Seismic refraction traveltime inversion for static corrections in a glaciated shield rock environment: a case study

A traveltime inversion technique is applied to model the upper ∼40 m of the subsurface of a glaciated shield rock area in order to calculate static corrections for a multi-azimuth multi-depth walk-away vertical seismic profile and a surface seismic reflection profile. First break information from a seismic refraction survey is used in conjunction with a ray-tracing program and an iterative damped least-squares inversion algorithm to create a two-dimensional model of the subsurface. The layout of the seismic survey required crooked seismic lines and substantial gaps in the source and receiver coverage to be accounted for. Additionally, there is substantial topographical variation and a complex geology consisting of glaciofluvial sediment and glacial till overlying a crystalline bedrock. The resolution and reliability of the models is measured through a parameter perturbation technique, normalized χ² values, root means square traveltime residuals and comparison to known geology.     

Holocene and Pleistocene fringing reef growth and the role of accommodation space and exposure to waves and currents (Bora Bora,Society Islands,French Polynesia)

Holocene fringing reef development around Bora Bora is controlled by variations in accommodation space (as a function of sea‐level and antecedent topography) and exposure to waves and currents. Subsidence ranged from 0 to 0·11 m kyr^?1, and did not create significant accommodation space. A windward fringing reef started to grow 8·7 kyr bp , retrograded towards the coast over a Pleistocene fringing reef until ca 6·0 kyr bp , and then prograded towards the lagoon after sea‐level had reached its present level. The retrograding portion of the reef is dominated by corals, calcareous algae and microbialite frameworks; the prograding portion is largely detrital. The reef is up to 13·5 m thick and accreted vertically with an average rate of 3·12 m kyr^?1. Lateral growth amounts to 13·3 m kyr^?1. Reef corals are dominated by an inner Pocillopora assemblage and an outer Acropora assemblage. Both assemblages comprise thick crusts of coralline algae. Palaeobathymetry suggests deposition in 0 to 10 m depth. An underlying Pleistocene fringing reef formed during the sea‐level highstand of Marine Isotope Stage 5e, and is also characterized by the occurrence of corals, coralline algal crusts and microbialites. A previously investigated, leeward fringing reef started to form contemporaneously (8·78 kyr bp ), but is thicker (up to 20 m) and solely prograded throughout the Holocene. A shallow Pocillopora assemblage and a deeper water Montipora assemblage were identified, but detrital facies dominate. At the Holocene reef base, only basalt was recovered. The Holocene windward–leeward differences are a consequence of less accommodation space on the eastern island side that eventually led to a more complex reef architecture. As a result of higher rates of exposure and flushing, the reef framework on the windward island side is more abundant and experienced stronger cementation. In the Pleistocene, the environmental conditions on the leeward island side were presumably unfavourable for fringing reef growth.     

Micro-scale S isotope studies of the Kharaelakh intrusion, Noril’sk region, Siberia: Constraints on the genesis of coexisting anhydrite and sulfide minerals

The coexistence of magmatic anhydrite and sulfide minerals in non-arc-related mafic magmas has only rarely been documented. Likewise the S isotope fractionation between sulfate and sulfide in mafic rocks has infrequently been measured. In the Kharaelakh intrusion associated with the world-famous Noril’sk ore district in Siberia coexisting magmatic anhydrite and sulfide minerals have been identified. Sulfur isotope compositions of the anhydrite-sulfide assemblages have been measured via both ion microprobe and conventional analyses to help elucidate the origin of the anhydrite-sulfide pairs. Magmatic anhydrite and chalcopyrite are characterized by δ³⁴S values between 18.8‰ and 22.8‰, and 9.3‰ and 13.2‰, respectfully. Coexisting anhydrite and chalcopyrite show Δ values that fall between 8.5‰ and 11.9‰. Anhydrite in the Kharaelakh intrusion is most readily explained by the assimilation of sulfate from country rocks; partial reduction to sulfide led to mixing between sulfate-derived sulfide and sulfide of mantle origin. The variable anhydrite and sulfide δ³⁴S values are a function of differing degrees of sulfate reduction, variable mixing of sulfate-derived and mantle sulfide, incomplete isotopic homogenization of the magma, and a lack of uniform attainment of isotopic equilibrium during subsolidus cooling. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals have changed much less with cooling than have anhydrite values due in large part to the high sulfide/sulfate ratio. Variations in both sulfide and anhydrite δ³⁴S values indicate that isotopically distinct domains existed on a centimeter scale. Late stage hydrothermal anhydrite and pyrite also occur associated with Ca-rich hydrous alteration assemblages (e.g., thomsonite, prehnite, pectolite, epidote, xonotlite). δ³⁴S values of secondary hydrothermal anhydrite and pyrite determined by conventional analyses are in the same range as those of the magmatic minerals. Anhydrite-pyrite Δ values are in the 9.1-10.1‰ range, and are smaller than anticipated for the low temperatures indicated by the silicate alteration assemblages. The small Δ values are suggestive of either sulfate-sulfide isotopic disequilibrium or closure of the system to further exchange between ∼550 and 600 °C. Our results confirm the importance of the assimilation of externally derived sulfur in the generation of the elevated δ³⁴S values in the Kharaelakh intrusion, but highlight the sulfur isotopic variability that may occur in magmatic systems. In addition, our results confirm the need for more precise experimental determination of sulfate-sulfide sulfur isotope fractionation factors in high-T systems.     

The dark side of zircon: textural,age, oxygen isotopic and trace element evidence of fluid saturation in the subvolcanic reservoir of the Island Park-Mount Jackson Rhyolite,Yellowstone (USA)

The Island Park-Mount Jackson series in the Yellowstone volcanic field, Wyoming (USA), is a suite of rhyolitic domes and lavas that erupted between the caldera-forming eruptions of the Mesa Fall Tuff (1.3 Ma) and the Lava Creek Tuff (0.6 Ma). Combined zircon U/Pb geochronology, Raman spectroscopy, oxygen isotopic and trace elemental compositions document storage conditions of these magmas between consecutive supereruptions. Based on comparison with co-erupted melt compositions and textural criteria, four zircon compositional groups are identified that record different stages along a continuous magmatic evolution from trace element-poor rhyolite at high temperatures to extremely fractionated rhyolite where zircon trace elements are highly enriched (e.g., >?1000 ppm U). These latter zircon domains are dark in cathodoluminescence images and show broadened Raman peaks relative to near-endmember zircon, indicating that substitution of non-stoichiometric trace elements into zircon leads to distortion of the crystal lattice. Some of these zircon domains contain inclusions of U-Th-REE-phases, likely originating from coupled dissolution–reprecipitation of metastable trace element-rich zircon in the presence of a fluid phase. Rhyolite-MELTS simulations indicate that at the conditions required to produce the observed enrichment in trace elements, a fluid phase is likely present. These findings illustrate that zircons can be assembled from a variety of co-existing magmatic environments in the same magma reservoir, including near-solidus volatile-rich melts close to the magmatic–hydrothermal transition.     

Magma evolution in the Purico ignimbrite complex, northern Chile: evidence for zoning of a dacitic magma by injection of rhyolitic melts following mafic recharge

The 1.3 Ma Purico complex is part of an extensive Neogene-Pleistocene ignimbrite province in the central Andes. Like most other silicic complexes in the province, Purico is dominated by monotonous intermediate ash-flow sheets and has volumetrically minor lava domes. The Purico ignimbrites (total volume 80-100 km³) are divided into a Lower Purico Ignimbrite (LPI) with two extensive flow units, LPI I and LPI II; and a smaller Upper Purico Ignimbrite (UPI) unit. Crystal-rich dacite is the dominant lithology in all the Purico ignimbrites and in the lava domes. It is essentially the only lithology present in the first LPI flow unit (LPI I) and in the Upper Purico Ignimbrite, but the LPI II flow unit is unusual for its compositional diversity. It constitutes a stratigraphic sequence with a basal fall-out deposit containing rhyolitic pumice (68-74 wt% SiO₂) overlain by ignimbrite with dominant crystal-rich dacitic pumice (64-66 wt% SiO₂). Rare andesitic and banded pumice (60-61 wt% SiO₂) are also present in the uppermost part of the flow unit. The different compositional groups of pumice in LPI II flow unit (rhyolite, andesite, dacite) have initial Nd and Sr isotopic compositions that are indistinguishable from each other and from the dominant dacitic pumice ()Nd=-6.7 to -7.2 and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7085-0.7090). However, two lines of evidence show that the andesite, dacite and rhyolite pumices do not represent a simple fractionation series. First, melt inclusions trapped in sequential growth zones of zoned plagioclase grains in the rhyolite record fractionation trends in the melt that diverge from those shown by dacite samples. Second, mineral equilibrium geothermometry reveals that dacites from all ignimbrite flow units and from the domes had relatively uniform and moderate pre-eruptive temperatures (780-800 °C), whereas the rhyolites and andesites yield consistently higher temperatures (850-950 °C). Hornblende geobarometry and pressure constraints from H₂O and CO₂ contents in melt inclusions indicate upper crustal (4-8 km) magma storage conditions. The petrologic evidence from the LPI II system thus indicates an anomalously zoned magma chamber with a rhyolitic cap that was hotter than, and chemically unrelated to, the underlying dacite. We suggest that the hotter rhyolite and andesite magmas are both related to an episode of replenishment in the dacitic Purico magma chamber. Rapid and effective crystal fractionation of the fresh andesite produced a hot rhyolitic melt whose low density and viscosity permitted ascent through the chamber without significant thermal and chemical equilibration with the resident dacite. Isotopic and compositional variations in the Purico system are typical of those seen throughout the Neogene ignimbrite complexes of the Central Andes. These characteristics were generated at moderate crustal depths (<30 km) by crustal melting, mixing and homogenization involving mantle-derived basalts. For the Purico system, assimilation of at least 30% mantle-derived material is required.     

Age and geotectonic setting of Late Neoproterozoic juvenile mafic gneisses and associated paragneisses from the Ribeira belt (SE Brazil) based on geochemistry and Sm–Nd data — Implications on Gondwana assembly

Mafic gneisses and associated paragneisses from the Cabo Frio Tectonic Domain in the southeastern part of the Ribeira Belt, along the coast of Rio de Janeiro State in southeast Brazil, were subjected to a geochemical and Sm–Nd isotope study. Four lithotypes are distinguished: aluminous paragneisses (mainly sillimanite–kyanite–garnet–biotite gneiss), calcsilicate lenses, quartzo–feldspathic metasedimentary gneisses and mafic–ultramafic lenses. The whole-rock major and trace, including rare earth element distributions in the mafic–ultramafic intercalations indicate that derivation from subalkaline basalt/gabbro of tholeiitic affinity with E-MORB signature from a non-subduction environment. These mafic rocks have positive ε_Nd(t) and T_DM of 1.1 Ga. The metasedimentary rocks have negative ε_Nd(t) and T_DM of 1.7 Ga. A Sm–Nd whole rock isochron of mafic rocks yielded an age of 604 ± 38 Ma for the crystallization. This matches with the age of some detrital zircon grains from the paragneisses. The depositional basin, named Buzios–Palmital, was active at least until 620 Ma (age of the youngest detrital zircon) and was subsequently deformed and metamorphosed at ca. 525 Ma (age of metamorphic zircons) during the Buzios Orogeny. It is interpreted as a back arc basin with relation to the 630 Ma magmatic arc of the Oriental Terrane in the Ribeira Belt to the NW. However, after 600 Ma, the Buzios–Palmital basin changed to an active margin setting because the arc collided with the continental margin and the subduction shifted to the back arc environment. By 610 Ma, most of the Brasiliano belts registered collisional events related to multiple convergent blocks. The stress fields and paleocontinent shapes would have allowed the occurrence of extensional areas with not only sedimentary deposition but also ocean floor spreading. Its remnants are preserved in this Brazilian coastal region as an ancient suture, reworked intensively during the Mesozoic rifting events. The reconnaissance of Late Neoproterozoic basins in the Brasiliano–Pan-African belts is of major importance to partially unravel the final amalgamation events of SW Gondwana. Considering that the Buzios–Palmital basin rock units are mostly covered by the marginal Atlantic basins, it is possible that other evidence could be preserved in the coastal regions of SW-Africa and SE-South America.     

Thermal‐infrared remote sensing of surface water–groundwater exchanges in a restored anastomosing channel (Upper Rhine River,France)

Ecohydrological processes are a key element to consider in functional river restorations. In the framework of a LIFE+ European restoration program, we have investigated the potential for airborne thermal‐infrared remote sensing to map surface water–groundwater exchanges and to identify their driving factors. We focused our attention on anastomosing channels on an artificial island of the Upper Rhine River (Rohrschollen), where a new channel was excavated from the floodplain to reconnect an older channel in its upstream part. These hydraulic engineering works led to an increased inflow from the Rhine Canal. Here, we propose an original data treatment chain to (a) georeference the thermal‐infrared images in geographic information system based on visible images, (b) detect and correct data errors, and (c) identify and locate thermal anomalies attributed to groundwater inputs and hyporheic upwellings. Our results, which have been compared to morpho‐sedimentary data, show that groundwater upwelling in the new channel is controlled by riffle–pool sequences and bars. This channel is characterized by large bedload transport and morphodynamic activity, forming riffles and bars. In the old channel, where riffle–pool sequences no longer exist, due to impacts of engineering works and insufficient morphodynamic effects of the restoration, thermal anomalies appeared to be less pronounced. Groundwater inputs seem to be controlled by former gravel bars outcropping on the banks, as well as by local thinning of the low‐permeability clogging layer on the channel bed.     

Large-volume silicic volcanism in Kamchatka: Ar–Ar and U–Pb ages,isotopic, and geochemical characteristics of major pre-Holocene caldera-forming eruptions

The Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia represents the most volcanically active arc in the world in terms of magma production and the number of explosive eruptions. We investigate large-scale silicic volcanism in the past several million years and present new geochronologic results from major ignimbrite sheets exposed in Kamchatka. These ignimbrites are found in the vicinity of morphologically-preserved rims of partially eroded source calderas with diameters from ～ 2 to ～ 30 km and with estimated volumes of eruptions ranging from 10 to several hundred cubic kilometers of magma. We also identify and date two of the largest ignimbrites: Golygin Ignimbrite in southern Kamchatka (0.45 Ma), and Karymshina River Ignimbrites (1.78 Ma) in south-central Kamchatka. We present whole-rock geochemical analyses that can be used to correlate ignimbrites laterally. These large-volume ignimbrites sample a significant proportion of remelted Kamchatkan crust as constrained by the oxygen isotopes. Oxygen isotope analyses of minerals and matrix span a 3‰ range with a significant proportion of moderately low-δ¹⁸O values. This suggests that the source for these ignimbrites involved a hydrothermally-altered shallow crust, while participation of the Cretaceous siliceous basement is also evidenced by moderately elevated δ¹⁸O and Sr isotopes and xenocryst contamination in two volcanoes. The majority of dates obtained for caldera-forming eruptions coincide with glacial stages in accordance with the sediment record in the NW Pacific, suggesting an increase in explosive volcanic activity since the onset of the last glaciation 2.6 Ma. Rapid changes in ice volume during glacial times and the resulting fluctuation of glacial loading/unloading could have caused volatile saturation in shallow magma chambers and, in combination with availability of low-δ¹⁸O glacial meltwaters, increased the proportion of explosive vs effusive eruptions. The presented results provide new constraints on Pliocene–Pleistocene volcanic activity in Kamchatka, and thus constrain an important component of the Pacific Ring of Fire.     

530 Ma syntectonic syenites and granites in NW Namibia — Their relation with collision along the junction of the Damara and Kaoko belts

The Lower Ugab and Goantagab structural domains are located at the junction between the N–S trending Kaoko and the E–W trending Damara belts (NW Namibia), where Neoproterozoic metavolcano-sedimentary sequences were intruded by several syenitic/granitic plutons. We present here new U–Pb ages on zircon grains from the Voetspoor and Doros plutons. Together with petrological, geochemical and structural data we evaluate the timing of the deformation and relation to the geodynamics during the final stage of Gondwana amalgamation.The plutons are composed of three main rock types: hornblende quartz-syenite, syenodiorite and biotite granite. The two former are predominant and show genetic correlation such as magma mingling structures and similar geochemical signatures. The biotite granite occurs in the SW parts of the intrusions and clearly cuts the syenitic rocks. Although the plutons are mainly isotropic, the structures around them demonstrate that their intrusion occurred during a second deformation phase (D2) with a component of sinistral solid state rotation with respect to the wall rocks in response to D2 transpression. Four samples were dated using U–Pb SHRIMP methodology in single zircon grains. A hornblende monzodiorite from the Voetspoor pluton yielded an age of 534 ± 4.5 Ma. A hornblende monzonite from the Doros pluton produced an age of 528 ± 5 Ma. The biotite granite facies was sampled in the Doros intrusion and yielded an age of 530 ± 4.5 Ma. In addition, a granitic vein folded by D2 close to the northeastern contact of the Doros pluton with the encasing phyllites (Amis River Formation) was also dated, yielding an age of 533 ± 6 Ma. The data show that all granite–syenite from Doros and Voetspoor intrusions are contemporaneous and crystallized in the period between 539 and 522 Ma within the errors. D1–D2 deformational phases took place under greenschist facies (biotite zone) conditions and during D3 the metamorphic grade was slightly lower. We interpret that the plutons are coeval to peak metamorphism of the region (530–520 Ma) and that D2 and D3 sinistral transpressional phases are due to collision in the Damara Belt. The E–W compressional event and second metamorphic episode in the Kaoko Belt occurred between 580 and 560 Ma and are apparently unrelated to the thermo-tectonic evolution described here, although D1 might be partially related to this event. The sinistral transpressional D2 phase resulted probably from the position of the area considered at the junction between the belts, and not in the frontal Damara collision further to the east. This new interpretation is consistent with the Ar–Ar ages for the region (about 500 Ma), interpreted to reflect cooling of the orogen. The enrichment in LREE, K, Rb, Ba and Sr, and depletion in Nb of these basic to intermediate alkalic rocks could indicate that they partially derived from melting of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle that was affected by subduction and the granitic rock types represent lower crust contamination. We interpret that they could be related to heating in the mantle caused by asthenosphere influx in a zone of slab-breakoff during collision between Kalahari and Congo cratons.