Eocene high pressure metamorphism in the Penninic units of the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps): evidence from40Ar−39Ar dating and petrological investigations

The⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar degassing spectra of white micas and amphiboles from three tectonic units of the central Tauern Window (Pennine basement and cover in the Eastern Alps) have been measured. White micas are classified as (1) pre-Alpine low-Si relic micas with an age value of 292 Ma, variously disturbed by the Alpine metamorphism; (2) Alpine phengitic micas of variable composition with an age between 32 and 36 Ma; (3) Alpine low-Si micas with a maximum age of 27 Ma. We attribute the higher Alpine ages to a blueschist facies event, whereas the lower age reflects the late cooling of the nappe pile. Blueschist facies phengites from the basement (Lower Schieferhülle) and the tectonic cover (Upper Schieferhülle) crystallized at a temperature below the closure temperature (T _c) for argon diffusion in white mica and record ages of 32 to 36 Ma. At the same time a thin, eclogite facies unit (Eclogite Zone) was thrust between the Lower and the Upper Schieferhülle and cooled from eclogite facies conditions at about 600°C at 20 kbar to blueschist facies conditions at 450°C or even 300°C at >10 kbar. Eclogite facies phengites closed for argon diffusion and record cooling ages, coinciding with the crystallization ages in the hanging and the footwall unit. Amphibole age spectra (actinolite, glaucophane, barroisite) are not interpretable in terms of geologically meaningful ages because of excess argon.     

The Darfur Dome,western Sudan: the product of a subcontinental mantle plume

Field investigations, K-Ar age determinations and chemical data were used to describe the development of an intraplate volcanic province, the Darfur Dome, Sudan. Magmatism started 36 Ma ago at a small subvolcanic complex (Jebel Kussa) in the center of the dome and was active in the same area between 26 and 23 Ma. Two major volcanic fields (Marra Mountains and Tagabo Hills) developed between 16 and 10 Ma. Volcanism started again at 6.8 Ma with a third volcanic field (Meidob Hills) and at 4.3 Ma in the Marra Mountains and with the reactivation of the center. Activity then continued until the late Quaternary. Having started in the center of the Darfur Dome, volcanism moved in 36 Ma 200 km towards the NNE and 100 km SSW No essential difference in the alkaline magma types (basanitic to phonolitic-trachytic, with different amounts of assimilation of crustal material) in the different fields, was observed. Magmatism is thought to have been produced by a rising mantle plume and volcanism was triggered by stress resolution along the Central African Fault Zone.     

Studies on object reconstruction from space using three-line scanner imagery

The paper investigates the capability of object reconstruction from space for two specific projects. Both of them are based on the use of three-line scanner systems allowing for simultaneous digital image recording from three different angles. An efficient model for combined point determination is proposed, considering the digital image data as well as orbit information, GPS and INS observations. The resulting accuracy is estimated from project oriented simulations. Finally, the possibilities for DTM generation, orthophoto production and stereo compilation from three-line scanner imagery are discussed.     

Factors influencing the salinity regime of Lake Pontchartrain,Lousiana, a shallow coastal lagoon: Analysis of a long-term data set

Lake Pontchartrain., Louisiana is a 1,630 km² shallow brackish lagoon with a mean salinity from 1.2‰ in the west to 5.4‰ in the east., The construction of a 120 km long deep-water connection to the Gulf of Mexico in 1963, was expected to cause a 5‰ increase in lagoon salinity. However, the actual increase was everywhere in the lagoon less than 2‰ Analysis of 31 years of daily salinity and discharge records indicates that discharge is the most important factor controlling salinity variations in Lake Pontchartrain., Seventy-four percent of low-frequency salinity variations are explained by freshwater discharge and the completion of the deep-water canal. Lake Pont.-chartrain experiences annual variations of salinity as high as 8‰ This salinity signal has remained constant since the beginning of the salinity records in 1946. It appears that the deep-water canal is not responsible for observed die-back of freshwater swamps and retreat of lagoon shorelines.     

The Application of Telemetry to Large-Scale Horizontal Anisotropic Permeability Determinations by Surface Tiltmeter Survey

An advanced two-way radio link (transceiver units) and data logging system have provided a powerful means of real-time series data collection and analysis. The application of this telemetry system to surface tiltmeter surveys provides significant cost savings for testing and analysis of deep, large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability and heterogeneity determinations.
The determination of horizontal anisotropic properties requires one pumping well and eight to 10 tiltmeter monitoring stations. The validity of the depth of the test may reach 4,000 feet below land surface. With the addition of one partially penetrating observation well, the entire three-dimensional anisotropic permeability can be determined. With the addition of a fully penetrating well, the storage coefficient can be determined as well as leakage property (including vertical permeability of the confining layers). An example test case was analyzed for horizontal anisotropic permeability with remarkable success despite relatively unfavorable detection conditions.
A thorough understanding of the geology overlying the aquifer system must be made in order to assess the applicability of the surface tiltmeter survey to large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability determinations.     

Lower Cretaceous turbiditic sediments from the Rif chain (Northern Marocco) — palynology,stratigraphy and palaeogeographic setting

The paper describes the palynology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeogeographic setting of Lower Cretaceous turbiditic and terrigenous deep-sea sediments at the Tethyan margins of Africa and Alboran (External Domain of the Rif, and Flysch Nappes). During the Early Cretaceous terrigenous turbiditic deep-water sedimentation characterizes two different palaeogeographic domains in the southern part of the western Tethys:

In the northern area of the External Domain (Ketama Unit of the Rif) alternating turbiditic arenites and pelites are interpreted as sediments of a distal part of a fan system on the Tethyan margin of Africa. The main sources for the terrigenous material were situated in Central and Western Algeria; only little sand transited through the Prerif and the Mesorif zones of Morocco. The terrigenous sedimentation began in the Hauterivian, but the main turbiditic cycles are of Aptian to Lower and Middle Albian age.

The Flysch Domain probably was situated far to the Northeast with respect to the Rif basin, at the western and southern margins of the Alboran microplate. Relatively proximal turbidites form most of the Tisirène Nappe, whereas more distal turbidites constitute the series of the Melloussa and the Chouamat Nappes. The existence of two different source areas is demonstrated, one to the NE and the other to the NW of the depositional area. The turbidites probably were deposited on a E-W oriented fan system which progradated into a longitudinal trench-like trough. In the Central Rif area, the Tisirène Flysch is of Valanginian to Albian (pre-Vraconian) age. In the Western Rif and in the Melloussa and Chouamat Nappes of the whole area no sediments older than Aptian have been found.

The stratigraphy of the investigated series is based on a new tentative palynostratigraphic zonation, using pollen, spores and dinoflagellate cysts. Rich and well preserved assemblages have been found in the Western Rif only, whereas the samples of the Tisirène Nappe and the Chouamat Nappe in the Central and Eastern Rif have been affected by some thermal alteration. Black and mostly opaque palynomorphs from the Ketama Unit reflect the strong thermal influence in the External Domain of the Central and Eastern Rif.