Nd,Pb, and Sr isotope composition of Late Mesozoic to Quaternary intra-plate magmatism in NE-Africa (Sudan,Egypt): high-μ signatures from the mantle lithosphere

The isotopic composition of mafic small-volume intra-plate magmatism constrains the compositions of the sub-continental mantle sources. The Nd, Pb, and Sr isotope signatures of widespread late Mesozoic to Quaternary intra-plate magmatism in NE Africa (Sudan, South Egypt) are surprisingly uniform and indicate the presence of a high-μ (μ = ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb) source in the mantle. The rocks are characterized by small ranges in the initial isotopic composition of Nd, Pb, and Sr and most samples fall within ε Nd ca. 3–6, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ca. 19.5–20.5, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ca. 15.63–15.73, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ca. 39–40 and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ca. 0.7028–0.7034. We interpret this reservoir as lithospheric mantle that formed beneath the Pan-African orogens and magmatic arcs from asthenospheric mantle, which was enriched in trace elements (U, Th, and light REE). Combining our new data set with published data of intra-plate magmatic rocks from the Arabian plate indicates two compositionally different domains of lithospheric mantle in NE-Africa–Arabia. The two domains are spatially related to the subdivision of the Pan-African orogen into a western section dominated by reworked cratonic basement (NE-Africa; high-μ lithospheric mantle) and an eastern section dominated by juvenile Pan-African basement (easternmost NE-Africa and Arabia; moderate μ lithospheric mantle). The compositions of the Pan-African lithospheric mantle and the MORB-type mantle of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden spreading centers could explain the Nd–Pb-Sr isotopic compositions of the most pristine Afar flood basalts in Yemen and Ethiopia by mixtures of the isotopic composition of regional lithospheric and asthenospheric sources. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Erhöhte Konzentration der anorganischen Stickstoffverbindungen in der Deutschen Bucht im niederschlagsreichen Sommer 1987

Zusammenfassung Der starke Süßwassereintrag im Sommer 1987 führte in der Deutschen Bucht zu erhöhten Konzentrationen der anorganischen Stickstoffverbindungen. Keine Konzentrationserhöhung gegenüber den Sommer 1986 zeigte sich beim anorganischen gelösten Phosphat. Wie die im Vergleich zu normalen Sommern in Oberflächennähe hohen Nährstoffkonzentrationen und niedrigen pH-Werte zeigen, führte das erhöhte Nährstoffangebot nicht zu einer verstärkten Primäproduktion. Dies und eine wetterbedingte stärkere Wasserdurchmischung verhinderten ungünstige Auswirkungen auf den Sauerstoffhaushalt in der Deutschen Bucht.

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Increased concentrations of the inorganic nitrogen compounds in the German Bight during the rainy summer 1987

Summary Due to the strong freshwater input during spring and summer 1987, increased concentrations of inorganic nitrogen were measured in the German Bight. Compared to 1986, no change was found in the concentration of dissolved inorganic phosphate. Relatively high nutrient concentrations and low pH values in the upper water layer indicate, that the increased nutrient supply was not utilized for primary production. Therefore, and due to a weak stratification no oxygen deficiency occured in the German Bight.

     

Paleomagnetism in Greece: Indications for relative block movement

There is a difference of 120° between the strike of the Pindos mountain chain and that of the Argolis peninsula. Both consist of rocks of the same age (Triassic Jurassic).Samples were collected to see if paleomagnetic data also exhibited this difference in angle. 23 samples from two sites and four lava strata of the Pindos resulted in normal and reversed directions with a mean direction D = 334°, I = 22° with α_95° = 9°, and 24 samples from four sites of the Argolis peninsula in a mean direction of D = 82°, I = 19° with α_95° = 17°. This is a declination difference of D = 108°. Therefore, a relative rotational block movement with an angle of about 110° could be assumed. The result depends to a great extent on the dip correction of the lava flows.     

Inhalt und Bedeutung fossiler Bodenkomplexe in Perm und Trias von Mitteleuropa

In the central European Permo-Triassic, eight Violet Horizons (VH 0, VH 1, VH 2, VH 3, VH 4, VH 5, VH 6, and VH A) are recognized as fossil autochthonous soil complexes. The criteria for soil formation and the significance of the Violet Horizons for paleoclimate, paleogeography, and stratigraphy are presented. New proposals are made for the drawing of the Saxonian to Thuringian, Lower to Middle Bunter, and Middle to Upper Bunter boundaries in areas of central Europe. Comparison of the vertebrate fauna of Violet Horizon 5 with the strata of the “Grenzbitumen-Zone” (boundary Bituminous Zone) in the Tessin region (southern Switzerland) indicates a probable correlation of the Upper Bunter with the Anisian and the lower parts of the Muschelkalk with the Ladinian of the Tethys classification.     

Verteilung,Eigenschaften und Entstehung der Auswurfsmassen des Impaktkraters Nördlinger Ries

Regarding the importance of the Ries impact structure in the field of planetary geology an attempt is made to synthesize the presently known results of geologic mapping in the Ries area and of general field and laboratory observations. The ballistic bulk ejecta of the crater (diameter about 23 km) form a continuous blanket of mixed breccia (“Bunte Trümmermassen”). Outside the crater more than 90% of its constituents are derived from unshocked fragments of the 750 m thick pre-Ries sedimentary rock strata. This blanket is overlain with a sharp discontinuity by suevite breccia which forms a continuous layer inside the crater and patch-like isolated occurrences outside the crater. Their pattern of distribution is believed to be primary. Suevite is mainly composed of fragments of all stages of shock metamorphism derived from the crystalline basement. The present asymmetrical distribution of éjecta outside the crater rim results from relatively young erosion during the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods. The erosional history indicates that the primary distribution of ejecta was symmetrical with respect to the center of the crater extending up to a distance of at least some 40 km from the impact center. A number of characteristics of the structure and composition of the Ries ejecta formations are discussed and verified quantitatively by new field data. It is shown that the structure and composition of the ejecta formations can be explained qualitatively by the physics of impact cratering and be duplicated by hypervelocity cratering experiments.     

Über Bau,Alter und Metamorphose des Altkristallins der Schobergruppe,Osttirol

Zusammenfassung Zwei Komplexe sind zu trennen, ein Liegendkomplex aus wechsellagernden Glimmerschiefern und Quarziten mit gegenseitigen Übergängen und ein Hangendkomplex, der durch Einschaltungen von Hornblendegneisen, (Eklogit-)Amphiboliten und spärlich Amphibol-Eklogiten gekennzeichnet ist. Gerade die Amphibol-Eklogite dokumentieren eine polyphase Metamorphosegeschichte. Beide Einheiten sind durch eine horizontale bis sehr flach einfallende tektonische Grenze (Schuppenzone) getrennt, an der als Leitgestein ein Mikroklin-Augengneis von wenigen Metern Mächtigkeit auftritt.Hangend- und Liegendkomplex weisen ein verwickeltes und zum Teil gleichartiges tektonisches Inventar auf. Der Komplex der Eklogitamphibolite ist als eigenständige tektonische Einheit zu betrachten. B₁ ca. senkrecht B₂ zeigt weiträumige Verbiegungen der Gesteine (geringe Amplituden, große Wellenlängen, NE- oder SW-Tauchen). Die stärkste Einengung verläuft NE-SW (isoklinales B₂ mit 10–25° SE-Tauchen). Auch in den Schiefer- und Gneisserien finden sich zwei Faltenachsenrichtungen (B₁=25–35°-Tauchen nach ENE; Anlage von Störungen in 0kl und ac). B₁ und B₁ sind ähnlich. B₃ kann alpidisch sein (Tauchen flach nach E), was aber noch abgesichert werden muß.Das Maximum der Metamorphose liegt bei den Amphibol-Eklogiten zwischen Glaukophanschiefer- und Amphibolitfazies (350–550° C; 4,5–8 kb). In einer weiteren Phase ist die nachträgliche Amphibolitisierung der Eklogite auf eine Temperaturerhöhung unter gleichzeitigem Druckabfall (Symplektitbildung) zurückzuführen. Der H₂O-Druck spielt selektiv eine hervorragende Rolle. Die achsenparallele Lineation der progressiv metamorphen Minerale ist als syntektonische Kristallisation mit der B₂-Faltenphase anzusehen.Von den Augen- und Flasergneisen sind Altersbestimmungen nach der Rb-Sr-Gesamtgesteinsmethode durchgeführt worden. Die gemessenen Proben (8 Proben aus dem Wangenitzseegebiet, dessen nächste Entfernung zum Tauernfenster 10 km beträgt) ergeben eine Isochrone mit einem Alter von 439±20 (2) Mill. Jahren ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) und einem Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶-Anfangsverhältnis von 0.7107±0.0016 (2). Das kaledonische Gesamtgesteinsalter stimmt mit der bisher bekannten geodynamischen Geschichte des Gebietes überein.

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Two complexes can be distinguished, an upper and a lower complex. The latter is set up by alternating mica schists and quartzites. Both of these show continuous transitions to each other. The upper complex is characterized by intercalations of hornblende gneisses, (eclogite) amphibolites and rarely amphibole eclogites. Particularly the amphibole eclogites show a polyphase history of metamorphism. Both units are divided by a horizontal to very gently dipping tectonic boundary. A microcline augengneiss of a few metres in thickness occurs parallel to this boundary.The upper and lower complex show a similar but complicated tectonic pattern, the complex of the eclogite amphibolites can be considered as a separate tectonic unit. B₁ ca. perpendicular to B₂, appears in ample flexures and folds (slight amplitudes large wavelengths, plunging to NE or SW). The strongest compression is directed from NE to SW (isoclinal B₂ plunging 10–25° to SE). Also in the series of schists and gneisses two fold axes are found (B₁ plunging 25–35° to ENE; first formation of faults in Okl and ac directions). B₁ and B₁ are similar. B₃ may be of alpidic age (plunging gently to E), but that has yet to be verified.The maximum of metamorphism for the amphibole eclogites is between glaucophane schist facies and amphibolite facies (350–550° C; 4,5–8 kb). In a further phase the later amphibolitization of the eclogites has to be attributed to an elevation of temperature under synchronous decrease of the pressure (formation of symplektite). The H₂O pressure plays a selective but eminent role. The lineation of the progressively metamorphic minerals parallel to the fold axes, represents syntectonic crystallization at the time of the B₂ folding.Age determinations of the augengneisses and flasergneisses have been carried out by the Rb-Sr whole rock method. The measured samples (8 samples from the Wangenitz lake area, at a distance of 10 km south of the margin of the Tauern Window) give an isochron resulting an age of 439±20 (2) m. y. ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) and an initial Sr⁸⁷/Rb⁸⁶ ratio of 0.7107±0.0016 (2). The caledonian whole rock age is consistent with the presently known regional geodynamic history.

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Résumé On peut distinguer deux complexes: un complexe inférieur composé d'alternances de micaschistes et de quartzites passant les uns aux autres, et un complexe supérieur caractérisé par des intercalations de gneiss à hornblende, d'amphibolites éclogitiques et plus rarement d'éclogites à amphiboles. C'est précisément ces éclogites à amphiboles qui montrent le déroulement métamorphique en plusieurs phases. Les deux unités sont séparées par une limite tectonique horizontale à faiblement inclinée («zone des écailles»). Un augengneiss à microcline d'une épaisseur de quelques mètres sert d'horizon — repère pour les séparer. Ces complexes inférieur et supérieur fournissent un inventaire tectonique compliqué et, en partie, analogue. Il faut considérer le complexe à amphibolites éclogitiques comme une unité tectonique autonome. B₁ à peu près perpendiculaire à B₂, montre des déformations sur de grandes étendues (amplitudes faibles grandes longeurs d'onde, plongements NE ou SW. Le resserrement le plus fort se fait suivant la direction NE-SW (B₂ isoclinal avec plongement SE de 10° à 25°). De même dans les séries des schistes et des gneiss, on trouve deux directions d'axes de plis (B₁ = inclinaison de 25° à 35° vers ENE prédisposition à failles dans Ohl et ac). B₁ et B₁ sont semblables. B₃ peut-être alpin (inclinaison faible vers l'E), ce qui cependant reste encore à démontrer.Le maximum du métamorphisme dans les éclogites à amphiboles se situe entre les faciès des schistes à glaucophane et des amphibolites (350° à 550° C; 4,5 à 8 kb). C'est à une autre phase qu'il faut attribuer l'amphibolisation ultérieure des éclogites, due à une élévation de température et à une diminution de pression simultanée (formation de symplectites). La pression de H₂O joue un rôle sélectif considérable. On doit considérer la linéation, parallèle aux axes de plis, des minéraux du métamorphisme progressif comme une cristallisation syntectonique de la phase des plis B₂.Les augengneiss et des flasergneiss ont fourni les déterminations d'âge d'après la méthode Rb-Sr appliquée aux roches totales. Les échantillons mesurés (8 provenant de la région du lac de Wangenitz, dont la distance la plus courte jusqu'à la fenêtre des Tauern est de 10 km) donnent une isochrone d'un âge estimé à 439±20 (2) millions d'années ( _{Rb 87}=1.47 · 10^–11 · a^–1) et un rapport initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ de 0,7107±0,0016 (2). L'âge «calédonien» de l'ensemble concorde avec l'histoire géodynamique connue jusqu'à maintenant de ce domaine.

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: () , , ( -) -. - . (« »), . , , . - , . B_{1 2} : — , , - , - . - : ₂ 10–25° -. : B₁=25 35° ENE, Ok1 . b_{1 2} , — . . - (350–550° ; 4,5–8 ). , . . , ₂. Rb/Sr. — 8 , 10 , — 439±20 . (_Rb87=1.47·10^–11·^–1), Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ 0,7107±0,0016. « » .

     

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