X-ray and electron-optical investigation of synthetic high-temperature plagioclases

High-temperature plagioclases NaAlSi₃O₈(Ab)-CaAl₂Si₂O₈(An) have been prepared by dry devitrification of glasses. X-ray powder photographs were taken to follow the time-temperature dependence of indicators of structural state and to determine the lattice parameters of the plagioclases as well as their K-exchanged equivalents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to study the anorthite-type antiphase domain textures. The results are as follows:

1. TEM and X-ray powder data suggest to subdivide the high-temperature plagioclase series into three structural regions: (a) An0 to An30–40: monalbite/analbite to high albite-type structures, (b) An60–70 to An100: anorthite-type structures, (c) An30–40 to An60–70: transitional structures assumed to represent the early stages in the development of the structural complexities found in chemically intermediate low temperature plagioclases.
2. b-Antiphase domains typical for the anorthite-type structure could be imaged in samples ranging between An100 and An67.5, whereas c-antiphase domains have only been found in An90 and An100. The b-domains developed during isothermal crystallization, rather than cooling. The transition from the anorthite-type structure (S.G.I \(\bar 1\) ) to an intermediate C \(\bar 1\) -type structure at An60–70 appears to be a gradual one.
3. The relative contribution of various structural and chemical influences on the cell edges and angles is discussed in detail. It is shown that the nonlinear variation of γ with An content is due to incomplete Al,Si disorder in the high series.

     

The fluid dynamics of a basaltic magma chamber replenished by influx of hot,dense ultrabasic magma

This paper describes a fluid dynamical investigation of the influx of hot, dense ultrabasic magma into a reservoir containing lighter, fractionated basaltic magma. This situation is compared with that which develops when hot salty water is introduced under cold fresh water. Theoretical and empirical models for salt/water systems are adapted to develop a model for magmatic systems. A feature of the model is that the ultrabasic melt does not immediately mix with the basalt, but spreads out over the floor of the chamber, forming an independent layer. A non-turbulent interface forms between this layer and the overlying magma layer across which heat and mass are transferred by the process of molecular diffusion. Both layers convect vigorously as heat is transferred to the upper layer at a rate which greatly exceeds the heat lost to the surrounding country rock. The convection continues until the two layers have almost the same temperature. The compositions of the layers remain distinct due to the low diffusivity of mass compared to heat. The temperatures of the layers as functions of time and their cooling rate depend on their viscosities, their thermal properties, the density difference between the layers and their thicknesses. For a layer of ultrabasic melt (18% MgO) a few tens of metres thick at the base of a basaltic (10% MgO) magma chamber a few kilometres thick, the temperature of the layers will become nearly identical over a period of between a few months and a few years. During this time the turbulent convective velocities in the ultrabasic layer are far larger than the settling velocity of olivines which crystallise within the layer during cooling. Olivines only settle after the two layers have nearly reached thermal equilibrium. At this stage residual basaltic melt segregates as the olivines sediment in the lower layer. Depending on its density, the released basalt can either mix convectively with the overlying basalt layer, or can continue as a separate layer. The model provides an explanation for large-scale cyclic layering in basic and ultrabasic intrusions. The model also suggests reasons for the restriction of erupted basaltic liquids to compositions with MgO<10% and the formation of some quench textures in layered igneous rocks.     

A carbonaceous inclusion from the Krymka LL-chondrite: noble gases and trace elements

A black inclusion from the Krymka LL3 chondrite was analyzed for 20 trace elements and five noble gases, by radiochemical neutron activation and mass spectrometry. The trace element pattern somewhat resembles that of C1 or C2 chondrites, but with several unique features. Elements of nebular condensation T ? 1000 K (U, Re, Os, Ir, Ni, Pd, Au, Sb and Ge) are essentially undepleted, as in C1 chondrites, but $\text{Re}\text{Ir}$ is 1.49 × higher than the characteristic Cl value. Among elements condensing below 1000 K, Cs, Se, Te, and In are depleted to approximately C2 levels (~0.6 × C1), whereas Ag, Bi, Tl are enriched to ~ 1.6 × C1. Such enrichments are thought to be characteristic of late nebular condensates.The noble-gas pattern also is unique. Gas contents are higher than in C1s, by factors of 2.6 to 19 for Ne through Xe. The $\text{Ar}{}^{36}\text{Xe}{}^{132}$ ratio of 500 is higher than mean values for C1s or C2s (109 or 89) and exceeds even the highest value seen in C3Os, 420, whereas the $\text{He}{}^4\text{Ne}{}^{20}$ ratio of 62 is much lower than the values for C1s and C2s (200–370). The $\text{Xe}{}^{129}\text{Xe}{}^{132}$ and $\text{Xe}{}^{136}\text{Xe}{}^{\mathrm{l32}}$ ratios of 1.040 and 0.320 resemble those of C1 chondrites, and seem to imply typical proportions of radiogenic Xe¹²⁹ and ‘fissiogenic’ xenon.It appears that the inclusion represents a new primitive meteorite type, similar to C-chondrites, but probably a late condensate from a region of higher nebular pressure.     

Canyon Creek: A late Pleistocene vertebrate locality in interior Alaska

The Canyon Creek vertebrate-fossil locality is an extensive road cut near Fairbanks that exposes sediments that range in age from early Wisconsin to late Holocene. Tanana River gravel at the base of the section evidently formed during the Delta Glaciation of the north-central Alaska Range. Younger layers and lenses of fluvial sand are interbedded with arkosic gravel from Canyon Creek that contains tephra as well as fossil bones of an interstadial fauna about 40,000 years old. Solifluction deposits containing ventifacts, wedge casts, and rodent burrows formed during a subsequent period of periglacial activity that took place during the maximum phase of Donnelly Glaciation about 25,000–17,000 years ago. Overlying sheets of eolian sand are separated by a 9500-year-old paleosol that may correlate with a phase of early Holocene spruce expansion through central Alaska. The Pleistocene fauna from Canyon Creek consists of rodents (indicated by burrows), Mammuthus primigenius (woolly mammoth), Equus lambei (Yukon wild ass), Camelops hesternus (western camel), Bison sp. cf. B. crassicornis (large-horned bison), Ovis sp. cf.O. dalli (mountain sheep), Canis sp. cf. C. lupus (wolf), Lepus sp. cf. L. othus or L. arcticus (tundra hare), and Rangifer sp. (caribou). This assemblage suggests an open landscape in which trees and tall shrubs were either absent or confined to sheltered and moist sites. Camelops evidently was present in eastern Beringia during the middle Wisconsin interstadial interval but may have disappeared during the following glacial episode. The stratigraphic section at Canyon Creek appears to demonstrate that the Delta Glaciation of the north-central Alaska Range is at least in part of early Wisconsin age and was separated from the succeeding Donnelly Glaciation by an interstadial rather than interglacial episode.     

Studies of density and magnetic properties of rocks from Northern Sweden

Summary Over the shield region of Northern Sweden, the Geological Survey runs a low altitude (30 m) aeromagnetic survey and regional gravity surveys cover almost the same areas. The production of detailed geological maps would be almost impossible without these geophysical measurements. To enhance their interpretation, a study of the appropriate petrophysical properties was started by measurements of density, susceptibility and remanence on all rock specimens collected by field geologists. Up to now more than 30,000 specimens have been measured and almost as many in situ susceptibility determinations have been made. About 10% of the samples are oriented. The information obtained is useful not only for the direct interpretation of geophysical surveys but also reflects the effects of various geological processes acting during and after the formation of the rocks considered.In precambrian rocks, density is obviously closely correlated to mineral composition and thus to chemical composition. This is demonstrated for igneous rocks by the correlation trends between density and SiO₂-content and the CM/AF-index.Susceptibility mainly reflects the magnetite content of rocks. As magnetite is an accessory mineral it is seldom considered by geologists. However, a closer study of the magnetic susceptibility of rocks reveals that its extreme complexity reflects the effects of primary and secondary geological processes. The susceptibility spectrum of a certain rock may prove to be a useful classification tool — at least regarding intermediate and basic igneous rocks.The combination of the physical parameters density and susceptibility in 2-dimensional frequency distributions seems to be a promising approach to the understanding of certain petrological processes and makes possible the delineation of local or regional secondary processes. Magmatic differentiation and serpentinization can be demonstrated in this manner.Remanent magnetization plays a secondary role in the majority of precambrian rocks. Still there are places where the natural remanence dominates and shows pronounced directions deviating from today's magnetic field. So far we have only one case where a follow up by demagnetization has been attempted, but intensified paleomagnetic research should most certainly add to our understanding of precambrian geology.Combination of susceptibility and remanance shows some characteristic correlations for highly remanent rocks, reflecting mainly exosolution phenomena among magnetic opaques and grain size distributions. Even these features might be used as diagnostic or classifying tools. They also explain some of the diversity of susceptibility spectra.     

Area-based policies for crime prevention

The new emphasis upon crime prevention which has appeared in recent years has led to realignments in policing policy in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Although by no means leading to the abandonment of the more traditional forms of policing, schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and the wider concept of community policing involve far greater levels of interaction between the police and the public. Area-based policies have appeared in numerous forms and have proved convenient ways for crime control resources to be organized. Early experiments in policing practice have not produced clear answers on the effectiveness of various strategies and there are wider issues of crime identification and control to be considered. A number of schemes of different kinds, ranging from target-hardening projects which increase physical security in particular areas, to attempts to involve communities in more effective social control are reviewed, and it is argued that the established methodologies of urban geography have much to offer in the monitoring and evaluation of crime prevention schemes of this kind.     

Cultural policy and place promotion: Swansea and Dylan Thomas

As former industrial cities have experienced radical changes to the bases of their economies, the imperatives of finding new roles and functions has often led to the adoption of cultural policies. These are diverse and partial but have become part of place promotion policies designed to attract visitors and investors. The connection with a literary figure offers one exploitable quality and this paper explores the adoption of Dylan Thomas, poet and writer, as an icon for Swansea. What emerges is the existence of a diversity of interested individuals and groups, who start from different positions but work towards a common goal. The tensions about the life and works of the poet, evident over the 50 years since his death are still there but the key players, including the City and County of Swansea, are finding ways of reconciling their differences in the ‘production’ of Dylan Thomas. This use of a writer and his local connections forms part of the more general process of making a cultural policy for the city.