Environmental upheavals of the Ediacaran period and the Cambrian “explosion” of animal life

The second half of the Ediacaran period began with a large impact e the Acraman impact in South Australia, which was accompanied by a negative d13Ccarb anomaly and an extinction-radiation event involvi...     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000831

The IAPWS-95 formulation explicit in Helmholtz free energy proposed by Wagner and Proβ(2002) is the best equation of state of water,from which all thermodynamic properties can be obtained over a wide T—p range from 273.16 to 1273 K and from 0 to 1000 MPa with experimental accuracy.This paper reports the applications of the IAPWS-95 formulation in fluid inclusion and mineral-water phase equilibria. A reliable and highly efficient calculation method is presented for the saturated properties of water so that the formulation can be conveniently applied in the study of fluid inclusion,such as calculating homogenization pressures,homogenization densities(or molar volumes),volume fractions and isochores.Meanwhile,the univariant curves of some mineral-dehydration reactions are calculated based on the IAPWS-95 formulation.The computer code of the IAPWS-95 formulation can be obtained from the corresponding author.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112001314

As one of the areas where typical late Archean crust is exposed in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, the northern Laioning Complex consists principally of tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic (TTG) gneisses, massive granitoids and supracrustal rocks. The supracrustal rocks, named the Qingyuan Group, consist of interbedded amphibolite, hornblende granulite, biotite granulite and BIF. Petrological evidence indicates that the amphibolites experienced the early prograde (M1), peak (M2) and post-peak (M3) metamorphism. The early prograde assemblage (M1) is preserved as mineral inclusions, represented by actinotite + hornblende + plagioclase + epidote + quartz + sphene, within garnet porphyroblasts. The peak assemblage (M2) is indicated by garnet + clinopyroxene + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + ilmenite, which occur as major mineral phases in the rock. The post-peak assemblage (M3) is characterized by the garnet + quartz symplectite. The P–T pseudosections in the NCFMASHTO system constructed by using THERMOCALC define the P–T conditions of M1, M2 and M3 at 490–550 °C/<4.5 kbar, 780–810 °C/7.65–8.40 kbar and 630–670 °C/8.15–9.40 kbar, respectively. As a result, an anticlockwise P–T path involving isobaric cooling is inferred for the metamorphic evolution of the amphibolites. Such a P–T path suggests that the late Archean metamorphism of the northern Liaoning Complex was related to the intrusion and underplating of mantle-derived magmas. The underplating of voluminous mantle-derived magmas leading to metamorphism with an anticlockwise P–T path involving isobaric cooling may have occurred in continental magmatic arc regions, above hot spots driven by mantle plumes, or in continental rift environments. A mantle plume model is favored because this model can reasonably interpret many other geological features of late Archean basement rocks from the northern Liaoning Complex in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton as well as their anticlockwise P–T paths involving isobaric cooling.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113001369

The 3-D P- and S-wave velocity models of the upper crust beneath Southwest Iberia are determined by inverting arrival time data from local earthquakes using a seismic tomo~raphy method. We used a total of 3085 P- and 2780 S-wave high quality arrival times from 886 local earthquakes recorded by a per- manent seismic network, which is operated by the Institute of Meteorology （IM）, Lisbon, Portugal. The computed P- and S-wave velocities are used to determine the 3-D distributions of Vp/Vs ratio. The 3-D velocity and Vp/Vs ratio images display clear lateral heterogeneities in the study area. Significant veloc- ity variations up to ~6% are revealed in the upper crust beneath Southwest lberia, At 4 km depth, both P- and S-wave velocity take average to high values relative to the initial velocity model, while at 12 km, low P-wave velocities are clearly visible along the coast and in the southern parts. High S-wave velocities at 12 km depth are imaged in the central parts, and average values along the coast; although some scattered patches of low and high S-wave velocities are also revealed. The Vp/Vs rztio is generally high at depths of 4 and 12 km along the coastal parts with some regions of high Vp/Vs ratio in the north at 4 km depth, and low Vp/Vs ratio in the central southern parts at a depth of 12 km, The imaged low velocity and high Vp/Vs ratios are related to the thick saturated and unconsolidated sediments covering the region; whereas the high velocity regions are generally associated with the Mesozoic basement rocks.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000776

The Donalda gold deposit in the southern part of the Archean Abitibi greenstone belt consists mainly of a subhorizontal gold-quartz vein perpendicular to subvertical shear zones. The 0.3e0.5 m thick vein is characterized by vein-parallel banding structures indicating multiple episodes of fracture opening and mineral precipitation. Measurement of the c-axis of primary growth quartz indicates that quartz preferentially grew perpendicular to the fracture, suggesting open space filling and/or extensional nature of the fracture. Measurement of the orientations of microfractures, veinlets and fluideinclusion planes (FIPs) crosscutting primary growth quartz indicates that the vein minerals were subject to a vertical maximum principal stress (s1), which is inconsistent with the subhorizontal s1 inferred from the regional stress field with NeS shortening. This apparent discrepancy is explained by invoking episodic fluid pressure fluctuation between supralithostatic and hydrostatic regimes accompanied by episodic opening and closing of the subhorizontal fracture. When fluid pressure was higher than the lithostatic value, the fracture was opened and primary growth minerals were precipitated, whereas when fluid pressure decreased toward the hydrostatic value, the hanging wall of the fracture collapsed, causing collision of protruding primary growth minerals from both sides of the fracture and resulting in formation of vein-parallel deformation bands. The columns where the two facing sides of the fracture collided were subject to higher-than-lithostatic stress due to the bridging effect and reduced support surface area, explaining the development of vertical s1. This hypothesis is consistent the fault-valve model, and explains the flipping of s1 without having to change the regional stress field.     

High-pressure investigations on Piplia Kalan eucrite meteorite using in-situ X-ray diffraction and ~(57)Fe Mssbauer spectroscopic technique up to 16 GPa

We report here high-pressure investigations on Piplia Kalan eucrite—a member of HED(Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite) family from asteroid 4-Vesta based on synchrotron X-ray diffraction(up to 16 GPa)and ~(57)Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy(up to 8 GPa).Dominant with anorthite-rich plagioclase,pigeonite-rich pyroxene and clino-ferrosilite,the sample displayed various phase transitions attaining amorphous character at 16 GPa.These phase transitions of individual components could be explained simultaneously through variations in high-pressure XRD patterns and the Mossbauer parameters.Most prominent P2_1/c to C2/c transition of pigeonite and ferrosilite was exhibited both as sudden variation in Mossbauer parameters and population inversion of Fe~(2+) in Ml and M2 sites between 2.9 and 3.8 GPa and variation in intensity profile in XRD patterns at 3.56 GPa.Anorthite seemed to respond more to such impact than other components in the sample.Complete amorphization in anorthite which occurred at lower pressure of- 12 GPa implied residual stress experienced due to shock impact.The presence of high pressure(monoclinic) phase of pigeonite and ferrosilite at ambient condition in this eucrite sample confirmed earlier suggestions of an early shock event.This report is an attempt to emphasize the role of anorthite in the determination of the residual stress due to impact process in the parent body thus to understand the behavioral differences amongst HED members.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115001115

Whether swarms of preferentially oriented dykes are controlled by regional stress fields, or passively exploit basement structural fabric, is a much debated question, with support for either scenario in individual case studies. The Sarnu-Dandali alkaline complex, near the northwestern limit of the Deccan Traps continental flood basalt province, contains mafic to felsic alkaline volcano-plutonic rocks and carbonatites. The complex is situated near the northern end of the 600 km long, NNWe SSE-trending Barmer-Cambay rift. Mafic enclave swarms in the syenites suggest synplutonic mafic dykes injected into a largely liquid felsic magma chamber. Later coherent dykes in the complex, of all compositions and sizes,dominantly strike NNWe SSE, parallel to the Barmer-Cambay rift. The rift formed during two distinct episodes of extension, NWe SE in the early Cretaceous and NEe SW in the late Cretaceous. Control of the southern Indian Dharwar structural fabric on the rift trend, as speculated previously, is untenable,whereas the regional Precambrian basement trends(Aravalli and Malani) run NEe SW and NNEe SSW.We therefore suggest that the small-scale Sarnu-Dandali dykes and the much larger-scale BarmerCambay rift were not controlled by basement structure, but related to contemporaneous, late Cretaceous regional ENEe WSW extension, for which there is varied independent evidence.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000247

Recent advances in modeling of tornadoes and twisters consist of significant achievements in mathematical calculation of occurrence and evolution of a violent F5-class tornado on the Fujita scale, and four-dimensional mathematical modeling of a tornado with the fourth coordinate time multiplied by its characteristic velocity.Such a tornado can arise in a thunderstorm supercell filled with turbulent whirlwinds.A theory of the squall storms is proposed.The squall storm is modeled by running perturbation of...     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000309

In the early 1980s, evidence that crustal rocks had reached temperatures 〉1000 ℃ at normal lower crustal pressures while others had followed low thermal gradients to record pressures characteristic of mantle conditions began to appear in the literature, and the importance of melting in the tectonic evolution of orogens and metamorphic-metasomatic reworking of the lithospheric mantle was realized. In parallel, new developments in instrumentation, the expansion of in situ analysis of geological ma- terials and increases in computing power opened up new fields of investigation. The robust quantifi- cation of pressure （P）, temperature （T） and time （t） that followed these advances has provided reliable data to benchmark geodynamic models and to investigate secular change in the thermal state of the lithosphere as registered by metamorphism through time. As a result, the last 30 years have seen sig- nificant progress in our understanding of lithospheric evolution, particularly as it relates to Precambrian geodynamics.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000601

The intrusions of the Panzhihua-Xichang(Panxi) region in southwest China have become well known in the past decade because they host large and rich magmatic oxide deposits that are mined for Fe,Ti and V.These intrusions form part of the Emeishan large igneous province(ELIP),which is commonly believed to be the product of melting in a mantle plume.The ELIP was emplaced about 260 Ma ago,at the same time as the end-Guadalupian mass extinction.The investigation of the Panxi intrusions therefore provides information relevant to three broad areas of the earth sciences:(1)the petrogenesis of mafic magmas, (2) the impact of major magmatic events and global climate and     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000339

The Mottled Zone(MZ) or Hatrurim Formation,which occurs near the Levantine Transform in the South Levant,has been studied during the last 150 years but its origin remains debatable.Mottled Zone Complex/Complexes(MZC/MZCs) consist of brecciated carbonate and low-temperature calcium-hydro-silicate rocks,which include unusual high- and ultra-high-temperature low-pressure(HT-LP) meta-morphic mineral assemblages.The MZ has been regarded as a product of combustion of bituminous chalks of the Ghareb Fm.of Cretaceous(Maastrichtian) age.In this paper we present detailed geographic, geomorphologic,structural and geological data from the MZCs of the South Levant,which show that the MZCs cannot be stratigraphically correlated with the Ghareb Fm.,because MZC late Oligocene-late Pleistocene deposits occur within or unconformable i.e.,with stratigraphic hiatus,overlap both the late Cretaceous and,in places,Neogene stratigraphic units.We propose an alternative model for the formation of MZCs by tectonically induced mud volcanism during late Oligocene-late Pleistocene time. This model explains(i) the presence of dikes and tube-like bodies,which consist of brecciated exotic clastic material derived from stratigraphically and hypsometrically lower horizons;(ii) mineral assemblages of sanidinite facies metamorphism;(iii) multi-stage character of HT-LP pyrometamorphism;and (iv) multi-stage low-temperature hydrothermal alteration.High temperatures(up to 1500℃) mineral assemblages resulted from combustion of hydrocarbon gases of mud volcanoes.Mud volcanism was spatially and structurally related to neotectonic folds and deformation zones formed in response to opening of the Red Sea rift and propagation of the Levantine Transform Fault.Our model may significantly change the prospects for oil-and-gas deposits in the region.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112001417

GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS(GSF) has instituted an Award(GSF Best Paper Award) to the author(s) of the paper judged to be the best published each year from 2012 onwards.The objective of this recognition is to encourage high quality studies on the frontier fields of Earth Sciences.Only articles that contain original research data and/or models are eligible for the Award,and can include articles published under the categories of"FOCUS"and"RESEARCH PAPERS".The Award Committee comprising of members nominated from the Editorial Board/Council of GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS,     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111001253

The Yan'an Formation of the Ordos Basin is a sequence of four members,consisting of siliciclastic sediments deposited in alluvial,lacustrine and mire settings during the Middle Jurassic.Samples collect...     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111001010

A large-scale pop-up structure occurs at the front of the northern Dabashan thrust belt (NDTB),bound by the NNE-dipping Chengkou fault to the south,and the SSW-dipping Gaoqiao fault to the north.The pop-up structure shows different features along its strike as a direct reflection of the intensity of tectonic activity.To the northwest,the structure is characterized by a two-directional thrust system forming a positive flower-like structure.In contrast,the southeastern part is composed of the vertical Chengkou fault and a series of N-directed backthrusts.showing a semi-flower-like structure. We present results from Ar-Ar dating of syntectonic microthermal nietamorphic sericite which show that the Chengkou fault experienced intense deformation during the mid-Mesozoic Yanshanian epoch(about 143.3 Ma),causing rapid uplift and thrusting of the northern Dabashan thrust belt.During the propagation of this thrust,a series of backthrusts formed because of the obstruction from the frontier of Dabashan thrust belt,leading to the development of the pop-up structure.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000211

Arid and semi-arid regions are susceptible to high levels of erosion.A rapid and cost effective methodological erosion assessment for these regions is required to describe and monitor the processes that control erosion.This study uses remote sensing to describe the contribution of several factors that control erosion.Topography,land use,vegetation density,soil properties and climatic proxies are used to determine erosion risk and to provide basic maps of water and soil conservation practices. A hierarchi...     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113001084

We report here for the first time the composition and mineralogical studies on a new meteorite,which fell in Dhayala ki Chappar(24°58'N,73°48'27"E) 5 km NW of Nathdwara in south Rajasthan,India,on Dec.25 th,2012.Mineralogical and compositional studies were carried out on a representative piece of the Nathdwara meteorite sample.The mineralogical composition of the meteorite has been found to be olivine(42-45 vol.%),feldspar(10-15 vol.%),orthopyroxene(23-25 vol.%),troilite(6-8 vol.%),and titanium bearing minerals(6-8 vol.%).Our investigations show that the Nathdwara meteorite belongs to H6 group of ordinary chondrites.     

Dating of zircon from high-grade rocks： Which is the most reliable method？

Magmatic zircon in high-grade metamorphic rocks is often characterized by complex textures as revealed by cathodoluminenscence （CL） that result from multiple episodes of recrystallization, over- growth, Pb-loss and modifications through fluid-induced disturbances of the crystal structure and the original U-Th-Pb isotopic systematics. Many of these features can be recognized in 2-dimensional CL images, and isotopic analysis of such domains using a high resolution ion-microprobe with only shallow penetration of the zircon surface may be able to reconstruct much of the magmatic and complex post- magmatic history of such grains. In particular it is generally possible to find original magmatic domains yielding concordant ages. In contrast, destructive techniques such as LA-ICP-MS consume a large volume, leave a deep crater in the target grain, and often sample heterogeneous domains that are not visible and thus often yield discordant results which are difficult to interpret. We provide examples of complex magmatic zircon from a southern Indian granulite terrane where SHRIMP lI and LA-ICP-MS analyses are compared. The SHRIMP data are shown to be more precise and reliable, and we caution against the use of LA-ICP-MS in deciphering the chronology of complex zircons from high-grade terranes.