Origin of chondritic forsterite grains

Iron-poor and refractory lithophile element (RLE) rich forsterite grains occur in all major types of unequilibrated chondrites. In our laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) minor and trace element study we show that refractory forsterites (RF) from carbonaceous (CC), unequilibrated ordinary (UOC) and a Rumuruti chondrite (RC) have similar chemical compositions with high RLE concentrations and low concentrations of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni. Fractionation of RLEs and rare earth elements (REEs) is in agreement with formation by crystallization from a RLE rich silicate melt. Low concentrations and the fractionation of moderately siderophile elements (Fe, Co, Ni) in RFs suggests formation at low oxygen fugacity, possibly in equilibrium with primitive Fe,Ni metal condensates in a gas of solar composition. Anomalously high Ti in the parental melt can be explained by Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ ∼1.5, supporting formation of RF in highly reducing conditions. Low Mn concentrations indicate formation at high temperatures (>∼1160 K). The model of formation of RFs and the accompanying physico-chemical conditions during their formation as well as their relation to non refractory olivine are discussed.     

Deformation microstructures in experimentally deformed Maryland diabase

Experimentally deformed Maryland diabase has been examined using the transmission electron microscope in order to determine the mechanisms of deformation operative over a range of temperatures and pressures and thereby aid in the interpretation of polyphase flow data. Deformation mechanisms within the plagioclase and clinopyroxene of the diabase have been compared to those within monomineralic aggregates of these phases deformed at the same conditions. Both phases deform by microfracturing, mechanical twinning, and intracrystalline slip.Data for the monomineralic aggregates show that plagioclase is stronger than clinopyroxene at <800°C, but weaker at ≥ 800°C, for a pressure of 15 kbar and strain rate of 10^?6/sec. Observations of the diabase are consistent with this result: at < 800°C, the plagioclase and pyroxene grains are about equally strained, whereas at ≥ 800°C, almost all of the sample strain is accommodated by the plagioclase, the more continuous phase.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000395

The study of fluid inclusions in high-grade rocks is especially challenging as the host minerals have been normally subjected to deformation, recrystallization and fluid-rock interaction so that primary in- clusions, formed at the peak of metamorphism are rare. The larger part of the fluid inclusions found in metamorphic minerals is typically modified during uplift. These late processes may strongly disguise the characteristics of the ＂original＂ peak metamorphic fluid. A detailed microstructural analysis of the host minerals, notably quartz, is therefore indispensable for a proper interpretation of fluid inclusions. Cathodoluminescence （CL） techniques combined with trace element analysis of quartz （EPMA, LA- [CPMS） have shown to be very helpful in deciphering the rock-fluid evolution. Whereas high-grade metamorphic quartz may have relatively high contents of trace elements like Ti and A1, low- temperature re-equilibrated quartz typically shows reduced trace element concentrations. The result- ing microstructures in CL can be basically distinguished in diffusion patterns （along microfractures and grain boundaries）, and secondary quartz formed by dissolution-reprecipitation. Most of these textures are formed during retrograde fluid-controlled processes between ca. 220 and 500 ℃, i.e. the range of semi-brittle deformation （greenschist-facies） and can be correlated with the fluid inclusions. In this way modified and re-trapped fluids can be identified, even when there are no optical features observed under the microscope.     

Ductile deformation of garnet in mylonitic gneisses from the Münchberg Massif (Germany)

Mylonitic gneisses from the Münchberg Massif contain single grains (type I) and polycrystalline aggregates (type II) of garnet displaying a distinct elongation parallel to a macroscopic lineation which is interpreted as the result of ductile deformation. Lattice-preferred orientations of quartz (textures) symmetrical to the macroscopic foliation and lineation and the lack of rotational microfabrics indicate that the bulk deformation was pure shear at least during the latest strain increments. Garnet textures measured by EBSD together with microprobe analyses demonstrate that these two structural types of garnet can be related to two different processes of ductile deformation: (1) For the single grains stretching can be attributed to diffusion creep along grain boundary zones (Coble creep). The related mass transfer is indicated by the fact that primary growth zones are cut off at the long faces of the grains while the related strain shadow domains do not show comparable chemical zoning. Pressure solution and precipitation suitable to produce similar structures can be largely ruled out because retrogressive reactions pointing to the presence of free hydrous fluids are missing. (2) For the polycrystalline garnet aggregates consisting of cores grading into fine-grained mantles, dislocation creep and associated rotation recrystallization can be assumed. Continuous lattice rotation from the core to the outer polycrystalline rim allow a determination of the related dominant slip systems which are {100}<010> and equivalent systems according to the cubic lattice symmetry. The same holds for garnets which appear to be completely recrystallized. For this type of fine-grained aggregates an alternative nucleation model is discussed. Due to penetrative dislocation glide in connection with short range diffusion and the resulting lattice rotation, primary growth zones are strongly disturbed.Since for the considered rock unit of the Münchberg Massif peak metamorphic temperatures between 630 and 670 °C can be assumed, this study clearly demonstrates that the inferred processes of ductile garnet deformation can occur not only in HT regimes as often suggested in the literature even if embedded within a matrix of “low-strength” minerals like quartz, feldspars and micas.     

Assessing the Vibrational Frequencies of the Cathedral of Cologne (Germany) by Means of Ambient Seismic Noise Analysis

Ambient seismic noise measurements were conducted inside the Cathedral of Cologne (Germany) for assessing its frequencies of vibration and for checking whether these occur in the range where soil amplification is expected. If this is the case, damages may increase in case of an earthquake due to an increased structural response of the building. Analysis of the ratio between the horizontal and vertical components of the spectra recorded at stations located inside the building as well as the ratio between the corresponding components of the spectra recorded simultaneously inside the building and at a reference station placed in the basement of the cathedral indicated several modes of vibration. Facilitated by these results an assessment of the seismic vulnerability was attempted for a 2D ground motion scenario using the finite element method.     

Melt extraction pathways and stagnation depths beneath the Madeira and Desertas rift zones (NE Atlantic) inferred from barometric studies

The Madeira and Desertas Islands (eastern North Atlantic) show well-developed rift zones which intersect near the eastern tip of Madeira (São Lourenço peninsula). We applied fluid inclusion barometry and clinopyroxene-melt thermobarometry to reconstruct levels of magma stagnation beneath the two adjacent rifts and to examine a possible genetic relationship during their evolution. Densities of CO₂-dominated fluid inclusions in basanitic to basaltic samples from São Lourenço yielded frequency maxima at pressures of 0.57–0.87 GPa (23–29 km depth) and 0.25–0.32 GPa (8–10 km), whereas basanites, basalts and xenoliths from the Desertas indicate 0.3–0.72 GPa (10–24 km) and 0.07–0.12 GPa (2–3 km). Clinopyroxene-melt thermobarometry applied to Ti-augite phenocryst rim and glass/groundmass compositions indicates pressures of 0.45–1.06 GPa (15–35 km; São Lourenço) and 0.53–0.89 GPa (17–28 km; Desertas Islands) which partly overlap with pressures indicated by fluid inclusions. We interpret our data to suggest a multi-stage magma ascent beneath the Madeira Archipelago: main fractionation occurs at multiple levels within the mantle (>15 km depth) and is followed by temporary stagnation within the crust prior to eruption. Depths of crustal magma stagnation beneath São Lourenço and the Desertas differ significantly, and there is no evidence for a common shallow magma reservoir feeding both rift arms. We discuss two models to explain the relations between the two adjacent rift systems: Madeira and the Desertas may represent either a two-armed rift system or two volcanic centres with separate magma supply systems. For petrological and volcanological reasons, we favour the second model and suggest that Madeira and the Desertas root in distinct regions of melt extraction. Magma focusing into the Desertas system off the hotspot axis may result from lithospheric bending caused by the load of the Madeira and Porto Santo shields, combined with regional variations in melt production due to an irregularly shaped plume.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article if you access the article at . A link in the frame on the left on that page takes you directly to the supplementary material.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Chronology of Quaternary terrace deposits at the locality Hohle Gasse (Pratteln,NW Switzerland)

The Quaternary stratigraphy of the Alpine Foreland consists of distinct terrace levels, which have been assigned to four morphostratigraphic units: Höhere (Higher) Deckenschotter, Tiefere (Lower) Deckenschotter, Hochterrasse (High Terrace) and Niederterrasse (Lower Terrace). Here, we focus on the terrace gravels at Hohle Gasse, SSE of Pratteln near Basel, which are mapped as Tiefere Deckenschotter. Petrographic and morphometric data established from clasts allowed to infer the transport mechanisms and sources of the gravels. Sedimentological analyses indicate that the gravels were transported by a braided river and deposited in a distal glaciofluvial setting. In addition, it can be shown that the majority of the clasts display multiple reworking and only a minority maintained a distinct glaciofluvial shape. Cosmogenic multi-isotope dating using ¹⁰Be and ³⁶Cl allowed direct dating of the sediments at the study site. A depth-profile age of \(2 70_{ - 1 90}^{ + 8 30}\) ka for ¹⁰Be was achieved for the deposits at Hohle Gasse. Unfortunately, no age could be modelled from the ³⁶Cl concentrations as the blank correction was too high. Furthermore, this age proves that the studied terrace level should be assigned to the morphostratigraphic unit Hochterrasse.     

Aluminium species distribution during mixing of acid coal and slate mine drainage with neutral stream waters

We measured the spatial variation of aluminium concentrations and computed its species distribution before and during mixing of acid mine drainage containing waters with near neutral receiving waters. Acid mine drainage was collected from the Loquitz Creek, Thuringia, Germany, and Garvey Creek, Westland, New Zealand, which drain slate mine workings and coal mine workings, resp. The acidneutralizing capacity (ANC) of the receiving streams and the mixing with waters having low Al-concentrations cause a decrease of aluminium concentrations below the confluence. Depending on volumes and ANCs involved, the content of free Al and sulphate bound Al decreases after mixing in favour of organic and hydroxide bound Al. In addition, below the junction of the Loquitz Creek and the Aue Creek with its high ANC, we observe the precipitation of aluminium hydroxides and Al hydroxysulphates.

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Zusammenfassung Wir haben die räumliche Änderung der Aluminiumkonzentrationen vor und nach der Mischung von Flußwasser, versauert durch Bergwerksabwässer, mit nahezu neutralem Wasser der Vorfluter gemessen und haben dazu die Speziesverteilung berechnet. Saure Bergwerksabwässer sickern aus Halden eines Schiefertagebaus in Thüringen in die Loquitz ebenso wie aus Halden eines Kohletagebaus in den Garvey Creek, Westland, Neuseeland. Die Säuren-Neutralisierungskapazität der Vorfluter und die Mischung mit Al-armem Wasser bewirken eine Abnahme der Aluminiumkonzentrationen nach dem Zusammenfluß. In Abhängigkeit von beteiligten Abflüssen und Säuren-Neutralisierungskapazitäten nimmt der Gehalt an freiem Aluminium und sulfatgebundenem Aluminium nach der Mischung zugunsten von organisch- und hydroxy-gebundenem Aluminium ab. Ferner beobachten wir unterhalb des Zusammenflusses von Loquitz und Aue, der eine hohe Säuren-Neutralisierungskapazität eigen ist, eine Ausfällung von Aluminiumhydroxyden und Aluminiumhydroxysulfaten.

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Résumé Nous avons mesuré la variation spatiale de la teneur en Al et calculé la distribution de ses différentes formes dans deux cours d'eau différents, qui reçoivent des eaux acides venant de mines situées sur leur cours. Ces mesures ont été faites d'une part sur le cours du Loquitz (Thuringe-Allemagne) qui reçoit des aux acides venant d'une mine d'ardoise et d'autre part sur le cours du Garvey (Westland - Nouvelle Zélande) qui reçoit les eaux d'une mine de charbon. Pour chaque cours d'eau, les mesures ont été faites en amont de la source d'apport, puis en aval, c'est-à-dire après le mélange avec les eaux acides. La capacité de neutralisation des acides (ANC) des eaux des cours d'eau récepteurs et la basse teneur en Al des eaux d'apport provoquent une diminution de la teneur en Al après le mélange. Dans une mesure liée aux volumes en jeu et à l'ANC, la teneur en Al libre et en Al lié au sulfate diminue près le mélange au profit de l'Al lié soit à des substances organiques, soit à des hydroxydes. De plus, en aval du confluent du Loquitz et de l'Aue, rivière à ANC élevé, nous observons la précipitation d'hydroxydes d'Al et d'hydroxisulfates d'Al.

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Dimensional analysis of the earthquake-induced pounding between inelastic structures

In this paper the seismic response of inelastic structures with unilateral contact is revisited with dimensional analysis. All physically realizable contact types are captured via a non-smooth complementarity approach. The implementation of formal dimensional analysis leads to a condensed presentation of the response and unveils remarkable order even though two different types of non-linearity coexist in the response: the boundary non-linearity of unilateral contact and the inelastic behaviour of the structure itself. It is shown that regardless the intensity and frequency content of the excitation, all response spectra become self-similar when expressed in the appropriate dimensionless terms. The proposed approach hinges upon the notion of the energetic length scale of an excitation which measures the persistence of ground shaking to impose deformation demands. Using the concept of persistency which is defined for excitations with or without distinct pulses, the response is scaled via meaningful novel intensity measures: the dimensionless gap and the dimensionless yield displacement. The study confirms that contact may have a different effect on the response displacements of inelastic structures depending on the spectral region. In adjacent inelastic structures, such as colliding buildings or interacting bridge segments, contact is likely to alter drastically the excitation frequencies’ at which the system is most vulnerable. Finally, it is shown that the proposed approach yields maximum response displacements which correlate very well with the persistency of real earthquakes for a bridge system with considerably complex behaviour.