Petrology of a new basalt occurrence in Hungary

Summary A new occurrence of basalt (minimum K/Ar age 57.9 ± 2.2 m.y.) is reported from Budaliget, near Budapest. Major and minor element concentrations show that the basalts are alkaline and potassic in nature ranging from olivine tholeiite to moderately undersaturated basanite. High mg-values and concentrations of Ni and Cr indicate that some of the samples may represent primary compositions. High pressure accidental xenoliths, xenocrysts and cognate megacrysts are frequent and the chemical zoning patterns of olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts indicate a complex evolution and polibaric conditions for the crystallization. The discovery of the new basalt occurrence is important from a geodynamical point of view: prior to the last two major geodynamical events (Plio-Pleistocene rifting with associated alkali basaltic volcanism and collision of microplates with associated Miocene calk-alkaline volcanism) the continental lithosphere below NE Transdanubia may have experienced another rifting period in the Paleocene or Upper Cretaceous.With 7 Figures     

FRACTURES AS CONDUCTING DYKES AND CORRESPONDING TWO-DIMENSIONAL MODELS*

A statistical treatment of MT data from the Pannonian Basin, Hungary, based on the distortion theory of the S-effect suggests that the local increase in crustal conductivity is connected with deep fractures. Field model measurements have recently been carried out in a shallow, quasi two-dimensional basin of well known tectonics using MT station distances of 1–3 km. The results of the investigation and numerical modelling of near surface distortions, support the idea that deep fractures (faults) contain the conducting formations. According to 2-D model computations, several conducting dykes at considerable depths can cause anomalies which are indiscernible from an anomaly due to a conducting layer. The significance of these results is discussed from the point of view of geothermal energy exploitation.     

Remarks on the one-photon-pair annihilation in strong magnetic fields

We report specifically on a quantum electrodynamic feature of the one-photon-pair annihilation. Most of the calculation related with this process (not excluding other ones) have been carried out usually utilizing the wave functions obtained from the Dirac equation in the Landau gauge A = (0,Bx, 0), where B is oriented along the z-axis (Johnson and Lippman, 1949). Although, the eigenstates of the Dirac Hamiltonian as it was introduced by Johnson and Lippman, do not consider the coupling to the radiation field and consequently they reflect only forp _z = 0 the same linear combination of the two degenerate polarization states.We report the transition rate function for the one-photon-pair annihilation in a strong magnetic field by using the Sokolov and Ternov eigenstate |± as far asp _z = 0 andN > 0 is concerned. The difference between the expression for the transition rate by using the Sokolov and Ternov eigenstates and the one calculated by (Wunneret al., 1986), is just the functionI _s,s which corresponds to the degeneracy of the orbit center of the electrons characterized by the quantum numberss ands. Presented at the 2nd UN/ESA Workshop, held in Bogotá, Colombia, 9-13 November, 1992.     

On Modelling Discrete Geological Structures as Markov Random Fields

The purpose of this paper is to extend the locally based prediction methodology of BayMar to a global one by modelling discrete spatial structures as Markov random fields. BayMar uses one-dimensional Markov-properties for estimating spatial correlation and Bayesian updating for locally integrating prior and additional information. The methodology of this paper introduces a new estimator of the field parameters based on the maximum likelihood technique for one-dimensional Markov chains. This makes the estimator straightforward to calculate also when there is a large amount of missing observations, which often is the case in geological applications. We make simulations (both unconditional and conditional on the observed data) and maximum a posteriori predictions (restorations) of the non-observed data using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, in the restoration case by employing simulated annealing. The described method gives satisfactory predictions, while more work is needed in order to simulate, since it appears to have a tendency to overestimate strong spatial dependence. It provides an important development compared to the BayMar-methodology by facilitating global predictions and improved use of sparse data.     

Variations in the dynamic response of structures founded on piles induced by obliquely incident SV waves

Although the seismic actions generally consist of a combination of waves, which propagates with an angle of incidence not necessarily vertical, the common practice when analyzing the dynamic behavior of pile groups is based on the assumption of vertically incident wave fields. The aim of this paper is to analyze how the angle of incidence of SV waves affects the dynamic response of pile foundations and piled structures. A three-dimensional boundary element-finite element coupling formulation is used to compute impedances and kinematic interaction factors corresponding to several configurations of vertical pile groups embedded in an isotropic homogeneous linear viscoelastic half-space. These results, which are provided in ready-to-use dimensionless graphs, are used to determine the effective dynamic properties of an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom oscillator that reproduces, within the range where the peak response occurs, the response of slender and nonslender superstructures through a procedure based on a substructuring model. Results are expressed in terms of effective flexible-base period and damping as well as maximum shear force at the base of the structure. The relevance and main trends observed in the influence of the wavefront angle of incidence on the dynamic behavior of the superstructure are inferred from the presented results. It is found that effective damping is significantly affected by the variations of the wave angle of incidence. Furthermore, it comes out that the vertical incidence is not always the worst-case scenario.     

Early Carboniferous blueschist facies metamorphism in metapelites of the West Sudetes (Northern Saxothuringian Domain,Bohemian Massif)

The metamorphic evolution of micaschists in the north‐eastern part of the Saxothuringian Domain in the Central European Variscides is characterized by the early high‐pressure M1 assemblage with chloritoid in cores of large garnet porphyroblasts and a Grt–Chl–Phe–Qtz ± Pg M2 assemblage in the matrix. Minerals of the M1–M2 stage were overprinted by the low‐pressure M3 assemblage Ab–Chl–Ms–Qtz ± Ep. Samples with the best‐preserved M1–M2 mineralogy mostly appear in domains dominated by the earlier D1 deformation phase and are only weakly affected by subsequent D2 overprint. Thermodynamic modelling suggests that mineral assemblages record peak‐pressure conditions of ≥18–19 kbar at 460–520 °C (M1) followed by isothermal decompression 10.5–13.5 kbar (M2) and final decompression to <8.5 kbar and <480 °C (M3). The calculated peak P–T conditions indicate a high‐pressure/low‐temperature apparent thermal gradient of ～7–7.5 °C km^?1. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry isotopic dating and electron microprobe chemical dating of monazite from the M1–M2 mineral assemblages give ages of 330 ± 10 and 328 ± 6 Ma, respectively, which are interpreted as the timing of a peak pressure to early decompression stage. The observed metamorphic record and timing of metamorphism in the studied metapelites show striking similarities with the evolution of the central and south‐western parts of the Saxothuringian Domain and suggest a common tectonic evolution along the entire eastern flank of the Saxothuringian Domain during the Devonian–Carboniferous periods.     

Identification of magnetic minerals related to hydrocarbon authigenesis in venezuelan oil fields using an alternative decomposition of isothermal remanence curves

In this work we try to better characterise the shallow magnetic signature of hydrocarbon microseepage in oil fields from eastern and western Venezuela. To get a better insight of the processes involved, we attempt to find out the main magnetic phases responsible for the observed oil-related shallow magnetic anomalies. In this way, a new and alternative numerical approach to decompose Isothermal Remagnetization (IRM) curves is introduced. The method is based on a Direct Signal Analysis (DSA) of the IRM curve in order to identify the number and type of magnetic components. Representative wells from western (La Victoria) and eastern (San Joaquín) Venezuelan fields are studied. The DSA approach, together with rock magnetic experimental results, indicates that in the well from western Venezuela the main magnetic mineralogy associated to hydrocarbon microseepage is magnetite. Conversely, in the well from eastern Venezuela, these MS anomalies are mainly caused by the presence of Fe-sulphides (i.e. greigite). These results support the hypothesis of two different authigenic processes. For the well at the western field, we propose that a net electron transfer from the organic matter, degraded by hydrocarbon gas leakage, should occur precipitating Fe(II) magnetic minerals (e.g. magnetite). On the other hand, in the well of the eastern field, high concentrations of H2S at shallow levels, might allow the formation of secondary Fe-sulphides.     

Climate change related land use problems in protected wetlands: a study in a seriously affected Hungarian area

Land managers of wetlands face various challenges emerging from climate change. Exploration of these problems is a prerequisite to developing adaptive management of vulnerable areas. Central and Eastern European countries are highly vulnerable to climate change. The Balaton Uplands National Park, an attractive tourist destination with natural values of high national and community importance, has suffered the greatest extremities in precipitation in Hungary during 2010 and 2011. After identification of stakeholder groups, private landowners and land managers as being most likely affected by climate change were interviewed in the national park. A compilation of the most important land use problems that already have influence on the management of protected wetlands was listed. Land managers connect several problems to weather extremities and long-term changes, but take practically no actions in favor of mitigation or adaptation, or strengthening resilience. As there is strong evidence that wet habitats are becoming more sensitive and vulnerable, land managers have to adapt their objectives, strategies and measures to changing climate and be involved in the process of adapting the management measures of protected areas, especially wetlands, to probable effects of climate change.