experiments. P‐ and S‐wave velocities as well as Poisson's ratios were comparable to the estimates of the cross‐well data. The cross‐well experiment did not detect the presence of the hydrofracture but appeared to be sensitive to overall changes in the reservoir and possibly the presence of a fault. In contrast, the single‐well reflection data revealed an arrival that could indicate the presence of the hydrofracture between the source and receiver wells, while it did not detect the presence of the fault, possibly due to out‐of‐plane reflections.     

Thermal structure and uplift of the Cretaceous Shimanto Belt, Kii Peninsula, Southwest Japan: An illite crystallinity and Mite bo, lattice spacing study

Abstract Illite crystallinity (IC) and illite b, lattice spacing were measured across the Cretaceous Shimanto Belt, Kii Peninsula, Southwest Japan. For the IC survey, 103 samples of argillaceous rocks were analyzed from the central area and the western area of the belt. Values of IC (Kubler Index) vary between 0.28 and 0.71 Δ°2θ and indicate diagenetic and anchizone metamorphism respectively. The IC distribution reveals two contrasting patterns of thermal maturity. The Hanazono Formation, exposed in the northern area of the belt, generally dips north, but IC values increase systematically from 0.28 Δ°2θ in the north to 0.54 Δ°2θ in the south and indicate an inverted thermal structure. Values in other formations vary widely in the southern area of the belt ranging between 0.45 and 0.71 Δ°2θ, but the values do not show any systematic change from north to south and on average remain almost constant. Illite b_o, lattice spacing values for 56 samples vary between 9.006 and 9.041 Å corresponding to intermediate pressure conditions of the metamorphic facies. These values, combined with paleotemperatures estimated from IC, indicate paleogeothermal gradients of 22 and 31°C/km for the northern and southern areas of the belt, respectively. The inverted thermal structure of the Hanazono Formation, together with a lower paleogeothermal gradient, possibly is a result of the subduction of a relatively cold oceanic plate during the Late Cretaceous. The higher geothermal gradient could be a product of late thermal overprinting caused by the later subduction of a comparatively younger and hotter oceanic plate during the Eocene.     

A global comparison of Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs structures of the mantle lithosphere beneath major cratons

Cratons formed due to the specific melting regime of the primitive mantle with elevated mantle temperature during Archean. However, each craton has undergone a distinct evolution history, and some have lost their stability. To investigate to what degree cratons in comparison with one another have been modified from their analogous initial form, we employed Sn-Pn differential(PSn) traveltimes to derive Vp/Vsratio, which is thought to be related to Mg# of the uppermantle. We assessed Pn, Sn,and PS...     

Petrogenetic grid for ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the model system CaO-MgO-SiO2-CO2-H2O

Abstract Petrogenetic grids for ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism were calculated at different X_co2 conditions in the model system CaO-MgO-SiO₂-CO₂-H₂O involving coesite (Co), diopside (Di), dolomite (Do), enstatite (En), forsterite (Fo), magnesite (Ms), quartz (Qz), talc (Tc), tremolite (Tr) using a published internally consistent thermodynamic data set. Two P-T grids at X_co2= 0.01 and 0.5 are described. In the calculated P-T grid at X_co2= 0.01, four out of 10 stable invariant points, Co-En-Ms-Tc, Co-Di-En-Tc-Tr, Co-Di-Ms-Tc-Tr and Di-En-Ms-Tc-Tr lie within the stability field of coesite. If the fluid phase has X_co2= 0.5, no invariant point is stable under UHP conditions. Some magnesite-bearing assemblages are stabilized by the following three reactions: Di + Ms = Do + Fo + CO₂, Ms + Tr = Do + Fo + CO₂+ H₂O and Ms + Tc = Fo+ CO₂+ H₂O at X_co2= 0.01 and by reaction Ms + Tc = Fo + CO₂+ H₂O together with these three at X_co2= 0.5. Ten possible UHP assemblages for mafic and ultramafic compositions at very low X_co2 conditions include the following: Co-Do-Ms, Co-Di-Ms, Co-Di-Tc, Di-Ms-Tc, Di-En-Tc-, Di-En-Ms, Co-Di-En, Di-En-Fo, Di-Fo-Ms, Di-Do-Fo. Among them, talc-bearing assemblages are restricted to X_co2 < 0.02 and their high-P limit is 31.7 kb (749°C) at X_co2= 0.01. Dolomite-magnesite-silica assemblages have large P-T stability fields even if X_co2 is as low as 0.1, and could occur in cold subduction zones with very low geothermal gradients. Reported UHP coesite-dolomite assemblage is restricted only to a calc-silicate rock interlayered with marble where X_co2 is relatively higher; no such assemblage appears for mafic and ultramafic rocks with low X_co2 evidenced by the occurrence of diopside (or omphacite) at the expense of dolomite + coesite. The effect of X_co2 on the stability of coesite-dolomite-magnesite, diopside-enstatite-magnesite, diopside-talc assemblages is examined and the occurrence of coesite-dolomite, magnesite-bearing and talc-bearing assemblages in the Dabie UHP rocks are interpreted by employing the calculated P-T grids.     

Vitamin B12 and Reduced Titanium for Remediation of Residual Chlorinated Solvents: Field Experiment

A first pilot-scale field experiment using vitamin B₁₂ and reduced titanium was conducted in an in situ vertical circulation column at CFB Borden. The objective of the experiment was to test the applicability of the technology for restoring aquifer source zones contaminated by chlorinated solvents—tetrachloroethene (PCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA)—in a mixture of dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). Vitamin B₁₂ promotes the reductive dechlorination of chlorinated organics. A highly reducing and slightly alkaline environment must be maintained (Eh < - 480 mV and 7 < pH < 9) to maximize the rate of degradation. In this field test, PCE and 1,1,1-TCA degraded to a limited extent under experimental conditions, with 1,1,1-TCA degrading more readily. Indigenous bacteria were found to metabolize citrate, which caused titanium to precipitate, limiting degradation. The addition of glucose at the end of a second field season effectively limited citrate degradation and helped recover the optimal redox potential by keeping reduced titanium in solution. A laboratory column was used to confirm field results. The column also produced a significant biomass, which provided an additional source of organic carbon onto which the solvents sorbed.     

Elasticity of single-crystal SmAlO3, GdAlO3 and ScAlO3 perovskites

The adiabatic single-crystal elastic moduli of SmAlO₃, GdAlO₃ and ScAlO₃, all with the orthorhombic perovskite structure, have been measured by Brillouin spectroscopy under ambient conditions. These 3 compounds display various degrees of crystallographic distortion from the ideal cubic perovskite structure. We find that longitudinal moduli in directions parallel to the axes of a pseudocubic subcell are nearly equal and insensitive to distortions of the crystal structure from cubic symmetry, whereas, the moduli C₁₁ and C₂₂, parallel to the orthorhombic axes, display pronounced anisotropy with the exception of ScAlO₃. The shear moduli also correlate with distortion from cubic symmetry, as measured by rotation, or tilt angles, of the AlO₆ octahedra. Our data support the observations of Liebermann et al. that perovskite-structure compounds define consistent elasticity trends relating bulk modulus and molar volume, and sound speed and mean atomic weight. These relationships have been used to estimate bulk and shear moduli for the high-pressure polymorphs of CaSiO₃ and MgSiO₃ with the perovskite structure.     

Vp/Vs ratios in the Yellowstone National Park region, Wyoming

In this paper we study the variation of V_p/V_s and Poisson's ratio (δ) in the Yellowstone National Park region, using earthquakes which were well recorded by a local seismic network. We find that the average V_p/V_s value within the geothermally active Yellowstone caldera is about 7% lower than in the area outside the caldera. Within the caldera itself there may be a further 2–7% reduction of V_p/V_s in the hydrothermally active Norris Geyser Basin, the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, and the Yellowstone Lake and Mud Volcano regions. After considering various possible causes for V_p/V_s changes, such as geologic and structural differences, thermal effects, partial melting, and hydrothermal activity, we conclude that the most plausible explanation for the observed V_p/V_s reduction is the presence of hot-water at temperatures and pore-pressures near the water steam transition in the caldera geothermal reservoirs.     

Crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio in Shanxi Graben,China

Shanxi Graben is in the middle part of the North China Craton, from south to north. With the teleseismic data recorded by Regional Seismograph Networks and the temporary ZBnet-W Seismic Array around east part of Shanxi Graben, we measured the crustal thickness and v_P/v_S ratio beneath each station using the H-κ stack of receiver functions. The observed crustal thickness shows obvious lateral variation, increasing gradually from east to west in the Shanxi Graben. Beneath the Shanxi Graben the crust is relatively thicker than both sides of the south and the north. In addition, the v_P/v_S ratio in the north of study zone is higher than that in the south. The highest v_P/v_S ratio exists in the crust of the Xinding basin and the Datong basin. Our study also suggests that high velocity ratio might result from the strong activities of the magmation and volcanism.     

The empirical relationships between M s, m b and M L for China and vicinity

Data from 753 earthquakes are used to determine a relationship between surface-wave magnitude (M _s) and bodywave magnitude (m _b), and from 541 earthquakes to determine a relationship between surface-wave magnitude (M _s) and local magnitude (M _L) for China and vicinity: M _s=0.9883 m _b-0.0420, M _s=0.9919 M _L-0.1773. The relationship of M _s versus m _b is obtained for 292 events occurred in the Chinese mainland in the time period from 1964 to 1996, 291 events occurred in Taiwan in the time period from 1964 to 1995 and 170 events occurred in the surrounding area. Standard deviation of the fitting is 0.445. Relationship of M _s versus M _L is obtained for 36 events occurred in the Chinese mainland, 293 events occurred in Taiwan, China and 212 events occurred in the surrounding area. The total amount is 541 events. Standard deviation of the fitting is 0.4673. The uncertainties of the converted M _s in different magnitude intervals can be estimated using complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF). In the relationship of M _s versus m _b, taking ±0.25 as a range of uncertainties, in magnitude interval m _b 4.0–4.9, the probabilities for the converted M _s taken value less than (M _s-0.25) and more than (M _s+0.25) are 17% and 27% respectively. Similarly, we have probabilities for m _b 5.0–5.9 are 34% and 20% and that for m _b 6.0–6.9 are 11% and 47%. In the relationship of M _s versus M _L, if the range of uncertainties is still taken as ±0.25, the corresponding probabilities for magnitude interval M _L 4.0–4.9 are 22% and 38%, for M _L 5.0–5.9 are 20% and 15% and for magnitude interval M _L 6.0–6.9, are 15% and 29%, respectively. The relationships developed in this paper can be used for the conversion of one magnitude scale into another magnitude scales conveniently. The estimation of uncertainties described in this paper is more accurate and more objective than the usual estimation expressed by deviation. The estimations described in this paper indicate various dispersions in different magnitude intervals of original data. The estimations of uncertainties described by probabilities can be well connected with the total estimations of uncertainties in seismic hazard assessment.     

Vp and Vp/Vs structures in the crust and upper mantle of the Taiwan region, China

A tomographic study of the V _p and V _p/V _s structures in the crust and upper mantle beneath the Taiwan region of China is conducted by simultaneous inversion of P and S arrival times. Compared with the previous tomographic results, the spherical finite difference technique is suitable for the strong heterogeneous velocity structure, and may improve the accuracy in the travel time and three-dimensional ray tracing calculations. The V _p and V _p/V _s structures derived from joint inversion and the relocated earthquakes can provide better constraints for analyzing the lateral heterogeneity and deep tectonic characters in the crust and upper mantle. Our tomographic results reveal significant relations between the seismic wavespeed structure and the tectonic characters. In the shallow depth, sedimentary basins and orogen show distinct wavespeed anomalies, with low V _p, high V _p/V _s in basins and high V _p, low V _p/V _s in orogen. As the suture zone of Eurasian Plate and Philippine Sea Plate, Longitudinal Valley is characterized by a significant high V _p/V _s anomaly extending to the middle-lower crust and upper mantle, which reflects the impact of rock cracking, partial melting, and the presence of fluids. In the northeast Taiwan, the V _p, V _p/V _s anomalies and relocated earthquakes depict the subducting Philippine Sea Plate under the Eurasian Plate. The high V _p of oceanic plate and the low V _p, high V _p/V _s atop the subducted oceanic plate extend to 80 km depth. Along the east-west profiles, the thickness of crust reaches 60 km at the east of Central Range with eastward dipping trend, which reveals the eastward subduction of the thickened and deformed crust of the Eurasian continental plate. Supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX3-SW-234-2), National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB411701), National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA09A101-0201) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40804016, 40704013)