The Greenland Ice Core Chronology 2005, 15–42 ka. Part 2: comparison to other records

A new Greenland Ice Core Chronology (GICC05) based on multi-parameter counting of annual layers has been obtained for the last 42 ka. Here we compare the glacial part of the new time scale, which is based entirely on records from the NorthGRIP ice core, to existing time scales and reference horizons covering the same period. These include the GRIP and NorthGRIP modelled time scales, the Meese-Sowers GISP2 counted time scale, the Shackleton–Fairbanks GRIP time scale (SFCP04) based on ¹⁴C calibration of a marine core, the Hulu Cave record, three volcanic reference horizons, and the Laschamp geomagnetic excursion event occurring around Greenland Interstadial 10. GICC05 is generally in good long-term agreement with the existing Greenland ice core chronologies and with the Hulu Cave record, but on shorter time scales there are significant discrepancies. Around the Last Glacial Maximum there is a more than 1 ka age difference between GICC05 and SFCP04 and a more than 0.5 ka discrepancy in the same direction between GICC05 and the age of a recently identified tephra layer in the NorthGRIP ice core. Both SFCP04 and the tephra age are based on ¹⁴C-dated marine cores and fixed marine reservoir ages. For the Laschamp event, GICC05 agrees with a recent independent dating within the uncertainties.     

The two polymorphs of TlPbSbS3 and the structural relations of phases in the system TlSbS2-PbS

Summary The synthetic TlPbSbS₃ represents a rare example of a sulphosalt with statistical distribution of Tl, Pb and Sb in the structure. Within the TlSbS₂-PbS system, TlPbSbS₃ is the end member of the solid solution series with TlSbS₂, but no solubility with PbS is detected. The high temperature-TlPbSbS₃ is orthorhombic and inverts at about 620 K to the low-temperature phase. The low-temperature modification of TlPbSbS₃ was structurally investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and by the Rietveld analysis of the data. The structure is monoclinic, with a = 4.1707(4) Å, b = 4.2856(4) Å, c = 12.157(1) Å, = 105.49(1)°, space group P2₁/c. Like in the high-temperature form, there is a cation disorder over the equivalent positions in the structure. The interatomic distances of (Tl, Ph, Sb) to S are 2.71, 2.72, 2.88, 3.15, 3.29, 3.51 (Å). There is a close similarity between the TlPbSbS₃ polymorphs and the and forms of SnS, as regards the atomic coordinations and the general structure types and the same type of phase transformation is supposed for both cases. The small differences in the structure type and symmetry, between the low temperature forms of SnS and TlPbSbS₃, result probably from stronger metal-metal interactions in the latter. A substitution-derivative relation to SnS type is established owing to the strong structural effect of the lone electron pairs of Tl and Sb. The substitution of Ag for Tl and Bi for Sb in ABCS₃ type compounds diminishes this effect and PbS type structures are produced.

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Die zwei Polymorphen von TlPbSbS₃ und die Strukturellen Beziehungen von Phasen in System TlSbS₂-PbS

Zusammenfassung Die synthetische Phase TlPbSbS₃ ist ein seltenes Beispiel von einem Sulfosalz mit der statistischen Verteilung von TI, Pb und Sb in der Struktur. In der TlSbS2-PbS Phasensystem, ist TlPbSbS₃ das Endmitglied der Mischkristallreihe, die sich im Richtung TlSbS₂ ausstreckt. Weitere Ausdehnung der Mischkristallreihe in der Richtung SbS konnte nicht bewiesen werden. Die Hochtemperatur-TlPbSbS₃ ist rhombisch und wird beim 620 K in die Tieftemperatur Modifikation umgewandelt. Die Tieftemperaturphase ist mit der Röntgenpulverdiffraktion und Rietveld Methode strukturell untersucht worden. Die ist monoklin, mit den Gitterkonstanten: a = 4.1707(4) Å, b = 4.2856(4) Å, c = 12.157(1) Å, = 105.49(1)°, Raumgruppe P2₁/c. Die statistische Verteilung von Kationen ist auch hier vorhanden. Die zwischenatomare Abstande (Tl, Pb, Sb)-S sind: 2.71, 2.72, 2.88, 3.14, 3.28, 3.51 (Å). Es besteht eine enge Verwandschaft zwischen den polymorphen Modifikationen von TlPbSbS₃ und den und Polymorphen von SnS, was die atomare Koordinationen und den generellen Strukturtypus betrifft, wobei ein ähnlicher Mechanismus der Phasenumwandlung für die beiden Fälle vermutet werden könnte. Die Differenzen in der Struktur und Symmetrie zwischen der Tieftemperaturmodifikationen von SnS und TlPbSbS₃ sind wahrscheinlich durch die bedeutende Metall-Metall Wirkungen in der zweiten verursacht. Die Phase TlPbSbS₃ ist ein substitution-derivative von der SnS Struktur, was durch die starke lone-electron-pair Aktivität von Kationen zu erklären ist. Die Ersetzung von Tl durch Ag und Sb durch Bi vermindert diese Aktivität und die entstandenen Strukturen sind in dem Fall dem PbS-Typus verwandt.

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With 3 Figures     

3D seismic expression of fluid migration and mud remobilization on the Gjallar Ridge, offshore mid-Norway

This paper presents a three‐dimensional (3D) seismic analysis of sediment remobilization and fluid migration in a 2000‐km² area above the Gjallar Ridge located in the Vøring Basin, offshore Norway. Three distinct types of mounded structures have been identified as resulting from focused fluid/gas migration and associated mud remobilization and intrusion. Type A structures are gently mounded, and we infer that these structures formed because of in situ remobilization of Middle Eocene to Lower–Middle Oligocene fine‐grained sediments in response to fluid and minor sediment injection via deep‐seated normal faults. Type B structures comprise relatively steep‐sided mounds and are restricted to the pre‐Miocene interval. They are often located above narrow zones of discontinuous low‐amplitude reflections resembling gas chimneys. Some of the Type B structures are associated with stacked amplitude anomalies and possible mud volcanoes at the base Pleistocene indicating their long‐term significance as vertical fluid conduits. Type C structures comprise discrete mound features that seem to jack up the Top Palaeocene (Top Brygge) horizon. These are similar to hydrothermal mounds found elsewhere on the Norwegian Margin and associated with igneous sill intrusion during North Atlantic breakup. This study highlights the utility of 3D seismic data for mapping of fluid and sediment mobilization through time over large basinal areas.     

basin%Ro: A vitrinite reflectance model derived from basin and laboratory data

The combination of vitrinite reflectance, apatite fission track and present‐day borehole temperature data is very useful when performing tectonic and thermal reconstructions in sedimentary basins which, in turn, are essential for assessing risk in hydrocarbon exploration and for testing hypotheses of basin evolution. Releasing the full potential of the combined data set requires that the predictive models are accurate in themselves. Here, we calibrate a new kinetic vitrinite reflectance model ‘basin%R_o’ using borehole data from a number of sedimentary basins and vitrinite reflectance data from laboratory maturation experiments. The entire data set is inverted for the kinetic parameters of the reflectance model under consideration of uncertainty in the temperature histories of the calibration samples. The method is not sensitive to inconsistent calibration data, which are revealed by significant corrections to the temperature histories. The performance of the model is tested on independent well data from the East China Sea and the Nova Scotian Shelf. The widely used easy%R_o‐model overestimates vitrinite reflectance in the interval 0.5–1.7% R_o by up to 0.35%. Delimiting of oil generating intervals by prediction of vitrinite reflectance may lead to significant underestimation of the generative potential, which may call for a revision of some petroleum systems. The overestimation by easy%R_o may have fuelled the idea of pressure retardation of vitrinite reflectance evolution under sedimentary basin conditions, where pressures in fact are too low for this to be important.     

Eclipsing binaries as accurate distance indicators to nearby galaxies

We discuss the potential for using extragalactic eclipsing binaries with well-determined physical properties as standard candles to improve the extragalactic distance scale. The advent of high quantum efficiency/low noise CCDs has now made it possible to obtain high precision light and radial velocity curves for the more luminous OB-type eclipsing binaries in the Magellanic Clouds with even small to moderate size (1–2m) telescopes. This can lead to the determination of distance moduli (m-M)₀ to the LMC and SMC with precisions of about 0^m.15 for individual binaries.These distances are essentially free from the assumptions made using other distance indicators.     

Mid-Palaeocene palaeogeography of the eastern North Sea basin: integrating geological evidence and 3D geodynamic modelling

The Mid‐Palaeocene palaeogeography of Denmark and the surrounding areas have been reconstructed on the basis of published geological data integrated with 3D geodynamic modelling. The use of numerical modelling enables quantitative testing of scenarios based on geological input alone and thus helps constrain likely palaeo‐water depths in areas where the geological data are inconclusive or incomplete. The interpretation of large‐scale erosional valleys and small‐scale circular depressions at the Mid‐Palaeocene Top Chalk surface in the Norwegian–Danish basin as either submarine or subaerial features is enigmatic and has strong implications for palaeogeographical reconstructions of the eastern North Sea basin. A 3D thermo‐mechanical model is employed in order to constrain the likely palaeo‐water depths of the eastern North Sea basin during the Palaeocene. The model treats the lithosphere as an elasto‐visco‐plastic continuum and models the lithospheric response to the regional stress field and thermal structure. The model includes the effects of sea‐level change, sedimentation and erosion, from the Mid Cretaceous to the present. Modelling results reproduce to first order geological data such as present sediment isopachs and palaeo‐water depths. It is concluded that the Mid Palaeocene water depths in the Norwegian–Danish basin were about 250 m. The erosional valleys and circular depressions at the top of the Upper Cretaceous‐Danian Chalk Group are thus interpreted to have formed in relatively deep water rather than due to subaerial exposure. Likely interpretations of the structures are therefore submarine valleys and pockmarks.