Magmatic evolution of the Easter microplate-Crough Seamount region (South East Pacific)

The Easter microplate-Crough Seamount region located between 25° S–116° W and 25° S–122° W consists of a chain of seamounts forming isolated volcanoes and elongated (100–200 km in length) en echelon volcanic ridges oriented obliquely NE (N 065°), to the present day general spreading direction (N 100°) of the Pacific-Nazca plates. The extension of this seamount chain into the southwestern edge of the Easter microplate near 26°30 S–115° W was surveyed and sampled. The southern boundary including the Orongo fracture zone and other shallow ridges (< 2000 m high) bounding the Southwest Rift of the microplate consists of fault scarps where pillow lava, dolerite, and metabasalts are exposed. The degree of rock alternation inferred from palagonitization of glassy margins suggests that the volcanic ridges are as old as the shallow ridges bounding the Southwest Rift of the microplate. The volcanics found on the various structures west of the microplate consist of depleted (K/Ti < 0.1), transitional (K/Ti = 0.11–0.25) and enriched (K/Ti > 0.25) MORBs which are similar in composition to other more recent basalts from the Southwest and East Rifts spreading axes of the Easter microplate. Incompatible element ratios normalized to chondrite values [(Ce/Yb)_N = 1–2.5}, {(La/Sm)_N = 0.4–1.2} and {(Zr/Y)_N = 0.7–2.5} of the basalts are also similar to present day volcanism found in the Easter microplate. The volcanics from the Easter microplate-Crough region are unrelated to other known South Pacific intraplate magmatism (i.e. Society, Pitcairn, and Salas y Gomez Islands). Instead their range in incompatible element ratios is comparable to the submarine basalts from the recently investigated Ahu and Umu volcanic field (Easter hotspot) (Scientific Party SO80, 1993) and centered at about 80 km west of Easter Island. The oblique ridges and their associated seamounts are likely to represent ancient leaky transform faults created during the initial stage of the Easter microplate formation ( 5 Ma). It appears that volcanic activity on seamounts overlying the oblique volcanic ridges has continued during their westward drift from the microplate as shown by the presence of relatively fresh lava observed on one of these structures, namely the first Oblique Volcanic Ridge near 25° S–118° W at about 160 km west of the Easter microplate West Rift. Based on a reconstruction of the Easter microplate, it is suggested that the Crough seamount (< 800 m depth) was formed by earlier (7–10 Ma) hotspot magmatic activity which also created Easter Island.     

Growth of the MRI in accretion discs – the influence of radiation transport

In this paper, we investigate the influence of radiative transport on the growth of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in accretion discs. The analysis is performed by the use of analytical and numerical means. We provide a general dispersion relation together with the corresponding eigenfunctions describing the growth rates of small disturbances on a homogeneous background shear flow. The dispersion relation includes compressibility and radiative effects in the flux-limited diffusion approximation. By introducing an effective speed of sound, all the effects of radiation transport can be subsumed into one single parameter. It can be shown that the growth rates of the vertical modes – which are the fastest growing ones – are reduced by radiative transport. For the case of non-vertical modes, the growth rates may instead be enhanced. We quantify the effects of compressibility and radiative diffusion on the growth rates for the gas-pressure dominated case. The analytical discussion is supplemented by numerical simulations, which are also used for a first investigation of the non-linear stage of the MRI in gas-pressure dominated accretion discs with radiation transport included.     

Exploring the link between climate change and migration

Previous research has postulated that climate change will lead to mass migration. However, the linkages postulated between the two have not been explicitly demonstrated but have rather been derived from ‘common sense’. In this paper, the connection between climate change and migration via two mechanisms, sea level rise and floods, is investigated and depicted in conceptual models. In both cases, a connection can be traced and the linkages are made explicit. However, the study also clearly shows that the connection is by no means deterministic but depends on numerous factors relating to the vulnerability of the people and the region in question.     

Structural evolution and strike-slip tectonics off north-western Sumatra

Based on new multi-channel seismic data, swath bathymetry, and sediment echosounder data we present a model for the interaction between strike-slip faulting and forearc basin evolution off north-western Sumatra between 2°N and 7°N. We examined seismic sequences and sea floor morphology of the Simeulue- and Aceh forearc basins and the adjacent outer arc high. We found that strike-slip faulting has controlled the forearc basin evolution since the Late Miocene. The Mentawai Fault Zone extends up to the north of Simeulue Island and was most probably connected farther northwards to the Sumatran Fault Zone until the end of the Miocene. Since then, this northern branch jumped westwards, initiating the West Andaman Fault in the Aceh area. The connection to the Mentawai Fault Zone is a left-hand step-over. In this transpressional setting the Tuba Ridge developed. We found a right-lateral strike-slip fault running from the conjunction of the West Andaman Fault and the Tuba Ridge in SSW-direction crossing the outer arc high. As a result, extrusion formed a marginal basin north of Simeulue Island which is tilted eastwards by uplift along a thrust fault in the west. The shift of strike-slip movement in the Aceh segment is accompanied by a relocation of the depocenter of the Aceh Basin to the northwest, forming one major Neogene unconformity. The Simeulue Basin bears two major Neogene unconformities, documenting that differences in subsidence evolution along the northern Sumatran margin are linked to both forearc-evolution related to subduction processes and to deformation along major strike-slip faults.     

Eckfeld Maar: Window into an Eocene Terrestrial Habitat in Central Europe

<正>To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Rheinische Naturforschende Gesellschaft in 2009 and of the centennial of the Mainz Natural History Museum in 2010,we present a short account of our present knowledge of the Eckfeld Maar after 20 years of continuous research.This paper does not attempt to include all of the detailed results on the geology of the Eckfeld site or its biota.To date,nearly 250 papers and books have been published since the start of our project.An up-to-date list of these publications can be found at www.eckfeldermaar. de.     

Mining lakes as groundwater‐dominated hydrological systems: assessment of the water balance of Mining Lake Plessa 117 (Lusatia,Germany) using stable isotopes

In the present study, the stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H were used for assessment of the water balance in a heterogeneously structured catchment area in the Lusatian Lignite Mining District, in particular, for estimation of the annual groundwater inflow and outflow (I_GW and O_GW) of Mining Lake Plessa 117. The application of stable isotopes was possible since the water exchange in the catchment area had reached steady‐state conditions after the abandonment of mining activities in 1968 and the filling of the voids and aquifers by re‐rising groundwater in the years thereafter. Diverging slopes of the Evaporation Line and the Global Meteoric Water Line manifested as evaporation from the lake catchment area. The calculated isotope water balance was compared with the commonly used surface water balance, which is unable to differentiate between I_GW and O_GW, and with a local groundwater model. The groundwater model calculated an I_GW of about 811 000 m³ yr^?1 and an O_GW close to zero, whereas the isotope water balance showed fluxes of about 914 000 and 140 000 m³ yr^?1, respectively. Considering the contribution of the groundwater inflow to the total annual input into the lake (ΔI_T) and the mean residence time (τ), where the groundwater model and the isotope water balance calculated 42 and 47% for ΔI_T and 4·3 and 3·9 years for τ, respectively, it was shown that both water balance calculation methods led to comparable results despite the differences in I_GW and O_GW. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrostatic pressure tests for the permeability - formation factor relation on crystalline rocks from the KTB drilling project

Transport properties (permeability and electrical conductivity) have been measured at different hydrostatic pressure runs on 7 crystalline rocks (gneisses and amphibolites) sampled from the KTB drilling project. The decrease of permeability by pressure are compared with the pressure-dependent data of the electrical conductivity (formation factor) resulting from complex impedance measurements. According to the equivalent-channel model (ECM), there exists a linear relationship between these parameters by representing both properties on logarithmic scales. The results show that it is possible to extrapolate high-pressure permeability from low-pressure (< 60 MPa) permeability data by using the pressure-dependent electrical conductivity (up to 300 MPa).     

Die Hochflächen-Treppe der Nordeifel und ihre Beziehungen zum Tertiär und Quartär der Niederrheinischen Bucht

The tableland of the northern Eifel consists of a whole series of levelling planations which descend like steps to the plain of the Lower Rhine or form broad terraces along the river valleys. A similar staircase structure can be seen in the Cretaceous range of the Aachener Wald. The oldest obliquely situated plateau of the Hohe Venn is a resurrected fossil peneplain which was formed before the Maastricht formation as can be proved by scanty remains of the flinty chalk (Maastricht) which still overlays this peneplain at the present time. Therefore the great elevation of the northern Eifel to heights of 2280 feet above sea-level did not follow until later than Upper Cretaceous.The indentation of this old Cretaceous peneplain presumably resulted in the formation of an older system of plateaus in Oligocene and in a system of young plateaus in Miocene which had the appearance of a staircase. These tableland systems originated in times of slight elevation in which superficial denudation must have predominated under the influence of a damp climate and intensive chemical decomposition of the rocks. During the Lower Miocene and Pliocene epochs considerable elevatory movements occurred which led occasionally to the formation of steep obsequent slopes at the edges of both systems. During the Lower Pleistocene epoch glacial conditions existed and at this time the main period of terrace formation occurred. In the course of this period there was a great gravel accumulation which was linked with lateral erosion and which, whith the aid of its valley terraces and rubble remains, can be traced as far as the foreland. A later, very marked incision of the rivers can be traced back to great elevations of land which occurred after this period. The rhythmic alternation of periods of elevation and inactivity can be seen in the morphological development of the northern Eifel. The individual periods of tableland and terrace formation can be related to corresponding sediments belonging to the Upper Tertiary and the Quaternary periods.

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Résumé Le paysage en plateaux emboîtés du Nord de l'Eifel se compose de toute une série de surfaces de nivellement qui descendent en gradins vers la plaine basse du Rhin inférieur ou constituent de larges terrasses le long des vallées fluviales. Une pareille structure en plateaux étagés est décelable dans la petite montagne crétacée du Aachener Wald. Le plus ancien haut plateau incliné des Hautes Fagnes représente une ancienne pénépleine à nouveau exhumée qui s'est formée avant le Maastrichtien comme on peut le démontrer par des restes peu abondants d'éluvions à silex (pierre à feu) qui lui servait autrefois de couverture. Le fort soulèvement du Nord de l'Eifel jusqu'à des hauteurs de 760 au dessus du niveau de la mer ne s'est produit par conséquent qu'après le crétacé supérieure.Á l'oligocène, un système plus ancien de surfaces applanies étagées et au miocène, un système de surfaces plus jeunes ont été probablement entaillés en gradins dans cette ancienne pénéplaine crétacée. Ces systèmes de plateaux emboîtés ont pris naissance à des époques de faible soulèvement, où l'érosion en surface a dû prédominer sous l'influence d'un climat humide et d'une décomposition chimique intensive de la roche. Au miocène inférieur et au pliocène ils ont chaque fois produit des mouvements de soulèvement assez forts qui ont entraîné la formation de versants à profil plus abrupt au bord des deux systèmes. Dans les conditions glaciaires, du pleistocène ancien, de l'époque des principales terrasses, il se produisit un important remblaiement de cailloutis uni à une érosion latérale et que l'on peut suivre jusque dans les parties avancées du territoire à l'aide de ses terrasses de vallées et de ses restes de cailloutis. Une forte entaille ultérieure des fleuves remonte à de vastes soulèvements de terrain postérieurs à cette époque. C'est ainsi que dans l'évolution morphologique du Nord de l'Eifel s'exprime l'alternance rythmique de périodes de soulèvement et de repos. Les différentes époques de formations de hauts plateaux étagés et de terrasses peuvent être mises en relation avec des sédiments correspondants parallèles du tertiaire supérieur et du quaternaire de la baie du Rhin inférieur.

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Limnologische Transport- und Nährstoffmodelle

Physical as well as biochemical processes have a significant influence on the material balance of a lake. Mathematical concepts are developed to treat transport phenomena with which a comparison of different lakes under certain systematic aspects becomes possible. A two-box model consisting of the subsystems epilimnion and hypolimnion, for lakes with one specific limiting nutrient factor (e.g., phosphorus) is employed to evaluate eutrophication processes. In particular, a theoretical basis forVollenweider's [3] empirical relation between specific phosphorus loading and the trophic state is presented. Finally, the inhomogeneous O₂-consumption in the deep part of the lake during summer stagnation is calculated with diffusion theory.      

Untersuchung der CO2-Konzentration im Tropopausenniveau

Zusammenfassung Zwischen 50° bis 85°N Breite wurde die atmosphärische CO₂-Konzentration während mehrerer Messflüge registriert. Diese war oberhalb der Tropopause bis zu 7 ppm (im Mittel etwa 2 ppm) niedriger als in der oberen Troposphäre. Im Jahresmittel entspricht diese CO₂-Konzentrationsdifferenz einem Fluss von etwa 10^–2 g CO₂/cm² Jahr aus der nördlichen Troposphäre in die Stratosphäre. Die Bedeutung dieser CO₂-Konzentrationsunterschiede für den atmosphärischen CO₂-Haushalt sowie für die Strahlungsbilanz im Tropopausenniveau kann erst nach Vorlage weiterer, über das ganze Jahr verteilter Messdaten erfolgen.

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Summary CO₂-concentration was measured during several flights in northern latitudes (50°–85°). Above Tropopause CO₂-concentration was up to 7 ppm (as a mean some 2 ppm) smaller than in upper troposphere. As a mean this difference in CO₂-concentration cm² year conforms to a CO₂-flux of some 10^–2 g CO₂/cm² year from northern troposphere into stratosphere. The importance of these CO₂-differences for atmospheric CO₂-system and for radiation balance in tropopause-height may be considered as soon as more CO₂-concentration data for the whole year are available.