Crystal-chemical and genetic controls of U-Pb systematics of columbite-tantalite

Summary Columbite-tantalite can accommodate considerable amounts of uranium and excludes lead almost completely. It is thus potentially suited for U-Pb dating. Discordias generally yield closely constrained upper intercept ages. Yet, in a few cases, the U-Pb system of columbite-tantalite gives poorly constrained ages due to excess scatter or inverse discordance. These anomalous features do not show any relation with gross mineral chemistry or pegmatite fractionation. Recrystallization or the presence of exsolutions and inclusions generally do not result in anomalous and scattered U-Pb systematics, unless the inclusions are uraninite or secondary Nb, Ta-bearing phases. Open-system behavior of uraninite, whose occurrence seems to be related to the local host-rock-influenced redox conditions during pegmatite crystallization, often results in inverse discordance. Secondary Nb, Ta-bearing phases that accept Pb and U derived from uraninite inclusions into their structure may inherit this inverse discordance.

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Kristallchemische und bildungshedingte Einflüsse auf die U-Pb Systematik von Columbit-Tantalit

Zusammenfassung Columbit-Tantalit kann bedeutende Mengen Uran aufnehmen and schließt Blei beinahe vollständig aus. Deshalb ist das Mineral potentiell zur U-Pb Datierung geeignet. Im allgemeinen ergeben Diskordias gut definierte obere Schnittalter. Doch in einigen Fällen ergibt das Kolumbit-Tantalit U-Pb System aufgrund von gestreuten order invers diskordanten Daten, welche keinen systematischen Zusammenhang mit der Mineralchemie oder dem Fraktionierungsgrad des Pegmatites zeigen, schlecht bestimmte Schnittalter. Rekristallisation oder Einschlüsse bedingen im allgemeinen keine anomale oder gestreute U-Pb Systematik, ausser in Fällen wo die Einschlüsse Uraninit oder sekundäre Na, Ta-Phasen sind. Uraninit, dessen Auftreten mit dem lokalen Nebengestein und den Redoxbedingungen während der Pegmatitkristallisation zusammenzuhängen scheint, kann als offenes System eine inverse Diskordanz verursachen, welche von sekundären Nb, Ta-Phasen, die Pb und U von Uraninit in ihre Kristallstruktur einbauen, geerbt wird.

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With 5 Figures     

Numerical simulation of fracture flow with a mixed-hybrid FEM stochastic discrete fracture network model

We introduce a discrete fracture network model of stationary Darcy flow in fractured rocks. We approximate the fractures by a network of planar circle disks, which is generated on the basis of statistical data obtained from field measurements. We then discretize this network into a mesh consisting of triangular elements placed in three-dimensional space. We use geometrical approximations in fracture planes, which allow for a significant simplification of the final triangular meshes. We consider two-dimensional Darcy flow in each fracture. In order to accurately simulate the channeling effect, we assign to each triangle an aperture defining its hydraulic permeability. For the discretization we use the lowest order Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element method. This method gives quite an accurate velocity field, which is computed directly and which satisfies the mass balance on each triangular element. We demonstrate the use of this method on a model problem with a known analytical solution and describe the generation and triangulation of the fracture network and the computation of fracture flow for a particular real situation.     

Earthquake distribution and volcanism in Kamchatka,Kurile Islands,and Hokkaido Part 1: Kamchatka and northern Kuriles

Summary The morphology of the Wadati-Benioff zone in the region of Kamchatka and Northern Kuriles, based on the distribution of 1102 earthquake foci, verified the existence of an intermediate depth aseismic gap and its relation to active andesitic volcanism. A system of deep seismically active fracture zones, genetically connected with the process of subduction, was delineated in the continental plate and confirmed by the results of deep seismic sounding. Two of these fractures, dipping toward the subduction zone, may be considered as the principal feeding channels for active and Holocene volcanoes of the continental volcanic belts of Kamchatka.     

Connection between the upper ionospheric region of VLF chorus occurrence and the plasmapause position

Summary The occurrence zone of the VLF chorus in the upper ionosphere appears at L-shells lower than plasmapause position L_pp; with increasing geomagnetic activity the spatial dimension of the zone diminishes, its upper boundary being shifted in correspondence with the plasmapause position, the lower remaining practically without change(L=2.0÷2.5). Calculations of propagation paths have shown that the similarity of the VLF chorus spectrum at different upper-ionospheric latitudes as well as the large spatial dimension of the zone of observation can be explained as special features in the propagation of VLF waves from an equatorial source, starting in the vicinity of the plasmapause with different initial normal angles.

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a umauu u ana amu L-, u L_pp (L_pp — nu nana); uu aum amumu nmam a am, nu aua am mmmuu uu nu nana, a u mam namuu u(L=2.0÷2.5). am mamu naam, m n¶rt;u nm a au uma u, ma a nmam ama a¶rt;u, m m mu anmau m amua umua, an amu nana, uu au au.