Oxygen,sulfur, and strontium isotope and fluid inclusion studies of barite deposits from the Iglesiente-Sulcis mining district,Southwestern Sardinia,Italy

This paper deals with barite from stratiform, karst, and vein deposits hosted within Lower Paleozoic rocks of the Iglesiente-Sulcis mining district in southwestern Sardinia. For comparison sulfates from mine waters are studied. Stratiform barite displays ³⁴S=28.8–32.1, ¹⁸O=12.7–15.6, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7087, in keeping with an essentially Cambrian marine origin of both sulfate and strontium. Epigenetic barite from post-Hercynian karst and vein deposits is indistinguishable for both sulfur and oxygen isotopes with ³⁴S=15.3–26.4 and ¹⁸O=6.6–12.5; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios vary 0.7094–0.7140. These results and the microthermometric and salinity data from fluid inclusions concur in suggesting that barite formed at the site of mineralization by oxidation of reduced sulfur from Cambrian-Ordovician sulfide ores in warm, sometimes hot solutions consisting of dilute water and saline brine with different ¹⁸O values. The relative proportion of the two types of water may have largely varied within a given deposit during the mineralization. In the karst barite Sr was essentially provided by carbonate host rocks, whereas both carbonate and Lower Paleozoic shale host rocks should have been important sources for Sr of the vein barite. Finally, ³⁴S data of dissolved sulfate provide further support for the mixed seawater-meteoric water composition of mine waters from the Iglesiente area.     

Estimation of shearwave velocity in drifts using multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) technique — A case study from Jammu & Kashmir,India

Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) is a non-destructive seismic prospecting method utilizing Rayleigh waves for imaging and characterizing shallow sub-surface structure. Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) studies were conducted in drift areas of two bridge sites in the hilly terrain of J&K for imaging and characterizing shallow sub-surface structure. The purpose of the present study is to estimate the shear wave velocity (V_S) and subsurface structure in four drifts made in a hilly terrain for construction of two bridges. Rayleigh waves are having dispersive properties, travelling along or near the ground surface and are usually characterized by relatively low velocity, low frequency, and high amplitude. The study area comprises of Tertiary group of rocks which are underlain by Siwalik group. The main rock type in the study area is dolomite which has undergone various geological processes like weathering, jointing, fracturing and shearing. MASW data was collected inside four drifts in the mountainous terrain of J&K state which are located on either sides of Chenab river. The data was analyzed by relevant processing software using dispersion and inversion technique. Shear wave velocities were estimated up to 30 m depth. Average shear wave velocity (V_S ³⁰) up to top 30m was also computed. It is observed that, V_S in the range 400–800 m/s upto 10–15 m corresponding to weathered rock, followed by compact dolomite rock up to the depth of about 30 m with V_S in the range 1200–1600 m/s. Some low velocity zones are also identified from these sections which represent shear zones.     

GPS network monitors the Arabia-Eurasia collision deformation in Iran

The rate of crustal deformation in Iran due to the Arabia–Eurasia collision is estimated. The results are based on new global positioning system (GPS) data. In order to address the problem of the distribution of the deformation in Iran, Iranian and French research organizations have carried out the first large-scale GPS survey of Iran. A GPS network of 28 sites (25 in Iran, two in Oman and one in Uzbekistan) has been installed and surveyed twice, in September 1999 and October 2001. Each site has been surveyed for a minimum observation of 4 days. GPS data processing has been done using the GAMIT-GLOBK software package. The solution displays horizontal repeatabilities of about 1.2 mm in 1999 and 2001. The resulting velocities allow us to constrain the kinematics of the Iranian tectonic blocks. These velocities are given in ITRF2000 and also relative to Eurasia. This last kinematic model demonstrates that (1) the north–south shortening from Arabia to Eurasia is 2–2.5 cm/year, less than previously estimated, and (2) the transition from subduction (Makran) to collision (Zagros) is very sharp and governs the different styles of deformation observed in Iran. In the eastern part of Iran, most of the shortening is accommodated in the Gulf of Oman, while in the western part the shortening is more distributed from south to north. The large faults surrounding the Lut block accommodate most of the subduction–collision transition.     

A search for millimeter-wave emission from HCN and other molecules in Comet Bradfield (1979l)

Millimeter-wave emission from HCN, CS, CH₃OH, and two unidentified lines (previously observed in Comet Kohoutek (1973 XII)) was sought and not detected from Comet Bradfield (1979l) after perihelion passage. Limits on column densities and production rates are derived. In the case of HCN, the production rate is less than that reported for Comet Kohoutek, even after scaling relative to the observed OH emission from each comet.     

Water chemical composition in the salt lakes of the Ubsunur depression (Southeastern Tuva)

Presented are the results from determining the principal ion composition of the waters and the composition of chemical elements, including rare and rare-earth elements) in the waters of three salt lakes: Shara-Nur, Dus-Khol and Bai-Khol, on the territory of the drainless Ubsunur depression. Common to these lakes are their small depth, and their location in the bottoms of basins without outflow, between small bald mountains in the zone of dry climate with abrupt temperature fluctuations. More likely these lakes have their origins in the remnants of ancient water basins. Accumulation of salts in the lakes is associated with continental salinization processes.     

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of late Aptian-early Albian black shale intervals in the Vocontian Basin, SE France

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were analyzed from three black shale intervals in the upper Aptain to lower Albian of the Vocontian Basin, SE France based on Q-mode principal component analyses. Variations in the distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera around these events suggest differences in the origin of the black shales. Differences between faunas of bioturbated marly and laminated black shale facies have been observed in the Niveau Paquier, Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b and Niveau Leenhardt. Here, the faunal composition and plankton/benthos ratios suggest eutrophic conditions during the deposition of organic-rich sediments leading to black shales. No major variations have been observed in black shales of the upper Aptain Niveau Jacob. Benthic assemblages and low plankton/benthos ratios indicate mesotrophic conditions. Third order sea-level changes are believed to control mainly the origin of the investigated black shale levels.     

Trend analysis of precipitation time series in Greece and their relationship with circulation using surface and satellite data: 1955–2001

Summary In this study, the trends of annual and seasonal precipitation time series were examined on the basis of measurements of 22 surface stations in Greece for the period 1955–2001, and satellite data during the period 1980–2001. For this purpose, two statistical tests based on the least square method and one based on the Mann-Kendall test, which is also capable of detecting the starting year of possible climatic discontinuities or changes, are applied. Greece, in general, presents a clear significant downward trend in annual precipitation for the period 1955–2001, which is determined by the respective decreasing trend in winter precipitation. Both winter and annual series exhibit a downward trend with a starting year being 1984. Satellite-derived precipitation time series could be an alternative means for diagnosing the variability of precipitation in Greece and detecting trends provided that they have been adjusted by surface measurements in the wider area of interest. The relationship between precipitation variability in Greece and atmospheric circulation was also examined using correlation analysis with three circulation indices: the well-known North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI), a Mediterranean Oscillation Index (MOI) and a new Mediterranean Circulation Index (MCI). NAOI is the index that presented the most interesting correlation with winter, summer and annual precipitation in Greece, whereas the MOI and MCI were found to explain a significant proportion of annual and summer precipitation variability, respectively. The observed downward trend in winter and annual precipitation in Greece is linked mainly to a rising trend in the hemispheric circulation modes of the NAO, which are connected with the Mediterranean Oscillation Index.     

Convergent boundaries and related igneous and metamorphic complexes in caledonides of Central Asia

Fragments of the crystalline complexes where Vendian metamorphism of moderate and elevated pressure predated Early Paleozoic metamorphism have been established in the accretionary-collisional domain of the eastern segment of the Central Asian Foldbelt (Early Caledonian superterrane of Central Asia). The geodynamic setting of the Vendian (??560?C570 Ma) South Hangay metamorphic belt located in the junction zone of the Baydrag Block and the Late Riphean (??665 Ma) ophiolite complex of the Bayanhongor Zone is considered. The origination of this belt was related to the formation of the convergent boundary in the framework of the Zabhan microcontinent about 570 Ma ago. At the same time, an island-arc complex was formed in the paleo-oceanic domain. Metamorphism of elevated pressure indicates that Vendian structures with sufficiently thick continental crust were formed in the framework of the continental blocks. Vendian metamorphism is also established in the Tuva-Mongolia Massif and the Kan Block of the Eastern Sayan. These data show that the Late Baikalian stage predated the evolution of the Early Caledonian superterrane of Central Asia. The development of its accretionary-collisional structure was accompanied by Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician low-pressure regional metamorphism. Granulite-facies conditions were reached only at the deep levels of the accretionary-collisional edifice. The outcrops of crystalline complexes in the southern framework of the Caledonian paleocontinent are regarded as fragments of the Early Paleozoic Central Mongolian metamorphic belt.     

Probabilities of occurrence of large earthquakes in the Aegean and surrounding area during the period 1986–2006

Repeat times of large shocks are obtained for 17 seismic fracture zones of the Aegean and surrounding area, from times of historic and present century earthquakes. The mean standard deviation of the repeat times is approximately 50% of any one observation.A probabilistic approach is then used to forecast the likelihood of large future earthquakes in each fracture zone, using as input the time of the last large shock, the average repeat time and its standard deviation. Shallow and intermediate depth earthquakes are examined separately. The calculated probabilities are high for the entire Hellenic arc, both for shallow and intermediate depth seismicity, for the area of Leucas island (Ionian), of Lesbos island (Aegean), for Patraikos-west Corinthiakos Gulfs, for Evoikos Gulf as well as for southern Bulgaria.The probability estimates based on the most recent large earthquakes, involve a number of basic physical assumptions and we would think that they provide a semi-stochastic approach to the problem of earthquake prediction in Greece.     

两广云开隆起区基性侵入岩的地球化学特征及其构造意义

云开隆起区信宜、高州一带条带-眼球状(环斑)花岗质岩石中基性侵入岩主要为变苏长辉长岩和变辉长岩,TiO2含量(0.24%～0.53%)和稀土元素总量(18.64～78.30μg/g)较低,轻稀土元素富集(LREE/HREE=2.69～5.28,(La/Yb)N=1.79～4.73),Ta、Nb、P、Zr、Ti为明显负异常,无明显Eu负异常(δEu=0.81～1.16),La/Nb=1.94～5.42,Th/Ta=2.29～17.63,Nb/Th＜7.4,εNd(t)=-3.6～-8.4,高Ti/Zr、Ti/Y,低Rb/Ba、La/Yb和EMⅡ,显示富集地幔源区的特征.变苏长辉长岩Sm-Nd岩石-矿物同位素等时线年龄为392Ma±53Ma,表明加里东期的基性侵入岩形成于俯冲-碰撞大陆边缘的火山弧构造背景,而且是俯冲-碰撞后伸展-拆沉-底侵作用阶段的产物.