Caldera morphology in the western Galápagos and implications for volcano eruptive behavior and mechanisms of caldera formation

Caldera morphology on the six historically active shield volcanoes that comprise Isabela and Fernandina islands, the two westernmost islands in the Galapagos archipelago, is linked to the dynamics of magma supply to, and withdrawal from, the magma chamber beneath each volcano. Caldera size (e.g., volumes 2–9 times that of the caldera of Kilauea, Hawai'i), the absence of well-developed rift zones and the inability to sustain prolonged low-volumetric-flow-rate flank eruptions suggest that magma storage occurs predominantly within centrally located chambers (at the expense of storage within the flanks). The calderas play an important role in the formation of distinctive arcuate fissures in the central part of the volcano: repeated inward collapse of the caldera walls along with floor subsidence provide mechanisms for sustaining radially oriented least-compressive stresses that favor the formation of arcuate fissures within 1–2 km outboard of the caldera rim. Variations in caldera shape, depth-to-diameter ratio, intra-caldera bench location and the extent of talus slope development provide insight into the most recent events of caldera modification, which may be modulated by the episodic supply of magma to each volcano. A lack of correlation between the volume of the single historical collapse event and its associated volume of erupted lava precludes a model of caldera formation linked directly to magma withdrawal. Rather, caldera collapse is probably the result of accumulated loss from the central storage system without sufficient recharge and (as has been suggested for Kilauea) may be aided by the downward drag of dense cumulates and intrusives.     

Secondary dispersion from gold deposits in west Turkey

Orientation studies over the Sarpda? prospect in the Biga peninsula and the Arapdagi deposit near Izmir have provided elear evidence for elemental dispersion around west Turkish gold prospects. Although these deposits are of different types, silicification associated with the deposits results in the main part of both deposits forming topographic highs.At Sarpda? gold mineralisation is relatively weak compared with nearby prospects and associated with a silicified cap on the main hill. Comparison of coarse and fine fractions, based on a 190 μm size split of 8 kg of -2 mm material, suggests that gold disperses clastically on the steep slopes, probably within silica, but coarse grains break down giving Au concentrations in the finer fractions at the base of the main slope. Discrete gold grains, that can be panned, only occur 1–2 km downstream within the streams and heavy mineral concentrations are very limited. This interpretation of Au dispersion is consistent with the data from 1 kg samples collected at the higher primary grade, but more contaminated, Arapda?i prospect.Antimony is the most consistent pathfinder both for the silicified cap at Sarpda? and for gold-rich veins at Arpada?i. It gives high contrast anomalies. Arsenic is useful being more mobile than Sb, although contrast may be low. High resolution Ag data can be useful but base metal enrichments are also often associated with Ag anomalies. Most prospects have some base metal enrichments although they can be displaced from the main gold-rich parts of the deposit and anomalies may be weak. Lead and Cu are the more consistently useful elements.The use of large (> 8 kg of -2 mm material) samples produces consistent stream sediment data that can be used to reliably interpret single samples and quantify Au anomalies. A survey around the Halíköy Hg and Emirli Sb mines, using these large samples, confirmed the extension of the known gold-bearing Emirli structure. In contrast the major Hg-bearing Halíköy Fault is gold poor although a structure parallel to it is auriferous.     

The potential impact of herbivores on the susceptibility of the marsh plantSagittaria lancifolia to saltwater intrusion in coastal wetlands

The objective of this study was to experimentally evaluate the effects of simulated herbivory on the ability of a freshwater marsh plant to recover from temporary saltwater intrusion such as can be caused by tropical storms. Sods containingSagittaria lancifolia, a dominant plant in interior coastal marshes, were manipulated in the field so as to subject plants to a pulse of 15‰ salt water for a duration of 1 wk. In addition to the exposure to salt water, some plants were also subjected to both short-term and long-term flooding treatments of 20 cm, and to simulated herbivory (clipping). Following exposure to salt water, plants were allowed to recover over the winter and were harvested the next June. Neither simulated herbivory, nor salinity, nor flooding caused any long-term effect either singly or in pairwise combinations. However, when plants were subjected to herbivory, salt water, and flooding simultaneously, reduced growth and plant death occurred. These results suggest that high levels of grazing by herbivores may increase the susceptibility of coastal marsh plants to damage from saltwater intrusion. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY073 00002     

Evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in fish from the Antarctic peninsula

PAH exposure was assessed in fish from Arthur Harbor, Antarctica and sites remote from human activities by measuring the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in bile and PAH in tissues and stomach contents. The highest concentrations of biliary metabolites and tissue PAH were present in fish captured near an Argentine supply ship (Bahia Paraiso) that ran aground in Arthur Harbor in 1989. The presence of biliary PAH metabolites in fish collected near Palmer Station, a small US scientific station in Arthur Harbor, suggests low level exposure to contaminants. However, PAH tissue concentrations in fish from Palmer Station were similar to those from remote sites. Both tissue PAH and metabolite concentrations were low in fish captured at sites remote from human activities. The confirmation of PAH metabolites in the bile of fish from Arthur Harbor is direct evidence that the presence of humans has resulted in Antarctic fish being exposed to petroleum-derived PAH.     

Anomalous structural evolution of the Shimanto Accretionary Prism at Murotomisaki, Shikoku Island, Japan

Abstract The Late Oligocene-Early Miocene Nabae Sub-belt of the Shimanto Accretionary Prism was created coevally (ca 25-15 Ma) with the opening of the Shikoku back-arc basin, located to the south of the southwest Japan convergent margin. The detailed geology of the sub-belt has been controversial and the interaction of the Shimanto accretionary prism and the opening of the Shikoku Basin has been ambiguous. New structural analysis of the sub-belt has led to a new perception of its structural framework and has significant bearing on the interpretation of the Neogene tectonics of southwest Japan. The sub-belt is divided into three units: the Nabae Complex; the Shijujiyama Formation; and the Maruyama Intrusive Suite. The Nabae Complex comprises coherent units and mélange, all of which show polyphase deformation. The first phase of deformation appears to have involved landward vergent thrusting of coherent units over the mélange terrane. The second phase of deformation involved continued landward vergent shortening. The Shijujiyama Formation, composed mainly of mafic volcanics and massive sandstone, is interpreted as a slope basin deposited upon the Nabae Complex during the second phase of deformation. The youngest deformational pulse involved regional flexing and accompanying pervasive faulting. During this event, mafic rocks of the Maruyama Intrusive Suite intruded the sub-belt. Fossil evidence in the Nabae Complex and radiometric dates on the intrusive rocks indicate that this tectonic scheme was imprinted upon the sub-belt between ～23 and ～14 Ma. The timing of accretion and deformation of the sub-belt coincides with the opening of the Shikoku Basin; hence, subduction and spreading operated simultaneously. Accretion of the Nabae Sub-belt was anomalous, involving landward vergent thrusting, magmatism in newly accreted strata and regional flexing. It is proposed that this complex and anomalous structural history is largely related to the subduction of the active Shikoku Basin spreading ridge and associated seamounts.     

Mapping a Brine Plume Using Surface Geophysical Methods in Conjunction with Ground Water Quality Data

Oil field brine was applied to a gravel roadbed at an instrumented study site in Newark, Ohio, to simulate the use of brine as a deicer on roads in certain areas of Ohio. Brine was applied on a weekly basis eight times during the winter of 1988 as part of the deicing simulation. Eleven wells were installed at the site prior to brine application to permit collection of ground water quality samples. Surface geophysical methods — electrical resistivity and electromagnetic conductivity — were used to map the resulting brine plume. The accuracy of the methods was evaluated by comparing geophysical and ground water quality data. The presence of brine in ground water resulted in a decrease in resistivity and an increase in conductivity. Specific conductance measured in the field was used as a general indicator of the presence of the brine plume in ground water. Chloride concentration was an indicator of brine in the ground water. Results of the surface geophysical surveys correlated best with chloride and dissolved solids concentrations, and with specific conductance in ground water. The surface geophysical methods were found to be useful for qualitative interpretations of ground water quality changes resulting from the application of brine on roads.