Earthquakes and strength in the laminated lower crust —Can they be explained by the “corset model”?

We present a model that may explain deep crustal earthquakes observed, in particular, in several areas of highly reflective (laminated) lower continental crust. We combine observations from earthquake seismology, crustal reflection seismics and tectonic-rheological concepts. The study concentrates on parts of the northern Alpine foreland where many earthquakes occur inside the laminated lower crust, which is generally considered to be warm and weak. Thin mafic/ultramafic, sill-like intrusions and invisible dykes are assumed to form a corset-like network with high strength. This model can explain the observed strong and multiple reflections and the occurrence of rupture inside a stable structure within a weak lower crust. Tectonic stress transfer (from the Alpine collision zone or/and the Upper Rhine Graben) and its release may follow classical friction concepts. In addition, the heterogeneity of the laminated lower crust may also favour various viscous instabilities.     

Can biochar and hydrochar stability be assessed with chemical methods?

Field application of biochar is intended to increase soil carbon (C) storage. The assessment of C storage potential of biochars lacks methods and standard materials. The reactivity of biochars and hydrochars may be one possible means of evaluating their environmental stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reactivity of biochar produced by gasification (GS) and hydrochar produced by hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC). The approach included analysis of the two different char types produced from the same three feedstocks. Moreover, we analysed the reactivity of Holocene charcoal (150 and 2000 yr old) to evaluate whether or not their use as standard materials to represent stable biochar is meaningful. We assessed carbon loss following oxidation with acid dichromate as well as hydrolysis with HCl. Our results showed that chemical reactivity is not a straightforward approach for characterising the stability of biochar and hydrochar. Acid hydrolysis showed little difference between HTCs and GSs, despite the contrasting elemental composition. Using acid dichromate oxidation, we determined that GSs contained ca. 70% of oxidation resistant C while the proportion for HTCs was < 10%. The different feedstocks had a slight, but significant, influence on the reactivity of GSs and HTCs. The content of oxidation resistant C decreased in the order 100 yr old charcoal = GSs > 2000 yr old charcoal > HTCs > feedstock and was related to elemental composition. This shows that acid dichromate oxidation may allow differentiation of the reactivity of modern biochars but that there is not necessarily a relationship between reactivity and age of Holocene charcoals. As the chemical reactivity of biochars may change with exposure time in soil, it is poorly suited for assessing their environmental residence time.     

Is most hummocky cross‐stratification formed by large‐scale ripples?

Although normal isotropic hummocky cross‐stratification is commonly interpreted to be the deposit of large‐scale ripples, there are many reasons why this may not usually be the case. These reasons include: (i) that the stratification produced by large‐scale ripples does not particularly look like isotropic hummocky cross‐stratification; (ii) that it is difficult reconciling the abundance of HCS with the restricted hydraulic stability of large‐scale ripples in silt to fine sand (i.e. the grain sizes in which hummocky cross‐stratification is usually found); (iii) that the distribution of hummocky cross‐stratification within ancient storm beds is not the distribution that would be expected from large‐scale ripples; (iv) that the flows calculated to have formed ancient examples of hummocky cross‐stratification would be expected to generate an upper stage plane bed rather than ripples; and (v) that it is difficult to explain why large‐scale ripples would predominate in the proximal parts of storm beds when modern storm flows commonly exceed the threshold for entrainment. In contrast to the various hypotheses which propose that isotropic hummocky cross‐stratification is generated by ripples, an alternative hypothesis which suggests that it is generated by instabilities, does seem to adequately explain the origin of hummocky cross‐stratification. However, it is difficult to accept this hypothesis given that the origin of the proposed instabilities is unproven. These conclusions highlight the continued uncertainty regarding the process, which generates hummocky cross‐stratification.     

Can fossil bones and teeth be dated using fission track analysis?

The high proportion of crystallized apatite forming the bones and teeth should theoretically allow the use of fission track analysis to date vertebrate fossils when burying of the fossiliferous series did not subject them to temperatures exceeding 60 °C. However several major obstacles arise such as the complexity of fossils' internal structures, diagenetic modifications and substitutions of the hydroxyapatite by other minerals, and massive U uptake or loss during diagenesis. In this work, those various problems are addressed combining optical microscope observation of the fossils, a systematic fission track analysis of the best samples, α and γ spectrometry and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. Even if the problems caused by internal structures and mineral substitutions can be solved, U movements in and out of the fossils are generally too complex to allow fission track analysis dating of the fossils.     

Earth's spin and volcanic eruptions: evidence for mutual cause‐and‐effect interactions?

The angular velocity of Earth's rotation shows decadal oscillations due to the lunisolar gravitational torque, as well as inter‐ or intra‐annual changes arising from the angular momentum exchange between the atmosphere and the solid Earth. The energies involved in the Length of Day (LOD) variations may affect the crustal deformation rate and seismic energy release on a global scale. We found significant correlation between the occurrences of major volcanic eruptions and the LOD pattern since AD 1750. On a multiyear scale, eruption frequency worldwide increases with LOD changes. Moreover, the injection of sulphur gases into the atmosphere during major eruptions is accompanied by significant inter‐annual LOD variations. This provides evidence of complex mutual cause‐and‐effect interactions: stress changes induced by multiyear variations in Earth's spin may affect climactic volcanic activity; also, the atmosphere's dynamic response to volcanic plumes may result in global changes of wind circulation and climate, with consequent LOD variations.     

Can rapidly accumulating Holocene peat profiles provide sub‐decadal resolution proxy climate data?

To test the potential for developing sub‐decadal resolution records of ombrotrophic bog surface wetness (BSW), selected abrupt climate events were identified in cores from four sites in north‐west Europe and time‐slices over each event were investigated at 2–5‐mm resolution using peat humification, testate amoeba and plant macrofossil analyses. Age–depth models based on radiocarbon, spheroidal carbonaceous particle and tephra dates were applied and the error in these models was used to determine the effective temporal sampling resolution, which in most cases was sub‐decadal. Fine‐resolution results revealed some inconsistencies in the co‐variability of individual proxies and there was a lack of correspondence between some results from adjacent cores. However, we found evidence of abrupt shifts in BSW occurring over ca. 5–20 years, indicating a more rapid proxy response than identified in previous research. To maximize potential temporal resolution and produce reliable sub‐decadal BSW data in future research, we recommended that peat‐based studies should obtain the best possible chronological control, focus on sites with high species diversity and rapid accumulation rates and perform replicate coring, or use open peat sections where the stratigraphy can be clearly seen, to assess intra‐site differences in microtopography. Site‐specific factors should be a primary consideration in the selection of sites for future fine‐resolution research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bowing of marble slabs: can the phenomenon be arrested and prevented by inorganic treatments?

Bowing of thin marble slabs is a phenomenon affecting both historic monuments and modern buildings. In spite of the ubiquity and destructiveness of this phenomenon, no fully satisfactory treatment is currently available to arrest and/or prevent bowing. In this study, a treatment based on formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) was investigated as a possible route to arrest and possibly prevent bowing of Carrara marble slabs. Four different formulations of the HAP treatment were tested and compared to ammonium oxalate and ethyl silicate (widely used in the practice of marble conservation). The treatments were applied onto pre-weathered and unweathered specimens to investigate their ability to arrest and prevent bowing, respectively. Marble behavior was studied in terms of residual strain and bowing after thermal cycles up to 90 °C in dry and wet conditions. Marble cohesion was assessed before and after the thermal cycles by ultrasound. The HAP treatments exhibited promising results, as the residual strain and the bowing after the cycles were always lower or equal to the untreated references, while marble cohesion was always higher. Surprisingly, ammonium oxalate caused marked worsening of marble thermal behavior. In the case of ethyl silicate, most of the initial benefit after consolidation was lost after the thermal cycles. In general, the results of the study point out the importance of evaluating marble thermal behavior to assess the suitability of any conservation treatment and suggest that treatments able to strengthen marble without causing excessive pore occlusion and stiffening are preferable to enhance durability to thermal cycles.     

Can the long-term potential for carbonatization and safe long-term CO2 storage in sedimentary formations be predicted?

A sedimentary formation perturbated by supercritical CO₂ reacts by dissolving primary minerals and forming new secondary phases. In this process CO₂ may be trapped in stable carbonate minerals and may thereby be immobilized for long time spans. The potential for mineral trapping can be estimated by solving kinetic expressions for the reservoir minerals and possible secondary phases. This is, however, not trivial as kinetic data are uncertain or even lacking for the minerals of interest. Here, the rate equations most commonly used for CO₂ storage simulations have been solved, and the rate parameters varied, to obtain sensitivity on the total amount of CO₂ stored as mineral carbonate. As various expressions are in use to estimate growth rates of secondary carbonates, three formulations were compared, including one taking into account mineral nucleation preceding growth. The sensitivity studies were done on two systems, the Utsira Sand being representative for a cold quartz-rich sand (37 °C, 100 bar CO₂), and the Gulf Coast Sediment, being representative for a medium temperature quartz–plagioclase-rich system (75 °C, 300 bar CO₂).The simulations showed that the total predicted CO₂ mineral storage is especially sensitive to the choice of growth rate model and the reactive surface area. The largest sensitivity was found on α, fraction of total surface area available for reactions, with a reduction of one order of magnitude for all reacting phases leading to 3–4 times lower predicted CO₂ mineral storage. Because the reactive surface area is highly uncertain for natural systems, the range in predicted results may be even larger. The short-term predictions (<100–1000 a), such as the onset of carbonate growth, were highly sensitive to nucleation and growth rates. Moreover, the type of carbonate minerals formed was shown to be model dependent, with the simplest model predicting an unlikely carbonate assemblage at low temperature (i.e., formation of dolomite at 37 °C). Therefore, to use kinetic models to upscale short-term (<months) laboratory experiments in time, to identify the past reactions and physical conditions of natural CO₂ storage analogues, and finally to predict the potential for CO₂ trapping in existing and future storage projects, more knowledge has to be collected, especially on the reactive surface area of CO₂ storage reservoirs, and on the rate of secondary carbonate nucleation and growth.     

Spectral gamma‐ray logs and palaeoclimate change? Permian–Triassic,Persian Gulf

Spectral gamma ray (SGR) logs are used as stratigraphic tools in correlation, sequence stratigraphy and most recently, in clastic successions as a proxy for changes in hinterland palaeoweathering. In this study we analyse the spectral gamma ray signal recorded in two boreholes that penetrated the carbonate and evaporate‐dominated Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) in the South Pars Gasfield (offshore Iran, Persian Gulf) in an attempt to analyse palaeoenvironmental changes from the upper Permian (Upper Dalan Formation) and lower Triassic (Lower Kangan Formation). The results are compared to lithological changes, total organic carbon (TOC) contents and published stable isotope ( δ ¹⁸O, δ ¹³C) results. This work is the first to consider palaeoclimatic effects on SGR logs from a carbonate/evaporate succession. While Th/U ratios compare well to isotope data (and thus a change to less arid hinterland climates from the Late Permian to the Early Triassic), Th/K ratios do not, suggesting a control not related to hinterland weathering. Furthermore, elevated Th/U ratios in the Early Triassic could reflect a global drawdown in U, rather than a more humid episode in the sediment hinterlands, with coincident changes in TOC. Previous work that used spectral gamma ray data in siliciclastic successions as a palaeoclimate proxy may not apply in carbonate/evaporate sedimentary rocks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Does stress transmission in forelands depend on structural style? Distinctive stress magnitudes during Sevier thin‐skinned and Laramide thick‐skinned layer‐parallel shortening in the Bighorn Basin (USA) revealed by stylolite and calcite twinning paleopiezometry

The Sheep Mountain‐Little Sheep Mountain Anticlines, Bighorn Basin (USA) formed as basement‐cored Laramide structures in the formerly undeformed foreland of the thin‐skinned Sevier orogen. We take advantage of the well‐constrained microstructural network there to reconstruct differential stress magnitudes that prevailed during both Sevier and Laramide layer‐parallel shortening (LPS), before the onset of large‐scale folding. Differential stress magnitudes determined from tectonic stylolites are compared and combined to previous stress estimates from calcite twinning paleopiezometry in the same formations. During stress loading related to LPS, differential stress magnitudes transmitted from the distant Sevier thin‐skinned orogen into the sedimentary cover of the Bighorn basin (11–43 MPa) are higher than the differential stress magnitudes accompanying the early stage of LPS related to the thick‐skinned Laramide deformation (2–19 MPa). This study illustrates that the tectonic style of an orogen affects the transmission of early orogenic stress into the stable continental interior.     

Lake Cheko and the Tunguska Event: impact or non‐impact?

Several lines of evidence were presented in Gasperini et al. [Terra Nova (2007), vol. 19 , pp. 245–251] suggesting that Lake Cheko, a small lake close to the alleged epicentre of the 1908 Tunguska Event, might be a secondary impact crater. Collins et al. [Terra Nova (2008), this volume] argue against this hypothesis. We reply here arguing in favour of an impact origin for Lake Cheko.     

Zeolite zones in East Greenland: use of native copper by pre‐contact Inuit?

Zeolites are a diverse group of calcium and sodium aluminosilicate minerals. They are tectosilicates (3‐D arrays of SiO₄ tetrahedra), but vary in chemistry and crystal symmetry. Some readily exchange sodium for calcium and are used as water softeners. They also find applications as molecular sieves in petroleum refining, although the bulk of zeolites used industrially today are synthetic. These minerals form at low temperatures under well‐defined conditions and can be used as indicators of palaeotemperatures. In the same environment, but at higher temperatures, other minerals form including quartz, calcite, prehnite and even native copper. The Inuit of East Greenland, a Stone Age people, may have utilized native copper from this environment as did the Copper Inuit of the central Canadian Arctic.     

Can shells of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) be used to estimate low summer discharge of rivers and associated droughts?

This paper examines if shell oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O_ar) of Unio sp. can be used as a proxy of past discharge of the river Meuse. The proxy was developed from a modern dataset for the reference time interval 1997–2007, which showed a logarithmic relationship between discharge and measured water oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O_w). To test this relationship for past time intervals, δ¹⁸O_ar values were measured in the aragonite of the growth increments of four Unio sp. shells; two from a relatively wet period and two from a very dry time interval (1910–1918 and 1969–1977, respectively). Shell δ¹⁸O_ar records were converted into δ¹⁸O_w values using existing water temperature records. Summer δ¹⁸O_w values, reconstructed from δ¹⁸O_ar of 1910–1918, showed a similar range as the summer δ¹⁸O_w values for the reference time interval 1997–2007, whilst summer reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w values for the time interval 1969–1977 were anomalously high. These high δ¹⁸O_w values suggest that the river Meuse experienced severe summer droughts during the latter time interval. δ¹⁸O_w values were then applied to calculate discharge values. It was attempted to estimate discharge from the reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w values using the logarithmic relationship between δ¹⁸O_w and discharge. A comparison of the calculated summer discharge results with observed discharge data showed that Meuse low-discharge events below a threshold value of 6 m³/s can be detected in the reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w records, but true quantification remains problematic.     

Can Plant Competition and Diversity Reduce the Growth and Survival of Exotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> Invading a Tidal Marsh?

The rapid proliferation of Phragmites australis in North America has challenged resource managers to curb its expansion and reduce the loss of functional tidal marsh. We investigated whether native plant competition could reduce the ability of Phragmites to invade a tidal marsh, and if plant diversity (species richness, evenness, and composition) altered the competitive outcome. Immature Phragmites shoots and four native halophytes were transplanted to small but dense field plots (~1,200 shoots m⁻²) comprising three community structure types (Phragmites alone, Phragmites + 1 native species, and Phragmites + 4 native species). Interspecific competition significantly reduced Phragmites aboveground biomass, shoot length production, density, and survival by approximately 60%. Additionally, plots planted with greater native diversity contained Phragmites with the lowest growth and survival, potentially indicating diversity-enhanced resource competition. Competition consistently reduced the growth of Phragmites even under favorable conditions: lack of strong tidal flooding stresses as well as elevated nutrient pools.     

Late Wenlock carbon isotope excursions and associated conodont fauna in the Podlasie Depression,eastern Poland: a not‐so‐big crisis?

The middle Silurian ‘big crisis’ refers to a graptolite extinction event and faunal turnover at the onset of a double‐peaked positive carbon isotope excursion. The crisis has been proposed to affect conodonts, giving rise to a sophisticated palaeoecological model of their stepwise extinction, known as the Mulde Event. However, the impact of the event on conodont faunas outside Gotland and the Silurian Baltic Basin remains unknown. Here, it is examined in the Widowo IG‐1 core (E Poland). The middle Silurian succession in this core represents foreshoal, shoal, and lagoonal settings on a tropical carbonate ramp on the shelf of the Eastern European Craton. Three positive δ¹³C_carb excursions have been identified; the two upper excursions correlate with the Mulde isotope anomaly and with two global eustatic regressions. Conodont species proposed to be affected by the extinction event either were not observed or ranged through the extinction interval. Changes in their frequencies are best explained by the sequence stratigraphic architecture of the late Wenlock strata in the Widowo IG‐1 core. The little impact of the ‘big crisis’ may reflect facies homogeneity across the studied interval, supporting the hypothesis that the late Wenlock conodont turnover in epicontinental settings was primarily driven by eustatically controlled facies shifts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An (in‐)coherent metamorphic evolution of high‐P eclogites and their host rocks in the Chinese southwest Tianshan?

In the (ultra‐)high‐P–low‐T metamorphic terrane of the Chinese South Tianshan, discontinuous mafic blocks and boudins (former upper oceanic crust) are now embedded in voluminous (mainly metasedimentary) host rocks. Two different models were proposed and relate the occurrence of both high‐P and ultra‐high‐P mafic and metasedimentary rocks to either (i) a tectonic mélange style exhumation, with no exhumation of coherent units, but different lithologies derived from different depths juxtaposed and intermingled during exhumation in the subduction channel, or (ii) the evolution of two coherent metamorphic belts: one with high‐P and the other with ultra‐high‐P conditions. In contrast to most previous studies in the Chinese South Tianshan which focused either on single eclogites or metasedimentary rocks (assumed as representative), this study concentrates on the systematic investigation of both mafic boudins and their immediate sedimentary host rocks, because the investigation of both lithologies and the comparison of their metamorphic evolution is crucial to reconstruct the geodynamical context of the whole (ultra‐)high‐P–low‐T metamorphic complex. Several sample pairs consisting of both lithologies were geochemically investigated and their respective metamorphic evolution was reconstructed using geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling. The latter approach considers changes in the mineral assemblage during the metamorphic evolution, as well as changes in mineral composition, which may help to determine the metamorphic history of a rock despite the preservation of critical mineral assemblages. All samples experienced a clockwise P–T path with overall maximum P–T conditions of 540–550 °C and 1.9–2.25 GPa for the host rocks, and 555–575 °C and 2.2–2.5 GPa for the eclogites. Peak‐metamorphic temperatures of ~525–540 °C of the metasedimentary host rocks were also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material. Results from thermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling are consistent with the observation that none of the samples contains mineral relicts indicating UHP conditions (like coesite in garnet) and neither conventional thermobarometry, nor thermodynamical modelling resulted in P–T conditions in the stability field of coesite. Thus, no evidence of ultra‐high‐P conditions was found. Given that the whole sampled river valley lies within the proposed ‘ultra‐high‐P sub‐belt’ and considering former studies, which showed that at other places within this ‘unit’ both ultra‐high‐P and high‐P rocks are now juxtaposed on a small scale, the formation of the whole (ultra‐)high‐P–low‐T metamorphic belt in the Chinese South Tianshan as a tectonic mélange style exhumation is more convincing than the formation and juxtaposition of two coherent metamorphic units with high‐P and ultra‐high‐P conditions respectively.     

Froude supercritical flow bedforms in deepwater slope channels? Field examples in conglomerates,sandstones and fine‐grained deposits

Active margin continental slope outcrops from the Eocene Juncal Formation, the Eocene La Jolla Group and the Miocene Capistrano Formation display sedimentary structures and depositional geometries that suggest deposition from Froude supercritical flow, based on comparison to strata produced by flume experiments. These deposits range from boulder‐size soft clasts and cobble‐size hard clasts to silt and mud, and display long‐wavelength and low‐amplitude convex‐up and concave‐up geometries that range from centimetre to hundreds of metres scale, low‐angle foresets and backsets, and common internal and bounding erosion surfaces from centimetres to tens of metres in depth. In places, planar laminations, structureless beds and normally graded beds are laterally or vertically associated with such structures. In other places, consistent backsets or deep and steep‐sided scours occur. This study aimed to discuss the origin of the observed bedforms, contributed to recognition of supercritical flow deposits on continental slopes and expanded the outcrop examples of supercritical flow deposits to silt and mud. This work implies that the erosive and powerful Froude supercritical flow turbidity currents may have a substantial impact on erosional and depositional dynamics on deepwater slopes, especially on active margins due to the steep gradients and high sediment supply.     

Can liquefied debris flows deposit clean sand over large areas of sea floor? Field evidence from the Marnoso‐arenacea Formation,Italian Apennines

The Marnoso‐arenacea Formation in the Italian Apennines is the only ancient rock sequence where individual submarine sediment density flow deposits have been mapped out in detail for over 100 km. Bed correlations provide new insight into how submarine flows deposit sand, because bed architecture and sandstone shape provide an independent test of depositional process models. This test is important because it can be difficult or impossible to infer depositional process unambiguously from characteristics seen at just one outcrop, especially for massive clean‐sandstone intervals whose origin has been controversial. Beds have three different types of geometries (facies tracts) in downflow oriented transects. Facies tracts 1 and 2 contain clean graded and ungraded massive sandstone deposited incrementally by turbidity currents, and these intervals taper relatively gradually downflow. Mud‐rich sand deposited by cohesive debris flow occurs in the distal part of Facies tract 2. Facies tract 3 contains clean sandstone with a distinctive swirly fabric formed by patches of coarser and better‐sorted grains that most likely records pervasive liquefaction. This type of clean sandstone can extend for up to 30 km before pinching out relatively abruptly. This abrupt pinch out suggests that this clean sand was deposited by debris flow. In some beds there are downflow transitions from turbidite sandstone into clean debrite sandstone, suggesting that debris flows formed by transformation from high‐density turbidity currents. However, outsize clasts in one particular debrite are too large and dense to have been carried by an initial turbidity current, suggesting that this debris flow ran out for at least 15 km. Field data indicate that liquefied debris flows can sometimes deposit clean sand over large (10 to 30 km) expanses of sea floor, and that these clean debrite sand layers can terminate abruptly.     

Late Quaternary glaciation in the Hebrides sector of the continental shelf: was St Kilda overrun by the British‐Irish Ice Sheet?

Until recently, the British‐Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) was thought to have reached no farther than a mid‐continental shelf position in the Hebrides Sector, NW Britain, during the last glaciation (traditional model). However, recent discovery of widespread shelf‐edge moraines in this sector has led to a suggestion of much more extensive ice (Atlantic Shelf model). The position of the St Kilda archipelago, approximately mid‐way between the Outer Hebrides and the continental shelf edge, makes it ideal as an onshore location to test which of the two competing models is more viable. To this end, we (i) reassessed the characteristics, stratigraphy and morphology of the Quaternary sediments exposed on the largest island (Hirta), and (ii) applied time‐dependent 2D numerical modelling of possible glacier formation on Hirta. Instead of three glaciations (as previously suggested), we identified evidence of only two, including one of entirely local derivation. The numerical model supports the view that this glaciation was in the form of two short glaciers occupying the two valleys that dominate Hirta. The good state of preservation of the glacial sediments and associated moraine of this local glaciation indicate relatively recent formation. In view of the low inferred equilibrium line altitude of the glacier associated with the best morphological evidence (～120 m), considerable thickness of slope deposits outside the glacial limits and evidence of only one rather than two tills, a Late Devensian rather than Younger Dryas age is preferred for this glaciation. Re‐examination of the submarine moraine pattern from available bathymetry suggests that the ice sheet was forced to flow around St Kilda, implying that the ice was of insufficient thickness to overrun the islands. Accepting this leaves open the possibility that a St Kilda nunatak supported local ice while the ice sheet extended to the continental shelf edge.