A model of boiling for fluid inclusion studies: Application to the Bolaños Ag–Au–Pb–Zn epithermal deposit,Western Mexico

Boiling can be inferred from fluid inclusion microthermometry studies when a progressive increase in apparent salinity is observed along with a decrease of homogenization temperature (T_H) and depth, thus reflecting the partitioning of non-volatile solutes into the liquid phase during steam loss. We propose a model for fluid evolution during boiling based on mass and heat balance equations, which establishes paths in the T_H-salinity space that can be compared with fluid inclusion data to confirm or discard boiling. Additionally, the model allows calculating paleo-depths, for which the effect of steam bubbles lowering the hydrostatic pressure is taken into account.     

Tectonics of the Lepontine Alps: ductile thrusting and folding in the deepest tectonic levels of the Central Alps

The Lepontine dome represents a unique region in the arc of the Central and Western Alps, where complex fold structures of upper amphibolite facies grade of the deepest stage of the orogenic belt are exposed in a tectonic half-window. The NW-verging Mont Blanc, Aar und Gotthard basement folds and the Lower Penninic gneiss nappes of the Central Alps were formed by ductile detachment of the upper European crust during its Late Eocene–Early Oligocene SE-directed underthrust below the upper Penninic and Austroalpine thrusts and the Adriatic plate. Four underthrust zones are distinguished in the NW-verging stack of Alpine fold nappes and thrusts: the Canavese, Piemont, Valais and Adula zones. Up to three schistosities S1–S3, folds F1–F3 and a stretching lineation XI with top-to-NW shear indicators were developed in the F1–F3 fold nappes. Spectacular F4 transverse folds, the SW-verging Verzasca, Maggia, Ziccher, Alpe Bosa and Wandfluhhorn anticlines and synclines overprint the Alpine nappe stack. Their formation under amphibolite facies grade was related to late ductile folding of the southern nappe roots during dextral displacement of the Adriatic indenter. The transverse folding F4 was followed since 30 Ma by the pull-apart exhumation and erosion of the Lepontine dome. This occurred coevally with the formation of the dextral ductile Simplon shear zone, the S-verging backfolding F5 and the formation of the southern steep belt. Exhumation continued after 18 Ma with movement on the brittle Rhone-Simplon detachment, accompanied by the N-, NW- and W-directed Helvetic and Dauphiné thrusts. The dextral shear is dated by the 29–25 Ma crustal-derived aplite and pegmatite intrusions in the southern steep belt. The cooling by uplift and erosion of the Tertiary migmatites of the Bellinzona region occurred between 22 and 18 Ma followed by the exhumation of the Toce dome on the brittle Rhone–Simplon fault since 18 Ma.     

The Italian strong motion network

The Italian Strong Motion Network is a permanent monitoring system run by the Italian national emergency management department (Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, DPC). The network is known as RAN (Rete Accelerometrica Nazionale). An extensive project for updating and improving the technology of RAN instruments as well as the number of recording points was performed in the last 10 years. A wide site selection survey was carried out from eastern Sicily along the Italian peninsula, covering high seismic risk areas. The recording station density and the choice of high-quality digital strong motion instruments ensure reliability of the RAN network in the long-term. At the end of 2008, the free field sites selection and instruments installation, planned in the project, were quite completed. In planning and drawing the new RAN, special attention has been devoted to the robustness of the transmission systems, and to the distribution of new stations in order to ensure plenty of data during a seismic emergency. We spent special care both in the estimation of the RAN site responses and in the diffusion of the strong motion data. In order to better identify damaged earthquake areas, improved ground motion parameters need to be set. Such parameters will also assist future progress for engineering seismic design techniques as well as disaster mitigation.     

Velocity gradients perpendicular to the galactic plane in the solar vicinity

One of the most important topics in astrophysics concern to the study of how the stars are born. Observational facts show that nearly all stars were born in groups within large massive complexes of gas and dust. An idea almost universally accepted, comes from the fact that gas associated with star formation is very inhomogeneous over a large range of size scales. The stars need to be formed by the fragmentation of large gas complexes. Studies of the interstellar medium show the existence of a hierarchical structure covering at least four orders of magnitude in density and length scale.Recently various studies have been made in an attempt to understand the process, or processes, responsible for the decay of large scales to small ones. Several processes have been suggested, however, some of them seem to be responsible only for generating the hierarchical structure on small scales.A study of the velocity distribution of molecular clouds in the solar vicinity, shows the existence of large velocity gradients perpendicular to the galactic plane. As can be shown, these gradients may be one of the most important sources of the energy responsible for the production of the interstellar turbulence on the largest size scales.On leave from Observatorio Astronomico da Serra da Piedade, Depto. de Fisica, ICEx, UFMG, C.P. 702, 30.161, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil.     

Identification and valuation of paramagnetic radicals in natural dolomites as an indicator of geological events

 Geological sedimentary dolomite samples from the Superior Proterozoic are studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The complex spectra in the g=2.0 region is composed of Mn²⁺ lines and signals due to crystallization and radiation-induced defects. Measurements in microwave frequencies of 9.5 GHz (X-band) and 35 GHz (Q-band), and thermal and/or radiation treatments allowed identification of seven paramagnetic radicals in the g=2.0 region: (1) isotropic organic radical; (2) axial SO₂ ⁻; (3) axial PO₂ ⁰ or PO₂ ²⁻; (4) isotropic CO₂ ⁻; (5) axial CO₂ ⁻; (6) axial CO₃ ³⁻; (7) isotropic unknown line. The use of these paramagnetic centres as indicators of geological events is discussed. Received: 18 March 2002 / Accepted: 3 October 2002     

Deformation in the Guerrero seismic gap, Mexico, from leveling observations

 The Pacific coast of Guerrero state in Mexico is recognized as the `Guerrero seismic gap', with a high probability of producing a large subduction earthquake (M > 8). A study of the vertical surface deformation was undertaken to understand the interseismic process of elastic strain accumulation. Four leveling lines were installed in the states of Guerrero and Michoacán. Starting in 1995, several high-accuracy leveling surveys have been carried out on those profiles once every year. The vertical uplift rate across the Guerrero coastal region, as determined through the changes in repeated leveling surveys, suggests the accumulation of elastic strain at both ends of the gap. In contrast, the sense of tilting in the middle of the gap is opposite to that observed at the ends and suggests significant changes in the geometry of the locked zone and perhaps even slow strain release. Received: 24 February 2000 / Accepted: 23 August 2000     

Evaluation of deep temperatures of hydrothermal systems by a new gas geothermometer

The chemical composition of gas mixtures emerging in thermal areas can be used to evaluate the deep thermal temperatures. Chemical analyses of the gas compositions for 34 thermal systems were considered and an empirical relationship developed between the relative concentrations of H₂S, H₂, CH₄ and CO₂ and the reservoir temperature. The evaluated temperatures can be expressed by: $\text{t°C =}\text{24775}\text{α + β + 36.05}\text{?273}$ where $\text{α = 2 log}\text{CH}{}_4\text{CO}{}_2\text{?log}\text{H}{}_2\text{CO}{}_2\text{?3 log}\text{H}{}_2\text{S}\text{CO}{}_2$ (concentrations in % by volume) and β = 7 logP_co2     

An investigation into the physico-chemical conditions of the coastal waters around the Gulf of Catania

The results are given of sea water sampling at 49 different stations around the Gulf of Catania. The main physico-chemical parameters are reported (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, BOD) as well as the concentrations of some nutritive salts (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate).