Structure and crystal chemistry of perovskite-type MgSiO3

Synthetic clinoenstatite (MgSiO₃) has been converted to a single phase with the perovskite structure in complete reactions at approx. 300 kbar in experiments that utilize the laser-heated diamond-anvil pressure apparatus. The structure of this phase after quenching was determined by powder X-ray diffraction intensity measurement to be similar to that of the distorted rare-earth, orthoferrite-type, orthorhombic perovskites, but it is suggested that such distortion from ideal cubic perovskite would diminish at high pressure. The unit cell dimensions and density of perovskite-type MgSiO₃ at ambient conditions (1 bar, 25°C) are a=4.780(1) Å, b=4.933(1) Å, c=6.902(1) Å, V=162.75 ų, and ρ=4.098(1) g/cm³. This phase is 3.1% denser than the isochemical oxide mixture [periclase (MgO)+stishovite (SiO₂)]. The small crystal-field stabilization energy of the cation site in the perovskite structure may play an important role in limiting the high-pressure stability field of perovskites that contain transition metal cations. Approximate calculations of the crystal-field effects indicate that perovskite of pure FeSiO₃ composition may become stable at 400–600 kbar; pressures greater than 800 kbar would be required to stabilize CoSiO₃ or NiSiO₃ perovskite.     

Crystal-field spectra of fassaite from the Angra dos Reis meteorite

Fassaitic pyroxene from the Angra dos Reis meteorite has striking spectral properties. The⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra show no Fe^3&+;, and thus the absorption is thought to originate from a complex charge-transfer process. Intense absorption at 480 nm dominates the spectrum of the meteorite and may be important in the interpretation of telescope spectra of objects in space.     

Natural radionuclides in the water of Narragansett Bay

The concentrations of radionuclides of the U-Th series (²³⁸U,²³⁴Th,²³⁴U,²³⁰Th,²²⁶Ra,²¹⁰Pb,²¹⁰Po, and²³²Th,²²⁸Ra,²²⁸Th) in the water of Narragansett Bay are reported. Analysis of the total, particulate, dissolved and colloidal forms of Th isotopes reveal a consistent removal behavior which is controlled mainly by the particulate matter concentration and the sediment resuspension rate. Half-removal times of Th from solution onto particles range from 1.5 to 15 days, and settling velocities of Th containing particles range generally between 1 and 11 m/day.²¹⁰Pb and²¹⁰Po concentrations are seasonally dependent, with higher concentrations and slower removal during the early summer (half-removal times from solution onto particles of 1–5 days in winter and up to 2 months in early summer).     

The deformation and recrystallization of biotite in the Woodroffe Thrust mylonite zone

The deformation and recrystallization microstructures in biotite from the Woodroffe Thrust mylonites are described and interpreted. The degree of strain causing recrystallization and the nucleation mechanisms differ across the mylonite zone. These differences are associated with the contrast in water content between the granulite and amphibolite facies felsic gneisses on either side of the zone. p]In moderately mylonitized granulite facies felsic gneisses (0.1–0.6% H₂O) subgrains form in intensely deformed host biotite and recrystallization mechanisms involve subgrain rotation both on host grain boundaries and associated with kink band bulge. In the amphibolite facies felsic gneisses (0.9–1.2% H₂O) the biotite recrystallizes by a mechanism involving localized internal kinking of the host and subsequent migration of high angle boundaries generated on the kink limbs. This combined with rotation due to the concurrent deformation generates high angle grain boundaries around the entire original kink limb and thus a new grain.     

Deformation of biotite and muscovite: Optical microstructure

An optical comparison illustrates the difference in behaviour of the two mica minerals biotite and muscovite; their response to deformation, and to chemical processes such as grain dissolution. Non-passive mechanical rotation, segmentation of deformed grains by a recovery-recrystallization type process and syntectonic growth of the phyllosilicates all contribute to the development of a strong tectonic foliation within a deformed pegmatite from the Italian Alps. There are significant mechanical differences between the two micas. Biotite readily deforms by kinking whereas muscovite forms sinusoidal folds and seldom kinks. If kink-like structures (deformation zones) are present in muscovite they are generally accompanied by fracturing. Fracturing and displacements are obvious in most deformed muscovites both parallel to axial surfaces and between (001) cleavages. Fracturing is occasionally recognised in biotite. However, it is often obscured by extensive dissolution and new grain nucleation. Evidence for dissolution processes in biotite is more abundant than in muscovite.     

Monitoring vegetation dynamics in East Rennell Island World Heritage Site using multi-sensor and multi-temporal remote sensing data

ABSTRACT

East Rennell of Solomon Island is the first natural site under customary law to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Potential threats due to logging, mining and agriculture led to the site being declared a World Heritage in Danger in 2013. For East Rennell World Heritage Site (ERWHS) to ‘shed’ its ‘Danger’ status the management must monitor forest cover both within and outside of ERWHS. We used satellite data from multiple sources to track forest cover changes for the entire East Rennell island since 1998. 95% of the island is still covered by undisturbed forests; annual average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for the whole island was above 0.91 in 2015. However, vegetation cover in the island has been slowly decreasing, at a rate of –0.0011 NDVI per year between 2000 and 2015. This decrease less pronounced inside ERWHS compared to areas outside. While potential threats due to forest clearing outside ERWHS remain the forest cover change from 2000 to 2015 has been below 15%. We suggest ways in which the Government of Solomon Islands could use our data as well as unmanned air vehicles and field surveys to monitor forest cover change and ensure the future conservation of ERWHS.     

Microstructure of mylonites and their descriptive terminology

The microstructural transition from amphibolite facies, gneissic country rock, with increasing deformation, to a fine-grained phyllitic mylonite is described in detail. All microstructures (e.g. polygonization, subgrains, serrated grain boundaries, kink bands, grain aggregates) are attributed to ductile deformation, recovery and recrystallization processes. The similarity of these structures to other described mylonites suggests that brittle deformation is not widespread in mylonitic rocks, and that terminology with brittle connotations should be discontinued. A new definition for the term ‘mylonite’ is proposed.     

Elevation models for reproducible evaluation of terrain representation

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes elevation models to promote, evaluate, and compare various terrain representation techniques. Our goal is to increase the reproducibility of terrain rendering algorithms and techniques across different scales and landscapes. We introduce elevation models of varying terrain types, available to the user at no cost, with minimal common data imperfections such as missing data values, resampling artifacts, and seams. Three multiscale elevation models are available, each consisting of a set of elevation grids, centered on the same geographic location, with increasing cell sizes and spatial extents. We also propose a collection of single-scale elevation models of archetypal landforms including folded ridges, a braided riverbed, active and stabilized sand dunes, and a volcanic caldera. An inventory of 78 publications with a total of 155 renderings illustrating terrain visualization techniques guided the selection of landform types in the elevation models. The benefits of using the proposed elevation models include straightforward comparison of terrain representation methods across different publications and better documentation of the source data, which increases the reproducibility of terrain representations.