Shock metamorphism of quartz in nature and experiment: II. Significance in geoscience*

Abstract— The occurrence of shock metamorphosed quartz is the most common petrographic criterion for the identification of terrestrial impact structures and lithologies. Its utility is due to its almost ubiquitous occurrence in terrestrial rocks, its overall stability and the fact that a variety of shock metamorphic effects, occurring over a range of shock pressures, have been well documented. These shock effects have been generally duplicated in shock recovery experiments and, thus, serve as shock pressure barometers. After reviewing the general character of shock effects in quartz, the differences between experimental and natural shock events and their potential effects on the shock metamorphism of quartz are explored. The short pulse lengths in experiments may account for the difficulty in synthesizing the high-pressure polymorphs, coesite and stishovite, compared to natural occurrences. In addition, post-shock thermal effects are possible in natural events, which can affect shock altered physical properties, such as refractive index, and cause annealing of shock damage and recrystallization. The orientations of planar microstructures, however, are unaffected by post-impact thermal events, except if quartz is recrystallized, and provide the best natural shock barometer in terms of utility and occurrence. The nature of planar microstructures, particularly planar deformation features (PDFs), is discussed in some detail and a scheme of variations in orientations with shock pressure is provided. The effect of post-impact events on PDFs is generally limited to annealing of the original glass lamellae to produce decorated PDFs, resulting from the exsolution of dissolved water during recrystallization. Basal (0001) PDFs differ from other PDF orientations in that they are multiple, mechanical Brazil twins, which are difficult to detect if not partially annealed and decorated. The occurrence and significance of shock metamorphosed quartz and its other phases (namely, coesite, stishovite, diaplectic glass and lechatelierite) are discussed for terrestrial impact structures in both crystalline (non-porous) and sedimentary (porous) targets. The bulk of past studies have dealt with crystalline targets, where variations in recorded shock pressure in quartz have been used to constrain aspects of the cratering process and to estimate crater dimensions at eroded structures. In sedimentary targets, the effect of pore space results in an inhomogeneous distribution in recorded shock pressure and temperature, which requires a different classification scheme for the variation of recorded shock compared to that in crystalline targets. This is discussed, along with examples of variations in the relative abundances of planar microstructures and their orientations, which are attributed to textural variations in sedimentary target rocks. Examples of the shock metamorphism of quartz in distal ejecta, such as at the K/T boundary, and from nuclear explosions are illustrated and are equivalent to that of known impact structures, except with respect to characteristics that are due to long-term, post-shock thermal effects. Finally, the differences between the deformation and phase transformation of quartz by shock and by endogenic, tectonic and volcanic processes are discussed. We confirm previous conclusions that they are completely dissimilar in character, due to the vastly different physical conditions and time scales typical for shock events, compared to tectonic and volcanic events. Well-characterized and documented shock effects in quartz are unequivocal indicators of impact in the natural environment.     

A Multi-Wavelength Simultaneous Study of the Composition of the Halley Family Comet 8P/Tuttle

We report on simultaneous optical and infrared observations of the Halley Family comet 8P/Tuttle performed with the ESO Very Large Telescope. Such multi-wavelength and coordinated observations are a good example of what can be done to support space missions. From high resolution optical spectroscopy of the CN (0,0) 388 nm and NH₂ (0,9,0) 610 nm bands using UVES at UT2 we determined ¹²C/¹³C = 90 ± 10 and ¹⁴N/¹⁵N = 150 ± 20 in CN and we derived a nuclear spin temperature of NH₃ of 29 ± 1 K. These values are similar to those found in Oort-Cloud and Jupiter Family comets. From low resolution long slit spectroscopy with FORS1 at UT2 we determined the CN, C₃ and C₂ production rates and the parent and daughter scale lengths up to 5.2 10⁵ km tailward. From high resolution IR spectroscopy with CRIRES at UT1 we measured simultaneously the production rates and mixing ratios of H₂O, HCN, C₂H₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, and CH₃OH.     

Quiet-time periods observed by EPHIN/SOHO during the minimum of the 22nd solar cycle

An analysis of the hydrogen and helium isotopic composition from EPHIN data, during the quiet-time period from January 1 to June 1, 1996, is presented. An isotopic discrimination and background rejection have been applied and relationships between the abundances of ²H/¹H, ³He/⁴He, and ⁴He/¹H have been calculated. The energy spectra in the 4–50 MeV nucl^–1 range have been obtained and the contribution of the different spectral components have been analysed in this energy range. We conclude that the main contribution to the ⁴He spectrum is of anomalous origin, while the proton and ³He spectra have contributions mainly from particles of solar origin at low energies and from the galactic cosmic radiation modulated by the heliosphere at high energies. The deuterium spectrum is mainly of galactic origin.     

On the distribution of rainfall over the Sultanate of Oman

Rainfall distribution over the Sultanate of Oman is analysed. Data from seven recently installed weather stations as well as supporting data from scattered sources were used. Distribution maps were drawn. NW and NE winter wind meet resulting in troughs and rainfall on the Mountains and Coastal Strips. Summer monsoon wind dominates the S. Central areas of overlap receive light showers from both summer monsoons and winter local troughs. Heavier amounts of rainfall are generally associated with high altitude.     

Crystal structure refinement of hendricksite,A Zn- and Mn-rich trioctahedral potassium mica: A contribution to the crystal chemistry of zinc-bearing minerals

Summary The crystal structure of hendricksite, a trioctahedral mica of biotite type, characterized by high Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ contents has been refined by least square methods. The structural formula is: (K_0.89Na_0.10Ba_0.04)(Mg_1.57Zn_0.54Mn _0.40 ²⁺ Fe _0.25 ²⁺ Al_0.07Ti_0.07Cr_0.01)(Si_2.92Al_1.08)O₁₀ (OH)₂. The space group isC2/m and the cell parameters are:a=5.340(2) Å,b=9.524(2) Å,c=10.235(3) Å, =100.07(2)^o, the cell volume isV=497.98 ų. The final unweightedR=0.072. Average cation-anion distances in polyhedra are: T–O=1.659 Å, M(1)–O=2.093 Å, M(2)–O=2.088 Å, A–O_long=3.316 Å and A–O_short=3.004 Å; A is the alkaline cation. The rotation angle of tetrahedra is =6.7°. The analysis of electron densities, of the dimensions and distorsions of polyhedra shows that Zn²⁺ is exclusively in octahedral sites; there is no order between six-fold coordinated cations. A comparison between the structural features of hendricksite and those of the two main end-members of biotites, phlogopite and annite, is presented.The effect of the strong covalence of Zn–O bonds is particularly visible on the dimensions and orientations of the thermal ellipsoids of octahedral sites M(1) and M(2) which contain zinc. In all the published structures of trioctahedral micas, the ellipsoids of cationic sites are uniaxial positive, elongated parallel toc ^*. In hendricksite, this is observed only for the two zinc-free sites (T and A; in the octahedra M(1) and M(2), which contain zinc, the ellipsoids are approximately uniaxial negative, flattened parallel toa, which is a unique situation.Zinc which habitually favours the tetrahedral coordinations with oxygen, enters the octahedra only, i.e. the chemically anisotropic sites, in hendricksite. The strong polarizability of Zn²⁺ is proposed to explain this behaviour.An examination of the behaviour of Zn²⁺ in other compounds shows that this situation is general, zinc favours chemically anisotropic sites and specially those adjacent to OH or H₂O.

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Affinement de la structure cristalline de la hendricksite, mica trioctaédrique potassique riche en Zn et Mn; une contribution à la connaissance cristallochimique des minéraux zincifères

Résumé On a affiné par moindres carrés la structure de la hendricksite, mica trioctaédrique de type biotite, caractérisé par une teneur élevée en Zn²⁺ et Mn²⁺. La formule structurale de ce mica est: (K_0m89Na_0,10Ba_0,04)(Mg_1,57Zn_0,54Mn _0,40 ²⁺ Fe _0,25 ²⁺ Al_0,07Ti_0,07Cr_0,01)(Si_2,92Al_1,08)O₁₀(OH)₂. Le groupe spatial estC2/m et les paramètres de la maille:a=5,340(2) Å,b=9,254(2) Å,c=10,235(3) Å, =100,07(2)°; le volume de la maille estV=497,98 ų. Le résidu final non-pondéré estR=0,072. Les distances cation-anion moyennes dans les polyèdres sont les suivantes: T–O=1,659 Å, M(1)–O=2,093 Å, M(2)–O=2,088 Å, A–O_long=3,316 Å et A–O_court=3,004 Å où A désigne le cation alcalin. L'angle de rotation tétraédrique, =6,7°, est très semblable à celui de la phlogopite. L'analyse des densités électroniques, des dimensions et distorsions des polyèdres montre que Zn²⁺ est exclusivement en coordinance octaédrique et qu'il n'y a pas d'ordre entre les cations hexacoordonnés. On présente une comparaison des caractères structuraux de la hendricksite avec ceux des deux principaux pôles des biotites, la phlogopite et l'annite.L'effet de la forte covalence de la liaison Zn–O est particulièrement visible sur les dimensions et orientations des ellipsoides d'agitation thermique des deux sites octaédriques, sites zincifères. Dans toutes les structures de micas trioctaédriques publiées, les ellipsoides des sites cationiques sont uniaxes positifs, allongés parallèlement àc ^*, ce qui s' observe effectivement dans les deux sites non-zincifères (T et A) de la hendricksite, par contre, dans les octaèdres M(1) et M(2), qui contiennent le zinc, les ellipsoides sont approximativement uniaxes négatifs, applatis parallèlement àa, ce qui est une situation unique.Le zinc, qui se fixe généralement en sites tétraédriques dans les structures de type oxyde, occupe les sites octaédriques, c'est-à-dire les sites chimiquement anisotropes dans la hendricksite. La forte polarisabilité de Zn²⁺ est proposée pour expliquer ce comportement.Un examen du comportement de Zn²⁺ dans d'autres phases montre que cette situation est tout à fait générale, le zinc privilégiant les sites chimiquement anisotropes et en particulier ceux adjacents à OH où H₂O.

     

The arguments against very large cities in Nigeria: A non-western urban planning angle

Conclusion Generally, the arguments in favour of medium-size cities in Nigeria are rationalize on the environmental circumstances examined in this paper. They are not however tenable in countries of advanced technology. For example, the argument that there is direct relationship between urbanization and problems, the magnitute of which varies with the size of the community is quite logical and apt for situation in a non-western country like Nigeria than for developed nations.     

Exact Brans-Dicke-Bianchi types-II,VIII, and IX stiff matter solutions

Exact solutions of the Brans-Dicke field equations of Bianchi types-II, VIII, and IX are derived. The solutions represent locally rotationally symmetric universes with stiff matter content.     

Some remarks on certain special BDT-FRW solutions

We wish to point out that the BDT-FRW (k=1) special dust solution obtained by Dehnen and Obregón (1971) and the BDT-FRW (k=1) radiation solution given by Obregón and Chauvet (1978) are contained as special cases in the special perfect fluid Jordan-Brans-Dicke solution first given by Brill (1962). In addition we give a simple proof that the special BDT-FRW (k=1) vacuum solution given by Dehnen and Obregón (1972) does not exist. We finally consider the special case =0 and present some new solutions.     

Comment on the LRS-BDT-Bianchi type-V vacuum solution

We wish to point out that the anisotropic LRS-BDT-Bianchi type-V vacuum solution recently given by Ram and Singh is wrong. Moreover, the correct solution is nothing but an isotropic FRW (k=–1) solution given by us previously.