Gamma-burst positions - are they reliable?

Ever since the discovery of the Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts we have searched for the quiescent counterparts of these mysterious flashes. Without definite counterparts our pictures of the sources must remain vague. The review discusses a number of techniques which have been applied to the gamma burst localization problem and their limitations. The most accurate technique to-date is the Interplanetary Network (IPN) timing technique. Considering the lack of success in the searches for counterparts in even the smallest gamma burst error boxes, it seems, that the next generation of satellite gamma burst detectors must be designed to allow immediate follow-up with sensitive telescopes. Concepts to achieve this goal are discussed.     

Photo's from Proceedings of the Third MicroQuasar Workshop; Granada Worshop on Galactic Relativistic Jet Sources – Granada,Spain, 11–13 September 2000

The X-Ray Spectroscopic Explorer (XRASE) has a unique combination of features that will make it possible to address many of NASA's scientific goals. These include how galaxy clusters form, the physics and chemistry of the ISM, the heating of stellar coronae, the amount and content of intergalactic baryonic matter, the mass of black holes and the formation of disks and jets in AGN and galactic binaries. XRASE has a thin foil, multilayered telescope with a large collecting area up to 10 keV, especially in the Fe K region (1100 cm²). Its microcalorimeter array combines high energy resolution (7 eV at 6 keV) and efficiency with a field-of-view of 26 arcmin² . A deep orbit allows for long, continuous observations. Monitoring instruments in the optical (WOM-X), UV (TAUVEX) and hard X-RAY (GRAM) bands will offer exceptional opportunities to make simultaneous multi-wavelength observations.     

Magma development of the Leka Ophiolite Complex, central Norwegian Caledonides

The magmatic products of the Leka Ophiolite Complex of Lower Ordovician age, indicate formation in different tectonic settings and generation from different mantle sources. Harzburgites of the mantle tectonite, clinopyroxenes from wehrlites of the ultramafic cumulates, the metabasalts of the dyke complex and earliest pillow lavas (IAT/MORB, boninites) all show characteristics compatible with formation above a subduction zone in an intra-oceanic setting. Nd-isotopes indicate that some of the IAT and boninites may have been derived from a source contaminated by continental material, and a CAB source differ significantly from that of the IAT and boninites. The later pillow lavas of MORB composition show only minor influence of subduction-related processes (minor or no negative Ta-anomalies), and the supposed latest volcanic sequence of an alkaline OIB-type, none at all. The MORB- and OIB-type magmas are thought developed by spreading in a back-arc setting, in which the latter magma type developed in a remote position from the subduction zone.     

Simultaneous measurements of turbulence over land and water

Turbulence and mean flow variables under unstable conditions are examined with special emphasis on the consequences of roughness and surface elevation change. An interpolation formula for _w ², between neutral and free convection, is shown to bring order to the data. The spectral distribution of vertical wind variance is found to be in good agreement with results over horizontal homogeneous terrain, both with respect to form and position. In particular, the length scale _m corresponding to the maximum of nS _w(n) is unchanged. Another turbulent length scale, (k/)z, is found to be substantially reduced in the disturbed zone of the internal boundary layer. To a first approximation, the flow-acceleration effect on the non-dimensional wind shear can be separated from the diabatic effect.     

The geochemistry of manganese carbonate in Panama Basin sediments

The Mn distribution in Panama Basin area sediments and interstitial waters is discussed. Striking surficial Mn enrichments produced by a well-known diagenetic recycling process characterize the sediments of the region. Thermodynamic solubility calculations indicate that in at least one core interstitial waters approach saturation with respect to MnCO₃. A mixed carbonate phase of composition (Mn₄₈ Ca₄₇ Mg₅)CO₃ was recovered from an ash band in the same core. The association of this material with the coarse volcaniclastic debris is thought to result from facile manganous carbonate precipitation in sediment horizons of coarser mean grain size. Since sulphate reduction in the upper two metres of Panama Basin sediments is fairly minor, little increase in alkalinity is observed, and it is postulated that significant production of carbonate alkalinity is not a prerequisite for manganous carbonate generation in hemipelagic sediments. A more important factor appears to be the availability of Mn oxides for solution during early diagenesis. Stable C isotopic analyses indicate that little C of organic origin is used in the precipitation reaction in either Panama Basin or Loch Fyne (Scotland) sediments.     

A cummingtonite-porphyritic dacite with amphibole-rich xenoliths from the tertiary central volcano at Króksfjördur,NW Iceland

An instrusive dacite and a salic pumice, emplaced late in the evolution of the Miocene (c. 10 m.y.) Króksfjördur volcano, NW Iceland, contain a varied assemblage of xenolithic metaigneous rocks. Mineral and rock chemistry shows that the dacite is very similar to calc-alkaline salic rocks from the SW Pacific. It contains phenocrystic plagioclase, quartz, pyroxene, cummingtonite, hornblende, biotite, two oxides, apatite and zircon in a rhyolitic glass. The rock equilibrated at 700 to 750°C. P ～ 1.6 Kbar and P_H2O ～ 1 Kbar. The xenoliths are layered gabbros, granophyres and various fine-grained hornfelses and show that the dacite magma was residing within a gabbro intrusion capped by granophyre prior to the eruption. The hornfelses are amphibole-plagioclase, amphibole-pyroxene-plagioclase and pyroxene-plagioclase rocks formed during high-temperature metamorphism of basic dykes cutting the gabbro intrusion. The gabbros and hornfelses mostly record higher metamorphic temperatures (850–940°C) than the dacite, and indicate that they were equilibrated during the ascent of a magma body into a hydrous high-level region within the volcano. During a following thermal decline, the hydrated magma cooled to form the first cummingtonite-bearing low-T magma to be recorded from the ocean ridge systems.     

Evidence for mantle metasomatism: an oxygen and strontium isotope study of the Vulsinian District, Central Italy

This paper presents new O and Sr isotope data for lavas from the northern part of the Roman perpotassic province. The samples comprise the tephritic leucititic to leucite phonolitic lavas and the saturated lavas from the Vulsinian District, the olivine leucite melilitite of San Venanzo, and the kalsilite diopside melilitite of Cupaello. Previous oxygen isotope work on the lavas of the Vulsinian District suggested crustal contamination of “normal” mantle-derived magmas. The new data cover the ranges previously found. O and Sr isotope ratios of evolved lavas of the undersaturated suite indicate assimilation in variable amounts of up to ca. 10% of continental crustal material. The saturated lavas probably assimilated large amounts (up to ca. 50%) of crust. Lavas chemically identified as corresponding to little modified mantle-derived liquids are high in both⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr andδ¹⁸O: 0.7103−0.7107, +7.8 to +9.4 (Vulsini), 0.7104, +12.3 (San Venanzo) and 0.7112, +14.4 (Cupaello). These high values are interpreted to have been inherited from a metasomatized parental mantle. Hydrous fluids enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and high inδ¹⁸O and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr are thought to have mixed with mantle of “normal”δ¹⁸O and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. The fluids probably origi dehydration of continent-derived sediments, which were subducted beneath a mantle wedge in the continent-continent collision of the Corsica-Sardinia block and the Adriatic (Italian) plate. This hypothesis is supported by Pb and Nd isotopic evidence and is probably valid for the entire Roman Province.     

Polyphase deformation of the massive sulphide ore of the Black Angel Mine,central West Greenland

The massive Fe-Zn-Pb sulphide sheets constituting the Angel Zone ore body of the Black Angel Mine, show evidence of three phases of deformation at greenschist facies metamorphic grade. During an early phase an originally layered sulphide ore type was isoclinally folded. Subsequent thrusting parallel to the ore body transformed the layered ore into massive and porphyroclastic ore tectonites. Late, open folds refolded the earlier structures and caused localized differential mobilization of the sulphides. The microstructures of the layered ore tectonite indicate a period with static grain growth, interpreted as the result of prograde metamorphism, followed by a dynamic recrystallization under low stress and at low strain rates, which is correlated with the early isoclinal folding. The microstructures of the massive and the porphyroclastic ore tectonites indicate syntectonic recrystallization under high stress and at high strain rates, corresponding to the thrusting of the ore bodies. The microstructures of the mobilized sulphides show evidence of repeated plastic/cataclastic deformation and recrystallization, corresponding to highly variable strain and strain rate conditions during the mobilization. Post-deformational annealing took place at elevated temperature and was largely controlled by inhibition-dependent grain growth and to a minor extent by orientation-dependent grain growth.