The elastic constants of monoclinic single-crystal chrome-diopside to 1,300 K

Values of the complete adiabatic elastic tensor for single-crystal chrome-diopside (a monoclinic pyroxene mineral) are presented from 298 to 1,300 K. The data were obtained using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS). They are the first published results for the temperature T dependences of the 13 individual elastic constants C _ij of any clinopyroxene mineral. Each C _ij is appropriately described by a linear function in T throughout the range of T. Values for each (∂C _ij /∂T) _P in GPa K⁻¹ are as follows: C ₁₁, −0.0291; C ₂₂, −0.0248; C ₃₃, −0.0179; C ₄₄, −0.0103; C ₅₅, −0.0077; C ₆₆, −0.0152; C ₁₂, −0.0119; C ₁₃, −0.0064; C ₂₃, 0.0000; C ₁₅, 0.0025; C ₂₅, 0.0022; C ₃₅, −0.0046; and C ₄₆, 0.0026. Values of (∂M/∂T) _P in GPa K⁻¹, where M represents an isotropic bulk property calculated from the C _ij data, are as follows: adiabatic bulk modulus K _S , −0.0123; isothermal bulk modulus K _T , −0.0178; and shear modulus G, −0.00998. Some diopside derivatives, notably (∂K _S /∂T) _P , (∂K _T /∂T) _P , and (∂V _P /∂T) _P , where V _P is the compressional wave velocity, have smaller magnitudes than all other minerals of importance in Earth’s mantle, thus, confirming predictions from systematics studies. We find several dimensionless quantities for this monoclinic mineral have normal values compared to other mantle minerals. Further, αK _T (α is the volume coefficient of thermal expansion) for diopside is approximately independent of both T and volume V at elevated temperature, so its equation of state is accurately expressed in simplified form.     

Assessment of the influencing factors on subsidence at abandoned coal mines in South Korea

This study deals with the characteristics of subsidence and the relationships between the subsidence factors over abandoned coal mines in South Korea. The subsidence factors that were investigated were the dip angle and thickness of the coal bed, mining depth, depth of subsidence, and subsidence area in 548 cases of subsidence that occurred throughout the country. A close relationship between the type of subsidence and mining method was identified. There was an intimate relation between the depth of subsidence and the dip angle of the coal bed, while the subsidence area proved to be in proportion to the thickness of the coal bed and mining depth and was in inverse proportion to the dip angle of the coal bed.     

Interaction of metamorphism, deformation and exhumation in large convergent orogens

Coupled thermal‐mechanical models are used to investigate interactions between metamorphism, deformation and exhumation in large convergent orogens, and the implications of coupling and feedback between these processes for observed structural and metamorphic styles. The models involve subduction of suborogenic mantle lithosphere, large amounts of convergence (≥ 450 km) at 1 cm yr^?1, and a slope‐dependent erosion rate. The model crust is layered with respect to thermal and rheological properties — the upper crust (0–20 km) follows a wet quartzite flow law, with heat production of 2.0 μW m^?3, and the lower crust (20–35 km) follows a modified dry diabase flow law, with heat production of 0.75 μW m^?3. After 45 Myr, the model orogens develop crustal thicknesses of the order of 60 km, with lower crustal temperatures in excess of 700 °C. In some models, an additional increment of weakening is introduced so that the effective viscosity decreases to 10¹⁹ Pa.s at 700 °C in the upper crust and 900 °C in the lower crust. In these models, a narrow zone of outward channel flow develops at the base of the weak upper crustal layer where T≥600 °C. The channel flow zone is characterised by a reversal in velocity direction on the pro‐side of the system, and is driven by a depth‐dependent pressure gradient that is facilitated by the development of a temperature‐dependent low viscosity horizon in the mid‐crust. Different exhumation styles produce contrasting effects on models with channel flow zones. Post‐convergent crustal extension leads to thinning in the orogenic core and a corresponding zone of shortening and thrust‐related exhumation on the flanks. Velocities in the pro‐side channel flow zone are enhanced but the channel itself is not exhumed. In contrast, exhumation resulting from erosion that is focused on the pro‐side flank of the plateau leads to ‘ductile extrusion’ of the channel flow zone. The exhumed channel displays apparent normal‐sense offset at its upper boundary, reverse‐sense offset at its lower boundary, and an ‘inverted’ metamorphic sequence across the zone. The different styles of exhumation produce contrasting peak grade profiles across the model surfaces. However, P–T–t paths in both cases are loops where P_max precedes T_max, typical of regional metamorphism; individual paths are not diagnostic of either the thickening or the exhumation mechanism. Possible natural examples of the channel flow zones produced in these models include the Main Central Thrust zone of the Himalayas and the Muskoka domain of the western Grenville orogen.     

Magmatic fluids of Tatun volcanic group,Taiwan

Two distinctive magmatic fluids were recognized in the Tatun volcanic group (TVG), Taiwan. One is a relatively reduced fluid represented by the fumarolic gases at Hsiao-you-ken (HYK) geothermal field. Another is an oxidized fluid containing high concentrations of HCl represented by the fumarolic gases at Da-you-ken (DYK). An intermediate gas was recognized at Gung-tze-ping (GTP) and She-hung-ping (SHP). The fumarolic gases at HYK and GTP possess the features of so-called primary steam generated on mixing of magmatic gas and meteoric groundwater. The fumarolic gases at DYK are a simple mixture between magmatic gas and water vapor of meteoric origin. The CO₂/H₂O molar ratio of the magmatic component in the fumarolic gases at DYK was estimated to be 0.018, meanwhile it was estimated to be 0.027 for the fumarolic gases at HYK and GTP, suggesting the magma beneath DYK is depleted in volatiles relative to the magma beneath HYK and GTP. The estimated CO₂/H₂O ratio for the magmatic component is comparable to that of some active volcanoes in Japan, suggesting the enrichment of volatiles in the magmas beneath TVG.     

Improving debris flow monitoring in Taiwan by using high-resolution rainfall products from QPESUMS

Debris flow is commonly initiated by torrential rain and its triggering is correlated to the hydrological, geological, and geomorphic conditions on site. In spite of the important effects of geology and topography, rainfall characteristic is the main external triggering factor to debris flow and is a predominant parameter for real-time monitoring. Due to the scarcity of sufficient spatial ground-based rainfall data in hill areas, quantitative precipitation estimation using remote-sensing techniques such as radar and satellite is needed for debris flow pre-warning. The QPESUMS (Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Segregation Using Multiple Sensors) system was acquired to retrieve spatial rainfall data during the rainfall period from June 30 to July 6 in 2004 when Typhoon Mindulle and southwesterly flow struck Taiwan. The retrieved data were used for setting up the debris flow monitoring algorithm. With the aid of multiple platforms of meteorological observations, a rainfall threshold isohyet in a pilot area was mapped for debris flow monitoring. The rainfall monitoring algorithm based on QPESUMS provides more detailed information than the limited number of ground-based rainfall stations for interpreting the spatial distributions of rainfall events, and therefore is more suitable for debris-flow monitoring.     

Hydrothermal fluid-controlled remagnetization of sedimentary rocks in Korea: Tectonic importance of pervasive Tertiary remagnetization

In order to better understand the tectonic environment of the Korean Peninsula since Cretaceous, a paleomagnetic study was carried out on the Jinan Basin located in southwestern Korea. From the demagnetization of 597 samples, we found that remanence is carried by pyrrhotite and/or magnetite (black siltstone) and hematite (red siltstone), which is a common magnetic mineral assemblage of the rocks remagnetized in Early Tertiary in Korea. All the rock units recorded identical ancient geomagnetic field directions. In particular, paleodirections were better clustered in geographic coordinates, indicating a secondary origin. The presence of abundant silicates as inclusions within Fe-oxides and Fe-sulfides confirms the authigenic origin of the magnetic carriers, precipitated by fluid mediated chemical processes. Compilation of the Korean Cretaceous and Tertiary poles indicates that the Jinan Basin was remagnetized in the Early Tertiary age. In addition, comparison of the Korean Cretaceous and Tertiary poles with those from adjacent major terrains including China and Siberia reveals that a dominant feature of tectonic motions in Korea was a vertical-axis rotation. Sense of vertical-axis rotation was time-dependent, with clear distinction between clockwise rotation in Cretaceous and counter-clockwise rotation in Early Tertiary. Such differences in the mode of vertical axis rotation might be caused by the activities of basin-bounding strike–slip faults in Korea, possibly driven by the changes of subduction regime of the Kula-Pacific plate in Early Tertiary.     

An estimation of discharge using mean velocity derived through Chiu’s velocity equation

To estimate discharge through the year (dry season and flood season), a stage–discharge curve derived through monitoring discharge in about 20 rivers or channels every year has been generally used. As revealed in many studies, however, the stage–discharge curve is inevitably affected by their hydraulic characteristics. This suggests that the use of a stage–discharge curve derived without considering hydraulic characteristics unique to a river or channel may produce significant errors in estimating discharge at not only low stage (during dry seasons) but also high stage (during flood seasons). In this study, the authors proposed a method to calculate the mean velocity and to estimate the discharge considering the hydraulic characteristics of a river or channel (e.g. the bed slope, wetted perimeter, width, kinematic viscosity, etc.); the method was developed using Chiu’s velocity equation. With the proposed method, it is possible to calculate a maximum velocity that is difficult to measure in an open channel, derive an entropy function representing the equilibrium of the channel, and thereby, estimate reliable discharge even in a flood season. To comparatively verify the utility of the proposed method, relations between the results of analysis using Manning’s and Chezy’s mean velocity equations and the values of measured discharge were addressed together. The results of analysis using lab data sets and measured data sets revealed that the proposed method was significantly more accurate in estimating discharge, even in flood seasons, when compared with the conventional method.