Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of xenotime YPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(c) at 0–1600 K

The heat capacity of xenotime YPO₄(c) was measured by adiabatic calorimetry at 4.78–348.07 K. Our experimental and literature data on H ⁰(T)-H ⁰(298.15 K) of Y orthophosphate were utilized to derive the C _p ⁰(T) function of xenotime at 0–1600 K, which was then used to calculate the values of thermodynamic functions: entropy, enthalpy change, and reduced Gibbs energy. These functions assume the following values at 298.15 K: C _p ⁰ (298.15 K) = 99.27 ± 0.02 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, S ⁰(298.15 K) = 93.86 ± 0.08 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, H ⁰(298.15 K) − H ⁰(0) = 15.944 ± 0.005 kJ mol⁻¹, Φ⁰(298.15 K) = 40.38 ± 0.08 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The value of the free energy of formation Δ _f G ⁰(YPO₄, 298.15 K) is −1867.9 ± 1.7 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Mafic Late Miocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks in the Kamchatka back arc region: implications for subduction geometry and slab history at the Pacific–Aleutian junction

New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and published ¹⁴C ages constrain voluminous mafic volcanism of the Kamchatka back-arc to Miocene (3–6 Ma) and Late Pleistocene to Holocene (<1 Ma) times. Trace elements and isotopic compositions show that older rocks derived from a depleted mantle through subduction fluid-flux melting (>20%). Younger rocks form in a back arc by lower melting degrees involving enriched mantle components. The arc front and Central Kamchatka Depression are also underlain by plateau lavas and shield volcanoes of Late Pleistocene age. The focus of these voluminous eruptions thus migrated in time and may be the result of a high fluid flux in a setting where the Emperor seamount subducts and the slab steepens during rollback during terrain accretions. The northern termination of Holocene volcanism locates the edge of the subducting Pacific plate below Kamchatka, a “slab-edge-effect” is not observed in the back arc region.     

Self‐consistent subduction initiation induced by mantle flow

Mantle circulation in planets with strongly temperature‐dependent viscosity results in stagnant‐lid convection. It is fundamental to understand how this stagnant‐lid regime can change into a plate‐like convection regime as on the present‐day Earth. Here, we use 2D numerical models to study subduction initiation from an initial stagnant lid with laboratory‐consistent parameters and without pre‐existing weak zones or kinematic boundary conditions. Our results show that subduction can be initiated dynamically as a result of a thermal localization instability. The lithosphere may deform in a stagnant‐lid mode, an un‐necking mode, a symmetric‐subduction mode or an asymmetric‐subduction mode. The asymmetric‐subduction mode occurs only for relatively large friction angles and moderate thermal ages, and the presence of heterogeneities increases the parameter space of this mode. The limited parameter space might explain why only the present‐day Earth has plate tectonics, and suggests that the initiation of plate tectonics is more difficult than previously anticipated.     

Holocene fire regime changes from multiple-site sedimentary charcoal analyses in the Lourdes basin (Pyrenees,France)

One lake and three peat bogs from the Lourdes glacial basin (France) were used for macrocharcoal analyses and fire frequency reconstruction over the entire Holocene (11700 years). The chronology was based upon thirty-three 14C AMS dates. Comparison of the distribution of both CHarcoal Accumulation Rate (CHAR) and fire return intervals showed that charcoal accumulation significantly differs between the lake and the peat bogs, but that frequency calculation overcomes the disparity between these site types. A composite frequency was built from the four individual records to assess regional versus local variability and fire regime controls by comparisons with regional fire activity, Holocene climatic oscillations and vegetation history. The millennial variability can be depicted as follows: relatively high frequency between 8000 and 5000 cal a BP (up to 5 fires/500 yrs), relatively low frequency between 5000 and 3000 cal a BP (down to 0 fires/500 yrs), and an increase between 3000 and 500 cal a BP (up to 4 fires/500 yrs). From 8000 to 5000 cal a BP, fire frequency displays strong synchrony between sites and appears to be mostly driven by increased summer temperature characterizing the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM). On the contrary, during the last 3000 years fire frequency was heterogeneous between sites and most probably human-driven. However, higher frequency at the millennial scale during the mid-Holocene strongly suggests that the perception of human-driven fire regime depends on the strength of natural controls.     

Sur le comportement geochimique des elements de la lithosphere en fonction du temps

Résumé Les roches magmatiques sont considérées comme un mélange d'atomes dans une phase précristalline. Si l'on applique à la composition chimique de celles-ci la statistique mathématique, on voit apparaître des régularités qui forment un cadre souple dans lequel se produisent différentes variations. La diminution exponentielle des concentrations de magnesium en fonction du temps à travers tout le précambrien et le remplacement progressif de cet élément par l'aluminium donne le schéma de l'évolution.La classification dimensionelle des atomes permet de lier l'histoire des éléments majeurs de la lithosphère à celle des éléments mineurs et d'aborder ainsi de façon nouvelle les rapports qui existent entre les roches et les gîtes métallifères.

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Magmatic rocks are considered as an atomical mixture in a precristalline phase. If you apply to their chemical composition the mathematical statistic, regularities appear that shape a supple frame in which various compositions come forward.Exponential decrease of magnesium concentrations in relation with time throughout the Precambrian, and the progressive substitution of this element by aluminium give the scheme of evolution.Dimensional classification of atoms allows to link the history of lithosphere's major elements with that of minor elements and to approach in a new way the connexion between rocks and metalliferous deposits.

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Zusammenfassung Die magmatischen Gesteine werden in einer vorkristallinen Phase als Atommischungen betrachtet.Die auf ihren Chemismus angewandte mathematische Statistik enthüllt das Vorhandensein von Regelmäßigkeiten, welche die Veränderungen ihrer Zusammensetzungen abgrenzen.Die exponentielle Abnahme der Magnesiumkonzentrationen und das Ersetzen dieses Elementes durch Al, während des ganzen Vorkambriums, gibt ein Schema des Evolutionsprozesses.Eine Atomdurchmesserklassifikation gestattet, die Geschichte der Hauptelemente der Lithosphäre mit derjenigen der Spurenelemente zu verbinden und die Frage der Beziehungen zwischen den magmatischen Gesteinen und den Metallagerstätten auf neuere Weise zu behandeln.

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The July–August 2001 eruption of Mt. Etna (Sicily)

The July–August 2001 eruption of Mt. Etna stimulated widespread public and media interest, caused significant damage to tourist facilities, and for several days threatened the town of Nicolosi on the S flank of the volcano. Seven eruptive fissures were active, five on the S flank between 3,050 and 2,100 m altitude, and two on the NE flank between 3,080 and 2,600 m elevation. All produced lava flows over various periods during the eruption, the most voluminous of which reached a length of 6.9 km. Mineralogically, the 2001 lavas fall into two distinct groups, indicating that magma was supplied through two different and largely independent pathways, one extending laterally from the central conduit system through radial fissures, the other being a vertically ascending eccentric dike. Furthermore, one of the eccentric vents, at 2,570 m elevation, was the site of vigorous phreatomagmatic activity as the dike cut through a shallow aquifer, during both the initial and closing stages of the eruption. For 6 days the magma column feeding this vent was more or less effectively sealed from the aquifer, permitting powerful explosive and effusive magmatic activity. While the eruption was characterized by a highly dynamic evolution, complex interactions between some of the eruptive fissures, and changing eruptive styles, its total volume (~25×10 ⁶ m ³ of lava and 5–10×10 ⁶ m ³ of pyroclastics) was relatively small in comparison with other recent eruptions of Etna. Effusion rates were calculated on a daily basis and reached peaks of 14–16 m ³ s ^-1, while the average effusion rate at all fissures was about 11 m ³ s ^-1, which is not exceptionally high. The eruption showed a number of peculiar features, but none of these (except the contemporaneous lateral and eccentric activity) represented a significant deviation from Etna's eruptive behavior in the long term. However, the 2001 eruption could be but the first in a series of flank eruptions, some of which might be more voluminous and hazardous. Placed in a long-term context, the eruption confirms a distinct trend, initiated during the past 50 years, toward higher production rates and more frequent eruptions, which might bring Etna back to similar levels of activity as during the early to mid seventeenth century.     

Rapid morphological changes at the summit of an active volcano: reappraisal of the poorly documented 1964 eruption of Mount Etna (Italy)

While the eruptive record of Mount Etna is reasonably complete for the past 400 years, the activity of the early and late 1960s, which took place at the summit, is poorly documented in the scientific literature. From 1955 to 1971, the Central and Northeast Craters were the sites of long-lived mild Strombolian and effusive activity, and numerous brief episodes of vigorous eruptive activity, which led to repeated overflows of lava onto the external flanks of the volcano. A reconstruction of the sequence of the more important of these events based on research in largely obscure and nearly inaccessible sources permits a better understanding of the eruption dynamics and rough estimates of erupted volumes and of the changes to the morphology of the summit area. During the first half of 1964, the activity culminated in a series of highly dynamic events at the Central Crater including the opening of a fissure on the E flank of the central summit cone, lava fountains, voluminous tephra emission, prolonged strong activity with continuous lava overflows, and growth of large pyroclastic intracrater cones. Among the most notable processes during this eruption was the breaching of a section of the crater wall, which was caused by lateral pressure of lava ponding within the crater. Comparison with the apparently similar summit activity of 1999 allows us to state that (a) lava overflows from large pit craters at the summit are often accompanied by breaching of the crater walls, which represents a significant hazard to nearby observers, and that (b) eruptive activity in 1999 was much more complex and voluminous than in 1964. For 1960s standards however, the 1964 activity was the most important summit eruption in terms of intensity and output rates for about 100 years, causing profound changes to the summit morphology and obliterating definitively the former Central Crater.