Petrology and chemistry of two “large” granite clasts from the moon

Pristine granite clasts in Apollo-14 breccias 14321 and 14303 have estimated masses of 1.8 and 0.17 g, respectively. The 14321 clast is ～ 60% K-feldspar and 40% quartz, with traces of extremely Mg-poor mafic silicates and ilmenite. The 14303 clast is roughly 33% plagioclase, 32% K-feldspar, 23% quartz, 11% pyroxene, and 1% ilmenite; pyroxene and ilmenite are moderately Mg-rich; plagioclase and pyroxene are strongly zoned. Both clasts are severely brecciated, but monomict (pristine). Both have abundant graphic intergrowths of K-feldspar with quartz. Unlike the majority of similar Earth rocks, both clasts are devoid of hydrous phases. The bulk composition of the 14321 clast is similar to those of several other lunar granitic samples, but the 14303 clast is unique: it bears as close a resemblance to KREEP as it does to other lunar granites. Silicate liquid immiscibility may explain why the granites are low in REE relative to KREEP.     

Geochemistry of loess,continental crustal composition and crustal model ages

Isotopic, major and trace element studies of loess deposits from America, China, Europe and New Zealand show general uniformity of composition. Silica, Zr and Hf are enriched relative to estimates of bulk composition of the upper continental crust. The REE data are indistinguishable from those of average shales, confirming the concept that these REE patterns ($\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{N}}\text{/}\text{Yb}{}_{\mathrm{N}}\text{= 9.5}\text{Eu}\text{/}\text{Eu}{}^1\text{= 0.66}$) represent the upper crustal average. Sm-Nd model ages are variable but <1700 m.y. They reflect derivation from younger elevated erogenic areas subject to Pleistocene glaciation. Although Sm-Nd model ages vary by a factor of two, the REE patterns remain constant. This indicates that processes responsible for formation of the upper crust have produced no secular change in composition since the mid-Proterozoic.     

A simple model of neutrally stratified boundary-layer flow over real terrain incorporating wavenumber-dependent scaling

Our experience in applying earlier versions of a model of boundary-layer flow over low hills to real terrain (see Walmsley et al., 1982) has led to the development of a new version which we designate MS3DJH/3. The main improvements are the use of terrain-dependent length and velocity scales and the blending of inner and outer layer results into a single universally valid solution for the velocity perturbation field. MS3DJH/3 was carefully calibrated against alternative computations of flow over idealized two-dimensional terrain features using more detailed models prior to its application to real, three-dimensional terrain. It still provides high spatial resolution with low computing cost and is applicable to flow over terrain features with horizontal scales from 10 m to 10 km.Contractor: 24 Heslop Drive, Toronto.     

On wakes and the net forces produced by surface-mounted obstacles in neutrally stratified atmospheric boundary layers

Wakes well downstream of obstacles in the neutrally stratified atmospheric boundary layer are studied using numerical models with eddy viscosity and mixing-length closure hypotheses. Variations of eddy viscosity with height near the ground are shown to exert a strong influence on the rates of wake decay. In the planetary boundary layer, it is shown that a significant proportion of the initial momentum flux deficit in the wake can be balanced by changes in the Coriolis force.     

A mechanism for framboid formation — The role of bacteria. A reply to Dr. S. I. Kalogeropoulos and a further contribution

Mineralium Deposita -     

The opening of the Woodlark Basin, subduction of the Woodlark spreading system, and the evolution of Northern Melanesia since mid-pliocene time

Magnetic anomaly and seismological data define segments of active seafloor spreading and associated magnetic lineations trending ENE in the Woodlark Basin. The total opening rate has been approximately 6 cm/yr for the last 1 m.y. Spreading rates diminish by over 10% from east to west along the Woodlark spreading system implying a pole of current opening 15°–20° to the west. Commencement of seafloor spreading in the basin has apparently been time-transgressive, beginning prior to 3.5 m.y. in the east, and at successively later times to the west. Earthquake focal mechanisms and geological evidence suggest that the land areas bounding the western end of the Woodlark Basin are undergoing tensional deformation. We believe that eventually the Woodlark Basin plate boundary will propagate westward through the d'Entrecasteaux Islands into the Papuan peninsula. Hitherto unreported shallow seismicity associated with the northern margin of the NE-trending section of the Woodlark Rise probably reflects partial decoupling of the Woodlark and Solomon basins, possibly due to mechanical difficulties in subducting the young Woodlark lithosphere.Analysis of the relative motions between the Solomon, Indo-Australian, and Pacific plates shows that the Woodlark spreading system has been subducted at high rates (> 10 cm/yr) beneath the Solomon Islands during the opening of the Woodlark Basin. Several tectonic and geological features limited to the region of interaction of the Woodlark Basin with the Solomon Trench and arc may be symptomatic of ridge subduction. These features include high heat flow in the Solomon Trench, which shoals to 4 km; low levels of seismicity and only shallow hypocenters; and voluminous eruptions of high olivine basalts and basaltic andesites extremely close to the trench axis. This close association in space and time of an unusual volcanic suite with ridge subduction implies a strong dependence of the petrogenesis on the tectonic regime.A combination of this study of the Woodlark Basin and the previous study of the Bismarck Basin (Taylor, 1979) provides a reconstruction of the positions of the continents, ocean basins, and island chains in northern Melanesia for mid-Pliocene time. In accepting the existence of a Solomon plate, we can explain the trench-like structure off the Trobriand margin of New Guinea, the occurrence of Late Cenozoic calc-alkaline volcanism along the Papuan peninsula, and the presence of intermediate depth seismicity beneath the north Papuan peninsula. The rapid changes in relative motions along or across the New Ireland-Solomons chain over the past 3.5 m.y. may explain the spatial and temporal changes in igneous activity observed on these islands.     

A mechanism for framboid formation as illustrated by a volcanic exhalative sediment

A sequence of oxidate facies sediments associated with a cupriferous massive sulphide deposit in the Solomon Islands is the product of precipitation at an exhalative fluid/seawater interface. A siliceous sinter bed within the sediments contains magnesioferrite spheroids having a distinctive framboid texture. Scanning electron micrographs of the spheroids show an internal structure of parallel rods composed of sub-spherical microcrysts. The formation of the magnesioferrite framboid texture is ascribed to the coagulation of magnetic iron hydroxide gel particles due to magnetic attraction but facilitated by the presence of a strong electrolyte. By analogy a simple mechanism to account for pyrite framboid formation is proposed. This mechanism requires primary iron sulphide particels to be attracted to one another because of the ferrimagnetic properties of a precursor FeS polymorph or alternatively by Van der Waals forces accentuated by the presence of charged ions in a strong electrolyte. Ordering of resultant microcrysts is mainly a close-packing effect which produces robust aggregates resistant to deformation during subsequent diagenesis.     

Estimates of wind speed perturbation in boundary-layer flow over isolated low hills — Solutions

A computationally efficient model — the MS3DJH — was used to predict the near-surface wind-speed variations over a given idealised twin hill. Results given compare the model predictions with those of trained meteorologists. Further application of the model to assessment of e.g. power-producing turbine sites is discussed.