The problem of rock assimilation by Somma-Vesuvius magma

New chemical and modal analyses are presented of magmatic rocks and pyroxenes nodules from the Somma-Vesuvius volcano and of trachytes from the surrounding area. Geochemical evidence is employed in checking the generally accepted suggestion that magma composition develops from that of trachyte into phonolitic tephrite and finally into tephritic leucitite (vesuvite) by assimilation of dolomite. At the Somma stage of the volcano, phonolitic tephrites (tephritic phonolites) alone have been produced. Vesuvius lavas (tephritic leucitites) are comparatively high in K₂O, CaO, F, Cl, Mn, Cu, Sr and Ba and low in SiO₂ and Nb. The formation of vesuvites by assimilation of dolomitic sedimentary rocks, combined with gravity-separation of early-formed pyroxenes from a trachytic or tephritic magma, is improbable as shown by chemical balances between the respective igneous and sedimentary rocks.     

Isotopic composition of rain- and groundwater at Mt. Vesuvius: environmental and volcanological implications

The present work reports on the isotopic characterization of rainfall and groundwater at Mt. Vesuvius. Values of δ ¹⁸O, monthly measured on rain samples collected during the period 2002–2004 in a rain-gauge network composed of 10 stations, were compared with meteorological and DEM data. Air temperature, controlled by the local orographic structure, was identified as the main factor influencing rain isotopic composition. Another important role is played by orographic clouds, whose condensation over the top of Mt. Vesuvius is responsible for anomalously high δ ¹⁸O values recorded in rain samples from the summit area of the volcanic edifice. A spatial model of rain isotopic composition, based on a 3D distribution of temperature derived by a 1 × 1 km DEM, was implemented and used for calculating the theoretical isotopic signature of seepage, further compared with data measured in the groundwater monitoring network. The analysis evidenced the role of local meteoric recharge as the main source feeding Mt. Vesuvius aquifers. The unique exception is the Olivella drainage gallery, located on the north-eastern flank of the volcanic edifice, whose isotopic composition is slightly more positive than the one expected for its altitude, likely caused by both evaporation processes and mixing with condensed hydrothermal vapor.     

The role of water in the 1944 Vesuvius eruption

The P-T path of magma associated with the 1944 Vesuvius eruption has been outlined on the basis of probe mineralogy and the relationships between the crystallising phases. Equilibrium P-T values, obtained from the reactions:

1. CaMgSi₂O_6(liq) = CaMgSi₂O_6(cpx)
2. NaAlSi₃O_{8 (liq)} = NaAlSi₃O_{8 (plag)}
3. CaAl₂Si₂O_{8 (plag)}=CaAl₂SiO_6(cpx)+SiO_2(liq) have been established for three intracrustal crystallisation stages: I) 8.0 kbar and 1255 °C; II) 4.0 kbar and 1178 °C; III) 0.5 kbar and 1105 °C.

The H₂O content in the magma has been estimated from an experimental calibration of \(a_{^{CaMgSi_2 O_6 } }^{liq}\) as a function of \(X_{H_2 O}^{liq}\) at P _tot = 2 kbar. The estimated water contents of the magma for the three stages, I) 0.7%; II) 0.9%; III) 1.1%, are consistent with the pattern of activity of the 1944 Vesuvius eruption and with the relationship between the lavas. The shallow depth of H₂O-saturation of the magma, 0.24 kbar at 1100 °C, is consistent with the eruption sequence of lava flows followed by lava fountain activity.     

Relations between submarine fissures,internal breccias and mass flows during Triassic and earlier rifting periods

Deep fissures in shallow-water limestones filled with deep-water sediments are described from many places especially in the Triassic and Jurassic of the Tethys and in the Middle to Upper Devonian of the Variscian Mountains. Mass flows occur in the same formations and areas. On the island of Hydra (Greece) it was possible to show that both phenomena are linked by internal breccias of well-fitted limestone fragments. They are indicative of slope or near-slope positions and are very probably caused by flexure-like deformations of shallow-burial limestones. Seismic shocks producing overpressure may be instrumental in the disintegration of the semi-lithified limestones thus providing the material for mass flows. These events are associated with a tectonical subsidence as shown by deep-water matrix in the brecciated shallow-water limestones. They occur in areas and periods of submarine rifting, especially in late Devonian and Triassic time. At least four Triassic brecciation events can be traced from Greece to the Alps and correspond presumably to major transgressions in the cratonic basin of middle Europe.     

Stratabound ore deposits related to synsedimentary tectonics: South-West Sardinia (Italy) and Sierra de Aracena (Spain); a comparison

Deposition of stratabound Zn-Pb-Ba ores in the Lower Cambrian carbonates in South-west Sardinia show a distinct relation with the prominent tensional tectonics in the area. A part of the mineral deposits are syngenetic (sedimentary-exhalative), other massive sulfides and/or barite are early diagenetic. Other occurrences (MVT) are from early to late-diagenetic. They are mostly confined to matrix- and cementbreccias which might be dependent on the Cambrian tectonics. The Precambrian-Lower Cambrian (?) carbonates occupying the core of the Aracena anticline, at the boundary between the provinces of Huelva and Badajoz (South-west Spain), are also an important metallotect for Zn-Pb-Ag-Ba mineralization. The ores at Aracena are stratabound (to stratiform) (Sedex) and occur as disseminations or layers in a volcano-sedimentary sequence with carbonate intercalations. Both the carbonate intervals and the ores show evidence of synsedimentary tectonics, like slumpings, slump breccias and neptunian dykes. Their deposition most likely occurred in a subtidal environment controlled by faults. Apparently, in South-west Sardinia and in the Sierra de Aracena, both sedimentary evolution and ore deposition were strictly related, and conditioned by several pulses of tensional tectonics.     

Mesozoic volcanics of western sicily

The Mesozoic lavas and minor intrusions in the thrust sheets of western Sicily have the following characteristics:

1. The lavas in the Triassic Mufara Formation in the north were broken into fragments which rotated independently within the incompetent strata that enclose them. This behavior is characteristic of igneous rocks found within the more internal (northerly) thrust units.
2. The Jurassic lavas in the more external (southerly) units have consistent directions which agree with those of the Ammonitico Rosso limestones in the same zone and lie about 30° clockwise from those of coeval autochthonous formations in Tunisia.Schult's presumed Cretaceous directions from Custonaci on the north coast (similar to those found in the Cretaceous Scaglia Rossa at Terrasini to the east byChannel et al., 1980) are rotated still more (140°) with respect to those of the autochthonous Iblean platform of SE Sicily. These differences are believed to reflect rotation of the thrust sheets during tectonic transport in Cenozoic times, the internal units being the most strongly rotated.
3. All the igneous rocks are highly altered: generally the original mineralogy cannot be completely determined. Relative abundances of some of the less mobile elements (Ti, Sr, Y) suggest that they are intraplate basalts.

     

Microcrystalline dolomite in a middle Permian volcanic lake: Insights on primary dolomite formation in a non-evaporitic environment

Lacustrine dolomite nucleation commonly occurs in modern and Neogene evaporitic alkaline lakes. As a result, ancient lacustrine microcrystalline dolomite has been conventionally interpreted to be formed in evaporitic environments. This study, however, suggests a non-evaporitic origin of dolomite precipitated in a volcanic–hydrothermal lake, where hydrothermal and volcanic processes interacted. The dolomite occurs in lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the middle Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Santanghu intracontinental rift basin, north-west China. Dolostones are composed mainly of nano-sized to micron-sized dolomite with a euhedral to subhedral shape and a low degree of cation ordering, and are interlaminated and intercalated with tuffaceous shale. Non-dolomite minerals, including quartz, alkaline feldspars, smectite and magnesite mix with the dolomite in various proportions. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.704528 to 0.705372, average = 0.705004) and δ²⁶Mg values (−0.89 to −0.24‰, average = −0.55‰) of dolostones are similar to those of mantle rocks, indicating that the precipitates mainly originated from fluids that migrated upward from the mantle and were subject to water–rock reactions at a great depth. The δ¹⁸O values (−3.1 to −22.7‰, average = −14.0‰) of the dolostones indicate hydrothermal influence. The trace and rare earth element concentrations suggest a saline, anoxic and volcanic–hydrothermally-influenced subaqueous environment. In this subaqueous environment of Lucaogou lake, locally high temperatures and a supply of abundant Mg²⁺ from a deep source induced by volcanic–hydrothermal activity formed favourable chemical conditions for direct precipitation of primary dolomite. This study's findings deepen the understanding of the origin and processes of lacustrine primary dolomite formation and provide an alternative possibility for environmental interpretations of ancient dolostones.     

羌塘盆地南坳陷古油藏带中侏罗统布曲组白云岩元素地球化学特征及意义

在前期详细岩石学分类的基础上,研究南羌塘坳陷布曲组碳酸盐岩微量元素地球化学特征及意义。结果表明:(1)布曲组碳酸盐岩具有较低的微量元素含量,与班公湖-怒江洋盆海水快速入侵及炎热、半潮湿-半干旱条件下缺少地表径流补偿陆源物质有关;(2)Na元素和K元素指示布曲组保留先驱灰岩原始组构的白云岩和不保留先驱灰岩原始组构的晶粒白云岩的初始流体为同期蒸发海水,岩石中Sr元素的含量受方解石和白云石的相对含量控制;(3)经历不彻底白云石化作用的过渡性岩类(RD5-1)是在中-深埋藏阶段中-晚期不彻底交代先驱灰岩形成,细-中晶、自形-半自形白云石充填物由微-粉晶白云岩在浅埋藏阶段末期重结晶形成;(4)鞍形白云石的形成有外来高温流体参与,流体成因具大气淡水参与、流经碎屑岩地层深循环流体特征。新生代(78~64Ma)构造热事件是形成高温流体的热源,部分基质白云岩受到构造热事件的高温改造。     

Genetic implications of the trace element distribution pattern in the upper knox carbonate rocks,copper ridge district,East Tennessee

The Lower Ordovician, Upper Knox Group rocks (the Kingsport and Mascot formations) in the Copper Ridge district consist predominantly of fine-grained dolostones, medium and coarser grained dolostones, and limestones. Dolomite crystals of medium and coarser grained dolostones show up to eight cathodoluminescent zones of variable width and intensity. Electron microprobe analyses indicate that the zoning is related to variation in Fe/Mn ratios, the brighter luminescent zones corresponding to lower ratios. Superposed on this growth zoning is a compositional zoning characterized by a general increase in Fe from core to rim of individual dolomite crystals.Field and petrographic studies (Churnet, 1979; Churnet et al., 1981) indicate that the fine-grained dolostones formed in supratidal to upper intratidal environments, whereas the precursor lime muds of the limestones as well as of the medium and coarser grained dolostones formed in shallow subtidal to lower intertidal environments. The large areal extent of the dolostones must have required a regionally abundant source of Mg such as marine water. Yet, both limestones and dolostones have low Na and Sr contents suggestive of their formation in solutions more dilute than normal marine water. It is proposed that the fine-grained dolostones formed by aggradation of initially very fine-grained dolostones in presence of fresh water, and that the limestones stabilized and the medium and coarser grained dolostones formed in environments of mixed marine and fresh waters. Considered in the light of ordering of partition coefficients, such a mixing model can account for the observed correlation pattern of trace elements (especially, SMn and SrFe) as well as the Fe distribution in the zoned dolomite crystals. Variation of the partition coefficient of Mn due to fluctuations in the relative proportions of fresh and marine waters in the diagenetic solution may explain the different Fe/Mn ratios observed in the growth zones (luminescence bands) of zoned dolomite crystals.     

Nd and Sr isotopes in ultrapotassic volcanic rocks from the Leucite Hills,Wyoming

Nd and Sr isotopic compositions and Rb, Sr, Sm and Nd concentrations are reported for madupites, wyomingites and orendites from the Pleistocene volcanic field of the Leucite Hills, Wyoming. All Leucite Hills rocks have negative εNd signatures, indicating derivation or contribution from an old light rare earth element (LREE) enriched source. In this respect they are similar to all occurrences of high potassium magmas so far investigated. But Sr isotopic variations are comparatively small and ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr ratios are unusually low for high-K magmas (0.7053–0.7061, one sample excluded). These values suggest that the light REE enrichment of the source was not accompanied by a strong increase in Rb/Sr. Wyomingites and orendites are isotopically indistinguishable which is consistent with chemical and petrographic evidence for their derivation from a common magma series depending on emplacement conditions. Basic to ultrabasic madupites and more silicic wyomingites/orendites are distinct in their Nd isotopic variations (madupites: εNd= ?10.5 to ?12.3; wyomingites/orendites: εNd= ?13.7 to ?17.0) despite similar Sm/Nd ratios and complete overlap in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. Selective or bulk assimilation of crustal material is unlikely to have significantly affected the Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of the magmas. The measured isotopic ratios are considered to reflect source values. The distinct isotopic characteristics of madupite and wyomingite/orendite magmas preclude their derivation by fractional crystallization, from a common primary magma, by liquid immiscibility or by partial melting of a homogeneous source. Two isotopically distinct, LREE enriched and slightly heterogeneous sources are required. Heterogeneities were most pronounced between magma sources from each volcanic centre (butte or mesa). The relationship between the madupite and wyomingite/orendite sources and their evolution is discussed on the basis of two simple alternative sets of models:

1. a two-stage evolution model with an old enrichment event (a metasomatic event?) perhaps taking place during the stabilization of the Wyoming Craton 3.2 to 2.5 Gyr ago but not later than 1.2 Gyr ago or
2. a mixing model involving mixing between one endmember with εNd near zero and another end-member with a strong negative εNd signature.

     

滇东-川西下二叠统白云岩的形成机理--玄武岩淋滤白云化

在滇东－ 川西地区的下二叠统中,白云岩发育,并可分两种类型:块状白云岩和斑状白云岩。块状白云岩呈浅灰色、灰色,主要由细晶或中晶白云岩石组成。白云岩的δ13C为+0.8‰～+3.5‰, 平均+2.7‰; δ18O为 -6.8‰～-9.1‰, 平均 -7.8‰。 Sr 为 25×10-6～52×10-6, 平均 39×10-6; Na 为 52×10-6～74×10-6, 平均 64×10-6。斑状白云岩呈灰色,由白云岩斑块和交代残余的石灰岩斑块组成,其中白云岩斑块含量大于50 %。白云岩斑块呈云朵状,大小多为几厘米至二十几厘米。白云岩斑块由细晶和中晶白云石组成。白云石呈自形或半自形,含量60% ～ 90%。白云石的δ13C为+0.8‰～+3.5‰, 平均+2.7‰; δ18O为 -6.8‰～-9.1‰, 平均 -7.8‰。 Sr 为 25×10-6～52×10-6, 平均 39×10-6; Na 为 52×10-6～74×10-6, 平均 64×10-6。各种资料表明,块状白云岩和斑状白云岩成因相同,只是白云化程度不同。白云岩是在埋藏环境中较高温度条件下形成的。白云化水来自淋滤峨嵋山玄武岩的大气     

Experimental anatexis and genesis of migmatites: A reply

Recentlyvon Platen applied the results of his laboratory experiments to a migmatite studied byHärme. Some comments are presented upon that re-interpretation.     

High temperature solvent growth of anorthite on the join CaAl2Si2O8-SiO2

Stoichiometric anorthite, CaAl₂Si₂O₈, Pˉ1, with sharp a, b, c, and d diffractions was grown, using a CaV₂O₆ solvent, by cooling at 2 ° C per hour from 1450 to 750 ° C in air. Euhedral crystals up to 5 × 3× 0.5 mm, with prominent {010} and well-developed {110} and {001}, were obtained by spontaneous nucleation. Nonstoichiometric anorthite with excess SiO₂ (CaAl₂Si₂O₈+Si₂Si₂O₈) was grown on the join CaAl₂Si₂O₈-SiO₂. Chemical analysis of the synthetic anorthite, having the highest SiO₂ content, with maximum vacancies on M-site gave □_0.110 Na_0.006Ca_0.884Al_1.80Si_2.20O₈, and X-ray diffraction showed a trend from stoichiometric Pˉ1 through diffuse Pˉ1 to body-centered Iˉ1 probably reflecting increasing disorder caused by a higher Si/Al ratio in the T-sites and the positional disorder accompanied by M-site vancancies. Annealing of the nonstoichiometric diffuse Iˉ1 anorthite in air at 1050 ° C for 14 days resulted in exsolution of minute SiO₂ inclusions due to probable ordering in the T-sites and filling of M-sites by Ca. Stoichiometric Pˉ1 anorthite was not obtained by annealing at 1050 ° due to appreciable solubility of SiO₂ in CaAl₂Si₂O₈. Metastable hexagonal CaAl₂Si₂O₈ was found to be a twinned monoclinic crystal with cell dimensions: a = 10.24 (2), b = 17.74 (3), c= 14.99 (5) ?, β = 92.05 (5) °, space group C2.     

华北秦皇岛地区柳江盆地马家沟组碳酸盐岩多期白云化作用

华北秦皇岛地区的中奥陶统马家沟组以广泛发育海相白云质灰岩、灰质白云岩和白云岩为特征。在石门寨奥陶系亮甲山剖面,马家沟组自下而上识别出四类碳酸盐岩:含白云石泥晶灰岩（类型I）、细-粉晶白云岩（类型II）、“麦粒状”细-粉晶白云岩（类型III）和钙质泥晶白云岩（类型IV）。类型I主要由泥晶方解石构成,含三叶虫和介形类生物碎片,少量自形的粉晶白云石呈“漂浮状”分布于压溶缝合线内,基质中少见。岩相学和地球化学特征表明此类白云石形成于埋藏成岩期压溶作用之后,压溶缝为云化流体提供通道,压溶缝内泥质组分的成岩转化可能为白云化作用提供了部分镁离子来源;类型II白云岩主要由自形、半自形不等粒粉晶-细晶白云石构成,白云石普遍具有“雾心亮边”,在背散射和阴极发光照片中白云石可见清晰的多圈亮、暗相间环带。环带和带间主量元素的差异表明白云石经历了埋藏成岩期多期成岩流体的改造;类型III白云岩中白云石呈单向延伸的“米粒”或“麦粒”状,粉晶为主,晶体长轴方向具有垂直结晶轴c的特点,白云石具富铁、贫锰、锶的特点,长、短对角线上钙、镁离子的微小差异以及阴极发光特征表明此类白云石也经历了埋藏成岩期的改造,成岩流体使白云石发生微溶作用可能是导致白云石晶体单向延伸且光学性质固定取向的主要原因;类型IV为钙质泥晶球粒白云岩,含石膏假晶,白云石多为微晶和微亮晶,球粒也多由微晶白云石构成,溶孔发育,但全被亮晶贫铁方解石充填,此类岩石的白云化作用发生得很早,可能形成于潮上带澙湖或潮坪环境。综上所述,研究区马家沟组碳酸盐岩具有经历了不同类型及多期白云化作用的特点。自剖面底部向顶部,白云石的有序度由0.8降至0.47,而去云化作用则呈现逐渐增强的趋势。     

The role and impact of freshwater–seawater mixing zones in the maturation of regional dolomite bodies within the proto Floridan Aquifer, USA

Palaeogene dolostones from the sub‐surface of Florida are ideal for the study of dolomite maturation because they record the early stages of a secondary dolomite overprint without destruction by later diagenetic overprints. Two distinct dolomite textures occur in the dolostones of the Upper Eocene Ocala and Lower Oligocene Suwannee limestones in west‐central Florida: a porous and permeable sucrosic dolomite and a less porous and relatively impermeable indurated non‐sucrosic dolomite. In both textures, the initial matrix dolomite is dully luminescent, whereas the secondary overprint is dominantly luminescent cement in the Suwannee and only neomorphic luminescent dolomite in the Ocala. The abundance of luminescent dolomite ranges from 2% to 38%, which translates to 1·6 km³ of material in the Suwannee and 13·5 km³ in the Ocala. Extrapolated trace‐element contents (Sr and Na) and δ¹⁸O values for the matrix and luminescent end‐members indicate a marine origin for the matrix dolomite in both units, and a freshwater–seawater mixing‐zone origin for the secondary luminescent dolomites. The δ¹⁸O values indicate that a saline, middle mixing‐zone environment overprinted the Suwannee but a more dilute mixing zone affected the Ocala. Fluid–fluid mixing models constrained by modern Floridan aquifer hydrochemistry and extrapolated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of the luminescent phases indicate that the mixing zones operated during the Late Miocene to Pliocene in the Ocala and affected the Suwannee in the Pliocene. The luminescent Suwannee mixing‐zone cement reduced porosity up to threefold and permeability up to 100‐fold, which converted many sucrosic dolomites to indurated dolomites. By contrast, the neomorphic luminescent Ocala dolomite did not have an appreciable impact on the maturations. Although freshwater–seawater mixing zones were not the sites of the initial dolomitization, the mixing‐zone environment did dramatically overprint and mature the regionally widespread dolomites of the Ocala and Suwannee limestones. This maturation occurred shortly after formation of the proto‐Floridan aquifer; the timing suggests the matrix dolomites were ‘ripe’ for alteration and that the only prerequisite for mixing‐zone dolomite is pre‐existing dolomite substrates to reduce kinetic barriers. In contrast to recent claims, the results of this study demonstrate that mixing zones can be effective in forming regionally significant amounts of secondary dolomite and influencing the petrophysical maturation of dolomite bodies.     

P’yŏngyang — ancient and modern —the capital of North Koreangyang — ancient and modern —the capital of North Korea

The capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) is both the oldest and the newest settlement in Korea. The basic concepts in its early urban development made it the model for Korean cities of later ages. In the 6th and 7th century AD P’yôngyang was one of the largest cities in Asia, second only to the imperial capital of China, but it later declined. It partly recovered its former position when it became the capital of North Korea after World War II. Its reconstruction since the Korean War has made it one of the most striking examples of socialist city planning.