Tube-like schlieren structures in the Fürstenstein Intrusive Complex (Bavarian Forest,Germany): Evidence for melt segregation and magma flow at intraplutonic contacts

Tube-like schlieren structures occur at the boundary between two units of the Fürstenstein Intrusive Complex, the Tittling and the Saldenburg granites. We have analysed the magnetic fabrics, petrographic variation and geochemistry of key examples of these structures in order to test the hypothesis that they originated as granitic microdiapirs. The rims of the schlieren structures have high magnetic susceptibility compared to their interiors and surrounding granite due to the enrichment of biotite ± opaques. The low anisotropy that characterizes the AMS fabric is probably caused by magmatic flow. Hypersolidus microfabrics support this interpretation. Magnetic fabric orientation within the schlieren structures differs significantly from the NE–SW-trending magnetic foliation generally observed within the hosting Tittling granite. A steeply plunging magnetic lineation and a NNE–SSW girdle distribution of the magnetic foliation poles within the schlieren structures are consistent with the conical geometry of the schlieren structures evolved during the rise of the magma. Based on geochemistry, granite in the schlieren structures is interpreted to be differentiated melt expelled from the Tittling granite mush that formed after early crystallization of plagioclase. We suggest that the schlieren structures are pockets of residual melt of the Tittling granite that were mobilized buoyantly due to a thermal input from the neighbouring Saldenburg granite. The mafic rims of the schlieren structures formed as a result of early crystallization and subsequent accumulation due of the Bagnold effect. The results of the magnetic and geochemical investigations allow us to interpret the schlieren structures as diapiric in nature and consequently as “within-chamber diapirs” (sensu Weinberg et al., 2001).     

Experimental investigation and application of garnet granulite equilibria

Two mineralogic geobarometers based on the assemblages olivine-plagioclase-garnet and orthopyroxeneplagioclase-garnet-quartz have been calibrated from the reaction (1) fayalite+anorthite?garnet (Gr₁Alm₂). The reaction boundary has been determined to within 0.2 kbar using piston-cylinder apparatus. It is located at 4.7, 5.1, 5.5, 5.8, 6.2, 6.6, and 7.0 kbar at 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1,000, and 1,050° C, respectively. Summation of ΔG for reaction (1) and fayalite +quartz?ferrosilite locates to within 0.3 kbar the following model garnet-forming reaction for quartz-saturated granulites: (2) ferrosilite+ anorthite?garnet(Gr₁ Alm₂) + quartz. Geobarometers based on (1) and (2) are widely applicable in granulite terranes and yield precise pressures that are in agreement with other well-calibrated barometers. Pressures of 7–10 kbar are inferred for many granulite terranes requiring the widespread development of 60–70 km thick continental crust by mid-Proterozoic.     

The importance of grain size and shape in controlling the dispersion of the Vedde cryptotephra

Volcanic ash is dispersed in the atmosphere according to meteorology and particle properties, including size and shape. However, the multiple definitions of size and shape for non-spherical particles affect our ability to use physical particle properties to understand tephra transport. Moreover, although particles are often excluded from operational ash dispersion model setups, ash in tephra deposits 1000 km from source can exceed . Here we measure the shape and size of samples of Vedde ash from Iceland, an exceptionally widespread tephra layer in Europe, collected in Iceland and Norway. Using X-ray computed tomography and optical microscopy, we show that distal ash is more anisotropic than proximate ash, suggesting that shape exerts an important control on tephra dispersion. Shape also impacts particle size measurements. Particle long axis, a parameter often reported by tephrochronologists, is on average greater than geometric size, used by dispersion modellers. By using geometric size and quantifying shape, we can explain the transport of Vedde ash particles more than 1200 km from source. We define a set of best practices for measuring the size and shape of cryptotephra shards and discuss the benefits and limitations of using physical particle properties to understand cryptotephra transport.     

Searching for large-scale structure in deep radio surveys

We calculate the expected amplitude of the dipole and higher spherical harmonics in the angular distribution of radio galaxies. The median redshift of radio sources in existing catalogues is z  ∼ 1, which allows us to study large-scale structure on scales between those accessible to present optical and infrared surveys, and that of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The dipole is a result of two effects which turn out to be of comparable magnitude: (i) our motion with respect to the CMB, and (ii) large-scale structure, parametrized here by a family of cold dark matter power-spectra. We make specific predictions for the Green Bank 1987 (87GB) and Parkes–MIT–NRAO (PMN) catalogues, which in our combined catalogue include ∼ 40 000 sources brighter than 50 mJy at 4.85 GHz, over about 70 per cent of the sky. For these relatively sparse catalogues both the motion and large-scale structure dipole effects are expected to be smaller than the Poisson shot noise. However, we detect dipole and higher harmonics in the combined 87GB–PMN_raw catalogue which are far larger than expected. We attribute this to a 2 per cent flux mismatch between the two catalogues. Ad hoc corrections made in an effort to match the catalogues may suggest a marginal detection of a dipole. To detect a dipole and higher harmonics unambiguously, a catalogue with full sky coverage and ∼ 10⁶ sources is required. We also investigate the existence and extent of the supergalactic plane in the above catalogues. In a strip of ± 10° of the standard supergalactic equator, we find a 3 σ detection in PMN_raw, but only 1 σ in 87 GB_raw. We briefly discuss the implications of ongoing surveys such as FIRST and NVSS and follow-up redshift surveys.     

Variance and skewness in the FIRST survey

We investigate the large-scale clustering of radio sources in the FIRST 1.4-GHz survey by analysing the distribution function ( counts in cells ). We select a reliable sample from the the FIRST catalogue, paying particular attention to the problem of how to define single radio sources from the multiple components listed. We also consider the incompleteness of the catalogue. We estimate the angular two-point correlation function w (θ), the variance Ψ₂ and skewness Ψ₃ of the distribution for the various subsamples chosen on different criteria. Both w (θ) and Ψ₂ show power-law behaviour with an amplitude corresponding to a spatial correlation length of r ₀ ∼ 10  h ⁻¹Mpc. We detect significant skewness in the distribution, the first such detection in radio surveys. This skewness is found to be related to the variance through Ψ₃ =  S ₃(Ψ₂)^α, with α = 1.9 ± 0.1, consistent with the non-linear gravitational growth of perturbations from primordial Gaussian initial conditions. We show that the amplitude of variance and the skewness are consistent with realistic models of galaxy clustering.     

Reflections Upon the State of Asian Tourism

This paper addresses the implications of the Asian economic crisis for tourism. The nature of the crisis is discussed briefly and its occurrence at a time of previously rapid regional growth in tourism is pointed out. It is argued that effective demand diminished at a time when supply was increasing. In the short term, reductions in regional travel and spending have been widespread and not confined to Southeast Asia. In the longer term, reduced real prices will make Asian destinations highly competitive in long-haul markets provided that the quality of products is maintained. The crisis emphasises the need to examine tourism planning initiatives, to acknowledge that the tourism product consists of more than the provision of quality accommodation, and to give greater attention to product differentiation.     

Late Paleozoic radiolarians from the Bentong-Raub suture zone, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Radiolarians extracted from marine siliceous sediments from the Bentong-Raub suture zone, Peninsular Malaysia have indicated a range of ages for olistostromal blocks of bedded chert, siliceous argillite and tuffaceous argillite, and chert clasts and lenses within the mélange from the suture zone. Late Devonian (Faniennian), Early Carboniferous (Tournaisian and Viséan) and Early Permian (Wolfcampian and Leonardian) ages are represented by seven radiolarian zones from ten localities along the suture zone. In stratigraphic order these include Holoeciscus 2–3 Assemblage Zones, Albaillella paradoxa Zone, Albaillella dejendrei Zone, Albaillella cartalla Zone, Pseudoalbaillella lomentaria Zone, Albaillella sinuata Zone and Pseudoalbaillella longtanensis Zone. Fifteen genera are represented by 35 species. The range of ages from Late Devonian to Early Permian suggests that an ocean existed between the Sibumasu and East Malaya terranes from at least Late Devonian to late Early Permian time and that closure of the ocean between the two terranes could not have occurred until after late Early Permian time. The range of ages and rock types from different depositional environments, indicate that the Bentong-Raub suture zone includes a disrupted accretionary complex.     

Modelling of the thermal dependence of structural and elastic properties of calcite, CaCO3

A computational method, based on the quasiharmonic approximation, has been computer-coded to calculate the temperature dependence of elastic constants and structural features of crystals. The model is applied to calcite, CaCO₃; an interatomic potential based on a C-O Morse function and Ca-O and O-O Borntype interactions, including a shell model for O, has been used. Equilibrations in the range 300–800 K reproduce the experimental unit-cell edges and bond lengths within 1%. The simulated thermal expansion coefficients are 22.3 (//c) and 2.6 (⊥ c), against 25.5 and-3.7×10^?6K^?1 experimental values, respectively. The thermal coefficients of elastic constants tend to be underestimated; for the bulk modulus, -2.3 against-3.7×10^?4K^?1 is obtained.     

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE BATHURST CARIBOU HERD IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA

The Bathurst barren-ground caribou herd was chosen as the focus of a study of the possible effects of a changed climate on hunting of a caribou herd in the Northwest Territories. Four climate change scenarios representing conditions under a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were used in the study. The locations of the Bathurst herd throughout the year were determined, and the 1951 to 1980 average monthly temperatures and total monthly precipitation amounts were ascertained at those locations. The four climate change scenarios were applied, with changes in average monthly temperatures and in total monthly precipitation amounts noted. Analyses indicate a possible increase in winter snowfall, and increased insect harassment of caribou in the summer, due to an increase in average monthly temperatures. The reduced accessibility and health of caribou in the Bathurst herd suggest a reduced hunting potential. Management options are briefly discussed.