The Deformational Response of a Viscoelastic Solid Earth Model Coupled to a Thermomechanical Ice Sheet Model

We apply a coupled thermomechanical ice sheet—self-gravitating viscoelastic solid Earth model (SGVEM), allowing for the dynamic exchange of ice thickness and bedrock deformation, in order to investigate the effect of viscoelastic deformation on ice dynamics and vice versa. In a synthetic glaciation scenario, we investigate the interaction between the ice sheet and the solid Earth deformation, the glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA), accounting for an atmospheric forcing depending on the ice sheet surface altitude. We compare the results from the coupled model to runs with the common elastic lithosphere/relaxing asthenosphere (ELRA) model, where the lithosphere is represented by a thin plate and the mantle relaxes with one characteristic relaxation time, as well as to a rigid Earth without any deformation. We find that the deformational behaviour of the SGVEM on ice dynamics (i.e. stored ice volume, ice thickness and velocity field) is comparable to the ELRA for an optimal choice of the parameters in steady state, but exhibits differences in the transient behaviour. Beyond the ice sheet, in the region of peripheral forebulge, the differences in the transient surface deformation between ELRA and SGVEM are substantial, demonstrating the inadequacy of the ELRA model for interpreting constraints on GIA in the periphery of the ice sheet, such as sea-level indicators and GPS uplift rates.     

Verteilung und Wanderung von Neunaugen im Elbeästuar (Deutschland)

From March 1989 until May 1995 overall 675 hauls were performed using a commercial stow net vessel to get information concerning spatial and seasonal distribution, length frequency distribution, stock situation and migration patterns of lampreys in the Elbe estuary in northern Germany.2217 river lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) and 10 sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) were caught during the whole study period. The river lamprey occurred in 40.3% of the performed stow net hauls. The catch success was highest in the western main channel, whereas the frequency of occurrence of river lampreys was only about 10.9% at the most upstream site in the southern marginal area. In 1989 and 1990 significantly more than 50% of the hauls contained river lampreys. In contrast, from 1991 to 1995 their frequency of occurrence was lower than 40%, in 1991 even lower than 20%. Sea lampreys occurred only at 6 from 9 sampled sites and were only observed in 1990 and 1992-1994.Total lengths of river lampreys varied between 7 and 46 cm. Based on the length frequency distribution, the following three size classes of river lampreys were separated: LF I (7 to 16 cm), LF II (17-26 cm) and LF III (27-46 cm). The majority of the caught individuals could be grouped in size class LF III. Total lengths of sea lampreys ranged between 69 and 85 cm and were restricted to only one size class (PM III).70% of all sea lampreys were caught in April and May. Most of the sea lampreys were observed in the eastern main channel. The maximum average abundance of river lampreys was observed with 6.75 Ind · m⁻³ · 10⁻⁶ in the same area in 1992. However, in 1993 and 1994 the highest average abundances of river lampreys occurred in the western main channel.Based on redundance analysis, a significant correlation between the abundances of lampreys and the environmental variables autumn, spring, summer, salinity, water temperature, grain size, new moon and first moon quarter was found. The downstream migrating river lampreys of size class LF I und the sea lampreys during their anadromous spawning migration showed highest abundances mainly in spring, whereas high abundances of river lampreys of size class LF II in the feeding phase occurred in summer. The presence of both size classes LF I and LF II confirms the successful reproduction of river lampreys in the catchment area of the Elbe. The observation of river lampreys of size class LF III during their anadromous spawning migration was closely correlated with the variable autumn. A spring spawning migration of river lampreys was not observed.     

Palaeobotanical evidence of wildfires in the Late Palaeozoic of South America – Early Permian, Rio Bonito Formation, Paraná Basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Fossil charcoal, as direct evidence of palaeowildfires, has repeatedly been reported from several plant-bearing deposits from the Late Palaeozoic of the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast charcoal reports from the Late Palaeozoic deposits of the Southern Hemisphere are relatively rare in comparison to the Northern Hemisphere. Although the presence of pyrogenic coal macerals has repeatedly been reported from Late Palaeozoic coals from South America, no detailed anatomical investigations of such material have been published so far. Here is presented an anatomical analysis of charcoal originating from Early Permian sediments of the Quitéria Outcrop, Rio Bonito Formation, Paraná Basin, located in the central-eastern portion of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This charcoal comes from two different coaly facies, and it was possible to scrutinize between three types, based on anatomical characters of the charcoal. Two of these charcoal types can be correlated to gymnosperm woods, and the other type corresponds to strongly permineralized bark with characteristic features of lycopsids. The presence of charcoal in different facies, ranging from parautochtonous to allochtonous origin, indicates that different vegetation types, i.e. plants which grew under wet conditions in the lowland as well as in the more dry hinterland, have experienced wildfires. Taking into account previous petrographic and lithological analyses from the facies in which the charcoal occurs and from the conditions of the wood and bark fragments, it was possible to speculate that the intensity of such wildfires most probably corresponds to forest-crown fires. Moreover, it is possible to state that wildfires have been a more or less common element in distinct Late Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems in the South American part of Gondwana. The data support previous assumptions on the occurrence of wildfires in the Early Permian of the Paraná Basin which were based solely on coal-petrographic data.     

Relations between electrical conductivity and petrological parameters of the crust and upper mantle

Laboratory data of the electrical conductivity of rocks and minerals pertinent to the deeper crust and upper mantle and summarized. They are discussed in the context of a theory to calculate effective conductivities of materials in the state of partial melt. Most published data have been obtained by too rapid measurements, i.e. without reaching an equilibrium state of the sample. Conductivity measurements on a material similar to the composition of pyrolite are not het known, their importance is outlined. A global conductivity distribution obtained by electromagnetic induction studies is represented by a few results covering oceanic and continental areas. Till today it seems to be a doubtful venture to deduce the temperature of the upper mantle or even the existence of a partial molten asthenosphere from a global conductivity distribution. On a more local scale the correlation of electrical conductivity with temperature and state of the material seems to be more realistic. This is tentatively shown by two petrological models of the Afar depression in Ethiopia and of the midoceanic rift.     

Natural shock behavior of almandite in metamorphic rocks from the ries crater,Germany

An extensive study of a big number of gneiss specimens with various shock features from the suevite allowed unravelling of the shock behavior of almandite garnets.Almandites in shocked metamorphic rocks show with increasing dynamic pressures strong irregular fracturing. differently oriented sets of planar fractures or elements, brown turbidity and nucleation of minute crystals of an unknown phase in solid garnets. At higher peak pressures garnet was found to break down to (1) orthopyroxene + spinel + glass, and to (2) spinel + glass due to fast shock-melting.Extensive quantitative electron microprobe studies of almandite garnets and their breakdown products were carried out. The breakdown products within the original grain boundaries of the garnets consist of an alumina-rich orthopyroxene (with up to 10 wt. % Al₂O₃), hercynite to pleonaste spinels and a silica and calcium-rich glass matrix. The chemical zonation of magnesium and manganese of the former garnets is inherited in the composition of the newly formed orthopyroxenes.Petrographic evidence and chemical composition suggest a fast breakdown of the almandite garnets after passing of shock waves at rapidly falling pressures and very high post-shock temperatures within the ejected gneissic rock material.     

Application of SWACI products as ionospheric correction for single-point positioning: a comparative study

In Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) using L-band frequencies, the ionosphere causes signal delays that correspond with link related range errors of up to 100 m. In a first order approximation the range error is proportional to the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere. Whereas this first order range error can be corrected in dual-frequency measurements by a linear combination of carrier phase- or code-ranges of both frequencies, single-frequency users need additional information to mitigate the ionospheric error. This information can be provided by TEC maps deduced from corresponding GNSS measurements or by ionospheric models. In this paper we discuss and compare different ionospheric correction methods for single-frequency users. The focus is on the comparison of the positioning quality using dual-frequency measurements, the Klobuchar model, the NeQuick model, the IGS TEC maps, the Neustrelitz TEC Model (NTCM-GL) and the reconstructed NTCM-GL TEC maps both provided via the ionosphere data service SWACI (http://swaciweb.dlr.de) in near real-time. For that purpose, data from different locations covering several days in 2011 and 2012 are investigated, including periods of quiet and disturbed ionospheric conditions. In applying the NTCM-GL based corrections instead of the Klobuchar model, positioning accuracy improvements up to several meters have been found for the European region in dependence on the ionospheric conditions. Further in mid- and low-latitudes the NTCM-GL model provides results comparable to NeQuick during the considered time periods. Moreover, in regions with a dense GNSS ground station network the reconstructed NTCM-GL TEC maps are partly at the same level as the final IGS TEC maps.     

Mediterrane Trias — Grundzüge und Probleme

Zusammenfassung Die mediterrane oder alpine Trias wurde im 19. Jh. nahezu als Standard-Typus der marinen Entwicklung dieses Systems aufgefaßt. Sie lieferte fast ausschließlich die Faunenfolgen zur biochronologischen Gliederung; Schicht- und Fazies-Bezeichnungen wurden aus dem alpinen Raum bis nach Südostasien übertragen. Eine gewisse Sonderstellung maß man nur ihren Ammonoideen-Faunen zu. Ihre Erforschung schien bald nach der Jahrhundertwende abgeschlossen.Seit zwei Jahrzehnten wird jedoch die Gliederung der mediterranen Trias mit Hilfe der Ammonoidea völlig revidiert. Darüber hinaus konnten neue biochronologische Standards von der phylogenetischen Entwicklung anderer Organismen-Gruppen (Conodonten, Ostracoden, Foraminiferen, Holothurien, Dasycladaceen, Sporen und Pollen) abgeleitet werden. Die marinen Sequenzen des Mittelmeerraumes haben dabei eine wesentliche Rolle gespielt.Zahlreiche moderne Fazies-Analysen, auf die nur kursorisch verwiesen wird, erlauben, die paläogeographischen Konturen im Westteil der triassischen Tethys schärfer zu sehen und ihre geotektonische Entwicklung plattentektonisch zu deuten. Ausgehend von permischen Vorzeichnungen öffneten sich ozeanische Arme im Norden (Vardar-Zone, wahrscheinlich mit Fortsetzung bis in die Alpen) und Süden (Sizilien, Alboran). Dabei wurden einige Mikroplatten von Afrika bzw. Europa abgespalten, von denen die Adria-Platte und ihre geotektonische Differenzierung während der Trias diskutiert werden.

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In a first period of exploration, until the beginning of our century, the Mediterranean or Alpine Triassic advanced to be a standard type of the marine development of that period. It served as well as the base for a world-wide biochronological division as for the deviation of facies types.Nevertheless the subdivision of the Triassic with the help of ammonoids was revised during the past decades, and new biochronological standards were derived from the phylogenetic evolution of other taxa: conodonts, ostracodes, foraminifera, holothuroids, dasycladacean algae, and from the palynological record. For these investigations, the Mediterranean region is again of special importance.The results of modern facies analysis which are not reviewed extensely in this paper, allow to discern the palaeogeographic contures in the western part of the Triassic Tethys with more accuracy and to sketch the outlines of a plate tectonic interpretation. Following to Permian configurations two deep branches of this oceans developed, one to the north (Vardar zone, probably to the Alps) and another in the south (Sicily-Alboran). Several microplates were split off from Africa and Europe. The geotectonic differentiation of one of them (Adria microplate) is discussed.

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Résumé Au 19ième siècle le Trias méditerranéen ou «alpin» a presque partout été considé ré comme type standard du développement marin de ce système. La subdivision biochronologique est largement basée sur ses faunes, et sa nomenclature stratigraphique fut transférée aux autres régions. Concernant les ammonoïdes, le Trias méditerranéen a, en effet, pris une position spéciale. Au début de notre siècle leur exploration semblait bientôt être achevée.Depuis vingt ans on travaille cependant à la révision de la subdivision du Trias sur la base des ammonoïdes. De plus de nouveaux standards biochronologiques ont pu être établis sur la base de l'évolution d'autres taxa (conodontes, ostracodes, foraminifères, holothuroïdes, algues, spores et pollens). Au cours de ces recherches les séries marines ont joué un rôle important.De nombreuses analyses de faciès dont il n'a été fait mention qu'en passant, permettent de voir plus distinctement dans la région de la Téthys les contours paléogéographiques et d'interpréter, selon la théorie de la tectonique de plaques, leur évolution géotectonique. Tracés déjà au Permien, deux bras océaniques s'ouvraient dans la Téthys occidentale, l'un marqué par la zône du Vardar et allant probablement jusqu'aux Alpes et l'autre dans région de Sicile et de Tunisie. Au cours de ce processus, plusieurs microplaques furent séparées de l'Afrique ainsi que de l'Europe. L'exemple de la microplaque adriatique et son évolution géotectonique au cours du Trias sont brièvement discutés.

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Coastal erosion vs riverine sediment discharge in the Arctic Shelf seas

This article presents a comparison of sediment input by rivers and by coastal erosion into both the Laptev Sea and the Canadian Beaufort Sea (CBS). New data on coastal erosion in the Laptev Sea, which are based on field measurements and remote sensing information, and existing data on coastal erosion in the CBS as well as riverine sediment discharge into both the Laptev Sea and the CBS are included. Strong regional differences in the percentages of coastal erosion and riverine sediment supply are observed. The CBS is dominated by the riverine sediment discharge (64.45᎒⁶ t a^-1) mainly of the Mackenzie River, which is the largest single source of sediments in the Arctic. Riverine sediment discharge into the Laptev Sea amounts to 24.10᎒⁶ t a^-1, more than 70% of which are related to the Lena River. In comparison with the CBS, the Laptev Sea coast on average delivers approximately twice as much sediment mass per kilometer, a result of higher erosion rates due to higher cliffs and seasonal ice melting. In the Laptev Sea sediment input by coastal erosion (58.4᎒⁶ t a^-1) is therefore more important than in the CBS and the ratio between riverine and coastal sediment input amounts to 0.4. Coastal erosion supplying 5.6᎒⁶ t a^-1 is less significant for the sediment budget of the CBS where riverine sediment discharge exceeds coastal sediment input by a factor of ca. 10.