Geobarometry for Peridotites: Experiments in Simple and Natural Systems from 6 to 10 GPa

Experiments with peridotite minerals in simple (MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂,CaO–MgO–SiO₂ and CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂)and natural systems were conducted at 1300–1500°Cand 6–10 GPa using a multi-anvil apparatus. The experimentsin simple systems demonstrated consistency with previous lowerpressure experiments in belt and piston–cylinder set-ups.The analysis of spatial variations in pyroxene compositionswithin experimental samples was used to demonstrate that pressureand temperature variations within the samples were less than0·4 GPa and 50°C. Olivine capsules were used in natural-systemexperiments with two mineral mixtures: SC1 (olivine + high-Alorthopyroxene + high-Al clinopyroxene + spinel) and J4 (olivine+ low-Al orthopyroxene + low-Al clinopyroxene + garnet). Theexperiments produced olivine + orthopyroxene + garnet ±clinopyroxene assemblages, occasionally with magnesite and carbonate-richmelt. Equilibrium compositions were derived by the analysisof grain rims and evaluation of mineral zoning. They were comparedwith our previous experiments with the same starting mixturesat 2·8–6·0 GPa and the results from simplesystems. The compositions of minerals from experiments withnatural mixtures show smooth pressure and temperature dependencesup to a pressure of 8 GPa. The experiments at 9 and 10 GPa producedandradite-rich garnets and pyroxene compositions deviating fromthe trends defined by the lower pressure experiments (e.g. higherAl in orthopyroxene and Ca in clinopyroxene). This discrepancyis attributed to a higher degree of oxidation in the high-pressureexperiments and an orthopyroxene–high-P clinopyroxenephase transition at 9 GPa. Based on new and previous resultsin simple and natural systems, a new version of the Al-in-orthopyroxenebarometer is presented. The new barometer adequately reproducesexperimental pressures up to 8 GPa. KEY WORDS: garnet; mineral equilibrium; multi-anvil apparatus; orthopyroxene; geobarometry     

Synchronous pattern of moisture availability on the southern Tibetan Plateau since 17.5 cal. ka BP – the Tangra Yumco lake sediment record

A possible asynchronicity of the spatial and temporal moisture availability on the Tibetan Plateau has been a controversial subject of discussion in recent years. Here we present the first attempt to systematically investigate possible spatial and temporal variations in moisture availability by examining two lakes, Tangra Yumco and Nam Co, on an east–west transect on the southern Tibetan Plateau using identical proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. In this study, an independent record from Tangra Yumco was analysed applying a multi‐proxy approach to reconstruct variations in moisture availability since the Lateglacial. Results were subsequently compared with previously published records from Nam Co and additional records from Tso Moriri (northwestern Himalaya) and Naleng Co (southeastern Tibetan Plateau). Our results show that Tangra Yumco was at least partially ice covered prior to 17.1 cal. ka BP. A temperature rise after 17.1 cal. ka BP probably resulted in thawing of the permafrost. At 16.0 cal. ka BP moisture availability increased, representing an initial monsoonal intensification. Warmer conditions between 13.0 and 12.4 cal. ka BP and cooler conditions between 12.4 cal. ka BP and the onset of the Holocene reflect the Bølling‐Allerød and Younger Dryas. At the onset of the Holocene moisture availability rapidly increased, with moisture highest prior to 8.5 cal. ka BP when temperatures were also highest. After 8.5 cal. ka BP the moisture availability gradually decreased and showed only minor amplitude variations. These findings are consistent with the records from large lakes like Nam Co, Tso Moriri, and Naleng Co, revealing a synchronous pattern of moisture availability on the southern Tibetan Plateau.     

Röntgenographische Gefügeanalyse mit dem Texturgoniometer am Beispiel von Quarziten aus kaledonischen Überschiebungszonen

Zusammenfassung Quantitative Gefügediagramme können röntgenographisch mit einem Zählrohr-Textur-Goniometer gemessen werden. Diese Methode kommt besonders in Frage bei sehr feinkörnigen Gesteinen oder aber dann, wenn etwa bei einachsigen Mineralen auch die Regelung anderer Gitterrichtungen außer der c-Achsen-Richtung interessiert. Das beim Quarz anzuwendende Verfahren wird behandelt und gezeigt, wie man hier im Einzelfall Prismenregelungen nachweisen kann. Als praktische Beispiele werden Quarzitgefüge mit Prismenregelung aus kaledonischen Überschiebungszonen Schottlands und Norwegens abgebildet und ihre Entstehung diskutiert. Die Messungen scheinen darauf hinzuweisen, daß beim Quarz bevorzugt Translation mit (11¯20) als Gleitfläche und c als Gleitgerade maßgebend war.     

Review study on near-natural conditions of Central European mountain streams, with particular reference to debris and beaver dams: Results of the “REG meeting” 2000

This paper summarises the results of the “Rhithron Ecology Group” meeting in Essen (March 2000), supplemented by a literature evaluation.An extended view of small mountain streams in Central Europe under “potentially natural conditions” is presented. We focus on the potential impact of natural transverse structures (debris dams and beaver dams) on stream morphology, hydrology, habitat composition and communities. Furthermore, impact of other stream morphological features, which are presently lacking in the Central European landscape, is described.We suggest that Central European mountain streams are characterised by a higher proportion of lentic zones under “potentially natural conditions”. Morphological degradation leads to a loss of lentic zones and to an increase of current velocities and corresponding changes in faunal composition, particularly higher abundance and proportion of rheophilic species and a decrease of species preferring lentic zones. This should be regarded in future stream assessment.     

Erzmikroskopische Beobachtungen an natürlich erhitzten,insbesondere pseudobrookitführenden Vulkaniten

Ohne ZusammenfassungMeinem hochverehrten Lehrer, Herrn Professor Dr.Paul Ramdohr, zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Die Erzparagenese des Katzenbuckels im Odenwald

Ohne ZusammenfassungDas Manuskript wurde in etwas ausführlicherer Form von der Naturw.-Mathem. Fakultät der Ruprecht Karl-Universität in Heidelberg im Februar 1953 als Dissertation angenommen.     

Mafic Late Miocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks in the Kamchatka back arc region: implications for subduction geometry and slab history at the Pacific–Aleutian junction

New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and published ¹⁴C ages constrain voluminous mafic volcanism of the Kamchatka back-arc to Miocene (3–6 Ma) and Late Pleistocene to Holocene (<1 Ma) times. Trace elements and isotopic compositions show that older rocks derived from a depleted mantle through subduction fluid-flux melting (>20%). Younger rocks form in a back arc by lower melting degrees involving enriched mantle components. The arc front and Central Kamchatka Depression are also underlain by plateau lavas and shield volcanoes of Late Pleistocene age. The focus of these voluminous eruptions thus migrated in time and may be the result of a high fluid flux in a setting where the Emperor seamount subducts and the slab steepens during rollback during terrain accretions. The northern termination of Holocene volcanism locates the edge of the subducting Pacific plate below Kamchatka, a “slab-edge-effect” is not observed in the back arc region.     

Low-temperature opal-CT precipitation in Antarctic deep-sea sediments: evidence from oxygen isotopes

Porcellanite has been found in Antarctic deep-sea sediments of shallow burial depth at four different sites in host sediments younger than 4 Ma. Oxygen isotope analysis shows that the opal-CT samples are extremely rich in¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O= 41.2to44.7‰ rel. SMOW). According to the quartz/water fractionation the calculated isotopic opal-CT formation temperature is in the range of 0 to 4°C. This agrees well with sediment temperature measurements. The low opal-CT precipitation temperature contrasts with current ideas about later diagenetic formation of opal-CT at higher temperatures of 18 to 56°C.