Reliability of geomagnetic paleointensity data: the effects of the NRM fraction and concave-up behavior on paleointensity determinations by the Thellier method

To test the reliability of the Thellier method for paleointensity determinations, we studied six historic lavas from Hawaii and two Gauss-age lava flows from Raiatea Island (French Polynesia). Our aim is to investigate the effects of the NRM fraction and concave-up behavior of NRM–thermal remanent magnetization (TRM) diagrams on paleointensity determinations. For the Hawaiian samples, the paleointensity results were investigated at both sample and site levels. For consistency and confidence in the paleointensity results, it is important to measure multiple samples from each cooling unit. The results from the Raiatea Island samples confirm that reliable paleointensities can be obtained from NRM–TRM diagrams with concave-up curvature, provided the data are accompanied by successful partial TRM (pTRM) checks and no significant chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) production. We conclude that reliable determinations of the paleofield strength require analyses of linear segments representing at least 40–50% of the total NRM. This new criterion has to be considered for future studies and for evaluating published paleointensities for calculating average geomagnetic field models. Using this condition together with other commonly employed selection criteria, the observed mean site paleointensities are typically within 10% of the Definitive Geomagnetic Reference Field (DGRF). Our new results for the Hawaii 1960 lava flow are in excellent agreement with the expected value, in contrast to significant discrepancies observed in some earlier studies.

Overestimates of paleointensity determinations can arise from cooling-rate dependence of TRM acquisition, viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) at elevated temperatures, and TRM properties of multidomain (MD) particles. These outcomes are exaggerated at lower temperature ranges. Therefore, we suggest that, provided the pTRM checks are successful and there is no significant CRM production, it is better to increase the NRM fraction used in paleointensity analyses rather than to maximize correlation coefficients of line segments on the NRM–TRM diagrams.

We introduce the factor, Q = Nq, to assess the quality of the weighted mean paleointensity, H_w, for each cooling unit.     

Palaeointensities of the Auckland geomagnetic excursions by the LTD-DHT Shaw method

We report new palaeointensity results concerning the Auckland geomagnetic excursions using the double heating technique of the Shaw method with low temperature demagnetisation (LTD-DHT Shaw method). The excursional palaeodirections recorded in six volcanoes of the Auckland volcanic field, New Zealand, have been classified into three groups: north-down (ND), west-up (WU) and south-up (SU) directions. In the present study, five to six consistent palaeointensities have been obtained from each of five volcanoes recording the Auckland geomagnetic excursions. The Wiri (27 ka), Crater Hill and Puketutu volcanoes (ND group) yielded mean palaeointensities of 10.6 ± 1.2 (1σ), 11.8 ± 2.8 and 11.1 ± 0.4 μT, respectively. The Hampton Park volcano (55 ka; WU group) gave 9.5 ± 1.2 μT while the McLennan Hills volcano (SU group) gave 2.5 ± 0.5 μT. It is notable that consistent palaeointensities have been obtained from the three different volcanoes which have almost the same palaeodirections (ND group), possibly supporting the reliability of the palaeointensity data. These five palaeointensities for the Auckland geomagnetic excursions correspond to virtual dipole moments (VDMs) of 0.6-2.1 × 10²² A m², whereas three mean palaeointensities obtained from the Auckland volcanoes having non-excursional palaeodirections are 13.1-40.0 μT giving stronger VDMs of 2.1-6.9 × 10²² A m². These results suggest that the dipole component of the geomagnetic field reduced to about 2 × 10²² A m² or less during the Auckland geomagnetic excursions.     

A comparison of different magnetic methods for determining the relative grain size of magnetite in natural materials: Some results from lake sediments

A new rapid method for identifying relative grain size variations in magnetic involves the parameter anhysteretic susceptibility (χ_ARM, i.e. specific ARM obtained in a 1 Oe steady field), which is particularly sensitive to the single domain (SD) and small pseudo-single domain (PSD) grains of the finer magnetite fraction. A second parameter, low-field susceptibility (χ), is relatively more sensitive to the coarser magnetite fraction (larger PSD and smaller multidomain (MD) grains). We can then obtain a measure of the ratio of coarse- to fine-grain magnetite for large numbers of samples by plotting χ_ARversusχ. A simple idealized model based on sized magnetite samples is proposed to explain the use of the χ_ARMversusχ plot for detecting relative grain-size changes in the magnetic content of natural materials. The sediments of three lakes that contain magnetite or a similar magnetic carrier and have a wide range of values of χ_ARM and χ are used to test the model.The model is used to interpret the magnetic variations observed, and the interpretations are supported by high-field hysteresis measurements of the same sediments. The combination of the high-field hysteresis method of Day et al. [1] and the χ_ARM vs. χ method is a powerful technique allowing the rapid identification of both the relative grain size and domain state for large numbers of samples containing magnetite. The χ_ARMvs.χ method should be used as an intial means of identifying distinct groups of samples.The high-field hysteresis method should then be applied to a few representative samples from each group to confirm the initial interpretation.     

镜质体反射率与最高温度及其附近温度变化率的关系——几种镜质体反射率计算模型的比较

对常用的Waples、Middleton及Easy%Ro模型,通过蒙特卡罗方法,得到了相应的简化模型.所有简化模型均表明镜质体反射率(Ro)主要受控于最高温度(Tmax),并且与最高温度附近的温度变化率(Hr)有关.通过对简化模型的比较发现：(1)相对于Easy%Ro模型而言,Waples、Middleton模型对Hr的变化更为敏感;(2)总的来讲,达到相同的Ro值Middleton模型需要的温度最高,Easy%Ro模型其次,Waples模型需要的温度最低.在一定条件下,根据简化模型,利用实测的lnRo-H数据可以求取地层经历的最高温度及相应的地温梯度、热流和时间.实例分析表明岩石热导率等数据的准确性直接影响Ro解释的结果,但这种影响容易分析,而Hr的不确定性则导致多解性.     

Virtual Pole from Magnetic Anomaly (VPMA): A procedure to estimate the age of a rock from its magnetic anomaly only

Virtual Pole from Magnetic Anomaly (VPMA) is a new multi-disciplinary methodology that estimates the age of a source rock from its magnetic anomaly, taken directly from available aeromagnetic data. The idea is to use those anomalies in which a strong remanent magnetic component is likely to occur. Once the total magnetization of the anomaly is computed through any of the currently available methods, the line that connects all virtual paleogeographic poles is related with the position, on a paleogeographic projection, of the appropriate age fragment of the APWP curve. We applied this procedure to five (5) well-known magnetic anomalies of the South American plate in SE Brazil, all of them associated to alkaline complexes of Mesozoic age. The apparent ages obtained from VPMA on three of the anomalies where the radiometric age of the source rock is known – Tapira, Araxá and Juquiá – were inside the error interval of the published ages. The VPMA apparent ages of the other two, where the age of the source rock is not known (Registro and Pariqueraçu magnetic anomalies) were geologically coherent. We expect that the application of the VPMA methodology as a reconnaissance geochronological tool may contribute to geological knowledge over continental areas, especially when the source rocks of the magnetic anomalies are unknown or buried below superficial sediments.     

Subsoil structure and site effects: A comparison between results from SPAC and HVSR in sites of complex geology

We present the results of the analysis of array recorded microtremors at 14 sites, close to the edges of the Mygdonian basin in northern Greece (Euroseistest). These measurements were made in order to better constrain the geometry and velocity structure of the basin as the soil layers taper out close to rock outcrop, where geology is complex and we may expect significant changes of the subsoil structure over short distances. The data were analysed using the SPAC method and HVSR. The first interprets the measurements as Rayleigh waves (for the vertical component we analysed) and allows to invert a phase velocity dispersion curve from computed correlation coefficients. The second estimates a local transfer function directly, from ratios of Fourier amplitude spectra. A phase velocity dispersion curve could be derived for 12 of the 14 measurement sites, and at three of the sites no resonant frequency was observed in the HVSR. It is encouraging that we obtained good results at most of our sites, in spite of the lateral heterogeneity expected close to the edges of Euroseistest. Our results allow us to obtain shear wave velocity models at most of the measurement sites (12 out of 14). They are also useful to explore the relation between size of the array and wavelength range for which a dispersion curve may be estimated, which in our case has strong limitations. We identify the frequency of resonance of the sediments as a small loss of coherency in SPAC’s correlation coefficients. Finally, we also consider the applicability of the joint inversion of the resonance frequency determined using HVSR and the phase velocity dispersion curve obtained from SPAC.     

Estimating fog deposition at a Puerto Rican elfin cloud forest site: comparison of the water budget and eddy covariance methods

The deposition of fog to a wind‐exposed 3 m tall Puerto Rican cloud forest at 1010 m elevation was studied using the water budget and eddy covariance methods. Fog deposition was calculated from the water budget as throughfall plus stemflow plus interception loss minus rainfall corrected for wind‐induced loss and effect of slope. The eddy covariance method was used to calculate the turbulent liquid cloud water flux from instantaneous turbulent deviations of the surface‐normal wind component and cloud liquid water content as measured at 4 m above the forest canopy. Fog deposition rates according to the water budget under rain‐free conditions (0·11 ± 0·05 mm h^?1) and rainy conditions (0·24 ± 0·13 mm h^?1) were about three to six times the eddy‐covariance‐based estimate (0·04 ± 0·002 mm h^?1). Under rain‐free conditions, water‐budget‐based fog deposition rates were positively correlated with horizontal fluxes of liquid cloud water (as calculated from wind speed and liquid water content data). Under rainy conditions, the correlation became very poor, presumably because of errors in the corrected rainfall amounts and very high spatial variability in throughfall. It was demonstrated that the turbulent liquid cloud water fluxes as measured at 4 m above the forest could be only ～40% of the fluxes at the canopy level itself due to condensation of moisture in air moving upslope. Other factors, which may have contributed to the discrepancy in results obtained with the two methods, were related to effects of footprint mismatch and methodological problems with rainfall measurements under the prevailing windy conditions. Best estimates of annual fog deposition amounted to ～770 mm year^?1 for the summit cloud forest just below the ridge top (according to the water budget method) and ～785 mm year^?1 for the cloud forest on the lower windward slope (using the eddy‐covariance‐based deposition rate corrected for estimated vertical flux divergence). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

岩石磁组构对剩磁稳定性的制约探讨:以印支地块中生代碎屑岩和拉萨林周盆地设兴组红层为例

岩石磁组构因能提供磁性矿物晶体形状、排列方式等赋存信息而被广泛应用于判别岩石剩磁是否受到了后期构造应力的显著影响; 但常规岩石磁化率各向异性(AMS)是否能够准确限定岩石剩磁的稳定性, 目前尚无深入探讨.本文以印支地块Nakhon Thai盆地中生代Nam Phong、Phu Kradung和Phra Wihan组三套碎屑岩样品及拉萨地块林周盆地设兴组红层样品为例, 通过岩石磁化率组构和剩磁组构的对比分析发现, 尽管Nam Phong组绝大多数样品和Phu Kradung组全部样品的AMS组构显示其具有铅笔状至强劈理过渡型构造变形组构特征, 但高场等温剩磁各向异性(hf-AIR)显示其高矫顽力赤铁矿所携带的特征剩磁组构仍具有典型沉积组构特征, 表明其以赤铁矿为主的载磁矿物未遭受后期构造应力的显著影响, 仍然能够准确记录岩石形成时期的古地球磁场方向.另一方面发现有且仅有剩磁组构才是判别碎屑沉积岩特征剩磁是否遭受了后期构造应力影响的充分必要条件.也就是说, 如果岩石剩磁组构(如以赤铁矿为主要载磁矿物的岩石hf-AIR组构)指示其原始沉积组构已被构造组构显著叠加或取代, 则必然说明该岩石剩磁方向已受到构造应力的作用而发生了显著偏转, 因而不能直接用于构造演化和古地理重建等块体运动学研究.

     

New insights into the hydrogeology of a basaltic shield volcano from a comparison between self-potential and electromagnetic data: Piton de la Fournaise, Indian ocean

In order to investigate aquifers, several geophysical surveys have been carried out in the Baril area of the southern flank of Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Reunion in the Indian Ocean using audiomagnetotelluric (AMT), very-low-frequency (VLF) and self-potential (SP) methods. We present the results with emphasis on a comparison between SP data and the findings of geoelectric surveys. AMT soundings have indicated, from the surface downward, three layers: (i) resistive volcanic rocks, (ii) an intermediate resistivity layer, and (iii) a conductive basement attributed to a seawater-bearing aquifer. VLF measurements allow the mapping of the first layer apparent resistivity, and therefore its bottom, when the true resistivity is supposed to be isotropic and homogenous. When this assumption does not hold, only the SP method permits the mapping of this bottom. Because of the good agreement between the SP and electromagnetic results, we propose the SP method as the first tool that should be used in studying shallow hydrogeological structures in volcanic areas.     

Application of the qda–md method of environmental discrimination to particle size analyses of fine sediments by pipette and sedigraph methods: A comparative study

The results of particle size analyses by the low-technology pipette method and by the modern SediGraph, of a suite of fine lacustrine bottom sediment samples, are compared. Good correlations between the two data sets are observed, although the SediGraph consistently indicates finer grain sizes and better sorting of distributions. The QDa-Md method of environmental discrimination, originally established on the basis of traditional methods of size analysis, is found to be sufficiently versatile to accommodate the SediGraph data into the appropriate trend envelopes, despite the considerable differences in derived grain size parameters.     

Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic studies of mafic igneous rocks from the Ryoke plutono-metamorphic belt in the Setouchi area, Southwest Japan: implications for the genesis and thermal history

Abstract Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isochron ages were determined for whole rocks and mineral separates of hornblende‐gabbros and related metadiabases and quartz‐diorite from Shodoshima, Awashima and Kajishima islands in the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic belt of the Setouchi area, Southwest Japan. The Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd whole‐rock‐mineral isochron ages for six samples range from 75 to 110 Ma and 200–220 Ma, respectively. The former ages are comparable with the Rb–Sr whole‐rock isochron ages reported from neighboring Ryoke granitic rocks and are thus due to thermal metamorphism caused by the granitic intrusions. On the contrary, the older ages suggest the time of formation of the gabbroic and related rocks. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of the gabbroic rocks (0.7070–0.7078 and 0.51217–0.51231 at 210 Ma, respectively) are comparable with those of neighboring late Cretaceous granites and lower crustal granulite xenoliths from Cenozoic andesites in this region. Because the gabbroic rocks are considered to be fragments of the lower crustal materials interlayered in the granulitic lower crust, their isotopic signature has been inherited from an enriched mantle source or, less likely, acquired through interaction with the lower crustal materials. The Sr and Nd isotopic and petrologic evidence leads to a plausible conclusion that the gabbroic rocks have formed as cumulates from hydrous mafic magmas of light rare earth element‐rich (Sm/Nd < 0.233) and enriched isotopic (?_Sr > 0 and ?_Nd < 0) signature, which possibly generated around 220–200 Ma by partial melting of an upper mantle. We further conclude that they are fragments of refractory material from the lower crust caught up as xenoblocks by granitic magmas, the latter having been generated by partial melting of granulitic lower crustal material around 100 Ma.     

A comparison of the evolution of diamondiferous quartz-rich rocks from the Saxonian Erzgebirge and the Kokchetav Massif: are so-called diamondiferous gneisses magmatic rocks?

The petrography and chemical composition of minerals of quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks from the Kokchetav Massif, especially the zonation of garnet, were studied and compared with diamondiferous quartzofeldspathic rocks from the Saxonian Erzgebirge. Many compositional and textural features were found to be similar. For instance, microdiamonds are enclosed systematically in a specific intermediate growth zone of garnet in these rocks. On the basis of experimental data, a magmatic scenario was constructed to check if the quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks are of magmatic origin. By this, the P-T paths, derived here for the Kokchetav rocks, and the textural observations it is concluded that the minerals of the diamondiferous rocks have crystallized from silicate melts. These melts originated by anatexis of deeply submerged metasediments (Erzgebirge: at T as high as 1200°C, Kokchetav Massif: at 50-100°C lower T) and ascended from at least 200 km depth. Relics of the pre-anatectic evolution are still present, for instance, as garnet cores. After ascent and emplacement of the magma in deep portions of thickened continental crust (Kokchetav Massif: 45-50 km close to 800°C, Erzgebirge: 55-60 km at 30-50°C lower T) considerable quantities of (white and/or dark) micas formed by peritectic reactions from melt. For instance, garnets could be resorbed at this stage and biotite grew instead. After the magmatic stage, retrogression took place much stronger in the Kokchetav Massif. This was accompanied by deformation transforming broadly the magmatic texture of quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks from the Kokchetav Massif to a gneissic texture.     

Continental hydrothermal sedimentary siliceous rock and genesis of superlarge germanium (Ge) deposit hosted in coal: A study from the Lincang Ge deposit,Yunnan, China

The study on marine hydrothermal sedimentationtends to be perfect at present, and a suit of hydrother-mal sedimentary distinguishing criterions (includingstructure, conformation, geochemistry, etc.) has beenfound[1—12]. While it is unsubstantial on the study ofhydrothermal sedimentation in continental deposi-tional environment, and little was known about therelation between continental hydrothermal sedimenta-tion and metal mineralization. The Lincang Ge deposit,hosted in coal with independent…     

Dating results on sedimentary quartz,bones and teeth from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site of Coudoulous I (Lot,SW France): A comparative study between TT-OSL and ESR/U-series methods

This study presents palaeodosimetric results from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site of Coudoulous I (Lot, SW France). Nine sedimentary quartz samples (41–60 μm) have been analyzed using a multiple aliquot protocol based on the measurement of the TT-OSL signal. In addition, 7 teeth and 7 bones have been dated by combining the ESR method with U-series analyses. Both methods gave consistent age results allowing correlation of the Early Middle Paleolithic Human occupation of the site to MIS 6 and part of the Lower Paleolithic tools to MIS 7. Beyond the establishment of a radiometric chronology for the Coudoulous I sequence, this study focuses on the information extracted from the intercomparison of the methods. Our data suggest that 1) the TT-OSL signal is stable over at least the last 230 ka (considering the age range of the studied samples), 2) there are not significant problems of incomplete bleaching leading support to the applicability of the TT-OSL technique for sedimentary deposits associated with karstic contexts. This approach highlights the interest of combining luminescence and ESR/U-series methods to discuss the reliability of the dating results.     

河流支流入汇口处水利工程防洪设计水位研究:以珠江流域西江桂平航运枢纽为例

修建在河流支流入汇口处的水利工程,同时受干、支流洪水共同作用,其防洪水位不但与洪水组合特性有关,还与洪水、水利工程行洪的耦合关系有关.已有采用设计洪水重现期对应的特征洪水组合,或者直接采用经验洪水组合进行调洪计算得到防洪设计水位的方法无法有效反映洪水与水利工程的相互作用.本文结合防洪标准的本质,利用Copula-蒙特卡罗模拟方法对修建在支流入汇口处的水利工程的防洪设计水位进行计算,并以珠江流域西江支流郁江广西桂平航运枢纽水闸为例展开研究.结果表明:Copula-蒙特卡罗模拟方法可以有效考虑干、支流洪水组合特性及其与水利工程行洪的耦合关系,以其计算得到的防洪设计水位唯一且可保证达到防洪标准的要求,可有效克服利用洪水重现期确定防洪设计水位存在的不确定性;在干、支流洪水共同作用下,以设计洪水重现期的不同特征组合计算得到的防洪设计水位相差非常大,且与达到防洪标准要求的防洪设计水位相比完全偏离了合理的误差范围,不宜以设计洪水重现期确定防洪设计水位;利用经验洪水组合计算难以合理反映不同工程的洪水及工程特性.研究成果可为修建在支流入汇口处受干、支流洪水共同影响的水利工程防洪设计提供更合理的理论依据和...