Ice-flow patterns and dispersal of erratics at the southwestern margin of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet: signature of palaeo-ice streams

An extensive set of proxy-data was acquired from eastern and central Denmark in order to study the dynamic behaviour of the southwestern margin of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet. We examine the last three glacier advances of the Late Weichselian: the Main advance from central Sweden, representing the maximum ice extent at this time ( c. 21–20 ka BP), and the two succeeding Baltic advances ( c. 18–15 ka BP). Directional properties from tills and glaciotectonic overprints are used to reveal large-scale flowline patterns. Together with the geomorphological outline of ice margins, flowlines were successively more fan-shaped, indicating that the dependence of the subglacial topography increases as ice advances become younger. It is suggested that while the ice thickness decreases, more lobate configurations of ice margins are created as a result. Clast-compositional data derived from the fine-gravel fraction in tills are used to reconstruct dispersal patterns of erratic material. The dispersal patterns during the three advances show a gradually diminishing influence of local Pre-Quaternary bedrocks and older glacial deposits, and progressively longer transport distances of far-travelled erratics. We speculate that the principal factor governing this development is a successively decreasing interaction between the ice and its bed, which influences the concentration of erratics, debris comminution processes and the basal ice velocity. We envisage the Main advance from central Sweden as a slow-flowing inter-stream ice body with high bed interaction compared to the succeeding Baltic advances, which we regard to have been rapid flowing ice streams with limited bed interaction.     

Contemporaneous Trachyandesitic and Calc-alkaline Volcanism of the Huerto Andesite, San Juan Volcanic Field, Colorado, USA

Locally, voluminous andesitic volcanism both preceded and followedlarge eruptions of silicic ash-flow tuff from many calderasin the San Juan volcanic field. The most voluminous post-collapselava suite of the central San Juan caldera cluster is the 28Ma Huerto Andesite, a diverse assemblage erupted from at least5–6 volcanic centres that were active around the southernmargins of the La Garita caldera shortly after eruption of theFish Canyon Tuff. These andesitic centres are inferred, in part,to represent eruptions of magma that ponded and differentiatedwithin the crust below the La Garita caldera, thereby providingthe thermal energy necessary for rejuvenation and remobilizationof the Fish Canyon magma body. The multiple Huerto eruptivecentres produced two magmatic series that differ in phenocrystmineralogy (hydrous vs anhydrous assemblages), whole-rock majorand trace element chemistry and isotopic compositions. Hornblende-bearinglavas from three volcanic centres located close to the southeasternmargin of the La Garita caldera (Eagle Mountain–FourmileCreek, West Fork of the San Juan River, Table Mountain) definea high-K calc-alkaline series (57–65 wt % SiO₂) that isoxidized, hydrous and sulphur rich. Trachyandesitic lavas fromwidely separated centres at Baldy Mountain–Red Lake (westernmargin), Sugarloaf Mountain (southern margin) and Ribbon Mesa(20 km east of the La Garita caldera) are mutually indistinguishable(55–61 wt % SiO₂); they are characterized by higher andmore variable concentrations of alkalis and many incompatibletrace elements (e.g. Zr, Nb, heavy rare earth elements), andthey contain anhydrous phenocryst assemblages (including olivine).These mildly alkaline magmas were less water rich and oxidizedthan the hornblende-bearing calc-alkaline suite. The same distinctionscharacterize the voluminous precaldera andesitic lavas of theConejos Formation, indicating that these contrasting suitesare long-term manifestations of San Juan volcanism. The favouredmodel for their origin involves contrasting ascent paths anddifferentiation histories through crustal columns with differentthermal and density gradients. Magmas ascending into the mainfocus of the La Garita caldera were impeded, and they evolvedat greater depths, retaining more of their primary volatileload. This model is supported by systematic differences in isotopiccompositions suggestive of crust–magma interactions withcontrasting lithologies. KEY WORDS: alkaline; calc-alkaline; petrogenesis; episodic magmatism; Fish Canyon system     

The future of family farming in Israel: the second generation in the Moshav

The Moshav, a family farm-based settlement, has been a prime example of the major changes in the rural space in Israel. The aim of this paper is to present and understand these changes by studying the economic characteristics of second-generation – that is relatively younger – households in the Moshav. This group has shown a higher tendency to either adopt a livelihood strategy of pluriactivity, or to disassociate itself from agriculture in favour of non-agricultural income-generating activities, both inside and outside the settlement. Both trends have emerged in response to the increasing difficulty of deriving income from agriculture. The paper identifies the major patterns of economic activity and income sources among this group and assesses future attitudes towards operating the farm, choosing pluriactivity as a livelihood strategy, and remaining on the farm in the future.     

Assessing participatory GIS for community-based natural resource management: claiming community forests in Cameroon

This paper critically reviews and analyses participatory GIS (PGIS) and participatory mapping applications within participatory spatial planning for community-based natural resource management in developing countries. There is an often implicit assumption that PGIS use is effective, in that it meets content needs, satisfies underlying local stakeholder interests and therefore is a tool for better governance. The analytical framework looks at participatory spatial planning performance with respect to key dimensions of governance, especially the intensity of community participation and empowerment, equity within communities and between 'governed' and 'governing', respect for indigenous knowledge, rights, ownership, legitimacy, and effectiveness. Specific development focus is given by a case study using participatory mapping and PGIS in community forest legitimization, planning and management in Tinto, Cameroon. 'Good governance' criteria are applied ex-post to the implementation procedures, the geo-information outputs, and the longer-term outcomes of the PGIS processes. Impacts of incorporating PGIS were examined in terms of the types and degrees of participation in the process; access to, and the uses made of, the geographic information; whether the information outputs met stakeholders' requirements; and the overall changes in equity and empowerment in the community. It was found that PGIS/participatory mapping processes contributed – positively, though not comprehensively – to good governance, by improving dialogue, redistributing resource access and control rights – though not always equitably – legitimizing and using local knowledge, exposing local stakeholders to geospatial analysis, and creating some actor empowerment through training. PGIS promoted empowerment by supporting community members' participation in decision-making and actions, and by enabling land use planning decisions beyond community forestry itself.     

Sustained high-density turbidity currents and the deposition of thick massive sands

The origin of massive sands in turbidite successions has commonly been attributed to the rapid dumping of sand due to flow unsteadiness in collapsing, single surge-type, high-density turbidity currents. The general applicability of this model is questioned here, and we propose that rapid deposition of massive sands also occurs due to non-uniformity in prolonged, quasi-steady high-density turbidity currents. We attempt to eliminate ambiguity in the use of the terms ‘deceleration’and ‘unsteadiness’with respect to non-uniform sediment gravity flows, and stress that, as with any particulate current, unsteadiness is not a prerequisite of sediment deposition. We propose a mechanism of gradual aggradation of sand beneath a sustained steady or quasi-steady current, and upward-migration of a depositional flow boundary that is dominated by grain hyperconcentration and hindered settling. Formation of tractional structures is prevented by the absence of a sharp rheological interface between the lowest parts of the flow and the just-formed dewatering deposit. Deposition continues as long as the downward grain flux to the depositional flow boundary is balanced by grain supply from above or from upcurrent. Massive sand deposited in this way is not, strictly, a result of ‘direct suspension sedimentation’in that it is characterized by grain interactions, hindered settling, shear and, possibly, by interlocking of grains. The thickness of the resulting massive sand bears no relation to the thickness of the parental current, and the vertical variation within the deposit may reveal little about the vertical structure of the current, even during deposition. Thin, normally graded tops or mud drapes represent the eventual waning of sustained currents.     

A comparison of an autosuspension criterion to field observations of five turbidity currents

An autosuspension criterion that has been developed directly from the fluid dynamical equations, by taking into account the vertical structure of turbidity currents, is compared to field observations of five turbidity currents. It is found that the criterion is consistent with the motion of all five currents, which suggests that the criterion may, at least under certain circumstances, be a reasonable guide in estimating the conditions necessary for a turbidity current to be self-sustaining.     

Stratigraphy of a Late Pleistocene ice-cored moraine at Kap Herschell, Northeast Greenland

At Kap Herschell, in the outer fjord zone of central northeast Greenland, exposed sections in a Late Pleistocene ice-cored moraine revealed four major stratigraphic units deposited during the complex Kap Herschell Stade . All contain fragmented and redeposited marine shells that most likely belong to an Eemian or Early Weichselian marine episode. The oldest unit consists of buried ground ice with folded and sheared debris bands. Isotopic analyses show that the slope of the regression line for δ²H vs. δ¹⁸O of the ice is about 8.5. which suggests correlation with the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL). Data strongly suggest that the ground ice at Kap Herschell is a remnant of a Late Pleistocene glacier. It was probably generated at low altitudes (< 1000 m) in the inner fjord region or in the nunatak zone. The ground ice is unconformably overlain by all younger stratigraphic units, the oldest of which is a diamicton probably deposited as ablation till from the ice. A complex unit composed of mainly glaciolacustrine deposits and subordinate beds of fluvial and deltaic origin overlies the till and ground ice. Luminescence dating of the lacustrine sediments indicates maximum ages younger than 43 ka BP, suggesting deposition during isotope stages 3 or 2. The glaciolacustrine deposits suffered strongly from glaciotectonic deformation, caused by renewed glacier advance through the fjord. It reached the inner shelf and led to deposition of a discordant till at Kap Herschell, most probably during the Late Weichselian.     

Classification and analysis of palynodebris from the Palaeocene sediments of the Forties Field

Sedimentary organic matter behaves as sedimentary particles and this study attempts to interpret its occurrence in the Palaeocene sands and mudstones of the Forties Field of the North Sea. New nomenclature and classification of this palynodebris are presented and are used to make quantitative counts of the palynodebris from nearly 600 samples of known sedimentary character. The new categories are further refined by objective testing of the data by Principal Components Analysis and Cluster Analysis. It is argued that two types of sedimentary organic matter are of particular value because they are preferentially deposited in different environments: palynowafers are most commonly deposited in the submarine fan lobes and channel complexes and amorphous matter occurs mostly in the lower energy basin plain sediments.