Effects of mantle upwelling in a compressional setting: the Atlas Mountains of Morocco

We discuss the implications of a lithospheric model of the Moroccan Atlas Mountains based on topography, heat flow, gravity and geoid anomalies, taking into account the regional geology. The NW African cratonic lithosphere, some 160–180 km thick, thins to c. 80 km beneath the Atlas fold-thrust belts, in contrast with the shortening regime prevailing there since the early Cenozoic. This fact explains several geological and geophysical features as high topography with modest tectonic shortening, the occurrence of alkaline magmatism contemporaneous to compression, the absence of large crustal roots to support elevation, the scarce development of foreland basins, and a marked geoid high. The modelled lithosphere thinning is related to a thermal upwelling constrained between the Iberia–Africa convergent plate boundary and the Saharan craton.     

Simulation Experiments with Cometary Analogous Material

Comet simulation experiments are discussed, in the context of physical models and the results in cometary physics, gathered especially from the GIOTTO space mission to comet P'Halley. The “status of the today knowledge” about comets, the experiments could start from, is briefly reviewed. The setup of the KOSI (German = Kometen Simulation) - experiments and the techniques to produce cometary analogous material, on the basis of that knowledge are described in general, as for the different KOSI experiments. The limitations of the simulation of physical processes at the surface of real comets in an earth-bound laboratory are discussed, and the possibilities to receive common insights in cometary physics are shown. Methods and procedures are described, and the major results reviewed. As with attempting to reproduce any natural phenomenon in the laboratory, there are short-comings to these experiments, but there are possibly major new insights to be gained. Physical laws only have the same consequences under same experimental or environmental conditions. A number of small-scale comet simulation experiments have been performed, since the early 60ties in many laboratories, but the largest and most ambitious series of comet simulation experiments to date were performed between 1987 and 1993 using the German space agency's (DLR) space hardware testing facilities in Cologne. These experiments were triggered by the scientific community after the comet P'Halley's recurrence in 1986 and the many data gathered by the space missions in this year. Simulation experiments have proved valuable in developing methods for making cometary analogues, and for exploring specific properties of such materials in detail. These experiments provided new insights into the morphology and physical behavior of aggregates formed out of silicate- /water-ice -grains likely to exist in comets. The formation of a dust mantle on the surface, and a system of ice layers below the mantle from the different admixed materials, have been detected after the insolation of the artificial comet. The mechanisms for heat transfer between the comet's surface and its interior, compositional, structural, and isotopic changes that occur near the comet's surface, were described by modeling in accordance with the experimental results. The mechanisms of the ejection of dust and ice grains from the surface, and the importance of gas-drag in propelling grains were investigated by close-up video cameras. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characteristics of the multi-telescope coincidence trigger of the HEGRA IACT system

The HEGRA-collaboration is operating a system of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes to search for sources of TeV-γ-rays. Air showers are observed in stereoscopic mode with several telescopes simultaneously. To trigger the telescope system a versatile two-level trigger scheme has been implemented, which allows a significant reduction of the energy threshold with respect to single telescopes. The technical implementation of this trigger scheme and the performance of the trigger system are described. Results include the dependence of single- and multi-telescope trigger rates on the trigger thresholds, on the orientation of the telescopes, and on the type of the primary particle.     

Preface

Earth, Moon, and Planets -     

The Anti-Tail of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) in 1997/1998

The large-scale post-perihelion evolution of the dust tail in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) was monitored with Schmidt telescope exposures at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) La Silla in Chile. In early October 1997 signatures of a peculiar dust-tail appeared as straight, but diffuse extensions in the northern and southern coma hemisphere. With the approach of the Earth to the orbital plane of the comet a needle-like anti-tail with a similar, but much longer counterpart in the region of the normal dust tail formed. In early January 1998, i.e., close to the plane crossing, the anti-tail pointed towards position angle 190° and was at least 0.4°long, its counter part extended over more than 5° into oppositedirection. During February and March 1998 the position angles of both features increased by more than 40$°– while their appearance became shorter, wider and more diffuse again. Thepeculiar dust tail was last observed in April 1998.Modeling of the dust tail dynamics shows that the anti-tail andpeculiar tail phenomenon observed is formed by a neck-line structureof heavy dust grains released around perihelion passage. Two scenariiare introduced to explain the extension of the anti-tail feature:(1) grains ejected about 20 days post-perihelion with a initial velocity of 170 m/s in radial direction towards the Sun and(2) grains released about 60–80 days before perihelion at a speed of70m/s into the orbital plane and against the motion directionof the comet. The out-of-plane velocity component of the dust wasless than 25 m/s. Both scenarios require dust of < 0.001to be involved, i.e., grains of at least mm-size. The rather symmetric shading of the neck-line structure before and after passage of theEarth through the orbital plane of the comet in early January 1998 supports the idea that dust of both scenarii may have contributed to the phenomenon.     

Variation in Lake Baikal's phytoplankton distribution and fluvial input assessed by SeaWiFS satellite data

The current behaviour of selected climate proxies in Lake Baikal was assessed by remote sensing analyses of ‘Sea viewing Wide Field of view Sensor’ (SeaWiFS) satellite data. Suitable proxies include optically visible water constituents such as phytoplankton, suspended terrigenous matter and yellow substance. These limnological parameters reflect the present-day climate bioproductivity and the river discharge in the catchment area.A biological and geochemical ground truth data set for Lake Baikal was established with the help of members of the paleoclimate project ‘high-resolution CONTINENTal paleoclimate record in Lake Baikal’ (CONTINENT). For processing the SeaWiFS satellite data, the atmospheric correction was adapted to the case of Lake Baikal. Chlorophyll as a proxy for phytoplankton was quantified using global NASA ocean colour algorithms OC2 and OC4. In cases of no optical interferences by terrigenous input, the calculated chlorophyll concentrations in clear pelagic waters were within ±30% accuracy with the CONTINENT cruise data during the summers of 2001 and 2002. Within this range of accuracy, the SeaWiFS time series will be able to show the seasonal variations of chlorophyll of specified bio-optical provinces of Lake Baikal and of CONTINENT sites. In this study, the suspended matter as a proxy for the terrigenous input was calculated according to an empirical algorithm using ground truth data in the time frame of flooding events in summer 2001. The approach chosen correlates the suspended matter concentration with the remotely sensed parameter of ‘attenuation coefficient’ to account for the organic-rich terrigenous input that originates from the swampy watersheds.Seasonal and spatial information that is provided by the analyses of the SeaWiFS satellite data will assist paleoclimate researchers to interpret the autochthonous and allochthonous influences at the CONTINENT coring sites.     

Late Quaternary vegetation, fire and climate history reconstructed from two cores at Cerro Toledo, Podocarpus National Park, southeastern Ecuadorian Andes

The last ca. 20,000 yr of palaeoenvironmental conditions in Podocarpus National Park in the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes have been reconstructed from two pollen records from Cerro Toledo (04°22'28.6S, 79°06'41.5W) at 3150 m and 3110 m elevation. Páramo vegetation with high proportions of Plantago rigida characterised the last glacial maximum (LGM), reflecting cold and wet conditions. The upper forest line was at markedly lower elevations than present. After ca. 16,200 cal yr BP, páramo vegetation decreased slightly while mountain rainforest developed, suggesting rising temperatures. The trend of increasing temperatures and mountain rainforest expansion continued until ca. 8500 cal yr BP, while highest temperatures probably occurred from 9300 to 8500 cal yr BP. From ca. 8500 cal yr BP, páramo vegetation re-expanded with dominance of Poaceae, suggesting a change to cooler conditions. During the late Holocene after ca. 1800 cal yr BP, a decrease in páramo indicates a change to warmer conditions. Anthropogenic impact near the study site is indicated for times after 2300 cal yr BP. The regional environmental history indicates that through time the eastern Andean Cordillera in South Ecuador was influenced by eastern Amazonian climates rather than western Pacific climates.     

Accessibility for High Asia:Comparative Perspective on Northern Pakistan''''s Traffic Infrastructure and Linkages with Its Neighbours in the Hindukush- Karakoram-Himalaya

Introduction The birth of Pakistan in particular and theindependence and creation of some other Asiannation states in general coincide with an internationaleffort to overcome colonialization and tostrengthen mutual exchanges of goods andknowledge. The age of planned developmentcommenced with the unanimously recommendedstrategy of modernization. The concept ofmodernity was virtually synonymous witheconomic growth. To sustain and accelerateeconomic growth, an adequate physicalinfrastructure was…