Compaction Rate of an Early Permian Volcanic Tuff from Wuda Coalfield, Inner Mongolia

Compaction rates of sediments or volcaniclastic material are needed to reconstruct original thickness of a bed,which in turn is required to reconstruct subsidence rates,sea-level rise,or in the case of volcaniclastic,the location or direction of the eruption site.The knowledge of compaction rates can also aid in the reconstruction of deformed fossils.The known shape of deformed fossils can allow the determination of the compaction they experienced.Here we report the compaction rate in an early Permian volcanic tuff from Wuda,Inner Mongolia,determined from the deformation of standing tree fern stems of known anatomy.The compaction rate has been found to be 0.56 in this case,indicating that 44% of original thickness remains.     

Niederschlagsstrukturen von Zyklonen in Nordamerika

Zusammenfassung Durch Auswertung der stündlichen Niederschlagsmessungen von 1500 Stationen in den USA werden die Ausbreitungsformen und die zeitlichen Intensitätsvariationen der Niederschläge von 32 nordamerikanischen Zyklonen während der Jahre 1949 und 1950 untersucht. Es ergibt sich, daß im Durchschnitt die Niederschlagsgebiete dieser Zyklonen ihre größere Fläche und Ergiebigkeit links von der Zugbahn des Zentrums haben. Ein geschlossener Ausläufer des Niederschlagsgebietes wird auf der linken Seite des Tiefs herumgeführt. Die Fronten und ihre Niederschläge haben keinen verbindlichen Zusammenhang mit dem eigentlichen Niederschlagsgebiet der Zyklone.Es wird der Aufbau des Zyklonenteils links von der Zugbahn des Zentrums diskutiert und zur Deutung werden für die Luftmassen in diesem Teil erhebliche Aufgleitvorgänge gefordert. Durch theoretische Betrachtungen und den Nachweis der Wahrscheinlichkeit anderer Hebungsursachen in diesem Teil der Zyklone wird diese Vorstellung unterstützt.Die Niederschlagsintensität erfährt bei Durchzug des Zyklonenkerns starke Variationen mit charakteristischen Merkmalen, die zum Teil ausgeprägte Erhaltungstendenz zeigen. Zur Deutung dieser Ergebnisse wird die Existenz von Wellenzügen innerhalb der Grenzfläche als wahrscheinlich angesehen.

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Summary By evaluating the hourly measurements of the precipitations of 1500 stations in the USA, the forms of extension and the time variations of intensity of the precipitations of 32 North American cyclones during the years 1949 and 1950 are examined. It results that on an average the precipitation areas of these cyclones have their larger surface and yield to the left of the way of the centres. A closed spur of the precipitation area is led around to the left of the low pressure. The fronts and their precipitations have no direct connection to the real precipitation area of the cyclones.The structure of the cyclone part left to the way of the centre is discussed, and for the explanation considerable upslide phenomenons are requested for the air masses in this part. By theoretic consideration and the proof of probability of other elevation moments in this part of the cyclones this conception is supported.The precipitation intensity gets, when the cyclone core passes, strong variations with characteristics partly showing a pronounced tendency of persistence. For the explanation of these results the existence of wave trains within the boundary surface of the air masses is considered to be probable.

     

Melt- versus fluid-induced metasomatism in spinel to garnet wedge peridotites (Ulten Zone, Eastern Italian Alps): clues from trace element and Li abundances

The peridotite bodies of the Ulten Zone (Upper Austroalpine, Italian Eastern Alps) are enclosed in Variscan migmatites and derive from a mantle wedge environment. They display the progressive transformation of porphyroclastic spinel peridotites (T=1,200°C; P=1.5 GPa) into fine-grained garnet–amphibole peridotites (T=850°C; P=3 GPa). Detailed bulk-rock and mineral trace element analyses of a sample suite documenting the entire metamorphic evolution of the peridotites revealed several stages of metasomatism. The spinel peridotites derive from a depleted mantle that became enriched in some large ion lithophile element (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE). The same signature pertains to clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, indicating that this metasomatic signature was acquired at the recorded temperature of 1,200°C. Such a temperature is considerably above the wet peridotite solidus and hence the metasomatic agent must have been a hydrous melt. Moreover, the Li-enrichment of the spinel-facies pyroxenes (up to 24 ppm Li) reflects disequilibrium distribution after exchange with a presumably mafic melt. ^cpx/opx D _Li=3–7 and ^cpx/ol D _Li=2.7–8 indicate that the spinel-facies clinopyroxene hosts higher Li amounts than the coexisting minerals. LREE fractionation, variable LREE enrichment, LILE enrichment with respect to HFSE (average clinopyroxene Pb _N /Nb _N =16–90) in spinel lherzolites can be related to chromatographic effects of porous melt flow. The significant enrichment of pyroxenes from the spinel lherzolites in Pb, U and Li indicates that the metasomatic melt was subduction-related. All these features suggest that the spinel lherzolites formed a mantle wedge layer percolated by melts carrying recycled crustal components and rising from a deeper source of subduction magmas. The garnet + amphibole peridotites equilibrated at temperatures well below the wet solidus in the presence of an aqueous fluid. Bulk-rock trace element patterns display pronounced positive anomalies in Cs, Ba, Pb and U and moderate enrichment in Li, indicating addition of a crustal component to the mantle rocks. Amphibole hosts most of these trace elements. Clinopyroxene displays high LILE/HFSE (Pb _N /Nb _N =300–600), low Ce/Pb (1.4–2.7 in garnet-facies clinopyroxene compared with 2.6–24.5 in the spinel-facies one) and variable LILE and LREE enrichments. The coupled increase of modal amphibole, Sr and Pb, together with positive Pb–Sr and Pb–U correlations, further indicate that incompatible element influx in these samples was fluid-mediated. In the garnet-facies samples, amphibole and, interestingly, olivine have similarly high Li concentrations as clinopyroxene, leading to ^cpx/amph D _Li=0.7 and ^cpx/ol D _Li=0.7–0.8, the latter being up to ten times lower than in the spinel-facies rocks. Due to its high modal abundance, olivine is the main host of Li in the garnet–amphibole peridotites. The observed metasomatic features provide evidence for the infiltration of an aqueous fluid in the mantle wedge above a subducting slab. This fluid most likely derived from subducted crustal rocks that underwent partial melting. Successive retrograde re-equilibration during exhumation of the garnet peridotite is accompanied by garnet and clinopyroxene breakdown and amphibole formation. This process produced minor changes, such as an increase of HREE and Li in amphibole, and an increase of Li in olivine. The general trace element signature remains essentially unchanged during retrogression and further hydration, indicating that fluids with a similar composition to the one present at the garnet–amphibole peridotite formation, were responsible for increased amphibole formation. The combined evidence from the metamorphic and metasomatic evolution indicates that the peridotites experienced first corner flow in a mantle wedge, followed by subduction and finally entrapment and exhumation within a crustal slab. During their entire history the Ulten peridotites were percolated first by melts and then by aqueous fluids, which added recycled crustal components to the mantle wedge.     

A regional tidal/subtidal circulation model of the southeastern Bering Sea: development, sensitivity analyses and hindcasting

A regional eddy-resolving primitive equation circulation model was used to simulate circulation on the southeastern Bering Sea (SEBS) shelf and basin. This model resolves the dominant observed mean currents, eddies and meanders in the region, and simultaneously includes both tidal and subtidal dynamics. Circulation, temperature, and salinity fields for years 1995 and 1997 were hindcast, using daily wind and buoyancy flux estimates, and tidal forcing derived from a global model. This paper describes the development of the regional model, a comparison of model results with available Eulerian and Lagrangian data, a comparison of results between the two hindcast years, and a sensitivity analysis. Based on these hindcasts and sensitivity analyses, we suggest the following: (1) The Bering Slope Current is a primary source of large (100 km diameter) eddies in the SEBS basin. Smaller meanders are also formed along the 100 m isobath on the southeastern shelf, and along the 200-m isobath near the shelf break. (2) There is substantial interannual variability in the statistics of eddies within the basin, driven by variability in the strength of the ANSC. (3) The mean flow on the shelf is not strongly sensitive to changes in the imposed strength of the ANSC; rather, it is strongly sensitive to the local wind forcing. (4) Vertical mixing in the SEBS is strongly affected by both tidal and subtidal dynamics. Strongest mixing in the SEBS may in fact occur between the 100- and 400-m isobaths, near the Pribilof Islands, and in Unimak Pass.     

On M-Theory

This contribution gives a personal view on recent attempts to find a unified framework for non-perturbative string theories, with special emphasis on the hidden symmetries of supergravity and their possible role in this endeavor. A reformulation ofd = 11 supergravity with enlarged tangent space symmetry SO(1, 2) × SO(16) is discussed from this perspective, as well as an ansatz to construct yet further versions with SO(1, 1) × SO(16)^∞ and possibly even SO(1, 1)₊ × ISO(16)^∞ tangent space symmetry. It is suggested that upon “third quantization”, dimensionally reduced maximal supergravity may have an equally important role to play in this unification as the dimensionally reduced maximally supersymmetricSU(∞) Yang Mills theory.     

Numerical models of ductile rebound of crustal roots beneath mountain belts

Crustal roots formed beneath mountain belts are gravitationally unstable structures, which rebound when the lateral forces that created them cease or decrease significantly relative to gravity. Crustal roots do not rebound as a rigid body, but undergo intensive internal deformation during their rebound and cause intensive deformation within the ductile lower crust. 2-D numerical models are used to investigate the style and intensity of this deformation and the role that the viscosities of the upper crust and mantle lithosphere play in the process of root rebound. Numerical models of root rebound show three main features which may be of general application: first, with a low-viscosity lower crust, the rheology of the mantle lithosphere governs the rate of root rebound; second, the amount of dynamic uplift caused by root rebound depends strongly on the rheologies of both the upper crust and mantle lithosphere; and third, redistribution of the rebounding root mass causes pure and simple shear within the lower crust and produces subhorizontal planar fabrics which may give the lower crust its reflective character on many seismic images.     

Über Bau,Alter und Metamorphose des Altkristallins der Schobergruppe,Osttirol

Zusammenfassung Zwei Komplexe sind zu trennen, ein Liegendkomplex aus wechsellagernden Glimmerschiefern und Quarziten mit gegenseitigen Übergängen und ein Hangendkomplex, der durch Einschaltungen von Hornblendegneisen, (Eklogit-)Amphiboliten und spärlich Amphibol-Eklogiten gekennzeichnet ist. Gerade die Amphibol-Eklogite dokumentieren eine polyphase Metamorphosegeschichte. Beide Einheiten sind durch eine horizontale bis sehr flach einfallende tektonische Grenze (Schuppenzone) getrennt, an der als Leitgestein ein Mikroklin-Augengneis von wenigen Metern Mächtigkeit auftritt.Hangend- und Liegendkomplex weisen ein verwickeltes und zum Teil gleichartiges tektonisches Inventar auf. Der Komplex der Eklogitamphibolite ist als eigenständige tektonische Einheit zu betrachten. B₁ ca. senkrecht B₂ zeigt weiträumige Verbiegungen der Gesteine (geringe Amplituden, große Wellenlängen, NE- oder SW-Tauchen). Die stärkste Einengung verläuft NE-SW (isoklinales B₂ mit 10–25° SE-Tauchen). Auch in den Schiefer- und Gneisserien finden sich zwei Faltenachsenrichtungen (B₁=25–35°-Tauchen nach ENE; Anlage von Störungen in 0kl und ac). B₁ und B₁ sind ähnlich. B₃ kann alpidisch sein (Tauchen flach nach E), was aber noch abgesichert werden muß.Das Maximum der Metamorphose liegt bei den Amphibol-Eklogiten zwischen Glaukophanschiefer- und Amphibolitfazies (350–550° C; 4,5–8 kb). In einer weiteren Phase ist die nachträgliche Amphibolitisierung der Eklogite auf eine Temperaturerhöhung unter gleichzeitigem Druckabfall (Symplektitbildung) zurückzuführen. Der H₂O-Druck spielt selektiv eine hervorragende Rolle. Die achsenparallele Lineation der progressiv metamorphen Minerale ist als syntektonische Kristallisation mit der B₂-Faltenphase anzusehen.Von den Augen- und Flasergneisen sind Altersbestimmungen nach der Rb-Sr-Gesamtgesteinsmethode durchgeführt worden. Die gemessenen Proben (8 Proben aus dem Wangenitzseegebiet, dessen nächste Entfernung zum Tauernfenster 10 km beträgt) ergeben eine Isochrone mit einem Alter von 439±20 (2) Mill. Jahren ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) und einem Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶-Anfangsverhältnis von 0.7107±0.0016 (2). Das kaledonische Gesamtgesteinsalter stimmt mit der bisher bekannten geodynamischen Geschichte des Gebietes überein.

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Two complexes can be distinguished, an upper and a lower complex. The latter is set up by alternating mica schists and quartzites. Both of these show continuous transitions to each other. The upper complex is characterized by intercalations of hornblende gneisses, (eclogite) amphibolites and rarely amphibole eclogites. Particularly the amphibole eclogites show a polyphase history of metamorphism. Both units are divided by a horizontal to very gently dipping tectonic boundary. A microcline augengneiss of a few metres in thickness occurs parallel to this boundary.The upper and lower complex show a similar but complicated tectonic pattern, the complex of the eclogite amphibolites can be considered as a separate tectonic unit. B₁ ca. perpendicular to B₂, appears in ample flexures and folds (slight amplitudes large wavelengths, plunging to NE or SW). The strongest compression is directed from NE to SW (isoclinal B₂ plunging 10–25° to SE). Also in the series of schists and gneisses two fold axes are found (B₁ plunging 25–35° to ENE; first formation of faults in Okl and ac directions). B₁ and B₁ are similar. B₃ may be of alpidic age (plunging gently to E), but that has yet to be verified.The maximum of metamorphism for the amphibole eclogites is between glaucophane schist facies and amphibolite facies (350–550° C; 4,5–8 kb). In a further phase the later amphibolitization of the eclogites has to be attributed to an elevation of temperature under synchronous decrease of the pressure (formation of symplektite). The H₂O pressure plays a selective but eminent role. The lineation of the progressively metamorphic minerals parallel to the fold axes, represents syntectonic crystallization at the time of the B₂ folding.Age determinations of the augengneisses and flasergneisses have been carried out by the Rb-Sr whole rock method. The measured samples (8 samples from the Wangenitz lake area, at a distance of 10 km south of the margin of the Tauern Window) give an isochron resulting an age of 439±20 (2) m. y. ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) and an initial Sr⁸⁷/Rb⁸⁶ ratio of 0.7107±0.0016 (2). The caledonian whole rock age is consistent with the presently known regional geodynamic history.

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Résumé On peut distinguer deux complexes: un complexe inférieur composé d'alternances de micaschistes et de quartzites passant les uns aux autres, et un complexe supérieur caractérisé par des intercalations de gneiss à hornblende, d'amphibolites éclogitiques et plus rarement d'éclogites à amphiboles. C'est précisément ces éclogites à amphiboles qui montrent le déroulement métamorphique en plusieurs phases. Les deux unités sont séparées par une limite tectonique horizontale à faiblement inclinée («zone des écailles»). Un augengneiss à microcline d'une épaisseur de quelques mètres sert d'horizon — repère pour les séparer. Ces complexes inférieur et supérieur fournissent un inventaire tectonique compliqué et, en partie, analogue. Il faut considérer le complexe à amphibolites éclogitiques comme une unité tectonique autonome. B₁ à peu près perpendiculaire à B₂, montre des déformations sur de grandes étendues (amplitudes faibles grandes longeurs d'onde, plongements NE ou SW. Le resserrement le plus fort se fait suivant la direction NE-SW (B₂ isoclinal avec plongement SE de 10° à 25°). De même dans les séries des schistes et des gneiss, on trouve deux directions d'axes de plis (B₁ = inclinaison de 25° à 35° vers ENE prédisposition à failles dans Ohl et ac). B₁ et B₁ sont semblables. B₃ peut-être alpin (inclinaison faible vers l'E), ce qui cependant reste encore à démontrer.Le maximum du métamorphisme dans les éclogites à amphiboles se situe entre les faciès des schistes à glaucophane et des amphibolites (350° à 550° C; 4,5 à 8 kb). C'est à une autre phase qu'il faut attribuer l'amphibolisation ultérieure des éclogites, due à une élévation de température et à une diminution de pression simultanée (formation de symplectites). La pression de H₂O joue un rôle sélectif considérable. On doit considérer la linéation, parallèle aux axes de plis, des minéraux du métamorphisme progressif comme une cristallisation syntectonique de la phase des plis B₂.Les augengneiss et des flasergneiss ont fourni les déterminations d'âge d'après la méthode Rb-Sr appliquée aux roches totales. Les échantillons mesurés (8 provenant de la région du lac de Wangenitz, dont la distance la plus courte jusqu'à la fenêtre des Tauern est de 10 km) donnent une isochrone d'un âge estimé à 439±20 (2) millions d'années ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) et un rapport initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ de 0,7107±0,0016 (2). L'âge «calédonien» de l'ensemble concorde avec l'histoire géodynamique connue jusqu'à maintenant de ce domaine.

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: () , , ( -) -. - . (« »), . , , . - , . B_{1 2} : — , , - , - . - : ₂ 10–25° -. : B₁=25 35° ENE, Ok1 . b_{1 2} , — . . - (350–550° ; 4,5–8 ). , . . , ₂. Rb/Sr. — 8 , 10 , — 439±20 . (_Rb87=1.47·10^–11·^–1), Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ 0,7107±0,0016. « » .

     

Created by the Monte Peron rock avalanche: Lago di Vedana (Dolomites,Italy) and its sediment record of landscape evolution after a mass wasting event

The timing of the Monte Peron Landslide is revised to 2890 cal. BP based on a radiocarbon-dated sediment stratigraphy of Lago di Vedana. This age fosters the importance of hydroclimatic triggers in the light of accelerating global warming with a predicted increase of precipitation enhancing the regional predisposition to large landslides. Moreover, a layer enriched in allochthonous organic and minerogenic detritus dating to the same wet period is interpreted as response to a younger and yet unidentified mass wasting event in the catchment of Lago di Vedana. Rock debris of the Monte Peron Landslide impounded the Cordevole River valley and created a landslide-dammed lake. Around AD 1150, eutrophication of this lacustrine ecosystem started with intensified human occupation – a process that ended 150 years later, when the river was diverted back into its original bed. Most likely, this occurred due to artificial opening of the river dam. In consequence, Lago di Vedana was isolated from an open and minerogenic to an endorheic and carbonaceous lacustrine system. After a monastery was established nearby in AD 1457, a second eutrophication process was initiated due to intensified land use linked with deforestation. Only in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, deposition of organic matter decreased coinciding with climatic (Little Ice Age) and cultural changes. Conversational measures are the likely reasons for a trend towards less eutrophic conditions since AD 1950.