TOMOGRAPHIC INVERSION OF NORMALIZED DATA: DOUBLE-TRACE TOMOGRAPHY ALGORITHMS1

Tomography is widely used in geophysics as a technique for imaging geological structures by means of data that are line integrals of physical characteristics. In some transmission measurements, due to various kinds of normalization, the measured data are related to two (the current and the reference) raypaths and can be expressed as a function of differences between line integrals. This is the case, for example, in seismo-acoustic emission measurements, when (since the exact start time is unknown) only the differences between traveltimes (differences between line integrals of the slowness) can be determined. Similarly the use of normalized Fourier amplitudes results in data dependent upon the difference between line integrals of the absorption coefficient (computed along the actual and the reference raypaths). In order to invert these data the ordinary tomography algorithms should be modified. Some generalizations are presented for series expansion tomography methods in order to make them applicable to reconstruction problems in which the input data are differences between two line integrals. The conjugate gradient and the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) methods were adapted and tested. It is shown that the modified tomography algorithms are stable and sufficiently accurate for practical use. In the reconstruction of noise-free difference data, the conjugate gradient algorithm is found to be faster and more accurate while, in the case of noisy difference data, the modified SIRT algorithm is more stable and insensitive to noise.     

Differential response of a Devonian-Carboniferous platform-deeper basin system to sea-level change and tectonics, N. Chilean Andes

Deposition of a 2700-m-thick clastic platform succession in a N-S striking basin in northern Chile began in the Early Devonian during a global sea-level rise. A transition to terrestrial facies took place at the Early-Late Carboniferous boundary when the Gondwana glaciation began and global sea-level dropped. On the platform, interbedded cross-bedded or bioturbated sandstones, offshore tidal dunes and sand waves, and mudstones and tempestites suggest switching intertidal and shallow or deep subtidal environments. However, evidence for subaerial erosion indicates a significant regression during the Early Devonian. In an adjacent and deeper N-S striking sub-basin to the W, up to 3600 m of turbidites were deposited from the Late Devonian to the Late Carboniferous by mainly southerly palaeocurrents. Turbidites accumulated in coarse-grained proximal sand lobes in the N, and in fine-grained lobe fringe and basin plain environments in the S, with alternating upward-thinning and upward-thickening cycles typical of tectonically controlled aggradational turbidite systems. The sedimentological data indicate that the deeper basin depositional system evolved to a large extent independently from the platform system. Sediment in the deeper basin is less mature and more poorly sorted than that on the platform, suggesting that detritus bypassed the platform and was shed directly from the source areas into the western basin. The only depositional link between the platform and deeper basin systems seems to be longshore platform currents which may have funnelled minor quantities of mature sand into the deeper basin via bypass canyons. Although platform and deeper basin evolved in a common extensional tectonic setting, the platform reflects eustatic changes of sea-level whereas deposition in the deeper basin records syndepositional tectonics.     

In situ accretion mechanism of concavo-convex lacustrine oncoids ('swallow nests') from the Oligocene of the Mainz Basin, Rhineland, FRG

Oligocene oncoids from the lacustrine Süβwasserschichten of the Mainz Basin exhibit a pustular surface and a characteristic cavity on their undersides, which gave rise to their designation as ‘swallow nests’. Oncoids grew in situ, under low-energy conditions during a pause in sedimentation. Three features indicate that they were never overturned: (1) oncoids can be placed in a stable position on a smooth surface; (2) laminae, which are mostly concentric around the entire oncoids, display polar thickenings on the upper side during all growth stages of oncoids; (3) the depression is always situated on the stable side of oncoids. Development of this cavity is favoured by unionid shells, in the stable position, serving as oncoid nuclei, but occurs also under flat nuclei. It is interpreted as a product of reduced growth of cyanobacteria due to oligophotic conditions, on a fine-grained substrate, and is considered as diagnostic of the in situ growth of oncoids. Oncoid cortices are mainly formed by a Scytonema-like cyanobacterium, whose carbonaceous organic remnants are occasionally preserved. Growth stages of individual oncoids were image-processed and compared by means of shape parameters. Due to optimum growth conditions, cyanobacteria try to occupy the entire available space; hence, oncoids tend to achieve a spherical form even during in situ growth. Renewed background sedimentation triggered the formation of pustular surfaces and finally caused the cessation of cyanobacterial growth.     

Eclogite Facies Regional Metamorphism of Hydrous Mafic Rocks in the Central Alpine Adula Nappe

The Adula Nappe is a slice of Pre-Mesozoic continental basementaffected by Early Alpine (Mesozoic or Lower Tertiary) high-pressuremetamorphism. Mineral compositions in mafic rocks containingomphacite + garnet + quartz record a continuous regional trendof increasing recrystalliza tion temperatures and pressuresthat can be ascribed to this regional high-pressure metamorphicevent. P-T estimates derived from mineral compositions gradefrom about 12 kb and 500 ?C or less in the north of the nappeto more than 20 kb/800 ?C in the south. The regional P-T trend is associated with a mineralogical transitionfrom assemblages containing additional albite and abundant amphiboles,epidote minerals, and white micas in the north (omphacite-garnetamphibolites) to kyanite eclogites containing smaller amountsof hornblende and zoi.site in the south. Textures and mineralcompositional data show that these hydrous and anhydrous silicatesassociated with omphacite + garnet + quartz arc primary partsof the high-pressure assem blages. Observed phase relationsbetween these primary silicates, theoretical Schreinemakersanalysis, and the thermobarometric results, together indicatethat the regional transition from omphacite amphibolites tokyanite eclogites can be described by two simplified reactions: alb+epi+hbl=omp+kya+qtz+par (H₂O-conserving) (15) par+epi+hbl+qtz=omp+kya+H₂O (dehydration) (12) which have the character of isograd reactions. Local variations of water activity (a_H2O) as indicated by isofacialmineral assemblages, and the H₂O character of the reaction (15),are interpreted to reflect largely H and predominantly fluid-absenthigh-pressure metamorphism within the northern part of the nappe.The omphacite amphibolites and paragonite eclogites in thisarea are thought to have formed by H₂O reactions from Pre-Mesozoichigh-grade amphibolites, i.e. from protoliths of similar bulkH₂O-countent. The second ‘isograd’ (12) is interpreted to markthe regional transition from largely fluid-absent metamorphismin the north to fluid-present metamorphism in the south, wheremetamorphic pressures and temperatures in excess of 12-15kband 500-600?C were sufficient for prograde in-situ dehydrationof similar hydrous protoliths to kyanite eclogites. The observationof abundant veins, filled with quartz+kyanite+omphacite, suggeststhat a free fluid coexisted locally with the kyanite eclogitesof the southern Adula Nappe at some time during progressivedehydration.     

Magma Evolution of the Sete Cidades Volcano, Sao Miguel, Azores

The Sete Cidades volcano (São Miguel, Azores) is situatedat the eastern end of the ultraslow spreading Terceira riftaxis. The volcano comprises several dominantly basaltic pre-calderaeruptions, a trachytic caldera-forming stage and a post-calderastage consisting of alternating trachytic and basaltic eruptions.The post-caldera flank lavas are more primitive (>5 wt %MgO) than the pre-caldera lavas, implying extended fractionalcrystallization and longer crustal residence times for the pre-caldera,shield-building lavas. Thermobarometric estimates show thatthe ascending alkali basaltic magmas stagnated and crystallizedat the crust–mantle boundary (15 km depth), whereas themore evolved magmas mainly fractionated in the upper crust (3km depth). The caldera-forming eruption was triggered by a basalticinjection into a shallow trachytic magma chamber. Lavas fromall stages follow a single, continuous liquid line of descentfrom alkali basalt to trachyte, although slight differencesin incompatible element (e.g. Ba/Nb, La/Nb) and Sr isotope ratiosimply some heterogeneity of the mantle source. Major and traceelement data suggest similar partial melting processes throughoutthe evolution of the volcano. Slight geochemical differencesbetween post- and pre-caldera stage lavas from the Sete Cidadesvolcanic system indicate a variation in the mantle source compositionwith time. The oxygen fugacity increased from the pre-calderato the post-caldera stage lavas, probably as a result of theassimilation of crustal rocks; this is supported by the presenceof crustal xenoliths in the lavas of the flank vents. The lavasfrom the Sete Cidades volcano generally have low Sr isotoperatios; however, rocks from one post-caldera vent on the westernflank indicate mixing with magmas resembling the lavas fromthe neighbouring Agua de Pau volcano, having higher Sr isotoperatios. The different magma sources at Sete Cidades and theadjacent Agua de Pau volcano imply that, despite their closeproximity, there is only limited interaction between them. KEY WORDS: crystallization depth; fractionation; stratigraphy; Terceira rift; volcanic stages     

Stable isotopes in a stalagmite from NW Sweden document environmental changes over the past 4000 years

Sundqvist, H. S., Holmgren, K., Moberg, A., Spötl, C. & Mangini, A. 2009: Stable isotopes in a stalagmite from NW Sweden document environmental changes over the past 4000 years. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2009.00099.x. ISSN 0300‐9483. This study of a 4000‐year‐old stalagmite from Korallgrottan in northwestern Sweden highlights the potentials and challenges when using stable isotopes in stalagmites as climate proxies, as well as the fact that the relationship between climate and proxy may change through time. Both the oxygen and the carbon isotopes display an overall trend of enrichment together with decreasing growth rates over the time period covered by the stalagmite, which is considered a generally cooling period according to current palaeoclimate understanding. The stable isotope records show enriched isotopic values during the, for Scandinavia, comparatively cold period AD 1300–1700 and depleted values during the warmer period AD 800–1000. The indication of a negative relationship between measured δ¹⁸O and surface temperature concurs with earlier reported stalagmite records from regions with a seasonal snow cover and is further supported by the fact that the stalagmite δ¹⁸O record shows general similarities with both regional and hemispheric temperature reconstructions available for the past 500 and 2000 years, respectively. Compared with a stable isotope record of lacustrine carbonates from northern Sweden, however, shifting correlations over time between the two records indicate that a local hydrological change may have taken place at Korallgrottan, or at the lake, compared with around 1000 years ago. The earlier part of the stalagmite δ¹⁸O might thus be influenced, to some extent, by another process than the later part, which means that a negative relationship between δ¹⁸O and surface temperature might not hold for the entire 4000‐year‐old record.     

Climate variability in the SE Alps of Italy over the past 17 000 years reconstructed from a stalagmite record

Stalagmite SV1 from Grotta Savi, located at the SE margin of the European Alps (Italy), is the first Alpine speleothem that continuously spans the past c . 17kyr. Extension rate and δ¹⁸O_c record for the Lateglacial probably reflect a combination of temperature and rainfall, with rainfall exerting the dominant effect. Low speleothem calcite δ¹⁸ O_c values were recorded from c . 14.5 and 12.35 kyr, during GI-1 (Bølling— Allerød) interstadial, which in our interpretation, was warm and wet. The GS-1 (Younger Dryas) was characterized by a shift to heavier δ¹⁸ O_c, coinciding with δ¹³C_c enrichment and extremely low extension rate (<8 μm/year). These characteristics indicate that GS-1 climate was cool and dry in the SE Alps. Calibration using historical data revealed that there is a positive δ¹⁸O_c/dT relationship. A 1°C rise in mean annual temperature should correspond to c . 2.85% increase of SV-1 δc¹⁸O_c. We reconstructed a slow and steady temperature rise of c . 0.5°C since 10 kyr BP, in broad agreement with reconstructions from pollen data for SE Europe. Stalagmite SV1 indicates that climate variability in the SE Alps has been influenced by the Mediterranean Sea for the past c . 17 kyr.