Magmagenesis in a subduction-related post-collisional volcanic arc segment: the Ukrainian Carpathians

Calc-alkaline magmatism in the south-west Ukraine occurred between 13.8 and 9.1 Ma and formed an integral part of the Neogene subduction-related post-collisional Carpathian volcanic arc. Eruptions occurred contemporaneously in two parallel arcs (here termed Outer Arc and Inner Arc) in the Ukrainian part of the Carpathians. Outer Arc rocks, mainly andesites, are characterized by LILE enrichment (e.g. K and Pb), Nb depletion, low compatible trace element abundances, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, high δ¹⁸O and low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios (0.7085–0.7095, 7.01–8.53, 0.51230–0.51245, respectively). Inner Arc rocks are mostly dacites and rhyolites with some basaltic and andesitic lavas. They also show low compatible element abundances but have lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹⁸O and higher ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.7060–0.7085, 6.15–6.64, 0.5125–0.5126, respectively) than Outer Arc rocks. Both high-Nb and low-Nb lithologies are present in the Inner Arc. Based on the LILE enrichment (especially Pb), a higher fluid flux is suggested for the Outer Arc magmas compared with those of the Inner Arc.

Combined trace element and Sr–Nd–O isotopic modelling suggests that the factors which controlled the generation and evolution of magmas were complex. Compositional differences between the Inner and Outer Arcs were produced by introduction of variable proportions of slab-derived sediments and fluids into a heterogeneous mantle wedge, and by different extents of upper crustal contamination. Degrees of magmatic fractionation also differed between the two arcs. The most primitive magmas belong to the Inner Arc. Isotopic modelling shows that they can be produced by adding 3–8% subducted terrigenous flysch sediments to the local mantle wedge source. Up to 5% upper crustal contamination has been modelled for fractionated products of the Inner Arc. The geochemical features of Outer Arc rocks suggest that they were generated from mantle wedge melts similar to the Inner Arc primitive magmas, but were strongly affected by both source enrichment and upper crustal contamination. Assimilation of 10–20% bulk upper crust is required in the AFC modelling, assuming an Inner Arc parental magma. We suggest that magmagenesis is closely related to the complex geotectonic evolution of the Carpathian area. Several tectonic and kinematic factors are significant: (1) hydration of the asthenosphere during subduction and plate rollback directly related to collisional processes; (2) thermal disturbance caused by ascent of hot asthenospheric mantle during the back-arc opening of the Pannonian Basin; (3) clockwise translational movements of the Intracarpathian terranes, which facilitated eruption of the magmas.     

Effects of the orbital eccentricity on the equipotential surfaces in binary systems

In the frame of the elliptical restricted three-body problem, the differential equations for the motion of an infinitesimal body are established. In spite of the lack of Jacobi's integral, for fixed values of the true anomaly (v = 0°, 90°, and 180°), particular results were obtained. The pulsational character of the equipotential surfaces is evident.     

Calpionellids and calcispheres from the upper Jurassic-lower Cretaceous deposits in the Resita-Moldova Noua zone, Southern Carpathians, Romania

An assemblage of calpionellids and calcispheres identified in five lithostratigraphic units allows the identification of eight biozones in the upper Oxfordian-Hauterivian interval. Since the biozonation according to calpionellids has already been accurately defined by Pop (1974, 1989) for the Marila Limestones and Crivina Marls, the novelty of our approach resides mainly in the extension of this biozonation to the over- and underlying lithostratigraphic units using calcispheres. The possibility of micropalaeontologically delimiting the Valea Aninei Limestones is extremely significant, since the age of these limestones has been estimated so far only by their geometrical setting in the lithostratigraphic sequence of formations in the area.     

A corrected 3-D SPH method for breaking tsunami wave modelling

A 3-D large eddy simulation model that was first transformed to smoothed particle hydrodynamics (LES-SPH)-based model was employed to study breaking tsunami waves in this paper. LES-SPH is a gridless (or mesh-free), purely Lagrangian particle approach which is capable of tracking the free surface of violent deformation with fragmentation in an easy and accurate way. The Smagorinsky closure model is used to simulate the turbulence due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The Sub-Particle Scale scheme, plus the link-list algorithm, is applied to reduce the demand of computational power. The computational results show that the 3-D LES-SPH model can capture well the breaking wave characteristics. Spatial evolution features of breaking wave are presented and visualized. The detailed mechanisms of turbulence transport and vorticity dynamics are demonstrated as well. This application also presents an example to validate the SPH model.     

Numerical modelling of coastal inundation from Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunamis and implications for coastal communities on western Vancouver Island,Canada

Natural Hazards - In the present study, numerical simulations were conducted to estimate the spatio-temporal characteristics of tsunami inundation for municipalities on Vancouver Island, Canada, as...     

Multi‐kilometre long pathway of geofluids migration: Clues concerning an ophiolite serpentinization setting possibly responsible for the inferred abiotic provenance of methane in thermal water outflows of the South‐West Carpathians (Romania)

Methane occurrences displaying signatures of a possible abiotic origin had previously been reported in the South‐West Carpathians (Romania). Such an accumulation, at Tisovi?a, was intercepted by a well drilled in an ophiolitic rocks massif, whereas in two other localities—situated tens of kilometres faraway—the concerned methane is released via thermal groundwater outflows that are apparently not associated with any ultramafic products. By using groundwater ionic compositions, corroborated with previously published isotopic (¹³C‐CH₄, ²H‐CH₄, ³He/⁴He) and molecular gas analyses, we assessed in more detail the conjectured abiotic provenance of methane, and quantitatively investigated the hypothesis of a progressive mixing between two, abiotic and thermogenic, methane end‐members. The corresponding geofluids behaviour was modelled by hypothesizing a “concealed” ophiolite serpentinization setting (largely similar to that at Tisovi?a), whose abiotic methane production was “diverted” towards remote discharges at ground surface, via a ~20‐km‐long flowpath supposedly generated by recently operating extensional tectonics.     

Simion Mehedinţi's Contribution to Modern Romanian Geography

Armed with a scholarship to find an answer to the question “What is geography?” Simion Mehedin?i's studies took him to continental Europe's three main centers of geographic thought: Paris, Berlin, and Leipzig. We explore how his innovative ideas flourished, especially in Leipzig under Ratzel. The first Romanian geographer, Mehedin?i, must be credited with having defined geography as a science of mutual relationships between geospheres. This thinking reached its pinnacle in two complex books, Terra and Ethnos, the contents of which we synthetically explore. We also trace the unfavorable historical and geopolitical conditions that led to this pioneering work being little recognized worldwide.     

Emplacement of the Jurassic Mirdita ophiolites (southern Albania): evidence from associated clastic and carbonate sediments

Sedimentology can shed light on the emplacement of oceanic lithosphere (i.e. ophiolites) onto continental crust and post-emplacement settings. An example chosen here is the well-exposed Jurassic Mirdita ophiolite in southern Albania. Successions studied in five different ophiolitic massifs (Voskopoja, Luniku, Shpati, Rehove and Morava) document variable depositional processes and palaeoenvironments in the light of evidence from comparable settings elsewhere (e.g. N Albania; N Greece). Ophiolitic extrusive rocks (pillow basalts and lava breccias) locally retain an intact cover of oceanic radiolarian chert (in the Shpati massif). Elsewhere, ophiolite-derived clastics typically overlie basaltic extrusives or ultramafic rocks directly. The oldest dated sediments are calpionellid- and ammonite-bearing pelagic carbonates of latest (?) Jurassic-Berrasian age. Similar calpionellid limestones elsewhere (N Albania; N Greece) post-date the regional ophiolite emplacement. At one locality in S Albania (Voskopoja), calpionellid limestones are gradationally underlain by thick ophiolite-derived breccias (containing both ultramafic and mafic clasts) that were derived by mass wasting of subaqueous fault scarps during or soon after the latest stages of ophiolite emplacement. An intercalation of serpentinite-rich debris flows at this locality is indicative of mobilisation of hydrated oceanic ultramafic rocks. Some of the ophiolite-derived conglomerates (e.g. Shpati massif) include well-rounded serpentinite and basalt clasts suggestive of a high-energy, shallow-water origin. The Berriasian pelagic limestones (at Voskopoja) experienced reworking and slumping probably related to shallowing and a switch to neritic deposition. Mixed ophiolite-derived clastic and neritic carbonate sediments accumulated later, during the Early Cretaceous (mainly Barremian-Aptian) in variable deltaic, lagoonal and shallow-marine settings. These sediments were influenced by local tectonics or eustatic sea-level change. Terrigenous sediment gradually encroached from neighbouring landmasses as the ophiolite was faulted or eroded. An Aptian transgression was followed by regression, creating a local unconformity (e.g. at Boboshtica). A Turonian marine transgression initiated widespread Upper Cretaceous shelf carbonate deposition. In the regional context, the southern Albania ophiolites appear to have been rapidly emplaced onto a continental margin in a subaqueous setting during the Late Jurassic (Late Oxfordian-Late Tithonian). This was followed by gradual emergence, probably in response to thinning of the ophiolite by erosion and/or exhumation. The sedimentary cover of the south Albanian ophiolites is consistent with rapid, relatively short-distance emplacement of a regional-scale ophiolite over a local Pelagonian-Korabi microcontinent.