Dauphiné twinning and texture memory in polycrystalline quartz. Part 3: texture memory during phase transformation

Samples of quartz-bearing rocks were heated above the α (trigonal)–β (hexagonal) phase transformation of quartz (625–950°C) to explore changes in preferred orientation patterns. Textures were measured both in situ and ex situ with neutron, synchrotron X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction. The trigonal–hexagonal phase transformation does not change the orientation of c- and a-axes, but positive and negative rhombs become equal in the hexagonal β-phase. In naturally deformed quartzites measured by neutron diffraction a perfect texture memory was observed, i.e. crystals returned to the same trigonal orientation they started from, with no evidence of twin boundaries. Samples measured by electron back-scattered diffraction on surfaces show considerable twinning and memory loss after the phase transformation. In experimentally deformed quartz rocks, where twinning was induced mechanically before heating, the orientation memory is lost. A mechanical model can explain the memory loss but so far it does not account for the persistence of the memory in quartzites. Stresses imposed by neighboring grains remain a likely cause of texture memory in this mineral with a very high elastic anisotropy. If stresses are imposed experimentally the internal stresses are released during the phase transformation and the material returns to its original state prior to deformation. Similarly, on surfaces there are no tractions and thus texture memory is partially lost.     

First results of U/Pb dating of detrital zircons from Early Paleozoic and Devonian sandstones of the Baltic-Ladoga region (south Ladoga Area)

The first results of U/Pb isotopic dating (LA ICP MS) of detrital zircons from sands from the Middle Cambrian Sablinka Formation, Upper Cambrian Ladoga Formation, Low Ordovician Tosna Formation, and calcareous sands from Syas’ Formation (Sargaevskii horizon of the Upper Frasnian) from Baltica-Ladoga Glint (BLG) of the Southern Ladoga area are presented. The obtained ages of detrital zircons span the intervals 492.7 ± 5.1-3196.4 ± 5.1 Ma (Sablino Formation); 577.9 ± 7–2972.6 ± 13.4 Ma (Ladoga Formation); 509.4 ± 8.5–3247.6 ± 10.1 Ma (Tosna Formation); 451.1 ± 14.7–2442.2 ± 6.9 Ma (Syas’ Formation). A comparison of the obtained isotopic ages of detrital zircons to ages of crystalline complexes composing the Kola-Karelian, Svecofennian, and Sveconorwegian domains of Baltic Shield and Pre-Uralian-Timanian structures of Subpolar and Polar Urals and basement of Pechora Basin was carried out. It is proposed that the Middle Paleozoic sedimentary basin accumulated Upper Frasnian rocks of Syas’ Formation. The basin ranged northward from the present-day BLG and occupied the eastern part of the Baltic Shield.     

Granitoids of the Kongo Magmatic Zone of the Omolon Massif (Northeastern Russia): Rock Composition,Age, and Geodynamic Setting

Geotectonics - In our study we analyzed the composition of granitoid rocks within the Kongo magmatic zone of the Omolon median mass. The studied calc-alkaline granitoids cut through the Early...     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of lateritic soil profiles in Kerala, India

Lateritic soils near Calicut, Kerala, contain halloysite of intermediate hydration, kaolinite, goethite, gibbsite and quartz. The presence of halloysite is responsible for relatively high plasticity and cation-exchange capacity. Fe-hydroxide colloids along with halloysite contribute to significant phosphate uptake by this soil. Composition of local groundwater is consistent with weathering of sodic plagioclase to gibbsite, kaolinite and metastable halloysite.     

Electroconducting Elements of the Ultradeep Fluid–Fault Systems as Indicators of Seismically Active Zones of the Eastern Margin of the Eurasian Continent: Evidence from Magnetotelluric Data

Doklady Earth Sciences - A fundamentally new conclusion that zones of high seismic activity are controlled by electroconducting (fluid-saturated) fragments rather than by the entire deep fault is...     

The Karoo Basin of South Africa: type basin for the coal-bearing deposits of southern Africa

The coal-bearing sediments and coal seams of the Karoo Basin, Southern Africa are described and discussed. The Karoo Basin is bounded on its southern margin by the Cape Fold Belt, onlaps onto the Kaapvaal Craton in the north and is classified as a foreland basin. Coal seams are present within the Early Permian Vryheid Formation and the Triassic Molteno Formation.The peats of the Vryheid Formation accumulated within swamps in a cool temperate climatic regime. Lower and upper delta plain, back-barrier and fluvial environments were associated with peat formation. Thick, laterally extensive coal seams have preferentially accumulated in fluvial environments. The coals are in general inertinite-rich and high in ash. However, increasing vitrinite and decreasing ash contents within seams occur from west to east across the coalfields. The Triassic Molteno coal seams accumulated with aerially restricted swamps in fluvial environments. These Molteno coals are thin, laterally impersistent, vitrinite-rich and shaly, and formed under a warm temperate climatic regime.Palaeoclimate, depositional systems, differential subsidence and basin tectonics influence to varying degrees, the maceral content, thickness and lateral extent of coal seams. However, the geographic position of peat-forming swamps within a foreland basin, coupled with basin tectonics and differential subsidence are envisaged as the primary controls on coal parameters. The Permian coals are situated in proximal positions on the passive margin of the foreland basin. Here, subsidence was limited which enhanced oxidation of organic matter and hence the formation of inertinitic coals. The coals in this tectonic setting are thick and laterally extensive. The Triassci coals are situated within the tectonically active foreland basin margin. Rapid subsidence and sedimentation rates occurred during peat formation which resulted in the preservation of thin, laterally impersistent, high ash, vitrinite-rich, shaly coals.     

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE COMBINATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAPPING

A review of Soviet research describes methods of combining remote sensing and geodetic data in cartometric data bases—for the purposes of compiling more detailed and accurate “three-dimensional” terrain maps. The major objective is to provide, by means of photogrammetric techniques employing stereopairs or series of overlapping images, elevational data on selective key geomorphological points (along structure lines, summits of ridges, valley bottoms, etc.) which can be used to supplement (or replace) data obtained for the control points of a rectangular grid. Creation of digital models from these “geomorphological” points provides more accurate three-dimensional terrain maps. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1986, No. 6, pp. 56-64.     

Disturbance of wind profile measurements by a slim mast

Wind-profile measurements for micrometeorological purposes are almost inevitably influenced by the supporting structures. Many investigators have studied the flow around obstacles in the wind tunnel but few comparisons with natural turbulent flows are available. The wind-speed error at reasonable distances from the obstacle is of the order of 2% only. Nevertheless, the effects on profiles may be large if the characteristics of flow around the obstacle vary with height, e.g., due to a variation of the geometry of supports, etc.Observations of flow around a cylindrical mast with horizontal supports are reported for different angles of attack. Modelling of the disturbed flow by a potential flow around a solid half-infinite body yields good agreement with observations. However, the amplitude of the disturbance exhibits no obvious relation with the geometry of the structure. This points to a Reynolds-number dependency of the flow distortion.Generally a nearly symmetrical mounting of anemometers on both sides of the mast yields only small errors in the fitted profiles. In contrast, a large error can result with an asymmetrical configuration.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Sonderforschungsbereich Meeresforschung Hamburg.     

Isotopic evidence on the origin of the Shamrocke copper mine,Rhodesia

The Shamrocke ore body is a stratiform deposit of disseminated copper-iron sulphides found within lenses of calcareous meta-arkose occurring in Lomagundi Group graphitic schist (Late Precambrian) at Karoi, Rhodesia. Both sulphides and sediments were subjected to high grades of regional metamorphism. Argon/argon isochron ages indicate a major metamorphic event at 550 m. y. (Damaran orogeny) with later minor argon losses. Ore sulphide ³⁴S values range from +3.0 to +14.8 CDT and a general decrease from footwall to hanging-wall reflects an original sedimentary environment where sulphides formed about the sea bed from hydrothermal fluids progressively mixing with sea water. Isotopically lighter sulphides formed syngenetically in the host rocks from bacterial reduction of sulphate. The pyrrhotite was probably formed from pyrite during metamorphism, and owing to reducing conditions maintained similar ³⁴S values to the original pyrite. Oxygen and carbon isotopic analyses of mineralised and unmineralised carbonate lenses are consistent with deposition as marine limestones in an evaporitic environment and/or near hot spring vents.I. N. S. Contribution No 734