GOCE level 1b data processing

In this article, the processing steps applied to the raw GOCE science payload instrument data (level 0) in order to obtain input data for the gravity field determination (level 1b) are described. The raw gradiometer measurements, which are given at the level of control voltages, have to be transformed into accelerations and gradients. For the latter step, knowledge about the GOCE attitude is required, which is provided by the star trackers. In addition, the data of the satellite to satellite tracking instrument are used to date the measurements, after its clock error has been corrected. All intermediate steps of the processing flow are described. Together with the explanation of the processing flow, an overview of the main level 1b products is given. The final part of the article discusses the means of quality control of the L1b data currently used and gives an outlook on potential processor evolutions.     

Greenland��s contribution to global sea-level rise by the end of the 21st century

The Greenland ice sheet holds enough water to raise the global sea level with ??7 m. Over the last few decades, observations manifest a substantial increase of the mass loss of this ice sheet. Both enhanced melting and increase of the dynamical discharge, associated with calving at the outlet-glacier fronts, are contributing to the mass imbalance. Using a dynamical and thermodynamical ice-sheet model, and taking into account speed up of outlet glaciers, we estimate Greenland??s contribution to the 21st-century global sea-level rise and the uncertainty of this estimate. Boundary fields of temperature and precipitation extracted from coupled climate-model projections used for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, are applied to the ice-sheet model. We implement a simple parameterization for increased flow of outlet glaciers, which decreases the bias of the modeled present-day surface height. It also allows for taking into account the observed recent increase in dynamical discharge, and it can be used for future projections associated with outlet-glacier speed up. Greenland contributes 0?C17?cm to global sea-level rise by the end of the 21st century. This range includes the uncertainties in climate-model projections, the uncertainty associated with scenarios of greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as the uncertainties in future outlet-glacier discharge. In addition, the range takes into account the uncertainty of the ice-sheet model and its boundary fields.     

Extraterrestrial amino acids identified in metal‐rich CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites from Antarctica

Carbonaceous chondrites contain numerous indigenous organic compounds and could have been an important source of prebiotic compounds required for the origin of life on Earth or elsewhere. Extraterrestrial amino acids have been reported in five of the eight groups of carbonaceous chondrites and are most abundant in CI, CM, and CR chondrites but are also present in the more thermally altered CV and CO chondrites. We report the abundance, distribution, and enantiomeric and isotopic compositions of simple primary amino acids in six metal‐rich CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites that have not previously been investigated for amino acids: Allan Hills (ALH) 85085 (CH3), Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91467 (CH3), Patuxent Range (PAT) 91546 (CH3), MacAlpine Hills (MAC) 02675 (CBb), Miller Range (MIL) 05082 (CB), and Miller Range (MIL) 07411 (CB). Amino acid abundances and carbon isotopic values were obtained by using both liquid chromatography time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and fluorescence, and gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The δ¹³C/¹²C ratios of multiple amino acids fall outside of the terrestrial range and support their extraterrestrial origin. Extracts of CH chondrites were found to be particularly rich in amino acids (13–16 parts per million, ppm) while CB chondrite extracts had much lower abundances (0.2–2 ppm). The amino acid distributions of the CH and CB chondrites were distinct from the distributions observed in type 2 and 3 CM and CR chondrites and contained elevated levels of β‐, γ‐, and δ‐amino acids compared to the corresponding α‐amino acids, providing evidence that multiple amino acid formation mechanisms were important in CH and CB chondrites.     

The Markoye Shear Zone in NE Burkina Faso

Birimian supracrustal sequences in NE Burkina Faso are dominated by meta-volcaniclastic greywacke, intercalated meta-conglomerate, siltstone and shale. The sequences where subjected to two phases of deformation and contact metamorphosed to hornblende–hornfels facies during emplacement of pyroxenite–gabbro–norite (Yacouba Mafic complex), granodiorite–tonalite (Tin Taradat granodiorite–tonalite) and dolerite dykes.Structural studies indicated that the NE-trending, first-order crustal-scale Markoye Shear Zone (MSZ; Markoye Fault of [Jeambrun, M., Delfour, J., Gravost, M., 1970. Carte géologique de L’Oudalan. Bureau De Recherches Geologiques et Miniéres, Burkina Faso.]) has undergone at least two phases of reactivation concomitant to two phases of regional deformation. The first phase of deformation, D1, resulted in the formation of NNW-NW trending folds and thrusts during dextral-reverse displacement on the MSZ. The deformation is termed the Tangaean Event and predates the Eburnean Orogeny. D2 phase involved a period of SE–NW crustal shortening and sinistral-reverse displacement on the MSZ, and is correlated to the Eburnean Orogeny 2.1 Ga. Deformation in D2 is characterised by NE-trending regional folds (F2) and a pervasive NE-trending foliation (S2-C to S2). Within the MSZ, deformation is characterised by NNE-trending zones of mylonite that are bordered in the hangingwall and footwall by pseudotachylite veins. Buck quartz-carbonate veins and quartz cataclasite veins crosscut the mylonite zones and are, in turn, crosscut by quartz–chlorite–(muscovite) shears that formed during reactivation of the MSZ late in D2. Several generations of veins are recognised at the Essakane main deposit (EMZ): Arsenopyrite–pyrite–gold mineralization in quartz veins formed in D1 during metasomatic alteration of the host rocks; Vein-stockwork gold mineralization is interpreted to have formed late in D2.     

The zeolite deposits of Greece

Zeolites are present in altered pyroclastic rocks at many localities in Greece, and large deposits of potential economic interest are present in three areas: (1) the Evros region of the province of Thrace in the north-eastern part of the Greek mainland; (2) the islands of Kimolos and Poliegos in the western Aegean; and (3) the island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea. The deposits in Thrace are of Eocene-Oligocene age and are rich in heulandite and/or clinoptilolite. Those of Kimolos and Poliegos are mainly Quaternary and are rich in mordenite. Those of Samos are Miocene, and are rich in clinoptilolite and/or analcime. The deposits in Thrace are believed to have formed in an open hydrological system by the action of meteoric water, and those of the western Aegean islands in a similar way but under conditions of high heat flow, whereas the deposits in Samos were formed in a saline-alkaline lake.     

Analysis of magnetic data over part of the Younger Granite Province of Nigeria

The results of a magnetic study of part of the Younger Granite Province of Nigeria are presented here. Spectral analysis of the magnetic anomalies over the area has been carried out in an effort to estimate the depth to magnetic sources. Average magnetic source depth of 286 m has been obtained for the area and this is thought to be related to the depth to the top of the main anomalous structures in the area. Observed magnetic anomaly profiels taken across the area have been interpreted in terms of arbitrarily shaped bodies—whose existence was confirmed by 3-D Hilbert transformation-using nonlinear optimization techniques. The modelled bodies occur at depths of 200–760 m and have magnetizations of 0.29–0.47 A/m. The results from the analysis of the magnetic field are discussed in relation to the results from previous gravity studies over the area and the mode of emplacement of the Younger Granites.     

Geodetic high-precision measurements in active tectonic areas; example: The Rhinegraben

Geodetic measurements in the Rhinegraben area are discussed. Repeated levellings, together with horizontal control data, torsion-balance measurements, very dense gravity coverage, tiltmeter observations and a high-precision gravity test net were available in order to test present concepts of the Rhinegraben structure and sources of recent crustal movements. The ambiguities of levelling data are stressed, but investigations of high-precision levelling data clearly indicate subsidence of several centimetres in the graben area, whereas multivariate studies of the data available on the graben shoulders do not indicate any significant movement on the shoulders themselves.     

A procedure to compute level lines

Using the Stiefel-Baumgarte stabilization technique a method to compute level lines is proposed.Paper presented at the 1981 Oberwolfach Conference on Mathematical Methods in Celestial Mechanics.Dedicated to Professor V. Szebehely on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Formation of tonalite in island arcs by seawater-induced anatexis of mafic rocks; evidence from the Lyngen Magmatic Complex, North Norwegian Caledonides

The Lyngen Magmatic Complex (LMC) of North Norway, consists of a western suite of layered gabbros of normal-mid oceanic ridge basalt (N-MORB) affinity and an eastern suite of layered gabbronorites, quartz-bearing gabbros and diorites/quartz-diorites of IAT (island-arc tholeiitte) to boninitic affinity. The boundary between the suites is defined by a large-scale ductile shear zone, the Rypdalen shear zone (RSZ). In this shear zone anatectic tonalites were generated by partial melting of the gabbro in the presence of an H₂O bearing fluid phase.Quartz from the tonalites contains early secondary and secondary liquid-dominated inclusions (88-99 wt.% H₂O), with an average salinity of 18 wt.% (calculated as NaCl_eq). Combined gas and ion chromatography shows that the major ions in the fluid are Cl⁻, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ with smaller amounts of K⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Br⁻ and NO₃⁻. The dominant non-H₂O volatile species is N₂ (0.5-10%), and small amounts of CO₂, CH₄ and other hydrocarbons are also present.The cation concentrations in the fluid are variable, due to element exchange during interaction of the fluids with the tonalites, amphibolites and metagabbros of the RSZ. The fluid contributed Na⁺ and K⁺ to the melt and gained Ca²⁺ in exchange, explaining the variable Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio of the fluid. The Br⁻ and Cl⁻ contents of the fluid inclusions plot on the same line as evaporating sea water, which strongly suggests a seawater origin for the fluid phase, and a seawater source fits well with other geochemical signatures and the tectonic setting of the LMC.It is suggested that seawater escaped from a subducting slab and was channelled along the Rypdalen shear zone. This caused anatexis of the gabbro, generating tonalitic melts at 0.5-0.9 GPa and 680-800°C.