Low/SrSr ratios in fresh South African kimberlites

Three fresh kimberlites are shown to have⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.704; altered kimberlites yield⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.707 and 0.708. All kimberlites previously analysed for Sr isotopes may in fact have been altered.     

Rare gases in a phlogopite nodule and a phlogopite-bearing peridotite in South African kimberlites

Rare gas isotopes in a phlogopite nodule and a phlogopite-bearing peridotite nodule in South African kimberlites were studied to examine the state of rare gases in the deep interior of the kimberlite region.Within the experimental error of 1 ～ 2%, rare gas isotopic compositions are atmospheric except for radiogenic⁴He and⁴⁰Ar. No excess¹²⁹Xe was observed.In phlogopite, Ne is more depleted, whereas the heavier rare gases are more enriched than the atmospheric rare gases relative to³⁶Ar.Together with other data these results suggest that the state of rare gases in the upper mantle of the South African kimberlite region might have been changed from the typical primitive mantle by a process such as mixing of crustal materials.     

The volatile content of hypabyssal kimberlite magmas: some constraints from experiments on natural rock compositions

Kimberlites are volatile rich magmas that ascend from deep in the mantle at high velocities, then as they reach a ‘root zone’ at 1–3 km in depth they either discharge explosively through to the surface or stall to form dykes and sills. Understanding this eruptive behaviour is difficult due to a lack of data on volatile solubility, particularly at conditions where the magmas enter the ‘root zone’ (∼30–80 MPa). In this study, we perform experiments on some putative primary kimberlite magma compositions to assess the amount of CO₂ and H₂O retained if these compositions represent magma as it enters the root zone. At the conditions investigated (100–200 MPa and 1,275–1,100°C) the results suggest that none of these particular kimberlite compositions reproduce a magma that can retain the observed high volatile content when intruded at these pressures (∼4–8 km). In our experiments, the low volatile retention is due to a combination of factors including a high proportion of solid phases, none of which are volatile-bearing, and inadequate volatile solubilities in the subordinate amounts of melt present. Modelled solubilities also suggest that the dissolved volatile contents remain too low even at super-liquidus temperatures (i.e. 100% melt). For water, the higher values observed in natural rocks can be explained by the addition of H₂O associated with ubiquitous post-emplacement serpentinization. The high CO₂ contents in hypabyssal rocks are unlikely to be related to alteration. We suggest that most kimberlites originally had lower SiO₂ contents and as such may have been ‘transitional’ between silicate and carbonate melts. This results in both higher CO₂ solubilities and lower liquidus temperatures. For such compositions, it is possible that both CO₂ and water solubility may first decrease and then increase as magmas decompress and crystallize. Such unusual behaviour can help explain why kimberlite magmas can be very explosive or form shallow hypabyssal intrusions.     

Magnetomineralogy of Botswana kimberlites

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - The magnetic properties and mineralogy of kimberlites from four pipes (BK53, BK56, AK08, and AK06) in Botswana are studied. It is shown that magnetic...     

Paleomagnetic dating of Phanerozoic kimberlites in Siberia

Diamond bearing kimberlite pipes are exposed across the north-central part of the Siberian platform. Three main time intervals are considered to be the age of emplacement: the Devonian–Early Carboniferous, Triassic, and Cretaceous. However, isotopic age data from of the pipes are scattered and provide a very broad age interval for the magmatic activity. New paleomagnetic poles from four kimberlite pipes (Eastern Udachnaya, Western Udachnaya, International and Obnazhennaya) are obtained to estimate their paleomagnetic age. The mean primary magnetization directions for the pipes are as follows: D = 4.3°, I = − 44.5° (k = 29.4, α₉₅ = 7.4°, N = 14); D = 340.5°, I = − 65.6° (k = 12.9, α₉₅ = 19.4°, N = 6); D = 291.1°, I = − 78.1° (k = 27.5, α₉₅ = 14.9°, N = 5); and D = 306.7°, I = − 82.6° (k = 38.4, α₉₅ = 5.8°, N = 17), respectively. On the basis of a comparison with the Siberian apparent polar wander path (APWP) we estimate the age of kimberlite magmatism, assuming primary magnetizations in these rocks. The paleomagnetic ages are as follows: 428 ± 13 Ma for Eastern Udachnaya; 251 ± 30 Ma for International pipe; and 168 ± 11 Ma for Obnazhennaya pipe. The Western Udachnaya pipe was remagnetized and no clear paleomagnetic age could be determined. The ages of magmatic activity span the Early Silurian to Middle Late Jurassic. Early Silurian magmatism could be associated with the formation of the Viluy rift. Middle to Late Jurassic magmatic activity is most likely related to subduction related to the accretion of surrounding terranes to Siberia.     

40Ar/39Ar analyses of phlogopite nodules and phlogopite-bearing peridotites in South African kimberlites

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses have been made on phlogopite-bearing peridotite nodules from Bultfontein and phlogopite nodules from Du Toitspan, Kimberley area, South Africa. Neither definite plateau nor isochron age could be obtained due to the occurrence of an excess⁴⁰Ar in phlogopite. However, the extrusion age of a phlogopite nodule from Du Toitspan has been estimated to be about 86 m.y. from the combination of the youngest⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age in the intermediate temperature fraction with Rb/Sr age data reported for this area.Excess⁴⁰Ar correlates with K-derived³⁹Ar in some phlogopites suggesting that it is trapped in K- or K-similar sites and has been incorporated during phlogopite formation.The occurrence of large amounts of excess⁴⁰Ar in phlogopite suggests that it was not formed at a shallow depth.     

蛇绿岩研究现状及华南蛇绿岩问题

蛇绿岩概念自上世纪70年代提出以来,就成为确定古板块边界的重要证据,具有重要大地构造学意义,一直是地质学家研究的热点之一。近年来,随着地球化学技术的发展以及深海钻探计划和大洋钻探计划的实施,世界各地蛇绿岩研究不断深入,取得了很大的发展,同时也提出了很多新的问题。本文主要论述了蛇绿岩研究的最新动态,并对华南蛇绿岩的研究进展进行了分析梳理,对存在的一些问题作了初步讨论。     

Lamproites and kimberlites in China and the genesis of diamond deposit

It is known that the lamproites occur in the southeastern Guizhou Province and in the Dahong Mountains area, Hubei Province; and many para-lamproite occurrences spread in the west half part of the South China landmass. The para-larnproite diatremes in Ningxiang County, Hunan Province, contain a few of fine grains of diamond. Parts of the kimberlite pipes and dykes in Mengyin County, Shandong Province, consist locally of basic kimberlite; and the kimberlite dykes in the Maping kimberlite area, Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province, consist of basic kimberlite principally. Although the diamondiferous kimberlites and lamproites occur always in the cratons within continental plate, both the potassium-rich ultramafic rocks display the geochemical features of the magmatism of post-collision in orogenic belt. Both the kimberlite and lamproite magmas may originate from the local parts of the mantle transition zone, where the mantle contains the matter of ancestor slab of ancient subduction zone. And, both the K-rich ultramafic magmas generated in an active mantle plume, which came from the boundary between the core and the lower mantle. The basic kimberlite magma may be more capable of preserving the crystals of the diamond type 11.     

赣南区域地质构造特征与地震分布关系研究

利用赣南地区的基础地质资料，分析了该区域在大受力背景下的应力调整方式。赣南新构造运动特征明显。NNE向，NW向及EW向构造体系受近东西向应力场作用在局部形成应力集中，并在多组构造交接复合处释放；新构造在对老构造的改造复合过程中，构造带上岩石常处于强烈破碎状态。积聚不了大的能量。因而不太可能发生较大（Ms≥6.0级）地震。     

某深切峡谷区地应力场的变化特征分析

根据某深切峡谷岸坡中由应力解除法和水压致裂法得到的实测数据，运用工程地质分析原理和统计分析方法对研究区地应力场的总体变化特征以及地应力与高程、水平埋深、垂直埋深、剥蚀厚度的关系进行了分析，说明在近于平行河谷的构造应力场作用下，河谷现今地应力场仅存在应力降低区和应力相对平稳区的特殊变化特，并分析了坡中引起地应力方向变化及量值波动的主要原因是次级地质构造和岩体局部的模量值，同时证实了河谷底部水平应力的变化基本服从布林-哈盖模型。     

Paleomagnetism and magnetic fabrics of Mio-Pliocene hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event,Colombia: tectonic implications

Mio-Pliocene hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event in the Amagá basin (NW Andes-Colombia), contain a deformational record of the activity of the Cauca-Romeral fault system, and the interaction of terranes within the Choco and northern Andean blocks. Previous paleomagnetic studies interpreted coherent counterclockwise rotations and noncoherent modes of rotation about horizontal axes for the Combia intrusives. However, rotations were determined from in-situ paleomagnetic directions and the existing data set is small. In order to better understand the deformational features of these rocks, we collected new paleomagnetic, structural, petrographic and magnetic fabric data from well exposed hypabyssal rocks of the Combia event. The magnetizations of these rocks are controlled by a low-coercivity ferromagnetic phase. Samples respond well to alternatingfield demagnetization isolating a magnetization component of moderate coercivity. These rocks do not have ductile deformation features. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and morphotectonic analysis indicate that rotation about horizontal axes is consistently to the south-east, suggesting the need to apply a structural correction to the paleomagnetic data. The relationships between magnetic foliations and host-rock bedding planes indicate tectonic activity initiated before ~10 Ma. We present a mean paleomagnetic direction (declination D = 342.8°, inclination I = 12.1°, 95% confidence interval α₉₅ = 12.5°, precision parameter k = 8.6, number of specimens n = 18) that incorporates structural corrections. The dispersion S = 27° of site means cannot be explained by secular variation alone, but it indicates a counterclockwise rotation of 14.8° ± 12.7° relative to stable South America. Paleomagnetic data within a block bounded by the Sabanalarga and Cascajosa faults forms a more coherent data set (D = 336.5°, I = 17.4°, α₉₅ = 11.7°, k = 12.5, n = 14), which differs from sites west of the Sabanalarga fault and shows a rotation about a vertical axis of 20.2° ± 10.7°. Deformation in the Amagá basin may be tentatively explained by the obduction of the Cañas Gordas terrane over the northwestern margin of the northern Andean block. However, it can also be related to the local effects of the Cauca-Romeral fault system.     

Anomalous seismic effect under volcanoes and some features of deep-seated structure of volcanic areas

This paper considers the focal distribution of subcrustal earthquakes and the dynamic features of seismic wave propagation under some volcanic areas of Kamchatka. Under active volcanoes there are aseismic areas of anomalous attenuation of seismic waves. These features suggest the presence of low viscosity zones under volcanoes, in which there are no concentration of sufficient stresses to generate earthquakes. These zones extend down to the focal layer.     

Ground variation of radon 222 for location of hidden structural features. Example of the south of France (Alpes Maritimes)

We report two examples from the south of the French Alps, showing that radon emanation monitored by alpha-sensitive film may be used to locate certain discrete structural features revealed in data collected by remote sensing from a satellite. The variations observed in our data, over a period of several months, are in accordance with atmospheric changes and might correlate with local seismic activity when the detectors are located directly above structural fractures and the magnitude of the seismic event is greater than 2.     

Experimental comparison of some techniques for estimating natural raindrop size distribution on the south coast of the Caspian Sea,Iran

Abstract

Knowledge of the relationship between rainfall intensity and kinetic energy and its variations in time and space is important for the prediction of erosion hazard. Kinetic energy and erosivity are also strongly controlled by raindrop size. However, studies on raindrop measurement and different practical techniques have been rarely documented. The current study therefore aimed to apply existing raindrop-size measurement techniques—the photographic, flour-pellet and stain methods, as well as an innovative flour-stain method—and to evaluate their applicability at several intensities in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The distribution of raindrop size obtained by the different methods was recorded and compared with those obtained through applying a high-speed imaging technique. All the analyses were made with the help of a SPSS software package. The results showed that the raindrop diameters ranged from 0.2 to 5.16 mm at different rainfall intensities. Statistical comparison of the methods using the Duncan test showed that the flour-pellet method presented similar results to the photographic technique; it was concluded that this can be used as a practical and inexpensive method to estimate a wide range of raindrop sizes.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Sadeghi, S.H., Abdollahi, Z., and Khaledi Darvishan, A., 2013. Experimental comparison of some techniques for estimating natural raindrop size distribution on the south coast of the Caspian Sea, Iran. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (6), 1374–1382.     

The stress release model and results from modelling features of some seismic regions in China

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Are some of the deep crustal conductive features found in SW Iberia caused by graphite?

Recent results obtained from two-dimensional inversion of magnetotelluric (MT) data acquired in SW Iberia reveal high-conductive features at the middle-lower levels of the crust. The top of these anomalous structures correlates very well with the depth (10-13 km) of an important seismic interface that has been interpreted as a regional detachment horizon. Very shallow and relatively narrow conductors in the Ossa Morena Zone appear to correspond to small-scale fluid-deposited graphite systems in the preorogenic metasedimentary sequences. Some of the midcrustal conductors can be ascribed to graphite-bearing thrust zones, the formation of graphite with variable crystallinity being a consequence of Variscan shearing processes. Deep-seated conductors are tentatively interpreted as a result of relatively continuous, highly crystalline grain-boundary graphite films presumably preserved in basement, granulite(?) rocks. Assuming that graphite occurs as interconnected films, calculations indicate that a fraction of 0.006-0.02% of this accessory mineral is enough to explain the range of the electrical resistivity estimated on the basis of MT models. The role of graphite on the thermal behaviour of the crust is also discussed. The results show that low contents of graphite do not significantly change the thermal behaviour of earth materials.     

On some features peculiar to the September 22, 2005 eruption of Young Shiveluch Volcano,Kamchatka

An explosive eruption of Young Shiveluch Volcano occurred on September 22, 2005, discharging a pyroclastic flow about 20 km long in the Baidarnaya River valley and an ashfall in the area of the Northern cluster of volcanoes.