Metamorphic facies series of the crystalline basement of Chile

The main rock types and mineral assemblages of the metamorphic rocks of the territory of Chile are described, and the metamorphic facies are identified. The crystalline basement of Chile consists of predominantly low-grade, semipelitic metamorphic and granitic rocks, exposed mostly along the coastal area of Central and Southern Chile, and in isolated areas of Northern Chile. Radiometric ages of both metamorphic and igneous rocks indicate Late Paleozoic. Three metamorphic series were recognized in Central Chile and used for a tentative classification of the metamorphic rocks from the remaining areas. The series correspond to intermediate-high pressure, intermediate-low pressure, and low pressure conditions of metamorphism, respectively. The formation of these series, their relation toMiyashiro's circumpacific paired belts, and the role of the basement during the Andean orogeny, are briefly discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Haupttypen der metamorphen Gesteine Chiles und deren Mineralzusammensetzung werden beschrieben und deren metamorphe Fazies charakterisiert. Das chilenische kristalline Grundgebirge besteht in der Hauptsache aus Graniten und semipelitischen Gesteinen, die unter den Bedingungen der niedriggradigen Metamorphose umgewandelt wurden. Die Gesteine sind in der Regel in der Küstenzone Süd- und Zentral-Chiles aufgeschlossen; in Nord-Chile treten sie isoliert auf. Radiometrische Altersbestimmungen ergaben sowohl für die Tiefenwie für die metamorphen Gesteine ein spätpaläozoisches Alter. In Zentral-Chile wurden drei metamorphe Serien erkannt und für eine erste Klassifizierung der metamorphen Gesteine dieses Gebietes herangezogen. Die Serien entstanden in der Hauptsache durch Metamorphoseprozesse, die unter mittleren bis hohen, mittleren bis tiefen und tiefen Drücken abliefen. Die Bildung dieser Serien, ihre Beziehung zuMiyashiro's zirkumpazifischen Gürtelpaaren und die Rolle des Grundgebirges während der Anden-Orogenese werden kurz diskutiert.

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Resumen Se describen los principales tipos de rocas y asociaciones minerales del basamento cristalino del territorio chileno. Este basamento consiste predominantemente de rocas metamórficas semipelíticas de bajo grado y de rocas graníticas, expuestas de preferencia a lo largo de la región costera de Chile Central y Austral y en áreas aisladas de Chile Septentrional. La edad radiométrica de las rocas metamórficas y graníticas indica Neopaleozoico. En Chile Central se encontraron tres series metamórficas, las que fueron empleadas para la clasificación provisoria de las rocas de otras partes del país. Estas series corresponden a condiciones de metamorfismo a presiones intermedia-alta, intermedia-baja, y baja, respectivamente. Se discuten brevemente la formación de las series, su relación a los arcos circumpacíficos apareados deMiyashiro, y el papel del basamento durante la orogénesis andina.

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, , . , semipelitischen Gesteinen, . , . . . , . , Miyashiro.

     

Novel mechanism of stream formation in coastal wetlands by crab–fish–groundwater interaction

A novel mechanism of stream development in coastal wetlands was observed in the form of interaction between the burrowing crab (Chasmagnathus granulata) and groundwater seepage. This process may eventually be further promoted by the predatory action of the white croaker fish (Micropogon opercularis). These so-called crab streams occur on the banks of major tidal channels in a salt marsh of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina). As the tide recedes, water is retained in the crab burrows on the marsh surface. The presence of lateral burrows produced by crab recruits promotes subterranean piping flow driven by the hydraulic head in the vertical burrow. Groundwater generally seeps along the tidal channel banks but is particularly prominent and concentrated where crab burrows perforate the banks. Where predatory attacks by the croaker fish enlarge the burrow mouths, the drainage rills become wider and deeper because more seeping water is collected in the shallow crater from where it is funnelled into the developing streams. The crab stream is then produced by water draining from the crab burrow mouth, acting initially by cut-back erosion and followed by forward erosion of the relatively unconsolidated muddy sediments.     

Processes of tidal channel development in salt and freshwater marshes

Mechanisms for the formation of creeks in tidal ?ats are rarely discussed in literature. There are some general theories about their formation but there are no data to support the evidence. It is generally believed that marshes inherit creeks from previous tidal ?ats that their plants colonize and further modify them. The aim of this paper is to present three mutually exclusive cases from marshes in Argentina where creeks are formed by either purely physical or biological–physical interactions. Except for Loyola Bay, this is the ?rst discussion of these mechanisms. They may represent special cases, but the fact that all three of them occur along the coast of Argentina, could indicate that similar cases may be found somewhere else. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spit-platform temperate carbonates: the origin of landward-downlapping beds along a basin margin (Lower Pliocene, Carboneras Basin, SE Spain)

ABSTRACT Lower Pliocene temperate carbonates exhibit landward‐downlapping beds at the southern margin of the Carboneras Basin in south‐eastern Spain. This rarely documented stratal geometry resulted from the accumulation of bedded bioclastic carbonate sand and gravel by longshore currents along a spit platform located a few hundred metres from the palaeoshoreline. The top of the spit platform was covered by shoals that extended over a gently dipping ramp inclined to the north. On the landward slope of the spit, sediments washed over from the shoal area were deposited in parallel‐laminated beds with a southward dip of 8–11°. These beds aggraded and retrograded after an increase in accommodation space, probably related to an Early Pliocene eustatic sea‐level rise. As a result, the beds downlap onto the underlying unconformity surface in a shoreward direction. Eventually, the depression between the shoreline and the spit platform was filled, and a gentle ramp became established. These Pliocene exposures in the Carboneras Basin and a similar Upper Miocene example in southern Spain suggest that landward‐downlapping stratal geometries can be expected in nearshore temperate carbonates along basin margins, and demonstrate a similarity in sedimentary dynamics to siliciclastic sands and gravels.     

Paleoenvironmental Changes during the Last 4000 yr in the Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

In the Tigray region at the northern Ethiopian Highlands, paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on several infilled valley deposit sequences suggests that the past 4000 yr comprised three major wetter periods (ca. 4000–3500 yr B.P., 2500–1500 yr B.P., and 1000–960 yr B.P.), during which soils were formed, and two degradation episodes (ca. 3500–2500 yr B.P. and 1500–1000 yr B.P.), during which there was an increase of sediment yield from the slopes into the valleys. For the past 1000 yr, and in particular since the early 17th century, stratigraphic records together with historic chronicles suggest increasing aridity. Although difficulties arise in distinguishing between natural and human impacts, particularly in a region with a long established agricultural background, stratigraphical and proxy paleoclimatic data have indicated climate as the main controlling factor responsible for the environmental changes in the Tigray.     

APPLICATION OF A QUASI-2D HYDRO-MORPHOLOGICAL MODEL TO THE ARGENTINEAN PARAN(A) RIVER

Herein a simplified quasi-two dimensional horizontal hydro-morphological mathematical model is presented. The governing equations for the quasi-2D horizontal time-depending flow field are represented by the well-known approach of interconnected cells. New discharge laws between cells are incorporated. The model is capable of predicting temporal changes in water depth, velocity distribution,sediment transport, bed elevation, as well as water and suspended sediment exchanges between main stream and flood plains. An application of the model to the middle reach of the Argentinean Parana River is presented. Satisfactory results were obtained during model calibration, validation and application.     

Probabilistic hazard analysis of Citlaltépetl (Pico de Orizaba) Volcano, eastern Mexican Volcanic Belt

Citlaltépetl or Pico de Orizaba is the highest active volcano in the North American continent. Although Citlaltépetl is at present in repose, its eruptive history reveals repetitive explosive eruptions in the past. Its relatively low eruption rate has favored significant population growth in areas that may be affected by a potential eruptive activity. The need of some criteria for hazards assessment and land-use planning has motivated the use of statistical methods to estimate the time and space distribution of volcanic hazards around this volcano. The analysis of past activity, from late Pleistocene to historic times, and the extent of some well-identified deposits are used to calculate the recurrence probabilities of eruptions of various size during time periods useful for land-use planning.     

Geothermal map of Mexico

Silica temperatures were calculated for 326 water samples from hot and warm springs located throughout Mexico as an attempt to estimate heat flow. Available heat flow data (Smith, 1974; Smith et al., 1979) for northern Mexico were related to silica temperature data to obtain the appropriate constants for the regional conditions according to Swanberg and Morgan's equation (1979, 1980). The constants obtained are similar to those obtained for the United States, therefore heat flow can be estimated on the basis of silica temperature data. By contouring calculated temperatures a map is obtained where the main geothermal provinces are shown.     

A model to simulate recharge processes of karst massifs

The recharge processes have been evaluated for two karst massifs of southern Italy, the Mt Terminio and Mt Cervialto, characterized by wide endorheic areas. The annual mean recharge has been estimated by Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, from regression of annual mean values of different ground‐elevated rain gauges and thermometers. The recharge has been distinguished for endorheic areas and the other areas of spring catchment, and the ratio between the output spring and input rainfall has been also estimated (recharge coefficient). The annual recharge has been used to calibrate a daily scale model, which allows to estimate the amount of effective rainfall, which is retained as soil moisture; the amount reaching the water table (recharge s.s.); and the amount of rainfall, which develops the runoff and leaves the catchment. All these amounts vary through the hydrological year, in function of soil moisture deficit and daily rainfall intensity. The model allows estimating the recharge conditions through the hydrological year, and it is a useful tool for water management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.