Zur Morphologie von Westgriqualand (Südafrika)

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Non-destructive porosity determinations of antarctic marine sediments derived from resistivity measurements with an inductive method

The fractional porosity of marine sediments is one of the fundamental index properties of rocks. For the determination of porosity a nondestructive, inductive method was used on unsplit sediment cores. The results were compared with galvanically measured resistivities using a miniature Wenner array on split cores. The measurements agree well except for cores with high clay content where measurement frequency related effects cause a resistivity difference of about 10%. Porosities were derived from resistivities using a published resistivity-porosity relationship by Boyce (1968) and compared with sample porosities. A comparison of both data sets shows good agreement.     

Segmentation and morphotectonic variations along a slow-spreading center: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge (24°00′ N– 30°40′ N)

Analysis of Sea Beam bathymetry along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 24°00 N and 30°40 N reveals the nature and scale of the segmentation of this slow-spreading center. Except for the Atlantis Transform, there are no transform offsets along this 800-km-long portion of the plate boundary. Instead, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is offset at intervals of 10–100 km by nontransform discontinuities, usually located at local depth maxima along the rift valley. At these discontinuities, the horizontal shear between offset ridge segments is not accommodated by a narrow, sustained transform-zone. Non-transform discontinuities along the MAR can be classified according to their morphology, which is partly controlled by the distance between the offset neovolcanic zones, and their spatial and temporal stability. Some of the non-transform discontinuities are associated with off-axis basins which integrate spatially to form discordant zones on the flanks of the spreading center. These basins may be the fossil equivalents of the terminal lows which flank the neovolcanic zone at the ends of each segment. The off-axis traces, which do not lie along small circles about the pole of opening of the two plates, reflect the migration of the discontinuities along the spreading center.The spectrum of rift valley morphologies ranges from a narrow, deep, hourglass-shaped valley to a wide valley bounded by low-relief rift mountains. A simple classification of segment morphology involves two types of segments. Long and narrow segments are found preferentially on top of the long-wavelength, along-axis bathymetric high between the Kane and Atlantis Transforms. These segments are associated with circular mantle Bouguer anomalies which are consistent with focused mantle upwelling beneath the segment mid-points. Wide, U-shaped segments in cross-section are preferentially found in the deep part of the long-wavelength, along-axis depth profile. These segments do not appear to be associated with circular mantle Bouguer anomalies, indicating perhaps a more complex pattern of mantle upwelling and/or crustal structure. Thus, the long-recognized bimodal distribution of segment morphology may be associated with different patterns of mantle upwelling and/or crustal structure. We propose that the range of observed, first-order variations in segment morphology reflects differences in the flow pattern, volume and temporal continuity of magmatic upwelling at the segment scale. However, despite large first-order differences, all segments display similar intra-segment, morphotectonic variations. We postulate that the intra-segment variability represents differences in the relative importance of volcanism and tectonism along strike away from a zone of enhanced magma upwelling within each segment. The contribution of volcanism to the morphology will be more important near the shallowest portion of the rift valley within each segment, beneath which we postulate that upwelling of magma is enhanced, than beneath the ends of the segment. Conversely, the contribution of tectonic extension to the morphology will become more important toward the spreading center discontinuities. Variations in magmatic budget along the strike of a segment will result in along-axis variations in crustal structure. Segment mid-points may coincide with regions of highest melt production and thick crust, and non-transform discontinuities with regions of lowest melt production and thin crust. This hypothesis is consistent with available seismic and gravity data.The rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is in general an asymmetric feature. Near segment mid-points, the rift valley is usually symmetric but, away from the segment mid-points, one side of the rift valley often consists of a steep, faulted slope while the other side forms a more gradual ramp. These observations suggest that half-grabens, rather than full-grabens, are the fundamental building blocks of the rift valley. They also indicate that the pattern of faulting varies along strike at the segment scale, and may be a consequence of the three-dimensional, thermo-mechanical structure of segments associated with enhanced mantle upwelling beneath their mid-points.     

Crystallization of melilite from CMAS-liquids and the formation of the melilite mantle of Type B1 CAIs: Experimental simulations

Type B CAIs are subdivided into B1s, with well-developed melilite mantles, and B2s, with randomly distributed melilite. Despite intensive study, the origin of the characteristic melilite mantle of the B1s remains unclear. Recently, we proposed that formation of the melilite mantle is caused by depletion of the droplet surface in volatile magnesium and silicon due to higher evaporation rates of volatile species compared to their slow diffusion rates in the melt, thus making possible crystallization of melilite at the edge of the CAI first, followed by its crystallization in the central parts at lower temperatures. Here, we present the results of an experimental study that aimed to reproduce the texture observed in natural Type B CAIs. First, we experimentally determined crystallization temperatures of melilite for three melt compositions, which, combined with literature data, allowed us to find a simple relationship between the melt composition, crystallization temperature, and composition of first crystallizing melilite. Second, we conducted a series of evaporation and cooling experiments exposing CAI-like melts to gas mixtures with different oxygen fugacities (f_O2). Cooling of the molten droplets in gases with logf_O2?IW-4 resulted in crystallization of randomly distributed melilite, while under more reducing conditions, melilite mantles have been formed. Chemical profiles through samples quenched right before melilite started to crystallize showed no chemical gradients in samples exposed to relatively oxidizing gases (logf_O2?IW-4), while the near-surface parts of the samples exposed to very reducing gases (logf_O2?IW-7) were depleted in volatile MgO and SiO₂, and enriched in refractory Al₂O₃. Using these experimental results and the fact that the evaporation rate of magnesium and silicon from CAI-like melts is proportional to , we estimate that Type B1 CAIs could be formed by evaporation of a partially molten precursor in a gas of solar composition with . Type B2 CAIs could form by slower evaporation of the same precursors in the same gas with .     

Kinetic isotopic fractionation during diffusion of ionic species in water

Experiments specifically designed to measure the ratio of the diffusivities of ions dissolved in water were used to determine . The measured ratio of the diffusion coefficients for Li and K in water (D_Li/D_K = 0.6) is in good agreement with published data, providing evidence that the experimental design being used resolves the relative mobility of ions with adequate precision to also be used for determining the fractionation of isotopes by diffusion in water. In the case of Li, we found measurable isotopic fractionation associated with the diffusion of dissolved LiCl (D_⁷Li/D_⁶Li=0.99772±0.00026). This difference in the diffusion coefficient of ⁷Li compared to ⁶Li is significantly less than that reported in an earlier study, a difference we attribute to the fact that in the earlier study Li diffused through a membrane separating the water reservoirs. Our experiments involving Mg diffusing in water found no measurable isotopic fractionation (D_²⁵Mg/D_²⁴Mg=1.00003±0.00006). Cl isotopes were fractionated during diffusion in water (D_³⁷Cl/D_³⁵Cl=0.99857±0.00080) whether or not the co-diffuser (Li or Mg) was isotopically fractionated. The isotopic fractionation associated with the diffusion of ions in water is much smaller than values we found previously for the isotopic fractionation of Li and Ca isotopes by diffusion in molten silicate liquids. A major distinction between water and silicate liquids is that water surrounds dissolved ions with hydration shells, which very likely play an important but still poorly understood role in limiting the isotopic fractionation associated with diffusion.     

Low-rhenium molybdenite by metamorphism in northern Sweden: Recognition, genesis, and global implications

Re–Os dating of molybdenite is an accurate means to date intrusions and intrusion-related ore deposits using the model age or isochron approach. But, molybdenite has a new niche in the greenschist- to granulite-facies metamorphic environment. Re–Os ages for metamorphic molybdenite may be used to construct regional metamorphic histories. Age significance and accuracy are established by analyzing multiple molybdenite separates extracted from single, petrographically-characterized molybdenite occurrences. In this study, twelve geologically distinct molybdenite-bearing samples from two small Mo districts in northern Sweden trace a 150 m.y. Paleoproterozoic Svecofennian metamorphic history from 1900 to 1750 Ma. These data reveal a little-known, widespread and protracted, Late Svecofennian anatexis in northern Sweden.The Kåtaberget Mo–(Cu, F) deposit is located in the Moskosel granite batholith north of the economically-renown Skellefte district. Four different molybdenite samples from outcrop at Kåtaberget indicate an intrusion age of 1895 ± 6 Ma with the formation of later pegmatite–aplite at 1875 ± 6 Ma. The Allebuoda (Björntjärn) and Munka Mo–(W) deposits in the Rappen district are represented by three outcrop and five drill core samples of molybdenite-bearing aplite–pegmatite–granite. These two deposits were previously described as intrusion-related Climax-type Mo mineralization. Re–Os ages for molybdenites from these deposits range from 1865 to 1750 Ma and, significantly, Re concentrations are markedly low, extending to the sub-ppm level. Age agreement within the deposits is conspicuously lacking, whereas, with one exception, age agreement within any single sample (geologic occurrence), as established by analysis of additional molybdenite separates, is very good. These data, together with fundamental geologic observations discussed in this paper, suggest that Mo–(W) mineralization in northern Sweden is not intrusion-related, but the local product of episodic melting of Archean–Paleoproterozoic supracrustal gneisses related to the Svecofennian orogeny. Petrographic traverses across the boundary between widespread, foliation-parallel units of aplitic to pegmatitic pink granite and hosting biotite gneiss directly capture the process of ore formation. Dehydration breakdown of zircon-rich biotite aligned with the foliation in the gneiss is accompanied by formation of new pristine, post-deformational biotite plus sulfides, oxides, hydrothermal zircon and fluorite, all associated with microcline-dominant leucosomes.This process has profound implication for the traditional leucogranite, intrusion-related genesis attributed to the broad classification of Mo–W–Sn–base and precious metal mineralization (e.g., South Mountain Batholith, Nova Scotia; Okiep, Namaqualand, South Africa; Mactung, Yukon; Pogo–Liese, Tintina, Alaska; Carajás and Goiás–Rio Tocantins, Brazil; New England Batholith, NSW, Australia; Bergslagen, Sweden; Nevoria, Western Australia; Alpeinerscharte, Austria; Erzgebirge, Germany; Sardinia–Corsica Batholith). In addition to biotite, metallogenic contributions (e.g., Mo, W, Sn, U, Bi, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Au, Ag, Te, As, Sb, REE) in various combinations may also be controlled by breakdown of amphibole. In effect, the trace element composition of dehydrating or recrystallizing components in a gneissic rock essentially defines the local and district metallogenic suite. In the absence of focusing structures (e.g., shear zones, sheeted vein development), this process will generally form small and disconnected subeconomic deposits with erratic and unpredictable grades. Low Re content in associated molybdenite is a key indicator for a subeconomic origin by local melting of biotite gneiss (Mo–W) or muscovite schist (Sn–W).     

The first detection of propane on Saturn

We report the first detection of propane, C₃H₈, in Saturn's stratosphere. Observations taken on September 8, 2002 UT at NASA's IRTF using TEXES, show multiple emission lines due to the 748 cm⁻¹ν₂₁ band of C₃H₈. Using a line-by-line radiative transfer code, we are able to fit the data by scaling the propane vertical mixing ratio profile from the photochemical model of Moses et al. [2000. Icarus 143, 244-298]. Multiplicative factors of 0.7 and 0.65 are required to fit the −20° and −80° planetocentric latitude spectra. The resultant profiles are characterized by a 5 mbar mixing ratio of 2.7±0.8×¹⁰⁻⁸ at −20° and at −80° latitude. These results suggest that the time scale for meridional circulation lies between the net photochemical lifetimes of C₂H₂ and C₃H₈, ≈30-600 years.     

Gender,Work, and Household Survival in South Indian Fishing Communities: A Preliminary Analysis

This article examines the interplay of gender, caste‐religion, and household survival strategy formation among Christian and Muslim fisher folk in the south Indian state of Kerala. The methodology consisted of surveys of forty‐one households in two villages in which data pertaining to male and female work patterns and other household level data were collected in the summer of 1999. My analysis demonstrates how particular ideologies of gender and work associated with different caste‐religion communities influence the strategies individual households adopt. I discuss intersections between gender and caste‐religion with other socioeconomic factors and illustrate the manner in which gender then gets reworked in particular ways in the course of economic transformation.     

Die Hochflächen-Treppe der Nordeifel und ihre Beziehungen zum Tertiär und Quartär der Niederrheinischen Bucht

The tableland of the northern Eifel consists of a whole series of levelling planations which descend like steps to the plain of the Lower Rhine or form broad terraces along the river valleys. A similar staircase structure can be seen in the Cretaceous range of the Aachener Wald. The oldest obliquely situated plateau of the Hohe Venn is a resurrected fossil peneplain which was formed before the Maastricht formation as can be proved by scanty remains of the flinty chalk (Maastricht) which still overlays this peneplain at the present time. Therefore the great elevation of the northern Eifel to heights of 2280 feet above sea-level did not follow until later than Upper Cretaceous.The indentation of this old Cretaceous peneplain presumably resulted in the formation of an older system of plateaus in Oligocene and in a system of young plateaus in Miocene which had the appearance of a staircase. These tableland systems originated in times of slight elevation in which superficial denudation must have predominated under the influence of a damp climate and intensive chemical decomposition of the rocks. During the Lower Miocene and Pliocene epochs considerable elevatory movements occurred which led occasionally to the formation of steep obsequent slopes at the edges of both systems. During the Lower Pleistocene epoch glacial conditions existed and at this time the main period of terrace formation occurred. In the course of this period there was a great gravel accumulation which was linked with lateral erosion and which, whith the aid of its valley terraces and rubble remains, can be traced as far as the foreland. A later, very marked incision of the rivers can be traced back to great elevations of land which occurred after this period. The rhythmic alternation of periods of elevation and inactivity can be seen in the morphological development of the northern Eifel. The individual periods of tableland and terrace formation can be related to corresponding sediments belonging to the Upper Tertiary and the Quaternary periods.

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Résumé Le paysage en plateaux emboîtés du Nord de l'Eifel se compose de toute une série de surfaces de nivellement qui descendent en gradins vers la plaine basse du Rhin inférieur ou constituent de larges terrasses le long des vallées fluviales. Une pareille structure en plateaux étagés est décelable dans la petite montagne crétacée du Aachener Wald. Le plus ancien haut plateau incliné des Hautes Fagnes représente une ancienne pénépleine à nouveau exhumée qui s'est formée avant le Maastrichtien comme on peut le démontrer par des restes peu abondants d'éluvions à silex (pierre à feu) qui lui servait autrefois de couverture. Le fort soulèvement du Nord de l'Eifel jusqu'à des hauteurs de 760 au dessus du niveau de la mer ne s'est produit par conséquent qu'après le crétacé supérieure.Á l'oligocène, un système plus ancien de surfaces applanies étagées et au miocène, un système de surfaces plus jeunes ont été probablement entaillés en gradins dans cette ancienne pénéplaine crétacée. Ces systèmes de plateaux emboîtés ont pris naissance à des époques de faible soulèvement, où l'érosion en surface a dû prédominer sous l'influence d'un climat humide et d'une décomposition chimique intensive de la roche. Au miocène inférieur et au pliocène ils ont chaque fois produit des mouvements de soulèvement assez forts qui ont entraîné la formation de versants à profil plus abrupt au bord des deux systèmes. Dans les conditions glaciaires, du pleistocène ancien, de l'époque des principales terrasses, il se produisit un important remblaiement de cailloutis uni à une érosion latérale et que l'on peut suivre jusque dans les parties avancées du territoire à l'aide de ses terrasses de vallées et de ses restes de cailloutis. Une forte entaille ultérieure des fleuves remonte à de vastes soulèvements de terrain postérieurs à cette époque. C'est ainsi que dans l'évolution morphologique du Nord de l'Eifel s'exprime l'alternance rythmique de périodes de soulèvement et de repos. Les différentes époques de formations de hauts plateaux étagés et de terrasses peuvent être mises en relation avec des sédiments correspondants parallèles du tertiaire supérieur et du quaternaire de la baie du Rhin inférieur.

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