Age of the last major scabland flood of the Columbia Plateau in eastern Washington

Pumice layers of set S from Mount St. Helens can be correlated with certain ash beds associated with young flood deposits of the channeled scabland. The correlation points to an age of about 13,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. for the last major flood to have crossed the scabland. Until recently, the last major episode of flooding was thought to be closer to 20,000 yr B.P., an age inferred chiefly from the relation of the flood to glacial events of the northern Rocky Mountains. Several investigations within the last few years have suggested that the last major flood occurred well after 20,000 yr B.P. Tentative correlations of ash beds of the scabland with set S pumice layers, the relations of flood and glacial events along the northwestern margin of the Columbia Plateau, and a radiocarbon date from the Snake River drainage southeast of the plateau all indicate an age much younger than 20,000 yr. The postulated age of about 13,000 yr B.P. is further supported by a radiocarbon date in the Columbia River valley downstream from the scabland tract. Basal peat from a bog on the Portland delta of Bretz, which is a downvalley deposit of the last major scabland flood, has been dated as 13,080 ± 300 yr B.P. (W-3404).     

Partition of trace elements in co-existing biotite,muscovite and potassium feldspar of granitic rocks,northern Portugal

Chemical analyses are given for Na, K, and trace elements of muscovite and potassium feldspar of granitic rocks. The distribution of trace elements in co-existing minerals suggests that equilibrium was attained and that muscovite is a primary mineral. These observations and the comparison of the trace-element chemistry of megacrysts and groundmass potassium feldspars of porphyritic rock types lead to the conclusion that the megacrysts are in face phenocrysts which crystallized in equilibrium with the other minerals of the rock.The ranges of values of the distribution coefficients K_D(Rb/K) and K_D(Cs/K) in mineral pairs confirm other observations on the equilibrium among various minerals. However, application of experimental data on the temperature effect on K_D leads to results conflicting with the petrologic observations. The possible influence of other factors on K_D is analyzed and among these factors the composition of the feldspar and the solidus-liquidus temperature interval may play a dominant role.     

Organic geochemistry of Walvis Bay diatomaceous ooze—I. Occurrence and significance of the fatty acids

Diatomaceous ooze of the shelf off Walvis Bay (S.W. Africa) was analysed for lipid material. The lipids from the sediment consist of a mixture of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, fatty acids, sterols, carotenoid pigments and chlorophylls. The total fatty acid mixture has been analysed by capillary gas chromatography mass spectrometry and shown to consist of straight chain, iso-, anteiso- and isoprenoid acids. The environmental setting of the S.W. African shelf (Walvis Bay) makes it possible to discuss these fatty acids as markers for the fate of organic matter. The acids in the sediment point to a generation during passage of algal lipids through levels of microbial activity either on or slightly above the burial surface.     

A boundary-layer analysis of atmospheric motion over a semi-elliptical surface obstruction

Flow over surface obstructions can produce significantly large wind shears such that adverse flying conditions can occur for aeronautical systems (helicopters, V/STOL vehicles, etc.). The purpose of this analysis is to determine the kinds of flow fields that can result from surface obstructions in an otherwise horizontally homogeneous statistically stationary flow. The technique is based on the boundary-layer/Boussinesq-approximated equations of motion. The pressure gradient resulting from the surface obstruction is that consistent with a potential flow over a two-dimensional cylinder with elliptical cross-section, an approach commonly used for boundary-layer analyses in the engineering community. The dissipative effects of atmospheric turbulence on the mean flow are represented with eddy-viscosity models of the Reynolds stresses. The upstream flow is a neutral one and is characterized by a logarithmic profile for the mean wind. The following conclusions result from the analysis: (1) localized maxima in wind speed occur at the top of a surface obstruction, which are expected in physically real flow situations, (2) an increase in the elliptical aspect ratio decreases the wind speed within the boundary layer at the top of the ellipse and returns it to the logarithmic distribution characteristic of undisturbed flow, (3) increases in surface roughness affect the flow by decreasing the velocity in the boundary layer, with the most pronounced effect occurring near the surface of the smaller aspect-ratio ellipse, (4) Reynolds number has a negligible effect on the overall flow for the range of Reynolds numbers considered in this study, (5) a decrease in the elliptical aspect ratio and an increase in the surface roughness cause larger separation regions.     

Application of some correlation coefficient techniques to time-series analysis

Application of the sliding correlation technique has permitted detailed stratigraphic correlation over entire basins. The main values of the technique are to (1) demonstrate correlation statistically, (2) extend the range of visual correlation, and (3) establish precise correlation where correlation is known to exist but is difficult to establish visually. The technique is especially valuable in aiding correlation of stratigraphic sequences such as varves and turbidites, which are characterized by monotonous repetition of two or more lithologic components. The moving correlation technique is a valuable aid in examining variations in degree of correlation between correlative sections, and in analysis of component associations within a single stratigraphic sequence.     

Rare-earth data on monzonoritic rocks related to anorthosites and their bearing on the nature of the parental magma of the anorthositic series

Major and trace elements have been determined in monzonoritic rocks (hypersthene-monzodiorite or jotunite) from two intrusions belonging to the South Rogaland anorthositic complex (Norway). The rare-earth abundance pattern reveals no Eu anomaly, or only a very small one. This fact together with field observations suggest that these rocks represent the parental magma of the anorthositic suite. High Ti and P abundances, low Si content, high Fe/Mg and K₂O/SiO₂ ratios are characteristics of the major element geochemistry. Absolute amounts of some trace elements abundances vary distinctly between the two intrusions. K/Rb ratios as high as 1700 are observed. Partial fusion of upper mantle kaersutite is proposed as a possible mechanism of magma generation. Partition coefficients between plagioclase phenocrysts and liquid are determined.     

Island-arc and underthrust-plate geometry

Geophysical data describing the geometry of underthrust crustal plates at the island arcs are fitted to the relation for strain-free buckling of a thin spherical shell as given by Frank (1968). Agreement of this relation with the data is notable for extensive arcs of large radius. The geometry associated with arcs of smaller radius is less strongly constrained and the dip of descending plates at arcs of small radius is greater than that predicted by the buckling relation. The data have implications concerning the growth of island arcs and the direction in which they may develop.     

The abundance of cadmium and zinc in meteorites

A stable isotope dilution technique using solid source mass spectrometry has been used to accurately determine Cd and Zn in a wide range of materials. The abundance of Cd has been determined in 19 iron, 28 stone and 1 stony-iron meteorites, together with a number of other samples. The abundance of Zn has also been determined for most of these samples. This has enabled the relationship between Cd and Zn to be examined in iron and stone meteorites. The abundance pattern of Zn in iron meteorites supports the existence of chemical groups.     

Hydrodynamische Methoden in der Ozeanographie: Beiträge zur Physik der Bewegungsvorgänge im Meere

Summary The subject is treated, how far the events of motion in the sea can be reproduced by application of methods, which are based on the hydrodynamical differential equations. In particular comparisons between observed and computed sea-levels for the tides in estuaries and in the North-sea are worked out. Furtheron, a method is communicated, which is giving the shape of the sea-surface, when distribution of density is known, without using a layer of no motion. The result shows a remarkable agreement with the topography of the sea-surface in the South-Atlantic given byA. Defant.

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Aus einem Vortrag gehalten am 3. April 1959 auf der 7. Allgem. Versammlung der Società Italiana di Geofisica e Meteorologia (Genova: 3.–5. April 1959).