Chronology of Quaternary terrace deposits at the locality Hohle Gasse (Pratteln,NW Switzerland)

The Quaternary stratigraphy of the Alpine Foreland consists of distinct terrace levels, which have been assigned to four morphostratigraphic units: Höhere (Higher) Deckenschotter, Tiefere (Lower) Deckenschotter, Hochterrasse (High Terrace) and Niederterrasse (Lower Terrace). Here, we focus on the terrace gravels at Hohle Gasse, SSE of Pratteln near Basel, which are mapped as Tiefere Deckenschotter. Petrographic and morphometric data established from clasts allowed to infer the transport mechanisms and sources of the gravels. Sedimentological analyses indicate that the gravels were transported by a braided river and deposited in a distal glaciofluvial setting. In addition, it can be shown that the majority of the clasts display multiple reworking and only a minority maintained a distinct glaciofluvial shape. Cosmogenic multi-isotope dating using ¹⁰Be and ³⁶Cl allowed direct dating of the sediments at the study site. A depth-profile age of \(2 70_{ - 1 90}^{ + 8 30}\) ka for ¹⁰Be was achieved for the deposits at Hohle Gasse. Unfortunately, no age could be modelled from the ³⁶Cl concentrations as the blank correction was too high. Furthermore, this age proves that the studied terrace level should be assigned to the morphostratigraphic unit Hochterrasse.     

Effect of moderate shock waves on magnetic susceptibility and microstructure of a magnetite‐bearing ore

This study demonstrates a relationship between changes of magnetic susceptibility and microstructure developing in minerals of a magnetite‐bearing ore, experimentally shocked to pressures of 5, 10, 20, and 30 GPa. Shock‐induced effects on magnetic properties were quantified by bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements while shock‐induced microstructures were studied by high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy. Microstructural changes were compared between magnetite, quartz, amphibole, and biotite grains. In the 5 GPa sample, a sharp drop of magnetic susceptibility correlates with distinct fragmentation as well as with formation of shear bands and twins in magnetite. At 10 GPa, shear bands and twins in magnetite are accompanied by droplet‐shaped nanograins. In this shock pressure regime, quartz and amphibole still show intensive grain fragmentation. Twins in quartz and foam‐shaped, highly porous amphibole are formed at 20 and 30 GPa. The formation of porous minerals suggests that shock heating of these mineral grains resulted in localized temperature spikes. The identified shock‐induced features in magnetite strongly advise that variations in the bulk magnetic susceptibility result from cooperative grain fragmentation, plastic deformation and/or localized amorphization, and probably postshock annealing. In particular, the increasing shock heating at high pressures is assumed to be responsible for a partial defect annealing which we suggest to be responsible for the almost constant values of magnetic susceptibility above 10 GPa.     

Regional and temporal changes in epizoobiontic bryozoan-communities of Flustra foliacea (Linnaeus, 1758) and implications for North Sea ecology

Until recently, bryozoans have not been used as indicators for changes in bottom communities or climate control in the North Sea Basin, despite a 200-year history of bryozoan collecting. The epizoobiontic bryozoan fauna of Flustra foliacea (Linnaeus, 1758) was analysed on 51 sample stations kept in four German museums. The samples cover the entire North Sea and different time periods (1776–2008, mainly the period of 1904/1905 compared to 1980–87). Cluster analysis shows a differentiation into a northern and a southern North Sea assemblage. The northern assemblage is characterized by Amphiblestrum flemingii (Busk, 1854), Callopora dumerilii (Audouin, 1826) and Tricellaria ternata (Ellis & Solander, 1786), while the southern North Sea is characterized by Electra pilosa (Linnaeus, 1767), Crisia eburnea (Linnaeus, 1758) and Plagioecia patina (Lamarck, 1816). Spatial separation approximately follows the 50 m depth contour. The temporal distribution patterns of bryozoans are discussed in terms of NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) and temperature variations.     

Positions of extragalactic objects in the vicinity of M3 and M31 (5C3 radio field) and in the 5C1 radio field

We have determined the positions of 65 compact extragalactic objects with magnitudes between 16^m and 21^m.7. The mean error of one position is about 0″.3 in α cos δ and in δ. Some hitherto unpublished redshifts are also listed.     

Photometric and Spectroscopic Study of the Variable Star ET And

The short-periodic spectroscopic and photometric variations and the frequency ratio of 1:2 suggest the existence of a triple system for ET And, though some serious difficulties continue to exist in explaining all observational facts. Assuming a triple, the observable star is the primary of a very close, ellipsoidal binary system. Under this assumption the star cannot be a main-sequence B9 star as usually assumed. It should be a star located in the domain of the horizontal branch stars in the HR diagram possessing a thin and expanding envelope. Spektroskopische und photometrische Beobachtungen des variablen Sterns ET And wurden in den Jahren 1981/82 ausgeführt. Zusätzlich zu der bekannten periodischen Variation der Radialgeschwindigkeit von 48.308 Tagen, hervorgerufen durch einen Begleiter und der wahrscheinlich von der Rotation des Sterns herrührenden photometrischen Periode von 1.61883 Tagen, existieren weitere periodische Variationen. So variieren die Radialgeschwindigkeiten mit einer Periode von 0.1989 Tagen und die photometrischen Werte mit der Hälfte dieses Wertes, d. h. mit 0.0994 Tagen. Die Minima der Helligkeit koinzidieren mit den Extrema der Radialgeschwindigkeiten. Die Radialgeschwindigkeitskurve weicht etwas von der Harmonischen ab; die Werte steigen rascher an, als sie abfallen. Das gleiche Verhalten liegt auch für den entsprechenden Teil der Lichtkurve vor. Die kurzperiodischen spektroskopischen und photometrischen Variationen und das Frequenzverhältnis 1:2 legen die Existenz eines Dreifachsystems für ET And nahe, obwohl für die Erklärung aller Beobachtungswerte einige ernste Schwierigkeiten fortbestehen. Vorausgesetzt der Stern sei ein Dreifachsystem, dann ist der beobachtete Stern die Hauptkomponente eines sehr engen ellipsoidalen Systems und kann nicht ein Hauptsequenz-B9-Stern sein, wie allgemein angenommen wird. Vermutlich handelt es sich bei ET And um einen Vertreter der Gruppe der Horizontalsterne im HR-Diagramm, welcher noch eine dünne, expandierende Hülle besitzt.     

Radial velocity and magnetic field measurements of the a-type supergiant ν cep (HD 207260)

On the basis of 55 Zeeman spectrograms obtained at Tautenburg in the years 1975–1979 the effective magnetic fields and the radial velocities of the supergiant ν Cep (HD 207260) were determined. For the effective magnetic field a slow variation occurring on a time scale of years was found. The spectrograms taken at the first time show only moderate effective magnetic field strengths of a few hundred Gauß, but in the year 1978 values of +2000 Gauß were detected. The measured radial velocities show a longtime variability similar to that of the magnetic field as well as more rapid changes. A periodical variation of the radial velocity with a period of ∼ 39.9 days, perhaps produced by the rotation of the star, is indicated. The Balmer absorption lines H_β, H_β, and H_δ have different radial velocities refering to the presence of an expanding envelope. Moreover, there exist significant differences between the velocities of various elements respectively ions of 1–4 km/s.     

Density profiles and luminosity functions of the globular clusters M3 and M92

Tautenburg Schmidt plates with the globular clusters M3 and M92 were measured on the APM facility in Cambridge, mainly for astrometric purposes. The data were used to derive the radial density profiles and the luminosity functions of these clusters. There is a good agreement of our results with formerly ones derived by other authors. In both clusters effects of mass segregation are observed.     

Active mud volcanoes on the upper slope of the western Nile deep-sea fan—first results from the P362/2 cruise of R/V Poseidon

In February 2008, cruise P362/2 was undertaken aboard R/V Poseidon to the Giza and North Alex mud volcanoes (MVs) on the upper slope of the western Nile deep-sea fan. Emitted fluids were strongly depleted in chloride and rich in hydrocarbons, predominantly of thermogenic origin. In-situ sediment temperature measurements indicate extremely high and moderate levels of activity for the North Alex MV and Giza MV, respectively, and suggest rapid changes from dormant to active stages. Both the physical properties of core sediments (e.g., color and magnetic susceptibility), and their assemblages of micro- and nannofossils point to different sources for the two mud volcanoes. Biostratigraphic dating suggests source depths of 2,100–2,450 mbsf for the Giza MV and 1,150–1,550 mbsf for the North Alex MV. Very high temperatures of up to 70°C in shallow sediments at the North Alex MV can be explained only if the fluid source were warmer and deeper than the sediment source.