U-Pb Zircon Dating of the Granitic Conglomerates of the Hutuo Group： Affinities to the Wutai Granitoids and Significance to the Tectonic Evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen

1 Introduction The North China Craton (NCC) is considered to be the oldest and largest cratonic block in China. Recent studies to gain understanding of basement architecture of the NCC has led to its division into the Western and Eastern Blocks, separated by a N-S trending Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) (Fig. 1; Zhao et al., 1998, 1999a, 2000a, 2001a; Wilde et al., 2002). Although there is now abroad consensus that the final assembly of the NCC was completed by th…     

Application of the cBΩ model to the calculation of diffusion parameters of He in olivine

The validity of the thermodynamic cBΩ model is tested in terms of the experimentally determined diffusion coefficients of He in a natural Fe-bearing olivine (Fo₉₀) and a synthetic end-member forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) over a broad temperature range (250–950 °C), as reported recently by Cherniak and Watson (Geochem Cosmochim Acta 84:269–279, 2012). The calculated activation enthalpies for each of the three crystallographic axes were found to be (134 ± 5), (137 ± 13) and (158 ± 4) kJ mol^?1 for the [100], [010] and [001] directions in forsterite, and (141 ± 9) kJ mol^?1 for the [010] direction in olivine, exhibiting a deviation of <1 % with the corresponding reported experimental values. Additional point defect parameters such as activation volume, activation entropy and activation Gibbs free energy were calculated as a function of temperature. The estimated activation volumes (3.2–3.9 ± 0.3 cm³ mol^?1) of He diffusion in olivine are comparable with other reported results for hydrogen and tracer diffusion of Mg cations in olivine. The pressure dependence of He diffusion coefficients was also determined, based on single experimental diffusion measurements at 2.6 and 2.7 GPa along the [001] direction in forsterite at 400 and 650 °C.     

Introduction to the Geology of Turkey—A Synthesis

Auriferous quartz veins are known to exist in more than two dozen prospects, encompassing an area of 500 km² northward from Serrita township (state of Pernambuco) in northeastern Brazil. Gold-bearing veins occur either with a strike of 70° to 110°, crosscutting muscovite schists of the Middle Proterozoic Salgueiro Group, or with a strike of 330° in granodiorite intrusions in the same schists. Small amounts of pyrite, galena, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite commonly are observed. Sericite, chlorite, and epidote are the most common wall-rock alteration products.

Fluid inclusions were studied in samples of mineralized quartz veins from the Barra Verde III prospect in a small granodiorite body, and from the Ingá, Saburá, and Riacho do Meio prospects in the Salgueiro schists. Some samples of barren quartz veins also were studied for comparison.

Primary and pseudosecondary inclusions in the mineralized veins are triphasic or biphasic aqueous-carbonic at room temperature. The wide range of the CO₂/H₂O volume ratio (between 2:1 and 1:3) in a single group or trail suggests the coexistence of two immiscible fluids during the penecontemporaneous processes of quartz crystallization, deformation, mineralization, and recrystallization. Total homogenization of these inclusions beginning at 290° to 310°C and 1.3 to 1.8 kbar provides the trapping conditions of the heterogeneous, effervescent fluid. CO₂ melting temperatures of ～?57° to °59°C indicate low CH₄ or N₂ contents. Clathrate melting close to 6.3°C indicates a low salinity of ～6.9% NaCl equiv. In addition, the low CH⁴ content of the fluid in equilibrium with sulfides and alteration minerals suggests an oxygen fugacity between 10^?30 and 10^?27, a total sulfur activity of 10^?2 to 10°, and a neutral pH of ～5.     

Introduction to the Geological Map of Asia and Europe

ThenewlycompiledGeologicalMapofAsiaandEurope(1.5000000)wasoneoftheimportantmapsoftheMinistryofGeologyandMineralResources(MGMR)ofChinaforsubmittingtothe30thInternationalGeologicalCongress.ItwascompiledbytheinstituteofGeology,CAGS.ThemapincludesthewholeAsianandEuropeanterritories,covering50.71millionkm~2,withalengthof3.5mand2.5minwidth.Themainresearchresultsandgreatprogressshownonthemapareasbelow.1.Thegeographicalmap,basedonwhichthegeologicalmapwascompiled,hashighprecisioninmathematics…     

Shear Wave Anisotropy of the Upper Mantle Beneath the Region from Tingri of Tibet to Golmud of Qinghai

Measurements of shear wave splitting at 43 three-component seismic stationsshow very big difference in anisotropy on both sides of the Indus-Yarlung Zangbo suture(ITS), but little difference on both sides of the older Bangong-Nujiang suture (BNS) and theJinsha River suture (JS) to its north. Obvious discrepancy exists between the anisotropy direc-tion and the superficial tectonic trends, which is not explicable directly by the coherent uppermantle deformation usually supposed to occur in consistency with the trend of a collisional belt.On the other hand, strong spatial relationships are observed from the anisotropy results, such asthe orthogonal directions of anisotropy on both sides of ITS and the good correlation betweenthe region of larger magnitude of anisotropy and the zone of inefficient Sn propagation ofQiangtang as well as the systematic rotation of the directions of anisotropy, which should testifysome much more complicated aspects of the continental convergence mechanism. To the best ofour data, we tend to suppose that the Qinghai-Tibet plateau might result from a mechanismcomplicated by the coexistence of Argand's underthrusting and Dewey's diffuse deformation.     

Velocities of Present-Day Horizontal Movements in the Central Sector of the Greater Caucasus according to GPS Observations and Their Relation to Tectonics and the Deep Structure of the Earth’s Crust

The results of the first GPS measurements along the geophysical profile that intersects all major geological structures of the Osetiya region of the Greater Caucasus are presented. The results of the measurements are interpreted in comparison with those of neotectonic studies and data on the deep structure.     

From post-politics to a politics of possibility? Unravelling the privatization of the Berlin Water Company

This article explores the constraints and contingencies of contemporary urban governance, with reference to the partial privatization (1999) and partial remunicipalization (2012) of the Berlin Water Company (BWB). It outlines the processes through which this major shift in Berlin politics occurred, showing how the mainstream consensus on privatization was disrupted and alternatives to apparent neoliberal conformity emerged. Dynamics apparent in the BWB case – commercialization, privatization, re-regulation, public contestation and remunicipalization – are indicative of the challenges and opportunities of making policy in and beyond the global norms of neoliberalism. It is argued that this case is important because it reveals something about what we might call the “politics of possibility” within the paradigm of neoliberal urban governance: the continuing potential for change within the constraints of an urban governance configured to the logics and needs of markets. Given this, the paper concludes that local contingencies in urban governance problematize sweeping notions of a post-political condition. However observable post-political strategies and outcomes in Berlin and elsewhere are, researchers should not assume that they are inevitably dominant or universal.     

The Application of Computerized Pattern Recognition to the Prediction of Mineral Resources

The technique of mineral prediction by pattern recognition has been developed through the applicationof computerized pattern recognition to geological exploration. The principles and computing method of thistechnique as well as some characteristics of its application in geological exploration are expounded in thispaper. Some of the study results gained by the authors in this aspect are also given. which include classifica-tion of oil-field waters. evaluation of gossans of main ore deposits in China, prediction of ore resources inthe Dachang Sn-polymetallic field. and appraisal of Pb and Sn anomalies and prediction of mineral re-sources in southern Hunan. Some of the prediction results have been proved correct.     

Sedimentary Evolution of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in Cenozoic and its Response to the Uplift of the Plateau

We have studied the evolution of the tectonic lithofacies paleogeography of Paleocene–Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau by compiling data regarding the type, tectonic setting, and lithostratigraphic sequence of 98 remnant basins in the plateau area. Our results can be summarized as follows. (1) The Paleocene to Eocene is characterized by uplift and erosion in the Songpan–Garzê and Gangdisê belts, depression (lakes and pluvial plains) in eastern Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil, and the Neo-Tethys Sea in the western and southern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. (2) The Oligocene is characterized by uplift in the Gangdisê–Himalaya and Karakorum regions (marked by the absence of sedimentation), fluvial transport (originating eastward and flowing westward) in the Brahmaputra region (marked by the deposition of Dazhuka conglomerate), uplift and erosion in western Kunlun and Songpan–Garzê, and depression (lakes) in the Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. The Oligocene is further characterized by depressional littoral and neritic basins in southwestern Tarim, with marine facies deposition ceasing at the end of the Oligocene. (3) For the Miocene, a widespread regional unconformity (ca. 23 Ma) in and adjacent to the plateau indicates comprehensive uplift of the plateau. This period is characterized by depressions (lakes) in the Tarim, Qaidam, Xining–Nanzhou, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. Lacustrine facies deposition expanded to peak in and adjacent to the plateau ca. 18–13 Ma, and north–south fault basins formed in southern Tibet ca. 13–10 Ma. All of these features indicate that the plateau uplifted to its peak and began to collapse. (4) Uplift and erosion occurred during the Pliocene in most parts of the plateau, except in the Hoh Xil–Qiangtang, Tarim, and Qaidam.     

Melting of iron–silicon alloy up to the core–mantle boundary pressure: implications to the thermal structure of the Earth’s core

The melting temperature of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy was determined up to 119 GPa based on a change of laser heating efficiency and the texture of the recovered samples in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments. We have also investigated the subsolidus phase relations of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy by the in-situ X-ray diffraction method and confirmed that the bcc phase is stable at least up to 57 GPa and high temperature. The melting curve of the alloy was fitted by the Simon’s equation, P(GPa)/a = (T _m(K)/T ₀) ^c , with parameters, T ₀ = 1,473 K, a = 3.5 ± 1.1 GPa, and c = 4.5 ± 0.4. The melting temperature of bcc Fe–18 wt% Si alloy is comparable with that of pure iron in the pressure range of this work. The melting temperature of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy is estimated to be 3,300–3,500 K at 135 GPa, and 4,000–4,200 K at around 330 GPa, which may provide the lower bound of the temperatures at the core–mantle boundary and the inner core–outer core boundary if the light element in the core is silicon.     

The Characteristics of Fluorine in the Groundwater of North China and the Significance of Fluorite-Water Interaction to Fluorine Transportation

This paper approaches the transportation of fluorine in the groundwater ofepigene Quarternary aquifer by calculation and laboratory studies.The conclusionthat the enrichment and saturation abilities of fluorite are related to the transpor-tation of fluorine in groundwater is reached.They would be conducive to findingthe cause of regional fluorine distribution in the groundwater of North China.     

Bibliometric analysis of the scientific production on coastal communities’ social vulnerability to climate change and to the impact of extreme events

Natural Hazards - Bibliometric analysis is a quantitative evaluation method for scientific research aiming at measuring knowledge expressed as scientific publications in a given field. This paper...     

A Numerical–Analytical Approach to Modeling the Axial Rotation of the Earth

A model for the non-uniform axial rotation of the Earth is studied using a celestial-mechanical approach and numerical simulations. The application of an approximate model containing a small number of parameters to predict variations of the axial rotation velocity of the Earth over short time intervals is justified. This approximate model is obtained by averaging variable parameters that are subject to small variations due to non-stationarity of the perturbing factors. The model is verified and compared with predictions over a long time interval published by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS).     

Did natural fission of 235U in the earth lead to formation of the supercontinent Columbia?

Steady decline in the percentage of 235U in terrestrial uranium made natural fission impossible after about 1.8 Ga.Fission before 1.8 Ga disturbed the lead isotope system at various places worldwide,su...     

The large-wavelength deformations of the lithosphere： materials for a history of the evolution of thought from the earliest times to plate tectonics

The notable authority on tectonics and the history of geosciences, Professor Celal Sengor from Istanbul, has produced another remarkable book-which, as he tells the reader, grew rapidly from an initial paper into a massive tome. Just as Georges Cuvier liked the idea of ‘bursting the limits of time‘, so Professor Sengor has again ‘burst the limits of a paper‘!     

Water Resource Development in the Quaternary Ryukyu Limestone Regions of Japan:Application of the GIS to the Site Selection of Underground Dams

Based on the natural and social conditions as well as hydrogeological characteristics of the Ryukyu limestone, a major aquifer in the Ryukyu Islands, a conception of underground dam, was proposed in the early 1970s in order to develop ground water resources in the Quaternary Ryukyu limestone regions of Japan. The practice of nearly thirty years has shown that the underground dam is an environment-friendly and effective way for developing ground water in these regions.To further improve the technology associated with underground dam, the authors introduced related analytic methods. The application of the geographical information system technology to site selection of the underground dam is reported in this paper.     

Application of the geochemical prospecting to improve oilfield structure models

Background： Complicated structure of surveyed area has minor efficiency of seismic surveys-the main method for petroleum and gas prospecting and interpretation of subsurface structure of the Earth. This paper gives an example that in certain cases geochemical surveys can be used as additional tool to establish suitable geological model of the trap. This paper presents geochemical studies in the southeastern part of European territory of Russia-Nagumanovskoe oilfield. Complicated geological structure causes difficulties to create suitable geological model of the trap itself. There are two models of geological structure for the Nagumanovskoe oilfield： Variant A： Researchers assume the presence of gas condensate accumulation and perspective for exploration traps. Variant B： Researchers assume presence of 2 local structures. Method and results： Geochemical data came from over than 2000 shallow probes （2 meters, 6.6 feet） of soil gas samples collected every 200 meters over more than 7 different long profiles. The adsorbed soil gases were analyzed for hydrocarbones. All samples were decomposed into geochemical populations. According to geochemical data the Nagumanovskoe oilfield was well defined on all geochemical profiles. Examination and comparison of hydrocarbon ratio plots and magnitude graphs for each of the two models indicate that the more anomalous magnitude sites agree with the disposition of structures according to model B. The geochemical oil/gas data exhibit clearly defined compositional sub-populations which match the composition of the underlying reservoirs, difference in standard deviation of hydrocarbon values at background and Cretaceous structure （model B） leads to the deduction that variant B is more suitable geological structure model of the Nagumanovskoe oilfield.     

Some Problems Related to the Strength of Loess at Gubaizui

The paper presents the results of the laboratory research about the shear strength and the structural strength of loess at Gubaizui. Gubaizui loess behaves like creep, and its long time shear strength is lower than its peak value(cq) during direct shear tests, the ratio between these value is about 0.51~0.75(when normal stress σ=0.1~0.5MPa). It is found that the structural strength of Gubaizui loess is very high, from the compression curves(one-dimensional consolidation test) it is obtained that strength is about 0.85~2.38MPa.     

The provenance of terrigenous rocks of the basal horizons of the Uralides of the Baidarata Allochthon (Polar Urals) according to the U–Pb isotope age of detrital zircons

The U–Pb (LA–ICP–MS) age of detrital zircons from the Upper Cambrian–Lower Ordovician terrigenous rocks of the Baidarata Allochthon, which is located in the northern part of the Polar Urals, is determined. The analysis of the youngest zircon population indicates a broad occurrence of the Uralides in this area rather than Pre-Uralides, as was considered previously. The Bedamel island-arc rocks (rather than Timan orogen) were probably the major provenance for the studied sequences. The results of statistical processing of the U–Pb ages of zircons from coeval rocks of Arctic regions suggest similar provenances for the Baidarata Allochthon and Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya archipelagoes.