Combined three-dimensional electric and seismic tomography study on the Åknes rockslide in western Norway

We present a combined 3-D geoelectric and seismic tomography study conducted on the large Åknes rockslide in western Norway. Movements on the slope are strongly influenced by water infiltration, such that the hydrogeological regime is considered as a critical factor affecting the slope stability. The aim of our combined geophysical study was to identify and visualize the main shallow tension fractures and to determine their effect on hydraulic processes by comparing the geophysical results with information from borehole logging and tracer tests. To resolve the complex subsurface conditions of the highly fractured rock mass, a three-dimensional set-up was chosen for our seismic survey. To map the water distribution within the rock mass, a pattern of nine intersecting 2-D geoelectric profiles covered the complete unstable slope. Six of them that crossed the seismic survey area were considered as a single data set in a 3-D inversion. For both methods, smoothing-constraint inversion algorithms were used, and the forward calculations and parameterizations were based on unstructured triangular meshes. A pair of parallel shallow low-velocity anomalies (< 1400 m/s) observed in the final seismic tomogram was immediately underlain by two anomalies with resistivities <13 kΩm in the resistivity tomogram. In combination with borehole logging results, the low-velocity and resistivity anomalies could be associated with the drained and water-filled part of the tension fractures, respectively. There were indications from impeller flowmeter measurements and tracer tests that such tension fractures intersected several other water-filled fractures and were responsible for distinct changes of the main groundwater flow paths.     

Record of enhanced late Pliocene tectono‐volcanic activity in the Lesser Antilles forearc basin: Insights into the long‐term behaviour of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone

In this study, we investigate the Lesser Antilles forearc basin, focusing on the late Pliocene to Pleistocene sedimentary archives in order to track the occurrence of extreme events triggered by enhanced subduction‐related tectono‐volcanic activity. We identify late Piacenzian deposits covering a major regional erosional surface, displaying sedimentary dykes and large marine boulders embedded in a mixed continental–marine matrix, characteristic of tsunamites. We interpret this episode of platform emersion and the successive cataclysmic deposits as resulting from enhanced tectonic activity at the interface of the subduction zone, synchronous with the initiation of the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. We then discuss the implications in terms of the mechanical behaviour of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone.     

Evaluation of site conditions for the Ankara Basin of Turkey based on seismic site characterization of near-surface geologic materials

Regional site conditions relevant for seismic hazard studies can be derived from various geologic, seismologic, and geotechnical sources. In this study, site conditions are derived for the Ankara Basin in Turkey by merging in-situ seismic measurements of dynamic properties, geologic information, and some geotechnical boring information. Field seismic refraction surveys were performed at 259 sites in the project area to classify and characterize Plio–Pleistocene fluvial deposits and Quaternary alluvial and terrace deposits. The shear-wave velocity profiles of the near-surface geologic units are used to characterize site classes according to the International Building Code [International Code Council, ICC. International Building Code. Structural and fire- and life-safety provisions (seismic, wind, accessibility, egress, occupancy and roof codes), 2006. Whittier, CA.] and the Turkish Seismic Code [Ministry of Public Works and Settlement, 1998. Turkish Seismic Code, Specification for Structures to be Built in Disaster Areas, Ankara, Turkey], and to develop a regional model for the average shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m. The resulting maps of site class indicate that the classification system for the Turkish Seismic Code results in a significant portion of the Ankara Basin being classified as Z4, the softest site class. The International Building Code site classification system results in most of the Ankara Basin being classified as D, stiff soil. These differences are caused by the Turkish Seismic Code incorporating information from only the surface layer, while the International Building Code incorporates information from the top 30 m.     

Long‐term effects of revegetation on soil hydrological processes in vegetation‐stabilized desert ecosystems

Planting of sand‐binding vegetation in the Shapotou region on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert began in 1956. The revegetation programme successfully stabilized formerly mobile dunes in northern China, permitting the operation of the Baotou‐Lanzhou railway. Long‐term monitoring has shown that the revegetation programme produced various ecological changes, including the formation of biological soil crusts (BSCs). To gain insight into the role of BSCs in both past ecological change and current ecological evolution at the revegetation sites, we used field measurements and HYDRUS‐1D model simulations to investigate the effects of BSCs on soil hydrological processes at revegetated sites planted in 1956 and 1964 and at an unplanted mobile dune site. The results demonstrate that the formation of BSCs has altered patterns of soil water storage, increasing the moisture content near the surface (0–5 cm) while decreasing the moisture content in deeper layers (5–120 cm). Soil evaporation at BSC sites is elevated relative to unplanted sites during periods when canopy coverage is low. Rainfall infiltration was not affected by BSCs during the very dry period that was studied (30 April to 30 September 2005); during periods with higher rainfall intensity, differences in infiltration may be expected due to runoff at BSC sites. The simulated changes in soil moisture storage and hydrological processes are consistent with ongoing plant community succession at the revegetated sites, from deep‐rooted shrubs to more shallow‐rooted herbaceous species. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetic and ore-forming ages of the Fe–P–(Ti) oxide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic–carbonatite complexes in the Kuluketage block,NW China

Abstract

During the past 50 years, many geological and ore-deposit investigations have led to the discovery of the Fe–P–(Ti)-oxide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic–carbonatite complexes in the Kuluketage block, northeastern Tarim Craton. In this paper, we discuss the genetic and ore-forming ages, tectonic setting, and the genesis of these deposits (Kawuliuke, Qieganbulake and Duosike). LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 811?±?5?Ma, 811?±?4?Ma, and 840?±?5?Ma for Kawuliuke ore-bearing pyroxenite, Qieganbulake gabbro and Duosike ore-bearing pyroxenite, respectively. The CL images of the Kawuliuke apatite grains show core–rim structure, suggesting multi-phase crystallisation, whereas the apatite grains from Qieganbulake and Dusike deposits do not show any core–rim texture, suggesting a single-stage crystallisation. LA-ICP-MS apatite ²⁰⁷Pb-corrected U–Pb dating provided weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 814?±?21?Ma and 771?±?8?Ma for the Kawuliuke ores, and 810?±?7?Ma and 841?±?7?Ma for Qieganbulake and Duosike ores, respectively. The core–rim texture in apatite by CL imaging as well as two different ore-forming ages in the core and rim of the apatite indicate two metallogenic events for the Kawuliuke deposit. The first metallogenic period was magmatic in origin, and the second period was hydrothermal in origin. The initial ore-forming age of the Kawuliuke Fe–P–Ti mineralisation was ca 814?Ma and the second one was ca 771?Ma. On the other hand, the ore-forming ages of the Qieganbulake and Duosike deposits were ca 810?Ma and ca 841?Ma, respectively. Qieganbulake and Duosike deposits were of magmatic origin. Combined with previous geochronological data and the research on the tectonic background, we infer that the Kawuliuke, Qieganbulake and Duosike Fe–P–(Ti)-oxide deposits were formed in a subduction-related tectonic setting and were the product of subduction-related magmatism.     

The geology,mineralogy and geochemistry of the broomstock gold deposit,Kwekwe Greenstone Belt,Zimbabwe; Some implications for gold mineralization in jaspilite iron formations

Summary At Broomstock Mine, three types of gold mineralization have been identified: (i) jaspilite-hosted ore, (ii) ore confined to shear zones within meta-basalts, and (iii) supergene ore. The present study, which is focused on the jaspilite-hosted ore, revealed that areas carrying economic gold grades are characterized by fracturing, brecciation and abundant arsenopyrite-pyrite mineralization. The mineralization was introduced by hydrothermal fluids which used dilatant fractures in the jaspilites as channelways. Deposition of gold and sulfides occurred in response to changing P-T conditions and through chemical reactions of the fluids with the iron-rich jaspilites. Gold and accompanying elements may either originate from processes of intraformational remobilization, or they were derived from external, distant sources.

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Geologie, Mineralogie und Geochemie der Goldlagerstätte Broomstock im Kwekwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe: Bedeutung für Goldvererzung in jaspitischen Eisenformationen

Zusammenfassung In der Broomstock Mine treten drei Typen von Goldmineralisationen auf: (i) Vererzungen in Jaspiliten, (ii) Vererzungen in Scherzonen, die Metabasalte durchsetzen, und (iii) supergene Vererzungen.Die vorliegende Untersuchung befaßt sich vornehmlich mit den Vererzungen der Jaspilite. Kartierungen und Beprobungen zeigten, daß ökonomische Goldgehalte an Be-reiche der Jaspilite gebunden sind, die tektonisch zerbrochen und brekziiert sind. Zudem treten in diesen Bereichen Arsenkies und Pyrit in hohen Konzentrationen auf. Die Mineralisation stellt den Absatz hydrothermaler Lösungen dar, die dilatante Bruchzonen innerhalb der Jaspilite als Zufuhrkanäle benutzten. Der Absatz der Sulfide und des Goldes erfolgte aufgrund sich ändernder P-T-Bedingungen und durch chemische Reaktionen zwischen den Lösungen und den eisenreichen Jaspiliten. Als Modell zur Herkunft des Goldes und der begleitenden Elemente wird entweder eine intraformationale Umlagerung, oder eine Zufuhr aus externen, entfernteren Quellen angenommen.

     

The magnetic structure of the langbeinite K2Mn2 (SO4)3

K₂Mn₂(SO₄)₃ orders magnetically at T_N= 1.75 K. One of the orthorhombic cell edges of the low temperature Langbeinite structure becomes doubled in the magnetically ordered state. The antiferromagnetic spin structure found is characterized by weak or vanishing molecular fields due to nearest neighbours. There are no indications of magnetic order down to 1.45 K in the isomorphic compound K₂Co₂ (SO₄)₃.