Tracking fluid flow during deep crustal anatexis: metasomatism of peridotites (Naxos, Greece)

Horizons of ultramafic lenses were metamorphosed with host felsic gneisses at upper amphibolite facies conditions during the M2 event on the island of Naxos, Greece. The synkinematic peak M2 Ol-Opx-Hbl-Chl-Spl assemblage of the Main, migmatite-associated, Ultramafic Horizon (MUH) retains mantle-like chemical and oxygen isotope compositions and thus shows no evidence of infiltration of fluids from the host rocks. A bimodal distribution of temperatures, grouped at 700 and 1,200 °C, is given by oxygen isotope Opx-Ol thermometry in the MUH meta-peridotites and indicates partial oxygen exchange during M2 superposed over previous mantle fractionation. The Agia Ultramafic Horizon (AUH), a coarser-grained and unfoliated peridotite, occurs within sillimanite gneisses in northwest Naxos and contains talc-enstatite and olivine domains. Recrystallization of the AUH peridotite during post-peak M2 infiltration of silica-rich, high '¹⁸O fluids is indicated by lack of deformation, increased activity of silica required to stabilize the talc-enstatite assemblage, extremely high '¹⁸O values of Ol and Opx and (¹⁸O_(Opx-Ol) temperatures of 520-650 °C. The source for these fluids is inferred to be aplitic and pegmatitic dikes emanating from the migmatitic core of Naxos and intruding the AUH. At peak M2 temperatures and during anatexis of gneisses, volumes of fluid were small and fluid composition was locally buffered in the deeper part of the Naxos section. Crystallization of melts within the migmatitic core released siliceous fluids and initiated an episode of retrograde hydrous metamorphism in the overlying sequences, as observed in the AUH.     

Post-shock annealing of Miller Range 99301 (LL6): Implications for impact heating of ordinary chondrites

MIL 99301 is an LL chondrite that has experienced successive episodes of thermal metamorphism, shock metamorphism and annealing. The first recognizable petrogenetic episode resulted in thermal metamorphism of the rock to petrologic type 6 (as indicated by homogeneous olivine compositions, significant textural recrystallization, and the presence of coarse grains of plagioclase, metallic Fe-Ni and troilite). The source of heat for this thermal episode is not identified. The rock also experienced shock metamorphism to shock stage ∼S4 as indicated by extensive silicate darkening (caused by the dispersion within silicate grains of thin chromite melt veins and trails of metallic Fe-Ni and troilite blebs), polycrystalline troilite, myrmekitic plessite, a relatively high occurrence abundance (OA) of metallic Cu (3.6), the presence of numerous chromite-plagioclase assemblages, and coarse grains of low-Ca clinopyroxene with polysynthetic twinning. The shock event responsible for these effects must have occurred after the epoch of thermal metamorphism to type-6 levels; otherwise the polycrystallinity of the troilite would have disappeared and the low-Ca clinopyroxene would have transformed into orthopyroxene. Despite abundant evidence of strong shock, olivine and plagioclase in MIL 99301 exhibit sharp optical extinction, consistent with shock stage S1 and characteristic of an unshocked rock. This implies that an episode of post-shock annealing healed the damaged olivine and plagioclase crystal lattices and thereby changed undulose extinction into sharp extinction. The rock was probably annealed to metamorphic levels approximating petrologic type 4; more significant heating would have transformed the low-Ca clinopyroxene into orthopyroxene. It is not plausible that an episode of annealing occurring after the epoch of thermal metamorphism could have been caused by the decay of ²⁶Al because this isotope would have decayed away by that time. Impact heating is a more plausible source of post-metamorphic annealing of rocks in the vicinity of impact craters on low-density, high-porosity asteroids with rubble-pile structures.     

Book Review: Paleomagnetism: Continents and Oceans. By Michael W. McElhinny and Phillip L. McFadden. Academic Press,San Diego, 2000, 386 p., $69.95 (U.S.), paperback,ISBN 0-12-483355-1

Mathematical Geosciences -     

Assessing representation error in point-based coverage modeling

 Accurately representing geographic space in a digital environment continues to confound and challenge researchers. Carrying out spatial analysis in a setting where geographic representation is subject to change poses problems to be addressed. In this paper we examine spatial representation in the context of coverage-based location modeling. A geographic region can be represented in a variety of ways. We present an evaluation of spatial representation in the location of facilities that provide coverage oriented services. The analysis shows that the modeling results are sensitive to how spatial demand for service is represented in a digital environment. We develop an approach for evaluating representational appropriateness. This research contributes to spatial analysis integrated in geographic information system environment. Received: 10 January 2001 / Accepted: 8 April 2002     

Slow earthquakes and great earthquakes along the Nankai trough

We have reexamined reports indicating that slow deformation occurred before the great Japan earthquakes of 1944 (Tonankai) and 1946 (Nankaido) and find that the observations are well founded. Although no quantitative models have previously been proposed to explain all of the relevant data we show that they are satisfied by a simple model for both earthquakes. The model, based on known properties of subduction zones, has slow slip on the subduction interface in an area deeper than the seismic rupture. If this model is correct and a similar physical situation holds for an anticipated Tokai earthquake, existing instruments will be able to reveal the pre-slip in real time. While differences among the deformation time series at different sites will provide strong constraints on the slow rupture propagation, these differences could result in delaying the recognition of a coherent event.     

Dispelling a myth? Second homes in rural Wales

Second homes have been a source of considerable controversy in Wales for more than three decades. In this article we argue that they have, in reality, become less important in recent times, with the market contracting during the 1990s and other more fundamental demographic changes and housing pressures coming to the fore. Second homes are a highly localized issue, affecting a minority of communities – though, at times, quite severely. Retirement and other housing pressures, however, bring more significant socio-economic changes and these pressures are all too frequently amplified by a planning system used to restrict housing supply rather than manage growth. This paper has three parts, beginning with a general review of the second home debate followed by an examination of the changing geography of second homes, showing how the distribution of these properties altered during the 1990s and how the market contracted. It ends with a review of secondary data, revealing that second homes are a relatively small component of wider processes affecting rural communities, though extremely significant in some areas.     

Reconstructing the geomorphic evolution of large coastal dunes along the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan

Coastal dunes are common along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, with the most common being large (>30 m high), parabolic dunes that mantle lake terraces south of Manistee, MI. Although these dunes are an important resource in Michigan, and thus intensely managed by various state agencies, their geomorphic history is poorly understood. This study examines four sites near Holland, MI, through stratigraphic and radiocarbon analyses and is the most detailed geomorphic reconstruction conducted of coastal parabolic dunes in the region. Results from this study could benefit the environmental agencies in their management of the coastal dune ecosystem.Deposition of Eolian sand apparently began 5500 cal. years BP (i.e., during the Nipissing high stand). Most (75%) dune building occurred between 4000 and 2500 cal. years BP but was punctuated by brief periods of stability that resulted in the development of Entisols (A/C horizonation). Entisol burial occurred because the sand supply apparently increased during both the receding and rising lake levels. Subsequently, each dune stabilized for 2000 years, allowing the formation of Inceptisols (i.e., A/E/Bs/C horizonation). This interval of dune stability correlates with sites south of Holland and occurred while Lake Michigan fluctuated slowly and the beach potentially prograded. These combined variables of slow fluctuation and potential beach progradation hypothetically protected the dunes from wave erosion. Dunes near Holland became active again 1000–500 cal. years BP and grew both vertically and laterally. This activity intensified in the past 500 cal. years BP and hypothetically occurred due to recession of the lake shore such that wave erosion at the modern bluff base resumed. Results from this study indicate that coastal dunes along Lake Michigan are similar to many coastal dunes around the world, including those along the intermediate beaches in SE Australia.     

The role of Leipzig’s narrative of shrinking

An important claim for the categorisation and study of shrinking cities is that the experience of governance across these cities may offer an alternative to hegemonic discourses of growth. However, there are methodological problems associated with categorizing then researching shrinking cities. Two key problems are: first, the category hides a multiplicity of cause and effect and; second, the danger of fetishizing the city against the reality of broader urban drivers of change. It is argued that the use of governance narratives is a means to addresses this, as narratives focus us on cities as places of practice. We apply the approach to Leipzig, once shrinking but now one of Germany’s fastest growing cities. We conclude that while there was a significant attempt to articulate an alternative to growth, it remained dominant suggesting the need to develop a taxonomy of shrinking cities where not all offer an alternative vision of “development”.