Differential timing of vertical-axis block rotations in the northern Ryukyu Arc: Paleomagnetic evidence from the Koshikijima Islands,Japan

Over 300 samples for paleomagnetic analysis and K–Ar dating were collected from 27 sites at NW–SE and NE–SW trending dike swarms (herein, NW dikes and NE dikes, respectively) in the Koshikijima Islands, northern Ryukyu Arc. The NW dikes are Middle Miocene in age and have directions (D = ? 37.7^°, I = 51.8^°, α₉₅ = 9.6^°, and κ = 40.8) that are deflected westward relative to the stable eastern Asian continent. Conversely, the NE dikes, of Late Miocene age, have directions (D = 16.1^°, I = 57.7^°, α₉₅ = 7.1^°, and κ = 41.9) that show no such deflection. These differences are interpreted as indicating that the Koshikijima Islands underwent approximately 40^° of counter-clockwise rotation during the Middle to Late Miocene. A synthesis of the paleomagnetic and structural data suggests a three-stage history of extensional deformation: (1) displacement upon normal faults (F₁ faults) without vertical-axis block rotation, (2) strike-slip reactivation of F₁ faults and oblique-normal displacement on NE–SW-trending faults (F₂ faults) with vertical-axis block rotation, and (3) oblique-normal displacement on F₂ faults without vertical-axis block rotation. Regional differences in the timing and amount of counter-clockwise vertical-axis block rotations indicate that the northern Ryukyu Arc rotated as several distinct rigid blocks.     

Size distributions of aerosol number concentrations and water-soluble constituents in Toyama, Japan: A comparison of the measurements during Asian dust period with non-dust period

Size-separated aerosol number concentrations and water-soluble constituents were measured in Toyama, the Hokuriku district, near the coast of the Japan Sea, during the spring and summer in 2003. The number concentrations of coarse particles were significantly high in April, which was due to Asian dust events called Kosa in Japanese. Particulate nssCa²⁺, which is mostly present in the coarse-mode particles, was significantly high in April. On the other hand, the concentrations of NH₄⁺ and nssSO₄²⁻, which mainly exist as the accumulation-mode particles were not high in April. The mass-size distributions of water-soluble constituents were compared with the size-separated number concentrations of particles. Backward trajectory analysis was also employed to examine the transport process of the air mass in Toyama.     

Geochemical characteristics of zircons in the Ashizuri A‐type granitoids: An additional granite topology tool for detrital zircon studies

Zircon is resistant to alteration over a wide range of geological environments, and isotopic ratios within the mineral provide constraints on ages and their parental magmas. Trace element compositions in zircon are also expected to reflect those of their parent magmas, and have a potential as essential indicators for their host rocks. Because most detrital zircons that accumulate at river mouths are derived primarily from granitoids, the classification of zircon within granitoids is potentially meaningful. This study employs the conventional classification scheme of granites (I‐, S‐, M‐, and A‐types). To clarify geochemical characteristics of zircons in A‐type granites, trace element compositions of zircons extracted from the A‐type Ashizuri granitoids were examined. Zircons from the Ashizuri granitoids commonly show enrichments of heavy rare earth elements and positive Ce anomalies, indicating that these zircons were igneous in origin. In addition, zircons in these A‐type granites are characterized by enrichments of Nb, Y, Ta, Th, and U and strong negative Eu anomalies, which exhibit good positive correlations with those in their whole rocks. This fact indicates that these signatures in zircons reflect well those in their parental bodies and are useful in identifying zircons derived from A‐type granite. Based on compilations of available data, zircons from A‐type granites can be clearly discriminated from other‐types of granites within Nb/Sr–Eu anomaly, U/Sr–Eu anomaly, Nb/Sr–U/Sr, and Nb/Sr–Ta/Sr cross‐plots. All indices used in these diagrams were selected based on the geochemical features of both zircon and whole rock of A‐type granites. Application of these discrimination diagrams to detrital zircons will likely provide further insights. For example, some Hadean detrital zircons plot in similar fields to A‐type granites, implying the existence of A‐type magmatism in the Earth's earliest history.     

Magma source transition of lunar mare volcanism at 2.3 Ga

Mare basalts provide insights into the composition and thermal history of the lunar mantle. The ages of mare basalts suggest a first peak of magma activity at 3.2–3.8 Ga and a second peak at ~2 Ga. In this study, we reassess the correlation between the titanium contents and the eruption ages of mare basalt units using the compositional and chronological data updated by SELENE (Kaguya). Using morphological and geological criteria, we calculated the titanium content of 261 mare units across a representative area of each mare unit. In the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, where the latest eruptions are located, an increase in the mean titanium content is observed during the Eratosthenian period, as reported by previous studies. We found that the increase in the mean titanium content occurred within a relatively short period near approximately 2.3 Ga, suggesting that the magma source of the mare basalts changed at this particular age. Moreover, the high‐titanium basaltic eruptions are correlated with a second peak in volcanic activity near ~2 Ga. The high‐titanium basaltic eruptions occurring during the last volcanic activity period can be explained by the three possible scenarios (1) the ilmenite‐bearing cumulate rich layer in the core‐mantle boundary formed after the mantle overturn, (2) the basaltic material layers beneath the lunar crust formed through upwelling magmas, and (3) ilmenite‐bearing cumulate blocks remained in the upper mantle after the mantle overturn.     

Numerical analysis of overburden soil subjected to strike-slip fault: Distinct element analysis of Nojima fault

A distinct element method analysis is carried out to examine the development of shear bands in overburden soil subjected to a strike-slip fault. About 2.3 million spherical particles are used in the analysis and the results are compared with the shears observed at the Nojima earthquake fault during the 1995 Hyogoken Nanbu earthquake. En echelon shears and secondary shears which strike at lower angles to the basement fault – typical in strike-slip faults – are observed in the numerical analysis. Simple shear in the horizontal plane and drag due to the dependence of velocity on depth are confirmed to control the helicoidal shape of Riedel shears. Rotation of the compressional direction toward the fault strike as a result of slip along Riedel shears is also verified. It is found that the compressional direction is more horizontal within the area enclosed by Riedel shears than in outside areas and that these compressional directions produce secondary lower-angle shears that are less helicoidal. It is shown that the formation of column-like structures of particles and their subsequent buckling play significant micromechanical roles in three-dimensionally wrenched shears. The results of the numerical analysis, such as shear intervals and striking angles, show a resemblance to observational results at sites where sediment contains coarse grains and is subjected to strike slip with a small dip component, although they are not exactly the same as those observed at locations with similar overburden thicknesses.     

Effects of Benthic Flux on Short Term Variations of Nutrients in Aburatsubo Bay

In order to investigate effects of benthic flux on the short-term variations in the distribution of nutrients in coastal waters, the concentrations of nutrients (PO₄ ^3-, NH₄ ⁺ NO₃ ^-, NO₂ ^- and H₄SiO₄) and other oceanographic parameters were measured every three hours over a 24-hour period at four fixed stations in the water column of Aburatsubo Bay, a shallow semi-enclosed inlet. Sediment cores were also taken from a fixed station once in each season over one year to quantitatively determine their benthic flux. Consistent linear negative correlations were found between their concentrations and salinity in the surface layers. This result suggests that fresh water was the main source of these nutrients and a physical mixing was the major process controlling their distribution. Monthly variations of PO₄ ^3- and NH₄ ⁺ monitored for 18 months in the bay also indicate that the high surf concentration of these nutrients was associated with the appearance of low salinity waters. On the other hand, in the bottom layers, a linear correlation between the concentration of the nutrients and salinity became weak, especially for NH₄ ⁺ and PO₄ ^3-. Their concentrations were higher than the predicted value from the conservative mixing between the fresh water and seawater, indicating the possibility of another source in the bottom layers. Benthic flux is suggested as a possible source. Pore water profiles of NH₄ ⁺ and PO₄ ^3- indicate their flux towards the overlying seawater, which is quantitatively consistent with their water column distributions.     

Moored instrument observations in the Kuroshio south of Kyushu

In each of the (fiscal) years 1979–1982, multilayer current measurements by means of moored instruments were carried out in the Kuroshio off Tanegashima Island, south of Kyushu, with particular interest in the baroclinic layer (0–1,000 m) of the intense current. Most of the moored instruments were in position for more than 30 days, the maximum duration being 145 days. This paper describes some noticeable features of the mean and fluctuation fields in the surface Kuroshio as inferred from the the new data sets.Vertical profiles of horizontal velocities show that the eastward current of the Kuroshio in the region is confined to the upper 600 m on average and below this level the mean current is directed to the southwest along the local isobaths. This is believed to be the first observation of the level of no motion in this region. It is argued that the indicated level of no motion would lead to much smaller values for the Kuroshio transport than previous values referred to the 1,000 m level — for example, earlier estimates by Nitani (1972).The fluctuation field in the upper intense current appears to be dominated by an organized motion with a time scale of about 30 days. This can be seen clearly in the time variations of water temperature and local volume transport, but less clearly in the velocity records. The horizontal transfer components of momentum and heat are calculated and it is suggested that the transverse momentum transfer, UV tends to be negative (offshore) in the region of anticyclonic shear of the upper Kuroshio; no evidence for a negative eddy viscosity effect is found.     

Effects of temperature on the vegetative cell liberation of seven species of red-tide algae from the bottom mud in Osaka Bay

Mud samples were collected from the eastern coast of Osaka Bay from April 1984 to August 1985 and were incubated atin situ mud temperatures to examine the effects of temperature on the liberation of seven species of red-tide algae. Skeletonema costatum appeared extensively over a wide temperature range of 9–25°C. The percentage of liberation of benthicHeterosigma akashiwo cells tended to decrease with decreasing temperature, but this species also showed high percentages of liberation (40–100 %) in April whenin situ mud temperatures were still low (9.5–10°C). Germination of benthicHeterocapsa triquetra cells was active at temperatures lower than 10°C but was inhibited to below 20% at temperatures higher than 21°C. This indicates that the supply of vegetativeHeterocapsa cells from bottom muds to seawaters becomes inactive from summer to early autumn. The optimum temperature range for the liberation of benthicChattonella sp. cells was 16–21°C. ForProrocentrum micans, Prorocentrum minimum, andProrocentrum triestinum, no vegetative cells were released from bottom mud at any of the temperatures examined (9–25°C).Field observations on the population dynamics of vegetative cells conducted from April to September 1984 revealed that a close link exists between liberation ofS. costatum andH. triquetra and their blooms in the waters of Osaka Bay. On the basis of these findings, the ecological role of benthic cells in initiating red tides in Osaka Bay is discussed.     

EMRIDGE: The electromagnetic investigation of the Juan de Fuca Ridge

From July to November 1988, a major electromagnetic (EM) experiment, known as EMRIDGE, took place over the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the northeast Pacific. It was designed to complement the previous EMSLAB experiment which covered the entire Juan de Fuca Plate, from the spreading ridge to subduction zone. The principal objective of EMRIDGE was to use natural sources of EM induction to investigate the processes of ridge accretion. Magnetotelluric (MT) sounding and Geomagnetic Depth Sounding (GDS) are well suited to the study of the migration and accumulation of melt, hydrothermal circulation, and the thermal evolution of dry lithosphere. Eleven magnetometers and two electrometers were deployed on the seafloor for a period of three months. Simultaneous land-based data were made available from the Victoria Magnetic Observatory, B.C., Canada and from a magnetometer sited in Oregon, U.S.A.Changes in seafloor bathymetry have a major influence on seafloor EM observations as shown by the orientation of the real GDS induction arrows away from the ridge axis and towards the deep ocean. Three-dimensional (3D) modelling, using a thin-sheet algorithm, shows that the observed EM signature of the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Blanco Fracture Zone is primarily due to nonuniform EM induction within the ocean, associated with changes in ocean depth. Furthermore, if the influence of the bathymetry is removed from the observations, then no significant conductivity anomaly is required at the ridge axis. The lack of a major anomaly is significant in the light of evidence for almost continuous hydrothermal venting along the neo-volcanic zone of the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge: such magmatic activity may be expected to have a distinct electrical conductivity signature, from high temperatures, hydrothermal fluids and possible melt accumulation in the crust.Estimates of seafloor electrical conductivity are made by the MT method, using electric field records at a site 35 km east of the ridge axis, on lithosphere of age 1.2 Ma, and magnetic field records at other seafloor sites. On rotating the MT impedance tensor to the principal axis orientation, significant anisotropy between the major (TE) and minor (TM) apparent resistivities is evident. Phase angles also differ between the principal axis polarisations, and TM phase are greater than 90° at short periods. Thin-sheet modelling suggests that bathymetric changes accounts for some of the observed 3D induction, but two-dimensional (2D) electrical conductivity structure in the crust and upper mantle, aligned with the ridge axis, may also be present. A one-dimensional (1D) inversion of the MT data suggests that the top 50 km of Earth is electrically resistive, and that there is a rise in conductivity at approximately 300 km. A high conductivity layer at 100 km depth is also a feature of the 1D inversion, but its presence is less well constrained.     

Barium Increasing Prior to Opal during the Last Termination of Glacial Ages in the Okhotsk Sea Sediments

Ba and Ti in a sediment core (10 m long) from the Okhotsk Sea, covering the last 120 kyrs, were measured. The authigenic Ba (Ba_ex) contents were calculated and compared with the opal. The correlation coefficient between Ba_ex and opal was quite small (r = 0.34), but it greatly grew larger (r = 0.90), if the Ba_ex contents were multiplied by a simple function increasing with depth, except for two intervals. This may be due to the gradual change in the sedimentation environment during the glacial ages. One of the exceptional interval is found at 60–170 cm in depth, corresponding to 10–17 calendar kyr ago, the last termination period of glacial ages, where the Ba_ex began to increase prior to opal. Since the calcium carbonate contents similarly increased prior to the opal increase, the Ba_ex may be also related to calcareous organisms besides siliceous ones. The other is the last interglacial period around 120 kyr ago when the opal contents were high, but those of the Ba_ex were not increased. This can be explained, if the Ba_ex was reduced to sulfide and dissolved away in a strongly anoxic environment during the biologically productive period. During the glacial ages, the mass accumulation rate (MAR) of lithogenic Ti was about twice the amount of that during the interglacial ages. For opal, however, the contrast between the glacial and interglacial ages was more remarkable in its MAR than in its concentration in sediments, due to the larger variation in the bulk sedimentation rates. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.