Microtextural investigation (SEM and TEM study) of phyllosilicates in a major thrust fault zone (Monte Perdido, southern Pyrenees): impact on fault reactivation

Thrusting fault zone in foreland basins are characterized by highly foliated zones generally enriched in phyllosilicates which can play a major role on the mechanical behaviour of the fault. In this context, investigations of synkinematic clay minerals permit to determine the origin of the fluid from which they precipitated as well as the mechanisms of deformation. Our study is focused on clay mineral assemblages (illite and chlorite) in a major thrust fault located in the Monte Perdido massif (southern Pyrenees), a shallow thrust that affects upper cretaceous-paleocene platform carbonates and lower Eocene marls and turbidites. It implied 3?km of displacement of the Monte Perdido thrust unit with respect to the underlying Gavarnie unit. In this area the cleavage development by pressure-solution is linked to the Monte Perdido and Gavarnie thrust activity. The core zone of the fault, about 6?m thick, consists of an interval of intensely deformed clay-bearing rocks bounded by major shear surfaces. The deformed sediment is markedly darker than the protolith. Calcite-quartz shear veins along the shear planes are abundant. Detailed SEM and TEM observations of highly deformed fault zone samples indicate that clay mineral enrichment in the core zone of the fault is not only related to passive increase by pressure-solution mechanism but that dissolution?Crecrystallization of phyllosilicates occurs during deformation. A mineral segregation is observed in the highly deformed zone. Newly formed 2M ₁ muscovite is present along the cleavage whereas IIb chlorite crystals fill S_V2 shear veins suggesting syntectonic growth of phyllosilicates in the presence of fluids in low-grade metamorphic conditions. These mineralogical reactions act as weakening processes and would favour Monte Perdido fault creeping.     

Oxygen isotope constraints on the petrogenesis of the Sybille intrusion of the Proterozoic Laramie Anorthosite Complex

The origin of monzonitic intrusions that are associated with Proterozoic massif-type anorthosite complexes is controversial. A detailed oxygen isotope study of the Sybille intrusion, a monzonitic intrusion of the Laramie Anorthosite Complex (Wyoming), indicates that either derivation from a basaltic magma of mantle origin with a metasedimentary component (∼20%) incorporated early in its magmatic history, or a partial melt of lower crustal rocks is consistent with the data. The oxygen isotope compositions of plagioclase, pyroxene and zircon from the Sybille monzosyenite, the dominant rock type in the Sybille intrusion, were analyzed in order to establish the isotopic composition of the source of the magma. Plagioclase δ¹⁸O values range from 6.77 to 9.17‰. We interpret the higher plagioclase δ¹⁸O values (average 8.69 ± 0.30‰, n = 19) to be magmatic in origin, lower plagioclase δ¹⁸O values (average 7.51 ± 0.44‰, n = 22) to be the result of variable subsolidus alteration, and pyroxene δ¹⁸O values (average 6.34 ± 0.38‰, n = 19) to be the result of closed-system diffusional exchange during cooling. Low magnetic zircons, which have been shown to retain magmatic oxygen isotope values despite high grade metamorphism and extensive subsolidus hydrothermal alteration, have δ¹⁸O values (7.40 ± 0.24‰, n = 11) which are consistent with our interpretation of the plagioclase and pyroxene results. Oxygen isotope data from all three minerals indicate that the magmatic oxygen isotope composition of the Sybille intrusion is enriched in ¹⁸O relative to the composition of average or “normal” mantle-derived magmas. This enrichment is approximately twice the oxygen isotope enrichment that could result from closed-system fractionation, rendering a closed-system, comag- matic petrogenetic model between the Sybille intrusion and the mantle-derived anorthositic lithologies of the Laramie Anorthosite Complex improbable. Received: 7 April 1998 / Accepted: 19 January 1999     

The accumulation of Stone Age lithic artifacts in rock fragment mulches in northern Ethiopia

Lithic artifacts buried in the soil profile may be transported to the surface during tillage‐induced kinetic sieving, differential erosion, or swell–shrink cycles of clays and become part of a rock fragment mulch. Archaeologically, these manifestations are recognized as surface scatters. Although artifacts at the soil surface are difficult to relate to the local stratigraphic context, surface assemblages may provide information on lithic industries and the archaeological significance of sparsely explored regions. Through in situ investigation of surface material in 60 1 × 1 m² plots in the Tembien district in the northern Ethiopian highlands, we show that rock fragment mulches can contain a significant number of lithic artifacts and we provide evidence for mid‐Pleistocene occupation of a site. Considering that severe rill and gully erosion may be a threat to the archaeological heritage and that well‐dated African Middle Stone Age sites are rare, we conclude that the region deserves more attention for archaeological research. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ice core evidence for secular variability and 200-year dipolar oscillations in atmospheric circulation over East Antarctica during the Holocene

Two Holocene ice core records from East Antarctica (Vostok and EPICA-Dome C) were analysed for dust concentration and size distribution at a temporal resolution of 1 sample per ~50 years. A series of volcanic markers randomly distributed over the common part of the ice cores (from 9.8 to 3.5 kyear BP) ensures accurate relative dating (±33 years). Dust-size records from the two sites display oscillations structured in cycles with sub-millennial and secular scale frequencies that are apparently asynchronous. The power spectra of the composite sum (Σ) of the two dust-size records display spectral energy mostly for 150- to 500-year periodicities. On the other hand, the 200-year band is common to both records and the 200 year components of the two sites are out-of-phase (100-year lead or lag) over ~5.5 kyear, a phenomenon also reflected by a significant (>99% conf. lev.) band in the power spectra of the composite difference (Δ) of the two size records. During long-range transport, mineral dust originating from the Southern Hemisphere continents is graded to a variable extent depending on the altitude and duration of atmospheric transport. Relatively coarse dust is associated with air mass penetration from the middle–lower troposphere and conversely relatively fine dust with upper troposphere air masses or the influence of subsidence over the Antarctic plateau, a hypothesis already proposed for the changes that occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene transition (Delmonte et al. 2004b). Moreover, we assume that the overall fluctuation of air mass advection over Antarctica depends on the meridional pressure gradient with respect to low latitudes, i.e. the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO). We therefore suggest a regional variability in atmospheric circulation over East Antarctica. The 150–500 year power spectrum of the composite (Σ) parameter represents the long term variability of the AAO, imprinted by secular internal oscillations probably related to the southern ocean-climatic system. On the other hand, the Δ dust composite parameter suggests a persistent atmospheric dipole over East Antarctica delivering coarser (finer) dust particles alternatively to Vostok and Dome C regions with a bi-centennial periodicity. Indeed, a seesaw phenomenon in dust size distribution was already observed at three East Antarctic sites during the last deglaciation (Delmonte et al. 2004b) and was interpreted as a progressive reduction of the eccentricity of the polar vortex with respect to the geographic south pole. Interestingly, the Δ parameter shows a pronounced 200-year oscillation mode, throwing new light on the unresolved question of a possible relationship between climate and solar activity.     

A Review of the IAG GeoPT™ and Certification Programmes,their Protocols,and the Differences between the Original and Potential Modifications to the Certification Protocol

The IAG conducts two programmes, the GeoPT ^? proficiency test and a certification programme that are closely interconnected. Both support the quality control/quality assurance activities of geochemical laboratories. Each derives an estimate of ‘true value’ for a number of samples, but arrives at that estimate, and its uncertainty, differently. This review discusses the history of the two programmes and compares the ‘true values’ and their uncertainties obtained through each. It then considers ‘fitness‐for‐purpose’ issues related to both GeoPT ^? and certification uncertainties. Issues related to potential modification of the IAG protocol for certification are also considered.     

Current-influenced depositional provinces, continental margin off Cape Hatteras, identified by petrologic method

Analyses of DSRV “Alvin” core samples on the Cape Hatteras margin indicate major textural and compositional changes at depths of about 1000 and well below 2500 m. The distribution patterns of petrologic parameters correlate well with water mass flow and suspended-sediment plumes measured on this margin by other workers. Our study also shows: (a) vigorous erosion and sediment transport at depths of less than 400 m resulting from the NE-trending Gulf Stream flow; (b) deposition, largely planktonic-rich sediment released from the Gulf Stream, on the upper- to mid-slope, to depths of about 800–1200 m; (c) winnowing, resuspension and deposition induced by periodically intensified slope currents on the mid-slope to uppermost rise, between about 1000 and 2500 m; and (d) prevailing deposition on the upper rise proper (below 2500 m), from transport by the SW-trending Western Boundary Undercurrent. Sediments moved by bottom currents have altered the composition and distribution patterns of material transported downslope by offshelf spillover; this mixing of gravity-emplaced and bottom-current-transported sediment obscures depositional boundaries. Moreover, reworking of the seafloor by benthic organisms alters physical properties and changes erodability of surficial sediments by bottom currents. Measurement of current flow above the seafloor and direct observation of the bottom are insufficient to delineate surficial sediment boundaries. Detailed petrologic analyses are needed to recognize the long-term signature of processes and define depositional provinces.     

Deep reflection seismic imaging of the internal zone of the South Armorican Hercynian belt (western France) (ARMOR 2/Géofrance 3D Program)

We present results and interpretation of a 72 km long deep seismic reflection profile acquired across the internal zone of the Hercynian belt of South Brittany. The profile is of excellent quality, most of the crust being highly reflective. The “ARMOR 2 South” profile, is correlated with the “ARMOR 2 North” profile that was published in 2003. Correlation of the main subsurface reflections with surface geological and structural data provides important information about the crustal structure that resulted from thickening during Late Devonian and regional-scale extension during Late Carboniferous. In particular, seismics image shows a very high reflectivity zone, lying flat over more than 40 km at about 10–12 km depth. This zone is interpreted as a major zone of ductile crustal thinning.     

Analysis of Post-Failure Slope Movements within the Framework of Hazard and Risk Analysis

The paper first recalls briefly a methodological framework to assess landslide hazard and risk analysis in terms of predisposition, triggering andrevealing factors. This framework, that reflects the mechanisms involved in the landslide, is based on the Geotechnical Characterisation of slope movements proposed by Vaunat et al. (1994) and Leroueil et al. (1996). The Geotechnical Characterisation can be schematized by a 3-D matrix having the following axes: types of movement; types ofmaterial; and the four stages of movement: pre-failure, failure, post-failure andreactivation. For each relevant element of this 3-D matrix, there is a characterisationsheet including: the controlling laws and parameters, the predisposition factors, thetriggering or aggravating factors, the revealing factors and the consequences of the movement. The paper focuses afterwards on the post-failure stage, which generallyis the most destructive, and on the mobility index. It is shown that this laterindex can be described as the product of sub-indices associated with failure, brittlenessof the material, ability of the soil to develop pore pressures, geometry of the moving soil mass and characteristics of the terrain. It is also shown how these aspectscan be incorporated into the Geotechnical characterisation of slope movements. This seems to provide a rational basis for examining slope movements at the post-failure stage and assessing associated risks.