Multi-instrument ground-based observations of a travelling convection vortices event

A coordinated ground-based observational campaign using the IMAGE magnetometer network, EISCAT radars and optical instruments on Svalbard has made possible detailed studies of a travelling convection vortices (TCV) event on 6 January 1992. Combining the data from these facilities allows us to draw a very detailed picture of the features and dynamics of this TCV event. On the way from the noon to the drawn meridian, the vortices went through a remarkable development. The propagation velocity in the ionosphere increased from 2.5 to 7.4 km s⁻¹, and the orientation of the major axes of the vortices rotated from being almost parallel to the magnetic meridian near noon to essentially perpendicular at dawn. By combining electric fields obtained by EISCAT and ionospheric currents deduced from magnetic field recordings, conductivities associated with the vortices could be estimated. Contrary to expectations we found higher conductivities below the downward field aligned current (FAC) filament than below the upward directed. Unexpected results also emerged from the optical observations. For most of the time there were no discrete aurora at 557.7 nm associated with the TCVs. Only once did a discrete form appear at the foot of the upward FAC. This aurora subsequently expanded eastward and westward leaving its centre at the same longitude while the TCV continued to travel westward. Also we try to identify the source regions of TCVs in the magnetosphere and discuss possible generation mechanisms.     

ULYSSES observations of energetic particle acceleration and the superposed CME and CIR events of November 1992

During November 1992, a series of forward and reverse shocks passed the ULYSSES spacecraft. Spectral and anisotropy measurements are reported for protons and alpha particles between 0.28 and 6 MeV observed by the Energetic Particle Composition Experiment, data recorded by the Magnetometer Experiment and the high-energy (2.7-300 MeV) proton data from the Kiel Electron Telescope. An analysis of energetic particle, plasma and magnetometer data from ULYSSES has allowed a unique study of the corresponding arrival of fare particles, particles within a corotating interaction region and particles transported with a coronal mass ejection. We present an analysis of these data in terms of possible diffusive shock acceleration but conclude that this is likely to be incompatible with the short transit time of the particles. Shock drift acceleration of particles with energies 0.3 MeV/nucleon or solar acceleration followed by particle trapping behind the shock front are alternative possibilities.     

Spectral Simulation and Conditioning to Local Continuity Trends in Geologic Modeling

Spectral simulation has gained application in building geologic models due to the advantage of better honoring the spatial continuity of petrophysical properties, such as reservoir porosity and shale volume. Distinct from sequential simulation methods, spectral simulation is a global algorithm in the sense that a global density spectrum is calculated once and the inverse Fourier transform is performed on the Fourier coefficient also only once to generate a simulation realization. The generated realizations honor the spatial continuity structure globally over the whole field instead of only within a search neighborhood, as with sequential simulation algorithms. However, the disadvantage of global spectral simulation is that it traditionally cannot account for the local information such as the local continuity trends, which are often observed in reservoirs and hence are important to be accounted for in geologic models. This disadvantage has limited wider application of spectral simulation in building geologic models. In this paper, we present ways of conditioning geologic models to the relevant local information. To account for the local continuity trends, we first scale different frequency components of the original model with local-amplitude spectrum ratios that are specific to the local trend. The sum of these scaled frequency components renders a new model that displays the desired local continuity trend. The implementation details of this new method are discussed and examples are provided to illustrate the algorithm.     

Hydrodynamic and geochemical conditions of the formation of stratiform Zn-Pb ore mineralization by chloride solutions

Ore mineralization is formed by postsedimentary (concentrated by evaporation to stage SW2) chloride brines metamorphosed in hydrogeochemical systems that are closed with respect to CO₂, evolve according to “calcic” trend, and have high 2mCa²⁺ > mHCO ₃ ^? + 2mCO ₃ ^2? ratios. In these situations at high R/W ratios (10–100) and temperatures (100–200°C), these brines concentrate ore elements (Zn, Pb, Fe, and Mn) that are geochemical analogues of Ca. The sulfide precipitation of these elements occurs under the effect of carbonate rocks at the abiogenic sulfate reduction of S(VI) of the original brines at low Eh values, which are created in carbonate rocks at higher (>100°C) temperatures. This origin of sulfide mineralization is intensified at decreasing R/W ratios during the dilution of the original brines by elision waters and an increase in the temperature. The hydrodynamics of these ore-forming brines is controlled by the elision hydrogeological regime, which is defined in hydrogeological structures by the geostatic pressure. The brines migrate into the zones of geochemical barriers during the relaxation of hydrogeological structures toward their equilibrium hydrostatic state. Hydrogeological structures, optimal for the precipitation of ore mineralization, are hydrodynamically active and able to maintain a steady (during 10⁵-10⁶ years) inflow of ore-forming brines into the zones of geochemical barriers and the maximum number of water-exchange cycles at these barriers. Modern analogues of these structures are miogeosyncline foredeeps with Cl-Na-Ca chloride brines with high concentrations of ore elements and overall flow rates ranging from 0.n to n m³/year. Stagnate hydrogeological platform structures in hydrostatic equilibrium cannot ensure water exchange needed for ore formation, and, hence, the brines of these structures are not able to deposit the ore elements contained in them, in spite of the high concentrations of these elements.     

Gzhelian fusulinids first discovered in central Iran

Gzhelian deposits established in Iran for the first time are described. They rest with a considerable hiatus on the Moscovian deposits constituting, along with Asselian strata, an integral carbonate succession of the Zaladu Formation in eastern Iran. The Zaladu Formation is correlative with the Vazhnan Formation of the Abadeh region (central Iran) and the Dorud Formation of the Elburz (Alborz) Mountains. An assemblage of Gzhelian fusulinids from the studied section is well comparable with the assemblage of the Ultradaixina bosbytauensis Zone distinguished in the uppermost Gzhelian of the Darvaz, Fergana, the Southern Urals, Donetsk Basin, and Carnic Alps. Two new species of the genus Schellwienia (Sch. anarakensis and Sch. stocklini) are described. Gzhelian and Asselian fusulinids found in the section are figured in two paleontological plates.     

Lower Miocene sediments of central and western Ciscaucasia

The composition, structure, and geochemical properties of the thickest, relatively deep-water Lower Miocene sediments developed in western Ciscaucasia are considered. Of particular interest are materials from the Kuban superdeep borehole SG-12000 that recovered the uppermost layers of the Maikop Group at 3148–3961 m in the central Indol-Kuban Trough west of Krasnodar. However, the borehole did not penetrate the whole Lower Miocene section of the Maikop Group. Therefore, characteristics of the Maikop Group are supplemented with new materials from several other boreholes drilled in the eastern Kuban region. Thus, the typical (reference) Lower Miocene section of central and western Ciscaucasia has been sufficiently well described.     

Mineralogy and PT formation conditions of lead-zinc ore at the Dzhimidon deposit, north Ossetia

The mineralogy and PT formation conditions of the Dzhimidon Pb-Zn deposit in the Sadon ore district are considered. The deposit is localized in metamorphic rocks of the Buron Formation, which pertain to the pre-Jurassic basement (lower structural stage) and are cut through by Upper Paleozoic granitoids, and in the Lower Jurassic terrigenous sequence (upper structural stage). Orebodies as quartz-sulfide veins are mainly hosted in the metamorphic rocks. Galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite are the most abundant sulfides, while quartz, carbonates, chlorite, sericite, and feldspar are gangue minerals. The bismuth mineralization identified at this deposit for the first time is represented by diverse phases of the Ag-Pb-Bi-S system. Five stages of the ore deposit formation are recognized: a premineral stage (quartz-feldspar), three ore-bearing stages (pyrite-arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite, and arsenopyrite-sphalerite-galena), and a postmineral stage (quartz-calcite); each stage comprises one or several mineral assemblages. The study of fluid inclusions in quartz, calcite, and sphalerite of the premineral, ore-forming, and postmineral stages has shown that the ore was deposited mainly from Na chloride solution with a salinity varying from >22 to <1.0 wt % NaCl equiv at a temperature from 460 to ～120°C and 430–290 bars pressure. The third stage was characterized by an abrupt increase in temperature and by the appearance of Mg(Fe,Ca) chloride solutions equally with Na chloride fluids, presumably owing to the emplacement of granite porphyry.