The first record of dinosaurs in the Dalmatian part (Croatia) of the Adriatic-Dinaric carbonate platform (ADCP)

The first discovery of dinosaur footprints on the Dalmatian part of the Adriatic-Dinaric carbonate platform (ADCP) is reported. They constitute the geologically youngest record of footprints on the ADCP. The trackbearing layer was formed in the intertidal environment and represents the final stage of a shallowing-upward cycle. Just below it, a heavy dinoturbated limestone layer can be observed. Microfacies analysis, incorporating evidence from benthic foraminifera and algae, indicates a Late Turonian–Early Coniacian age. The overall morphology and size of the footprints points to sauropod dinosaurs; they represent the largest forms recorded so far on the ADCP. This hints at a prolonged sauropod presence on the platform and to its Late Cretaceous connection to the continent rather than isolation.     

Design of feedback-controlled wide-band seismographs with respect to undesired side-effects

Various modifications of a displacement-sensing seismometer controlled by negative first-order low-pass, first-order high-pass and second-order high-pass feedback are analysed. Undesired side-effects of the frequency-limited feedback on the response of the closed-loop system are investigated. Rules for “optimum tuning” of systems with a flat-displacement or flat-velocity response in a desired period range are given.     

A comparison of time-domain transmitting boundaries

A non-linear interaction analysis with a (generalized) non-linear structure and a linear unbounded soil is analysed in the time domain, based either on the sub-structure method, which involves global convolution integrals, or on the direct method with local boundary conditions. Alternatively, the hybrid frequency–time-domain method of analysis, which is an iterative scheme, could be used. Approximate local boundary conditions to model the wave propagation towards infinity on the artificial boundary used in the direct method of non-linear soil–structure-interaction analysis to be performed in the time domain are examined. A semi-infinite rod supported elastically, which exhibits the same properties as certain unbounded soils such as dispersion and a cut-off frequency, is used for the investigation. For a transient excitation, the superposition boundary with frequent averaging, the well-known viscous damper and the extrapolation algorithm lead to good accuracy. Moving the artificial boundary further away from the structure (or more precisely, increasing the ratio of the distance of the artificial boundary to the wave length) improves the accuracy.     

Determination of magnitude by use of seismographs recording ground velocity

Summary Two electromagnetic seismographs HSJ-I, which are coupled with short-period galvanometers, record the velocity of the ground motion in the range of periods from 0.3 to 20 s in the seismological station Moxa. In this way the magnitude of an earthquake can be calculated without respect to the period of the ground motion. The results of such a determination of magnitudes are compared with those reached in the usual manner from short and long-period seismographs recording the ground displacement.Publication No. 45 of the Institut für Geodynamik, 69 Jena (DDR), Burgweg 11, der Deutschen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, Forschungsgemeinschaft. Presented at the IUGG-Assembly, Zurich 1967.     

A discussion of the Alternating Field method and new paleointensity measurements of the Miocene geomagnetic field in Oregon

Summary Thirty eight cores from five Miocene lavas and their underlying baked zones from South Eastern Oregon have provided a test for the Alternating Field method of determining geomagnetic paleointensities, by allowing external consistency tests as well as internal consistency tests. All specimens were run regardless of the reliability tests results. The susceptibility change reliability test is useful as some of the specimens which failed it nevertheless gave misleadingly plausible results, but is shown to be unsufficient, as some specimens which were retained on that test failed to yield valid results. Different specimens from the same core behaved differently during the various experiments, proving that two specimens from a same core cannot reliably be assumed to be identical. A relation between the oxidation state and a change of susceptibility upon heating is seen.The paleofield intensities varied from 0.17±0.04 Oe and 0.31±0.08 Oe, corresponding to Virtual Dipole Moments of 1.23×10²⁵ to 2.15×10²⁵ Oe cm³. These low values are not accompanied by Virtual Geomagnetic Pole instability, but suggest an instability of the strength of the main dipole.     

Une méthode globale d'estimation des températures des réservoirs alimentant les sources thermales. Exemple du Massif Central Français

A chemical model based on the equilibrium of water with quartz, albite, adularia, calcite, kaolinite or illite, and chlorite can explain the chemical composition of the main groups of hot springs in Massif Central. Temperature is the principal variable for determining this composition. Model temperatures generally agree with those given by classical cation geothermometers (t ? 135–150° C for Vichy. La Bourboule. Evaux and Châteauneuf; t ? 175–180° C for Chaudes Aigues and Saint Nectaire). The model fails to represent the composition of Mont Dore waters: the high temperatures given by classical geothermometers are considered doubtful.     

The effect of urbanization in an arid region: Formation of a perched water table that causes environmental damages

Construction in a new neighborhood in the israeli town of Dimona, situated in an arid region in the south of the country (150 mm average annual rainfall), resulted in a rise in groundwater levels during the subsequent rainy seasons This caused flooding of shelter basements, soil sliding, and sagging which permanently damaged walls and buildings The neighborhood had been built on continental sands and marls blanketed by loess, on a valley slope near a rocky anticlinal dip-slope Subsurface studies, using piezometer holes and groundwater analyses, revealed the presence of sand lenses alternating with plastic marls, which act as seasonal aquifers with perched water tables Groundwaters obtain high SO ₄ ⁻² and Cl⁻ corrosivity through contact with these nonflushed marls of the Neogene valley fill (Hazeva Formation) The reasons for the rising of groundwater were found to be (a) artificial interference with the natural (pre-construction) drainage system—interception of the hillside runoff by building plots, roads, etc, (b) partial denudation of the loess blanket, increasing the local infiltration and the build-up of local, perched water tables, and (c) corrosion of concrete and steel pipelines, as well as foundations, by prolonged contact with corrosive groundwater, resulting in haphazard but massive leakage Guidelines are proposed for an environmental improvement plan, which would include terracing and planting of the watershed above town to increase evapotranspiration, lowering of the water table by pumping, and diverting the water to suburban parks (groves of saltresistant trees), and replacement of steel and cement pipes by a non-corrodable plastic pipe system     

The granite hosted gold deposit of Moulin de Chéni (Saint-Yrieix district,Massif Central,France): petrographic,structural, fluid inclusion and oxygen isotope constraints

The Moulin de Chéni orogenic gold deposit is the only granite-hosted deposit of the Saint-Yrieix district, French Massif Central. It occurs in 338±1.5 Ma-old peraluminous leucogranites and is characterized by intense microfracturing and bleaching of the granite in relation to pervasive sulfide crystallization. Formation of quartz veins and gold deposition occurred in two successive stages: an early mesozonal stage of quartz-sulfide (Fe-As-S) deposition, usually devoid of gold and a late epizonal stage of base metal and gold deposition. Both stages postdate peak metamorphism and granite intrusion. The genesis of the deposit is the result of four successive fluid events: (1) Percolation of aqueous-carbonic metamorphic fluids under an assumed lithostatic regime of 400–450 °C, at a maximum depth of 13 km; (2) Formation of the main quartz lodes with coeval K-alteration and introduction of As and S from aqueous-carbonic fluids percolating along regional faults. Arsenopyrite and pyrite deposition was linked to the alteration of Fe-silicates into K-feldspar and phengite at near-constant iron content in the bulk granite. Temperature was similar to that of the preceding stage, but pressure decreased to 100–50 MPa, suggesting rapid uplift of the basement up to 7.5 km depth; (3) The resulting extensional tectonic leads to the deposition of gold, boulangerite, galena and sphalerite in brecciated arsenopyrite and pyrite from aqueous fluids during a mixing process. Temperature and salinity decrease from 280 to 140 °C and 8.1 wt% eq. NaCl to 1.6 wt% eq. NaCl, respectively; (4) Sealing of the late fault system by barren comb quartz which precipitated from dilute meteoric aqueous fluids (1.6 wt% eq. NaCl to 0.9 wt% eq. NaCl) under hydrostatic conditions at 200–150 °C.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Le magmatisme basique calcoalcalin d'âge dévono-dinantien du nord du Massif Central,témoin d'une marge active hercynienne: arguments géochimiques et isotopiques Sr/Nd

Abstract

Samples of volcanic rocks from the main outcrops of Devono-Dinantian series in northern Massif-Central have been studied for Sr and Nd isotopes and immobile incompatible trace elements. In addition, two intrusive bodies of dioritic composition have been dated at 365 ± 3 Ma (Aydat) and 360 ± 1 Ma (Beaumont-Huriel), using the U/Pb zircon method. Together with geochemical data, these ages show that all the studied rocks belong to the same igneous episode. Based on trace element and radiogenic isotopes (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i from 0,7041 to 0,7057; εNd_i from +1.5 to +5.0), the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous igneous rocks bear distinct similarities with magmas produced in modern active margin settings. Combined with independent evidence for the occurrence of Devonian oceanic lithosphere in the northern branch of the Variscides, these geochemical affinities suggest that southward subduction of oceanic crust prevailed during the Late Devonian in northern Massif-Central. As a corollary, it appears that true continent-continent collision did not occur before Early Carboniferous times. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.