Theoretical Evaluation of the Mechanical Behavior of Unsaturated Soils

An evaluation method for the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils is studied in this paper. Although the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils is complicated, a simple modeling is preferable in practice. This is because the soil properties are not homogeneous and ground data is limited when structures are being designed. In addition, in order to evaluate the reliability of the design, the physical meanings of the parameters applied in the prediction model should be clear. Firstly, the authors study the relationship between compaction curves and compression indexes in the unsaturated state that is used in the proposed constitutive model. Based on the constitutive model, the stress paths for constant volume shear tests are formulated under a constant void ratio condition and the stress paths for undrained shear tests are calculated under a constant water content condition. In the case of unsaturated specimens, the volume of these specimens changes with the shear deformation and the stress paths depend on the initial degree of saturation. The results of the calculation qualitatively describe the test results by considering the changes in effective confining pressure in the undrained condition and the water retention curves.     

Regional metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration related to Miocene submarine volcanism ('green tuff') in the Yurihara oil and gas field, northwest Honshu Island, Japan

Abstract Alteration of reservoir rocks in the Yurihara Oil and Gas Field, hereafter referred to as the ‘Yurihara field’, have been examined by using samples from six wells. These rocks are basalts in the lowermost part of the basin-fills (‘green tuff’ Formation). These basalts were produced in many eruptions in a submarine environment during the early to middle Miocene, and they underwent continuous intensive alteration genetically associated with Miocene submarine volcanism. The alteration of the basalts is of two types: low grade metamorphism and hydrothermal. The former belongs to the type of ocean floor metamorphism and comprises two subgroups: zeolite (zone I) and prehnite-pumpellyite (zones IIa: vein and amygdule occurrence, and IIb: replacing plagioclase). The latter is characterized by potassic metasomatism accompanied by adularia, quartz and calcite veins (zones IIIa: center and IIIb: margin of the metasomatism). This overprints the low grade metamorphic alteration. The central zone of hydrothermal alteration coincides with a major estimated fault, so that fluids probably assent along the fault. The basalts erupted during 16.5-15.5 Ma, determined by planktonic foraminifera assemblages of inter-bedded shales, then underwent successive low grade metamorphism. In time, the hydrothermal alteration that overprints low grade metamorphism occurred. Adularia veins of the altered rocks located in the hydrothermal alteration zones (zone IIIa and IIIb) have been dated as 9 Ma determined by the K-Ar method. This fact indicates that the activity of low grade metamorphism had already crossed the peak before hydrothermal alteration occurred at 9 Ma. The shape of isotherms of fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures (Th) and that of isolines of apparent salinity (Tm) almost coincide with each other, and these also coincide with the distribution of hydrothermal alteration (zones IIIa and IIIb). This indicates that the fluid inclusions formed at the same time as ascending fluids produced the potassic metasomatism. The maximum Th of the fluid inclusions is 222°C and Tm indicates trapped fluids of up to 3.3 wt% equivalent NaCl (i.e. almost the same as seawater). A Th versus Tm plot indicates mixing occurred between hydrothermal fluids and formation water that has low salinity. Corrensite and chlorite form veins, and the temperatures of their formation, estimated by the extent of aluminium substitution into the tetrahedral site of chlorite, ranges between 165 and 245°C in the centre of the hydrothermal alteration zone (zone IIIa). This is consistent with the result of Th analyses. The deposition temperature of chlorite associated with prehnite in veins ranges between 190 and 215°C in zones IIa and IIb.     

Mineral chemistry of MUSES‐C Regio inferred from analysis of dust particles collected from the first‐ and second‐touchdown sites on asteroid Itokawa

The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of Itokawa dust particles captured during the first and second touchdowns on the MUSES‐C Regio were characterized by synchrotron‐radiation X‐ray diffraction and field‐emission electron microprobe analysis. Olivine and low‐ and high‐Ca pyroxene, plagioclase, and merrillite compositions of the first‐touchdown particles are similar to those of the second‐touchdown particles. The two touchdown sites are separated by approximately 100 meters and therefore the similarity suggests that MUSES‐C Regio is covered with dust particles of uniform mineral chemistry of LL chondrites. Quantitative compositional properties of 48 dust particles, including both first‐ and second‐touchdown samples, indicate that dust particles of MUSES‐C Regio have experienced prolonged thermal metamorphism, but they are not fully equilibrated in terms of chemical composition. This suggests that MUSES‐C particles were heated in a single asteroid at different temperatures. During slow cooling from a peak temperature of approximately 800 °C, chemical compositions of plagioclase and K‐feldspar seem to have been modified: Ab and Or contents changed during cooling, but An did not. This compositional modification is reproduced by a numerical simulation that modeled the cooling process of a 50 km sized Itokawa parent asteroid. After cooling, some particles have been heavily impacted and heated, which resulted in heterogeneous distributions of Na and K within plagioclase crystals. Impact‐induced chemical modification of plagioclase was verified by a comparison to a shock vein in the Kilabo LL6 ordinary chondrite where Na‐K distributions of plagioclase have been disturbed.     

Space weathered rims found on the surfaces of the Itokawa dust particles

On the basis of observations using Cs‐corrected STEM, we identified three types of surface modification probably formed by space weathering on the surfaces of Itokawa particles. They are (1) redeposition rims (2–3 nm), (2) composite rims (30–60 nm), and (3) composite vesicular rims (60–80 nm). These rims are characterized by a combination of three zones. Zone I occupies the outermost part of the surface modification, which contains elements that are not included in the unchanged substrate minerals, suggesting that this zone is composed of sputter deposits and/or impact vapor deposits originating from the surrounding minerals. Redeposition rims are composed only of Zone I and directly attaches to the unchanged minerals (Zone III). Zone I of composite and composite vesicular rims often contains nanophase (Fe,Mg)S. The composite rims and the composite vesicular rims have a two‐layered structure: a combination of Zone I and Zone II, below which Zone III exists. Zone II is the partially amorphized zone. Zone II of ferromagnesian silicates contains abundant nanophase Fe. Radiation‐induced segregation and in situ reduction are the most plausible mechanisms to form nanophase Fe in Zone II. Their lattice fringes indicate that they contain metallic iron, which probably causes the reddening of the reflectance spectra of Itokawa. Zone II of the composite vesicular rims contains vesicles. The vesicles in Zone II were probably formed by segregation of solar wind He implanted in this zone. The textures strongly suggest that solar wind irradiation damage and implantation are the major causes of surface modification and space weathering on Itokawa.     

East-west distribution of POC fluxes estimated from <Superscript>234</Superscript>Th in the northern North Pacific in autumn

Observations of primary productivity, ²³⁴Th, and particulate organic carbon (POC) were made from west to east across the northern North Pacific Ocean (from station K2 to Ocean Station Papa) during September–October 2005. Primary productivities in this region varied longitudinally from approximately 236 to 444 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹ and clearly indicate the West High East Low (WHEL) trend. We estimated east-west variations in the POC flux from the surface layer (0–100 m) by using ²³⁴Th as a tracer. POC fluxes in the western region (44–53 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹) were higher than those in the eastern region (21–34 mgC m⁻²d⁻¹). However, the export ratios (e-ratios) ranged from approximately 8% to 16% and did not show the WHEL trend. Contrary to our expectation, no relation between POC flux (or e-ratio) and diatom biomass (or dominance) was apparent in autumn in the northern North Pacific.     

High‐pressure polymorphs in Yamato‐790729 L6 chondrite and their significance for collisional conditions

Shock pressure recorded in Yamato (Y)‐790729, classified as L6 type ordinary chondrite, was evaluated based on high‐pressure polymorph assemblages and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra of maskelynite. The host‐rock of Y‐790729 consists mainly of olivine, low‐Ca pyroxene, plagioclase, metallic Fe‐Ni, and iron‐sulfide with minor amounts of phosphate and chromite. A shock‐melt vein was observed in the hostrock. Ringwoodite, majorite, akimotoite, lingunite, tuite, and xieite occurred in and around the shock‐melt vein. The shock pressure in the shock‐melt vein is about 14–23 GPa based on the phase equilibrium diagrams of high‐pressure polymorphs. Some plagioclase portions in the host‐rock occurred as maskelynite. Sixteen different CL spectra of maskelynite portions were deconvolved using three assigned emission components (centered at 2.95, 3.26, and 3.88 eV). The intensity of emission component at 2.95 eV was selected as a calibrated barometer to estimate shock pressure, and the results indicate pressures of about 11–19 GPa. The difference in pressure between the shock‐melt vein and host‐rock might suggest heterogeneous shock conditions. Assuming an average shock pressure of 18 GPa, the impact velocity of the parent‐body of Y‐790729 is calculated to be ~1.90 km s^?1. The parent‐body would be at least ~10 km in size based on the incoherent formation mechanism of ringwoodite in Y‐790729.     

North Pacific Intermediate Water studied chiefly with radiocarbon

The importance of the North Pacific Intermediate Water as a sink for the anthropogenic carbon dioxide has been examined by mapping chemical and radiochemical properties at two isopycnal surfaces of of 26.6 ad 27.2 obtained in 1970's. Its radiocarbon contents in 1980's were determined for comparison. The isopleths of depth and salinity at the two isopycnal surfaces obviously show that the intermediate layer of the entire mid-latitudes of the North Pacific is occupied by a similar water mass. The distributions of dissolved oxygen contents and Si/N ratios in the intermediate water indicate its source in the northwestern North Pacific and its sink in the eastern Pacific. The ¹⁴C values clearly designate the intrusion of the artificial radiocarbon of mostly 1960's origin into the upper intermediate water of the western North Pacific having its maximum in the subarctic zone of 40–45°N and 160–180°E in 1973. The maximum region for tritium is much broader extending to the north. These suggest that the subboreal region is active in the gas exchange and/or the warm water residing for a long time at the surface and flowing into the region across the subarctic front sinks quickly in winter. At the lower isopycnal surface, the increase ¹⁴C value for 14±4 years was around 27, which is smaller than that expected from the total carbonate increase, indicating an active isopycnal mixing.     

40Ar/39Ar geochronology of mafic rocks from the granite—rhyolite terrane of southeastern Missouri

The predominant 1480 Ma granites and rhyolites of the St. Francois Mountains, southeastern Missouri, are intruded by mafic rocks. A ⁴⁰Ar—³⁹Ar study of some of these, the Skrainka Mafic Group, indicates an age of ～ 1240 Ma, significantly younger than the host rocks, significantly older than Grenville/Keweenawan age, and close to the age of similar rocks in Labrador.