Diagenetic evolution of Aptian evaporites in the Namibe Basin (south‐west Angola)

The widespread and dissected nature of the Angolan gypsiferous salt residuals offers a uniquely detailed view of the lateral and vertical relations inherent to secondary evaporite textures, which typify exhumed salt masses worldwide. Such secondary textures are sometimes misinterpreted as primary evaporite textures. Thin, metre‐scale and patchy, dome‐like gypsum accumulations are well‐exposed within strongly incised present‐day river valleys along the eastern margin of the Namibe and Benguela basins (south‐west Angola). These sections are time equivalent to the main basinward subsurface evaporites (Aptian Loeme Formation) which mostly consist of halite. The gypsum (here called the Bambata Formation) is interpreted to represent the final residual product of fractional dissolution and recrystallization of the halite mass that occurred during Late Cretaceous margin uplift and continues today. This halite underwent multiple episodes of diagenetic alteration between its deposition and its final exhumation, leading to the formation of various secondary gypsum fabrics and solution‐related karst and breccia textures that typify the current evaporite outcrop. Four different diagenetic gypsum fabrics are defined: thinly bedded alabastrine, nodular alabastrine, displacive selenite rosettes and fibrous satin‐spar gypsum. Current arid conditions are responsible for a thin weathered crust developed at the top of the outcropping gypsum, but the fabrics in the main core of the current at‐surface evaporite unit mostly formed during the telogenetic stage of uplift prior to complete subaerial exposure. Alteration occurred as various dissolving and rehydrating saline minerals encountered shallow aquifers in the active phreatic and vadose zones. Geomorphological and petrographic analyses, mostly based on the cross‐cutting relations and crystallographic patterns in the outcrop, are used to propose a sequence of formation of these different fabrics.     

Characteristic analysis—1981: Final program and a possible discovery

The latest or n ewest version of the char acteristic an alysis (NCHARAN)computer program offers the exploration geologist a wide variety of options for integrating regionalized multivariate data. The options include the selection of regional cells for characterizing deposit models, the selection of variables that constitute the models, and the choice of logical combinations of variables that best represent these models. Moreover, the program provides for the display of results which, in turn, makes possible review, reselection, and refinement of a model. Most important, the performance of the above-mentioned steps in an interactive computing mode can result in a timely and meaningful interpretation of the data available to the exploration geologist. The most recent application of characteristic analysis has resulted in the possible discovery of economic sulfide mineralization in the Grong area in central Norway. Exploration data for 27 geophysical, geological, and geochemical variables were used to construct a mineralized and a lithogeochemical model for an area that contained a known massive sulfide deposit. The models were applied to exploration data collected from the Gjersvik area in the Grong mining district and resulted in the identification of two localities of possible mineralization. Detailed field examination revealed the presence of a sulfide vein system and a partially inverted stratigraphic sequence indicating the possible presence of a massive sulfide deposit at depth.     

Predisposition and cause of the catastrophic landslides of August 2005 in Brienz (Switzerland)

Very intensive rainfall in August 2005 (>300 mm/3 days) triggered moderately deep (2–10 m) landslides of about 50'000 m³ volume each in two mountain torrent catchments above the village of Brienz (Berner Oberland, Switzerland). These landslides – originating in Trachtbach and Glyssibach catchments – transformed into extremely rapid (>5 m/s) debris flows, which caused significant damage in inhabited areas; two persons lost their lives and about twenty-five families became homeless. The Brienz case was the most damaging one among many landslide disasters occurring during those rainy days in the Swiss Alps. In this paper we study in detail the predisposition and causes of the 2005 landslides in the Brienz area, based on field mapping, analysis of high resolution images and digital terrain models, derived from LIDAR and infrared measurements taken before and after the event. The features of these landslides are compared with past and dormant landslides in the mid-slope portion of the mountain chain north of Brienz, which has been the source of many catastrophic mass wasting events during the last centuries. Detailed field mapping shows that highly weathered series of strongly overconsolidated Mesozoic marls (Diphyoides Limestone & Vitznau Marls of Valanginian age) and their residual soils form the primary source for the sliding materials. The rupture surfaces of the moderately deep landslides often run at the transition from saprolite to weathered bedrock, with a dip angle of about 40o in the landslide depletion area. These landslides transform into debris flows, where debris slides into strongly convergent hillslopes or directly into headwater channels.     

The Flat Dilatometer Test in an Unsaturated Tropical Soil Site

The site characterization of unsaturated soils is well stablished based on laboratory tests, which are expensive and time-consuming. In-situ testing methods, such as the flat dilatometer test (DMT), are an alternative to the traditional approach of drilling, sampling, and laboratory testing. The literature on DMT interpretation is well established on saturated and well-behaved soils. Only few studies deal with DMT interpretation in unusual soils, and little is known about the influence of soil suction on this test. This paper presents and discusses the influence of soil suction on four DMT campaigns carried out in an unsaturated tropical soil site, also incorporating the soil suction influence on the DMT interpretation. Soil suction was estimated by the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and water content profiles. The water content profiles range from 11.3 to 19.7% which corresponds to a suction range estimated by SWCCs mostly between 6 and 200 kPa. Soil suction significantly influenced DMT data up to 5 m depth at the studied site (the unsaturated active zone) increasing the intermediate DMT parameters. The average horizontal stress index (K_D) was equal to about 1.7 and the average dilatometer modulus (E_D) was about 4.7 MPa in the active zone and practically doubled their values due to in situ soil suction. The estimated peak friction angle (?) was 20–30% higher due to soil suction influence on DMT assuming the soil behaves as a sand like material. Soil suction must be considered to assess the behavior of the investigated soil by the DMT. The suction influence should be incorporated in the effective stress and this approach considerably improved the site characterization of the studied site.

     

Significance of river–aquifer interactions for reach-scale thermal patterns and trout growth potential in the Motueka River, New Zealand

To assess whether reaches of the Motueka River (New Zealand) that gain water from groundwater were likely to represent significant cold-water refugia for brown trout during periods of high water temperatures, water temperature was monitored for more than 18 months in two gaining reaches of the Motueka River and three reaches that were predicted to be losing water to groundwater. These data were used to predict brown trout (Salmo trutta) growth in gaining and losing reaches. Groundwater inputs had a small effect on water temperature at the reach-scale and modelling suggests that the differences observed were unlikely to result in appreciable differences in trout growth. Several coldwater patches were identified within the study reach that were up to 3.5°C cooler than the mainstem, but these were generally shallow and were unlikely to provide refuge for adult trout. The exception was Hinetai Spring, which had a mean water temperature of close to 16°C during the period January–March, when temperatures in the mainstem regularly exceeded 19°C. Trout were observed within the cold-water plume at the mouth of Hinetai Stream, which would allow them to thermoregulate when mainstem temperatures are unfavourable while still being able to capitalise on food resources available in the mainstem.     

Traveling screens as sampling gear for vertical distribution studies

A sampling technique has been developed for increasing the information gathered during routine monitoring of impingement at water intake structures. Samples from impingement catches on traveling screens were taken from the sluiceway of the Brunswick Steam Electric Plant near Southport, North Carolina during the screen wash process so as to divide the catch into vertical catch components. Each component represented 1.2 m of the water column. Results showed differences in day and night vertical distributions of impinged organisms according to the spatial preferences of each species. Impingement during daytime was lower than during night. Impingement of surface-oriented species during daytime occurred at mid-depth, midwater species near the bottom, and bottom species were seldom impinged. During the night surface-oriented species were impinged at the surface, midwater species at mid-depth, and bottom species near the bottom. Residue (animals and debris) which remained within the screen wash system from collection of the previous sample, and those organisms which became impinged on the screens during retrieval of the sample, were used to calculate the rate of “continuous impingement” on the traveling screens. These rates were compared to the impingement catch in order to determine biases in the vertical catch components. Comparison of these rates indicated that impingement estimates determined by routine monitoring methods may under-estimate true impingement rates for certain species. We have concluded that this sampling technique for monitoring impingement at intake structures will increase knowledge of the local biologic system while minimizing the cost of obtaining the information. The technique will also aid in pinpointing specific impingement problems which may be corrected through modifications to the design of the intake structure.     

Low pressure mineral-melt equilibria in natural anhydrous mafic systems

Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology - Low pressure phase equilibria for natural mafic systems may be calculated utilizing empirically derived single component distribution coefficients and...     

Cretaceous and Paleogene geologic history of coastal Ecuador

Following a general review of the Cretaceous and Paleogene geology of Ecuador, we propose a geologic history from early Cretaceous through Oligocene time with emphasis on the coastal part of the country that is based on the interpretive interaction of three oceanic plates (the Bolívar, proto-Nazca, and Nazca) and the continental South American plate. The proposed history invokes large lateral displacements, the intervention of the previously unrecognized Bolívar plate, the development of three successive subduction zones, the formation of a distant oceanic island arc and its subsequent collision with the South American plate, the emplacement of a major olistostrome complex, and an intricate record of displacement on a currently inactive transform fault. The proposed history offers a viable solution to four major problems of the geology of coastal Ecuador.

---

Zusammenfassung Aus der Kreide- und Paläogen-Geschichte Ecuadors läßt sich die Entwicklung der Küstenregion ableiten. Sie wird vom Zusammenwirken von drei ozeanischen Platten (Bolivar, Proto-Nazca und Nazca) und der kontinentalen Platte Südamerikas bestimmt. Die Entwicklung umfaßt ausgedehnte Seitenverschiebungen, das Auftreten einer bisher nicht erkannten Bolivar-Platte, die Anlage von drei aufeinanderfolgenden Subduktionszonen, die Bildung eines Inselbogens und die folgende Kollision mit der Südamerikanischen Platte, die Ablagerung eines großen Olisthostrom-Komplexes und die Verschiebungen entlang einer heute inaktiven Transform-Verwerfung. Damit sind eine Reihe von Problemen der Geologie des Küstenabschnittes Ecuadors gelöst.

---

Résumé Passant en revue la géologie de l'Equateur au Crétacique et Paléogène, les auteurs proposent une histoire géologique allant depuis le Crétacique inférieur à l'Oligocène en mettant l'accent sur la région cÔtière, et en se basant sur l'interaction de trois plaques océaniques (bolivienne, proto-Nasca et Nasca) et de la plaque continentale de l'Amérique du Sud. L'histoire proposée fait appel à de grands déplacements, à l'intervention de la plaque bolivienne non reconnue antérieurement, au développement de trois zones de subduction successives, à la formation d'une guirlande d'Îles océaniques distante et sa collision subséquente avec la plaque de l'Amérique du Sud, à la mise en place d'un grand complexe olistostromique et à un déplacement sur une faille transformante inactive. L'histoire proposée apporte une solution viable à quatre problèmes de la géologie de la Région cÔtière de l'Equateur.

---

. (, protoNazca Nazca) . : , , , , , Olistostrome . .

---

---

Contribution No. 6 A, Departamento de Geología, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador.     

Pathways of manganese in an open estuarine system

The distribution of Mn was examined in the bottom sediments and water column (suspended paniculate matter) of the Laurentian Trough. Gulf of St. Lawrence. A characteristic profile of Mn with depth in the sediment consisted of a Mn-enriched surface oxidized zone, less than 20 mm thick, and a Mn-depleted subsurface reducing zone. A subsurface Mn maximum occurred within the oxidized zone. Below this maximum the concentration dropped sharply to nearly constant residual levels in the reducing zone. The accumulating estuarine sediments are deficient in Mn compared to the river input of suspended matter and are definitely not the ultimate sink for manganese. Manganese escapes from the sediment by diffusion and resuspension, forming Mn-enriched, fine-grained particles which are flushed out in the estuarine circulation. 5.0 × 10⁹gyr^?1 of Mn, or 50% more than the river input of dissolved Mn. are exported to the open ocean. In spite of the efficient mobilization and export of Mn, the quantity exported is a small fraction (0.2%) of the total flux to the deep-sea sediments. This is related to the low levels of paniculate matter transported by the St. Lawrence River. The export phénomenon, however, is probably true of many coastal regions of muddy sediments and thus has interesting implications for the oceanic budget of Mn.