Brittle deformation in the inner NW Alps: from early orogen-parallel extrusion to late orogen-perpendicular collapse

Internal parts of the Alps have undergone widespread extensional deformation in the course of their Neogene exhumation history. Palaeostress inversion methods are used to map the prevailing stress fields and their evolution through time. Here we present new data from 100 sites with a total of about 2000 faults/striae couples, covering a large portion of the inner north‐western Alps. Palaeostress tensors are mostly extensional, although one‐third of them are transcurrent. The dominant direction of minimum horizontal stress axes (σ3) is in an orogen‐parallel (N30° to N70°) orientation around the bend of the north‐west alpine arc. A comparison between this older (Neogene, post‐metamorphic) stress field with the current stress and strain field determined from seismotectonics and geodesy indicates a change in deformation mode from early orogen‐parallel extrusion to a late and ongoing orogen‐perpendicular spreading.     

The enigma of post-perovskite anisotropy: deformation versus transformation textures

The D′′ region that lies just above the core mantle boundary exhibits complex anisotropy that this is likely due to preferred orientation (texturing) of the constituent minerals. (Mg,Fe)SiO₃ post-perovskite is widely thought to be the major mineral phase of the D′′. Texture development has been studied in various post-perovskite phases (MgSiO₃, MgGeO₃, and CaIrO₃), and different results were obtained. To clarify this controversy, we report on transformation and deformation textures in MgGeO₃ post-perovskite synthesized and deformed at room temperature in the diamond anvil cell. Transformed from the enstatite phase, MgGeO₃ post-perovskite exhibits a transformation texture characterized by (100) planes at high angles to the direction of compression. Upon subsequent deformation, this texture changes and (001) lattice planes become oriented nearly perpendicular to compression, consistent with dominant (001)[100] slip. When MgGeO₃ post-perovskite is synthesized from the perovskite phase, a different transformation texture is observed. This texture has (001) planes at high angle to compression and becomes slightly stronger upon compression. We also find that the yield strength of MgGeO₃ post-perovskite is dependent on grain size and texture. Finer-grained samples exhibit higher yield strength and are harder to induce plastic deformation. Strong textures also affect the yield strength and can result in higher differential stresses. The inferred dominant (001) slip for pPv is significant for geophysics, because, when applied to geodynamic convection models, it predicts the observed anisotropies of S-waves as well as an anti-correlation between P- and S-waves.     

Constraints on Europa’s rotational dynamics from modeling of tidally-driven fractures

Cycloids, arcuate features observed on Europa’s surface, have been interpreted as tensile cracks that form in response to diurnal tidal stress caused by Europa’s orbital eccentricity. Stress from non-synchronous rotation may also contribute to tidal stress, and its influence on cycloid shapes has been investigated as well. Obliquity, fast precession, and physical libration would contribute to tidal stress but have often been neglected because they were expected to be negligibly small. However, more sophisticated analyses that include the influence of Jupiter’s other large satellites and the state of Europa’s interior indicate that perhaps these rotational parameters are large enough to alter the tidal stress field and the formation of tidally-driven fractures. We test tidal models that include obliquity, fast precession, stress due to non-synchronous rotation, and physical libration by comparing how well each model reproduces observed cycloids. To do this, we have designed and implemented an automated parameter-searching algorithm that relies on a quantitative measure of fit quality, which we use to identify the best fits to observed cycloids. We then apply statistical techniques to determine the tidal model best supported by the data. By incorporating obliquity, fits to observed southern hemisphere cycloids improve, and we can reproduce equatorial and equator-crossing cycloids. Furthermore, we find that obliquity plus physical libration is the tidal model best supported by the data. With this model, the obliquities range from 0.32° to 1.35°. The libration amplitudes are 0.72–2.44°, and the libration phases are −6.04° to 17.72° with one outlier at 84.5°. The variability in obliquity is expected if Europa’s ice shell is mechanically decoupled from the interior, and the libration amplitudes are plausible in the presence of a subsurface ocean. Indeed, the presence of a decoupling ocean may result in feedbacks that cause all of these rotational parameters to become time-variable.     

Effects of Anthropogenic Estrogens Nonylphenol and 17α‐Ethinylestradiol in Aquatic Model Ecosystems

Microcosm tests were conducted to investigate the effects of the estrogenic substances nonylphenol (NP) and 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE) on aquatic ecosystems. Maximum concentrations of 9 to 120 μg L^—1 NP resp. 49 to 724 ng L^—1 EE were induced by controlled release. The controlled release method allows the establishment of a continuous concentration course. The microcosms proved to run robustly with abiotic conditions close to natural. They developed biocenosis with similar characteristics as in natural ecosystems and, considering their given level of complexity, they can be used to describe possible risks for the environment. Both tested chemicals unveiled the potential to affect the plankton communities in the tested concentration range. NP exposure caused a reduction of Cladocera and Copepoda abundances and disturbed the phytoplankton structure. A NOEC_community of 30 μg L^—1 was calculated. In the first EE study, a flood in the lake where the microcosm water was collected caused additional stress and thereby a high variability, both between the microcosms and in each microcosm over time. Probably therefore the only effect found was a reduction of Copepoda abundance. In a second EE study Cladocera and Copepoda abundances were reduced, from which the phytoplankton benefited. Although a final interpretation is difficult for results of microcosm tests, there are indications that the found effects of EE and perhaps also NP may be caused at least partially by endocrine disruptive activity.     

An Alternative Embedding Method for Thin Section Preparation of Lake Sediments

Embedding soil samples with Vestopal (Chemische Werke Hüls) or Palatal (BASF) polyester resin was described by Altemüller (1974), Altemüller and Vorbach (1987), or Tippkötter (1986). We have modified this method and applied it to lake sediments. The following steps are necessary: dehydration by acetone, replacement of acetone by Palatal, hardening of Palatal, sawing, polishing, and mounting on glass slides. The advantages compared to other methods are very good embedding qualities of different sediments and moderate costs of the embedding resin. The expensive and slow dehydration with acetone and the time consuming embedding are the disadvantages of this method.     

The replacement of plagioclase feldspars by albite: observations from hydrothermal experiments

Oligoclase and labradorite crystals have been experimentally replaced by albite in an aqueous sodium silicate solution at 600°C and 2 kbars. The replacement is pseudomorphic and is characterised by a sharp chemical interface which progresses through the feldspar while preserving the crystallographic orientation. Reaction rims of albite, up to 50 μm thick, can be readily achieved within 14 days. Re-equilibration of plagioclase in an ¹⁸O-enriched sodium- and silica-bearing solution results in oxygen isotope redistribution within the feldspar framework structure. The observed characteristics of the reaction products are similar to naturally albitised plagioclase and are indicative of an interface-coupled dissolution–reprecipitation mechanism. Chemical analyses demonstrate that the albitisation is accompanied by the mobilisation of major, minor and trace elements also including elements such as Al and Ti which are commonly regarded as immobile during hydrothermal alteration. The results contribute to developing our understanding of the close association between large-scale albitisation and secondary ore mineralisation which is common in nature.     

Late Quaternary (24–10 ka BP) environmental history of the Neotropical lowlands inferred from ostracodes in sediments of Lago Petén Itzá, Guatemala

We inferred late Pleistocene and early Holocene (24–10 ka BP) environmental conditions in and around Lago Petén Itzá, Guatemala from ostracode remains in the lake sediments. Multivariate statistics were run on autecological information for 29 extant ostracode species collected in 63 aquatic ecosystems on the Yucatán Peninsula along a steep, increasing NW–S precipitation gradient and across a large altitudinal range. Conductivity and water depth are the most important factors that shape ostracode communities. Transfer functions were developed and applied to fossil ostracode assemblages in a ~76-m sediment core (PI-6, ~85 ka) taken in 71 m of water from Lago Petén Itzá, to infer past shifts in conductivity and water level. Results suggest climate was cold and wet during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Alternating dry and wet conditions characterized the deglacial. Early Holocene climate was warmer and wetter. The LGM was characterized by low ostracode species richness (4 spp.) and abundance (<940 valves g⁻¹), dominance of benthic over nektobenthic taxa, abundant Physocypria globula, conductivity as low as 190 μS cm⁻¹, and clay-rich sediments with relatively high total organic carbon and low C/N ratios (<14), suggesting relatively deeper water at the core site associated with abundant precipitation. Greatest water depth at the core site during the LGM occurred late in the period and was ~50 m. The deglacial was characterized by drier conditions, higher ostracode species richness (6 spp.) and abundances up to 18,115 valves g⁻¹, dominance of nektobenthic species, and presence of shallow-water and littoral-zone indicators such as Heterocypris punctata and Strandesia intrepida, conductivity up to 550 μS cm⁻¹, C/N ratios as high as 37, and gypsum deposition. Lowest inferred lake depth at the core site during the deglacial was ~20 m. The early Holocene was characterized by high numbers of ostracode remains, up to 25,500 valves g⁻¹, and the presence of L. opesta and P. globula. Cytheridella ilosvayi was absent from late Pleistocene sediments, suggesting it colonized northern Central America during the Holocene.     

Aseismic deformation in the Alps: GPS vs. seismic strain quantification

Neotectonics of the Western and Central Alps is characterized by ongoing widespread extension in the highest zones of the chain and transcurrent/compressive tectonics at the external limits of the belt. The overall geodetically measured deformations also indicate extension across the Western Alps. There is a good qualitative coherency between seismotectonic and geodetic approaches. Here we attempt to quantify the seismic part of the deformation. The seismic strain is compared to the deformation derived from geodesy. In sub‐areas of homogeneous seismic stress/strain, we computed the total seismic moment tensor and related strain tensor. This study provides new quantitative elements about the ongoing geodynamic processes in the alpine belt. The important discrepancies obtained between seismic strains and geodetically‐measured deformations raise the issue of aseismic deformation in the Alps, which could be related to elastic loading, creeping and/or a slower ductile‐style deformation.     

Impactites of the Yaxcopoil‐1 drilling site,Chicxulub impact structure: Petrography,geochemistry, and depositional environment

Abstract— The impact breccias encountered in drill hole Yaxcopoil‐1 (Yax‐1) in the Chicxulub impact structure have been subdivided into six units. The two uppermost units are redeposited suevite and suevite, and together are only 28 m thick. The two units below are interpreted as a ground surge deposit similar to a pyroclastic flow in a volcanic regime with a fine‐grained top (unit 3; 23 m thick; nuée ardente) and a coarse breccia (unit 4; ～15 m thick) below. As such, they consist of a mélange of clastic matrix breccia and melt breccia. The pyroclastic ground surge deposit and the two units 5 and 6 below are related to the ejecta curtain. Unit 5 (～24 m thick) is a silicate impact melt breccia, whereas unit 6 (10 m thick) is largely a carbonate melt breccia with some clastic‐matrix components. Unit 5 and 6 reflect an overturning of the target stratigraphy. The suevites of units 1 and 2 were deposited after emplacement of the ejecta curtain debris. Reaction of the super‐heated breccias with seawater led to explosive activity similar to phreomagmatic steam explosion in volcanic regimes. This activity caused further brecciation of melt and melt fragments. The fallback suevite deposit of units 1 and 2 is much thinner than suevite deposits at larger distances from the center of the impact structure than the 60 km of the Yax‐1 drill site. This is evidence that the fallback suevite deposit (units 1 and 2) originally was much thicker. Unit 1 exhibits sedimentological features suggestive of suevite redeposition. Erosion possibly has occurred right after the K/T impact due to seawater backsurge, but erosion processes spanning thousands of years may also have been active. Therefore, the top of the 100 m thick impactite sequence at Yaxcopoil, in our opinion, is not the K/T boundary.