Geothermometry of spinel lherzolites

Three methods of geothermometry, currently used for spinel lherzolites, are refined based on new experiments on subsolidus phase equilibria of olivine, pyroxenes and spinel in CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ and natural rock systems at 16 kb and 1200 °C. Although quasi-thermodynamic modelling is employed, the methods are essentially based on the pyroxene solvus, alumina contents in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Increasing alumina contents in pyroxenes reduce enstatite and diopside components in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, respectively. Thus, neglect of alumina in pyroxenes causes underestimates of temperatures by the solvus method.The three geothermometers were tested by applying them to homogeneous spinel lherzolites which were especially selected for this purpose. Coincidence of the three temperatures thus estimated gives confidence in the effectiveness of the geothermometers.They were also applied to spinel lherzolite nodules in basalts and intrusive lherzolites described in the literature. It was found that equilibration temperature of the nodules varies from 1000 °C to 1300 °C, i.e., temperatures somewhat higher than have been generally thought. In contrast to the nodules, the intrusive spinel lherzolites show extensive disequilibrium, which is probably due to retrogressive metamorphism suffered by the intrusives.     

High-temperature emplacement and liquefaction of shallow-water caldera-forming eruption products: Early Miocene Tateyamazaki Dacite in the Oga Peninsula, NE Japan

The Early Miocene Tateyamazaki Dacite infills a 3.2 km diameter caldera. It comprises poorly sorted, massive, biotite-bearing dacite pumice lapilli tuff, in which huge blocks of densely welded dacite lapilli tuff, basaltic andesite lava, and other lithologies are commonly set. Dense blocks are variably cracked and intruded by the host lapilli tuff. Sparse blocks of bedded lapilli tuff and tuff are variably disaggregated to intermingle with the host rocks or are plastically deformed into irregular shapes. Rootless tuff veins millimeters to 30 cm thick are developed within the host rocks, mainly dipping at 10–30°, and are locally branched and mutually cut to form a network. Where thicker, they are stratified and locally carry accidental fragments. Accidental lapilli up to 2 or 3 cm wide and 30 cm long are locally set in near-vertical and variably sinuous arrays. Although poorly defined they are reminiscent of fluid escape structures. The host pumice lapilli tuff, however, retains in part a thermal remnant magnetization (TRM) vector stable at temperatures above 280 °C. Blocks in the caldera fill also retain TRM but the vectors are rotated significantly from those of the host pumice lapilli tuff and the adjacent volcanic rocks. Tateyamazaki Dacite is thus likely to have been emplaced at high temperatures, and intermingled with shattered basement rocks and ambient water to be partly liquefied within the caldera immediately after or during the caldera-forming eruption.     

Spatial variability and correlation of environmental proxies during the past 18,000 years among multiple cores from Lake Pumoyum Co,Tibet, China

Multiple cores from Lake Pumoyum Co, southern Tibet, provide an improved understanding of the spatial distribution of lake sediments, and how well they represent the paleo-climate. Comparative study of these cores using AMS ¹⁴C dating and environmental proxies clarified their relationships with environmental changes. Our work focused on understanding the spatial similarities among cores covering different time scales, and evaluating variations in sedimentary processes across sites. The four studied cores demonstrate different sedimentation rates, but environmental proxies help synchronize the timing of environmental variations. Sediment variables such as total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC), and grain size in different cores correlate well and corroborate changing trends over the past 10,000 cal years. Differences in sedimentation rates and facies among core sites probably result largely from differences in water depth. The core from the deepest site displays the highest average sedimentation rates and the highest accumulation rates of TOC, but lowest content of IC. Two cores from somewhat shallower sites have plant residues in their lower sections and record similar variations in both the number of layers and their depositional ages. Our results do not indicate any significant variation in sedimentation pattern or its related factors among the three sites. A single core from the deepest site could adequately represent the total lake environment over the time span covered. But cores from somewhat shallower sites might reveal important shifts in the environment over a longer time period.