Pyroclastic flows from the 1991 eruption of Unzen volcano,Japan

Pyroclastic flows from Unzen were generated by gravitational collapse of the growing lava dome. As soon as the parental lobe failed at the edge of the dome, spontaneous shattering of lava occurred and induced a gravity flow of blocks and finer debris. The flows had a overhanging, tongue-like head and cone- or rollershaped vortices expanding outward and upward. Most of the flows traveled from 1 to 3 km, but some flows reached more than 4 km, burning houses and killing people in the evacuated zone of Kita-kamikoba on the eastern foot of the volcano. The velocities of the flows ranged from 15 to 25 m/s on the gentle middle flank. Observations of the flows and their deposits suggest that they consisted of a dense basal avalanche and an overlying turbulent ash cloud. The basal avalanche swept down a topographic low and formed to tongue-like lobe having well-defined levees; it is presumed to have moved as a non-Newtonian fluid. The measured velocities and runout distances of the flows can be matched to a Bingham model for the basal avalanche by the addition of turbulent resistance. The rheologic model parameters for the 29 May flow are as follows: the density is 1300 kg/m³, the yield strength is 850 Pa, the viscosity is 90 Pa s, and the thickness of the avalanche is 2 m. The ash cloud is interpreted as a turbulent mixing layer above the basal avalanche. The buoyant portions of the cloud produced ash-fall deposits, whereas the dense portions moved as a surge separated from the parental avalanche. The ash-cloud surges formed a wide devastated zone covered by very thin debris. The initial velocities of the 3 June surges, when they detached from avalanches, are determined by the runout distance and the angle of the energy-line slope. A comparison between the estimated velocities of the 3 June avalanches and the surges indicates that the surges that extended steep slopes along the avalanche path, detached directly from the turbulent heads of the avalanches. The over-running surge that reached Kita-Kamikoba had an estimated velocity higher than that of the avalanche; this farther-travelled surge is presumed to have been generated by collapse of a rising ash-cloud plume.     

1992 compilation of analytical data for rare-earth elements, scandium, yttrium, zirconium and hafnium in twenty-six GSJ reference samples

Abstract: Analytical data for fourteen rare-earth elements, scandium, yttrium, zirconium and hafnium, received by May 1992, have been compiled on twenty-six GSJ (Geological Survey of Japan) reference samples. Seventeen of them are 'Igneous rock series' and nine are "Sedimentary rock series". The reported data including personal communication were evaluated under the consideration on analytical methods and geochemical evidences. No significant difference has been observed between the values obtained by the different analytical methods. Based on the selected available data, 1992 compilation values were tabulated.     

Elemental Concentrations in Nine New GSJ Rock Reference Samples "Sedimentary Rock Series"

Nine new rock reference samples of the "Sedimentary rock series", Chert JCh-1, Dolomite JDo-1, Lake sediment JLk-1, Limestone JLs-1, Stream sediments JSd-1 to JSd-3, and Slates JS1-1 and JSl-2 have been prepared by the Geological Survey of Japan(GSJ). Thirty major, minor and trace elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry, flame emission spectrometry, infrared absorption spectrometry and wet chemical techniques. The results of homogeneity tests showed that almost all elements, with a few exceptions, are considered to be distributed homogeneously in each reference sample.     

Determination of Silver in Seventy-Three Geochemical Reference Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

The silver content of seventy-three geochemical reference samples has been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using an air-acetylene flame or a graphite furnace atomizer, after extraction of silver as iodide with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). A comparison with published data shows clearly the need for much more data on most reference samples.     

Determination of Gold in Sixty Geochemical Reference Samples by Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

The gold content of sixty geochemical reference samples has been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite furnace atomizer after digestion of sample with aqua regia and extraction of gold as chloride by methylisobutylketone. A comparison with published data shows clearly the need for much more data on most samples before consensus values could be assigned.
La teneur en or dans soixante échantillons géochimiques de référence a été déterminée par le spectromètre d'absorption atomique équipé d'un four à graphite. L'échantillon a été mis en solution avec de l'eau régale et l'or extrait avec du methylisobutylketone. Un examen des données publiées sur l'or montre qu'il faut davantage de résultats pour fixer des valeurs de consensus dans la plupart des échantillons.     

1996 COMPILATION OF ANALYTICAL DATA ON NINE GSJ GEOCHEMICAL REFERENCE SAMPLES, "SEDIMENTARY ROCK SERIES"

Analytical data compiled on nine Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) reference samples, "Sedimentary rock series" received by February 1996 are reported. After excluding outliers and examining critically the analytical procedures employed, the data were evaluated statistically. Recommended or preferable values for fifteen major and sixty minor and trace elements are proposed.     

A new model of back-arc spreading in the Parece Vela Basin, northwest Pacific margin

Abstract Swath bathymetric data, single-channel seismic reflection profiles, magnetic and gravity anomalies in the northern part of the Parece Vela (West Mariana) Basin were obtained by comprehensive surveys conducted by the Hydrographic Department of Japan. The central zone of the Parece Vela Basin is characterized by the north-south trending chain of depressions in a right-stepping en echelon alignment. The morphology of these depressions is diamond shaped and bordered by steep escarpments of 1000-1500 m relative height. These fault escarpments extend northeastward and southwestward from the depressions into the surrounding basin floor and then gradually fade out. These escarpments have an S-shaped trend, and their geometry seems to be symmetric about the depressions. Minor ridges and troughs trending orthogonal to these escarpments are recognized. It is concluded that these depressions and escarpments are the topographic expression of extinct spreading axes and S-shaped transform faults, respectively. The age of the central depressions seems to be young, although details of tectonic processes forming them remains unsolved. The western province of the basin floor and basement is extremely rugged and characterized by minor ridges and troughs trending in a north-south direction. Although magnetic anomalies of the basin are very weak, magnetic lineations trending parallel to the topographic trend are recognizable in the central and western parts of the basin. Based on updated geomorpholog-ical features and magnetic anomalies revealed by the present survey, together with the previously published data including drilling results, it is proposed that the evolution of Parece Vela Basin took place in four stages of opening and tectonic activity: rifting, east-west spreading, northeast-southwest spreading with counter-clockwise rotation of spreading axes, and post-spreading deformation and volcanism. This proposed spreading model of the Parece Vela Basin is similar to that of the adjacent Shikoku Basin. The spreading axes of both basins were segmented and gradually rotated counter-clockwise in a later phase of the basin evolution, after the cessation of relatively uniform spreading nearly in an east-west direction.     

The Preparation and Characterisation of Two New Geological Survey of Japan Geochemical Reference Materials: Copper ore JCu-1 and Zinc ore JZn-1

Two new geochemical reference materials, copper ore JCu-1 and zinc ore JZn-1 have been prepared by the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) for the determination of major and minor elements and isotopic compositions. JCu-1 is a sample of Cu-bearing sulfide ore typical of the Kamaishi mine in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and is composed mainly of hedenbergite, chalcopyrite, quartz and calcite. Pyrrhotite, magnetite and actinolitic amphibole were also commonly found. The Zn-rich ore, JZn-1 is a crude ore from the Kamioka Pb-Zn mine in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The sample consists of hedenbergite, quartz, calcite, sphalerite and epidote as main crystalline phase. Homogeneity test results showed that all studied constituents including ore elements such as Cu, Pb and Zn can be considered to be homogeneously distributed. Provisional collaborative analyses were carried out in ten laboratories, and the data were evaluated using a robust statistical method using z-scores. Recommended values for a number of major elements including TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, Fe (total), Zn, Cu and Pb were established. In addition, information values for eighteen major, minor and trace elements are presented to support future collaborative analyses.     

The 1989 submarine eruption off eastern Izu Peninsula,Japan: ejecta and eruption mechanisms

The submarine eruption of a new small knoll, which was named Teishi knoll, off eastern Izu Peninsula behind the Izu-Mariana arc occurred in the evening of 13 July 1989. This is the first historic eruption of the Higashi-Izu monogenetic volcano group. The eruption of 13 July followed an earthquake swarm near Ito city starting on 30 June. There were subsequent volcanic tremors on 11 and 12 July, and the formation of the Teishi knoll on the 100 m deep insular shelf 4 km northeast of Ito city. There were five submarine explosions, which were characterized by intermittent domelike bulges of water and black tephra-jets, which occurred within 10 min on 13 July. Ejecta of the eruption was small in volume and composed of highly crystalline basalt scoria, highly vesiculated pumice, and lithic material. Petrographical features suggest that the pumice was produced by vesiculation of reheated wet felsic tuff of an older formation. The Teishi knoll, before the eruption, was a circular dome, 450 m across and 25 m high, with steep sides and a flat summit. Considerations of submarine topographic change indicate the knoll was raised by sill-like intrusion of 10⁶ m³ of magma beneath a 30 m thick sediment blanket. This shallow intrusion is assumed to have started on 11 July when volcanic tremors were observed for the first time, but there was no indications of violent interaction between wet host sediments and intruding magma. The submarine eruption of 13 July appears to have been Friggered by a major lowering of the magma-column. The basalt scoria, having crystal-contents of more than 60%, is assumed to be derived from the cooled plastic margin of the shallow intrusive body. However, glassy scoria, which would indicate the interaction between hot fluidal magma and external water, was not observed. A scenario for the 1989 submarine eruption is as follows. When rapid subsidence of the hot interior of the intrusive magma occurred, reduced pressure caused the implosion of cooled plastic magma, adjacent pressurized, hot host material, and wet sediment. The mixing of these materials triggered the vigorous vapor explosions.     

Laser-Dye Imaging of the pH Field in a Laboratory Experiment

We established a precise DeLIF (Dual Emission Laser Light Fluorescence) system for the instant measurement of the pH field in laboratory experiments. This method is very important in studies of the biological impacts of CO₂ sequestration, i.e., effects of pH on organisms. The technique is demonstrated by applying it to the pH measurement around a liquid CO₂ droplet, which has a large gradient of CO₂ concentration near its interface, the concentration value on the boundary being known as the solubility of CO₂. In the Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) method using quinine and an ultraviolet laser light source, the relatively unstable pulse of the laser source decreased the measurement reliability. We therefore investigated many kinds of fluorescent dye and demonstrated the DeLIF measurement, identifying a process for cancelling fluctuations of laser light intensity. Quinine and sulforhodamine were used as fluorescence dyes. The molar absorption coefficient and emission intensity of quinine depend on the pH of aqueous solutions, while those of sulforhodamine are not as much affected by pH. The ratio of these fluorescence intensities represents pH at each point of the image. As a result, the pH field was successfully measured with an uncertainty of only approximately ±0.005, for 3.0 < pH. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.