A GIS-based multi-proxy analysis of the evolution of subglacial dynamics of the Quebec–Labrador ice dome,northeastern Quebec,Canada

The glacial records of the inner-core regions of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) document complex yet coherent patterns reflecting ice-sheet change (e.g. ice-divide migration), providing unique insights into past glacial conditions. This study develops a conceptual model of subglacial dynamics evolution within a major ice-dispersal centre of the LIS in northeastern Quebec, Canada using a GIS-based analysis of the surficial geologic record. Multiple proxies of subglacial conditions (subglacial streamlined landforms, lake density and lake area over thin drift/bedrock) were analysed through grid-overlay techniques and then classified based on different proxy variables ranging from highly mobile warm-based to immobile cold-based conditions. An additional proxy (till blanket) was used to identify areas of thick till deposition, but with few proxies (few lake or landform metrics). Based on local ice-flow reconstructions, the most ‘relict’ glacial terrain zone (GTZ1) has warm-based conditions over 66% of its area and is remarkably well preserved, suggesting laterally extensive warm-based conditions during the oldest identified ice-flow phase. This relict glacial terrain is partially overprinted by two subsequent ice-flow phases in spatially restricted zones in the northeast (73% warm-based), east-central (41% warm-based), and northwest (33% warm-based) of the study area. A zone of more sluggish conditions (only 3% warm-based) was identified in the highlands at the centre of the study area, characterized by thin till cover, few landforms, yet with large patches of relatively abundant small lakes, indicative of areal scouring. No clear evidence of sustained cold-based conditions (i.e. high chemical index of alteration values or high ¹⁰Be abundances) was found in the study area. These results suggest that warm-based conditions (active erosion and/or deposition) were uniformly widespread during the earliest ice-flow phase, later becoming more spatially restricted with broader sluggish ice conditions. These spatially restricted regions of warm-based subglacial regimes were likely controlled by surrounding and down-flow ice streaming. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Doppler Images of ζ Andromedae

Doppler images are presented for the RS CVn-type binary ζ And. Our upgraded Doppler imaging code TempMap_ε takes into account the distorted geometry of the primary giant component. On the maps several low latitude spots are restored with a temperature contrast of about 1000 K. Some weak polar features are also found. Cross-correlation of the consecutive Doppler-maps suggests solar-like differential surface rotation.     

Diamonds: geology, gemmology, technology

Diamonds – rough stones, cut stones, host rocks, historical jewellery, contemporary jewellery, and hi-tech materials – were the stars of an exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London in 2005, the biggest of its kind the Museum had ever staged. Why diamonds are so rare, how they have been valued through history, and the links between the unique properties of diamond and its use were the key themes of the exhibition.     

Physical properties of near‐Earth asteroids from thermal infrared observations and thermal modeling

Abstract— We review the physical principles on which asteroid thermal models are based and their application in the derivation of asteroid sizes and albedos. In particular, the use of simple thermal models to derive reliable diameters and albedos of near‐Earth asteroids is discussed.     

TREE INVASION IN MEADOWS OF LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK,CALIFORNIA*

The causes of tree invasion into meadows in Lassen Volcanic National Park were investigated by dating invasive trees and associating age structure patterns with regional variations in fire history, grazing, and climate change. Massive invasion was associated primarily with cessation of livestock grazing and burning between 1905 and 1933, but climatic change may also have contributed. Maintenance of meadows may require continued use of unnatural processes due to uncertainties about pre-European fire regimes and other resource considerations.     

Magnetite-sulfide chondrules and nodules in CK carbonaceous chondrites: Implications for the timing of CK oxidation

Abstract— CK carbonaceous chondrites contain rare (～0.1 vol%) magnetite-sulfide chondrules. These objects range from ～240 to 500 μm in apparent diameter and have ellipsoidal to spheroidal morphologies, granular textures and concentric layering. They are very similar in size, shape, texture, mineralogy and mineral composition to the magnetite-sulfide nodules which occur inside mafic silicate chondrules in CK chondrites. It seems likely that the magnetite-sulfide chondrules constitute the subset of magnetite-sulfide nodules that escaped as immiscible droplets from their molten silicate chondrule hosts during chondrule formation. The intactness of the magnetite-sulfide chondrules and nodules implies that oxidation of CK metal occurred before agglomeration; otherwise, the factor of two increase in molar volume associated with the conversion of metallic Fe-Ni into magnetite would have disrupted the objects and destroyed their concentrically layered textures. Hence, the pervasive silicate darkening of CK chondrites documented previously was caused by the shock mobilization of magnetite and sulfide, not metallic Fe-Ni and sulfide as in shock-darkened ordinary chondrites.     

SIZE-FREQUENCY-DISTRIBUTIONS OF EH3 CHONDRULES

The size-frequency-distributions of different chondrule types in the Qingzhen, Kota-Kota and Allan Hills A77156 EH3 chondrites were determined by petrographic analysis of thin sections and, in the case of Qingzhen, by examination of large separated chondrules. EH chondrules are considerably smaller than L and LL chondrules and are probably slightly smaller than H, CM and CO chondrules. In the EH3 chondrites, radial pyroxene (RP) chondrules are somewhat (85% confidence level) larger than cryptocrystalline (C) chondrules, nonporphyritic chondrules have a broader size-frequency-distribution than porphyritic chondrules, and porphyritic olivine-pyroxene (POP) chondrules are considerably (98% confidence level) larger than porphyritic pyroxene (PP) chondrules. The larger size of RP chondrules relative to C chondrules in EH3 chondrites may be due to a tendency of the chondrule-forming mechanism not to have heated large precursor aggregates above the liquidus. Consequent retention of numerous relict grains would have caused these objects to develop RP rather than C textures upon cooling. The large proportion (≥50%) of nonporphyritic EH3 chondrules among the smaller chondrule size-fractions may have been caused by preferential disruption of large nonporphyritic chondrule droplets. The large proportion (≥50%) of nonporphyritic EH3 chondrules among the larger chondrule size-fractions is problematic. The larger size of POP relative to PP chondrules is due to reaction of fine-grained olivine with free silica to form pyroxene during mild thermal metamorphism of the whole-rocks.