The final phase of dead-ice moraine development: processes and sediment architecture, Kötlujökull, Iceland

Consecutive phases of de-icing of ice-cored moraines and the formation of dead-ice moraine were monitored over a 4-year period at the terminus of the Kötlujökull glacier, Iceland. Particularly, the transition from partially ice-cored moraine with isolated dead-ice blocks to the ice-free landscape receives attention in this paper in order to link the final melting processes to the architecture of the sedimentary end product. In the current humid sub-polar climate of south Iceland de-icing of partially ice-cored moraines results chiefly from melting along the bottom surface of ice-cores with an annual average rate of 25 cm. The final de-icing is associated with an interrelated group of re-sedimentation processes and surface features. Series of sinkholes evolve at the toe of dead-ice blocks, which initiate retrogressive rotational sliding or backslumping of the ice-cored slopes and the formation of distinct edges and fractures in the adjacent basins. Although backslumping is the dominant process in this phase of re-sedimentation, structures resulting from this process are rarely recognized in the ice-free landscape. As ice-cores gradually diminish the effect of the latest re-sedimentation events will overprint or destroy most existing sedimentary characteristics. Thus, in the ice-free landscape, structures mainly related to the formation of sinkholes and fractures remain imprinted on the sediment succession. Generally, no inversion of the topography occurs during the final phase of de-icing. The overall topography recognized in the late phase of the fully ice-cored terrain is merely lowered and the amplitude of the relief reduced as de-icing progresses. The sediment architecture of the ice-free landscape is characterized by heterogeneous and often slumped diamict sediments with variable thickness and lateral distribution; clast orientation is related to the direction of slopes, and boulders are found in isolated groups or in linear arrangements.     

On glaciations and their causes

The Pleistocene, and possibly also other, older glaciations, are believed to have resulted from a combination of terrestrial and astronomical factors. Preceding glaciation, orogenesis and uplift increased the Earth's albedo and decreased temperature. Lowering of temperature below a certain threshold value permitted the astronomical cause to become operative. While smaller glaciations may have been largely or entirely patterned by the astronomical cause or causes, terrestrial factors had an important effect in determining the course of the larger glaciations. Two time-delay factors are believed to have been responsible for the oscillatory pattern of glaciation: these are plastic iceflow, and crustal warping.Summer insolation variation in the high latitudes is believed to be a more likely astronomical cause than variation of solar radiation.     

Gedenktage

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Über die Bestimmung des Schneeanteils am Niederschlag

Zusammenfassung Der nach verschiedenen Verfahren berechnete Schneeantei am Gesamtniederschlag wird mit dem nach Registrierungen der winterlichen Niederschläge ermittelten wahrscheinlichen Schneeanteil verglichen. Ausgehend von den Niederschlagssummen ergibt sich gute Uebereinstimmung, wenn bei Mischniederschlägen die Hälfte dem Schneeanteil zugerechnet wird. Ausgehend von der Neuschneehöhe zeigt sich die geringste Abweichung, wenn der Anteil aus reinem Schnee der Niederschlagsmessung, der Anteil aus Mischniederschlägen dem Wasserwert der Neuschneedecke gleichgesetzt wird, für dessen Errechnung neue Monatsmittel der Schneedichte aus Mischniederschlägen mitgeteilt werden.

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Summary The part of snow of the total precipitation is finding out by different former methods and compounded with the probable part of snow according the records of the winter precipitations. Using the precipitation sums of every part it results a good concordance when the half of sleet is attributed to the part of snow. Going out from the depth of new snowcover the least deviation is demonstrated, if the part of pure new snow is taken from the precipitation measurement in the rain gage, and the part of sleet is equalized to the water equivalent of new snow cover. For these calculations new monthly means of density of snow from sleet are given to information.

     

Melting and subsolidus reactions in the system K2O-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O

Beginning of melting and subsolidus relationships in the system K₂O-CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O have been experimentally investigated at pressures up to 20 kbars. The equilibria discussed involve the phases anorthite, sanidine, zoisite, muscovite, quartz, kyanite, gas, and melt and two invariant points: Point [Ky] with the phases An, Or, Zo, Ms, Qz, Vapor, and Melt; point [Or] with An, Zo, Ms, Ky, Qz, Vapor, and Melt.The invariant point [Ky] at 675° C and 8.7 kbars marks the lowest solidus temperature of the system investigated. At pressures above this point the hydrated phases zoisite and muscovite are liquidus phases and the solidus temperatures increase with increasing pressure. At 20 kbars beginning of melting occurs at 740 °C. The solidus temperatures of the quinary system K₂O-CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O are almost 60° C (at 20 kbars) and 170° C (at 2kbars) below those of the limiting quaternary system CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O.The maximum water pressure at which anorthite is stable is lowered from 14 to 8.7 kbars in the presence of sanidine. The stability limits of anorthite+ vapor and anorthite+sanidine+vapor at temperatures below 700° C are almost parallel and do not intersect. In the wide temperature — pressure range at pressures above the reaction An+Or+Vapor = Zo+Ms+Qz and temperatures below the melting curve of Zo+Ms+Ky+Qz+Vapor, the feldspar assemblage anorthite+sanidine is replaced by the hydrated phases zoisite and muscovite plus quartz. CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O. Knowledge of the melting relationships involving the minerals zoisite and muscovite contributes to our understanding of the melting processes occuring in the deeper parts of the crust. Beginning of melting in granites and granodiorites depends on the composition of plagioclase. The solidus temperatures of all granites and granodiorites containing plagioclases of intermediate composition are higher than those of the Ca-free alkali feldspar granite system and below those of the Na-free system discussed in this paper.The investigated system also provides information about the width of the P-T field in which zoisite can be stable together with an Al₂SiO₅ polymorph plus quartz and in which zoisite plus muscovite and quartz can be formed at the expense of anorthite and potassium feldspar. Addition of sodium will shift the boundaries of these fields to higher pressures (at given temperatures), because the pressure stability of albite is almost 10kbars above that of anorthite. Assemblages with zoisite+muscovite or zoisite+kyanite are often considered to be products of secondary or retrograde reactions. The P-T range in which hydration of granitic compositions may occur in nature is of special interest. The present paper documents the highest temperatures at which this hydration can occur in the earth's crust.     

Interaction of genetic processes in holocene reefs off North Eleuthera Island,Bahamas

The inner shelf platform off North Eleuthera consists of a series of terraces at 6 m, 8 m, 20 m, and 35 m depth, respectively. The boundary between 6 and 8 m terraces is marked by a near continuous reef ridge, landward and seaward of which isolated reef structures are found. Reefs are aggregates of pillar structures, which in turn are composed of columnar, club-shaped or mushroom-shaped pillars of corals. The dominant primary framebuilder above 3 m depth isAcropora palmata; below corals of the generaMontastrea andDiploria, Porites astreoides andP. porites also contribute to the frame, as does the hydrozoanMillepora. The secondary framebuilders start developing and changing the shape of the frame as soon as they find suitable substrates; most important are coralline red algae, which encrust internal and external surfaces, but also may fuse the components of the frame; other organisms just add to the frame. In contrast boring and rasping organisms destroy the frame. Constructing or destructing organisms were found living on every surface, external or internal, accreting or diminishing.The composite nature of the reef structure, fabrics of skeletal material, and borings of organisms provide numerous cavities of mm to m size. These are subject to syngenetic sedimentation and cementation, which help maintain the frame, but change composition, fabrics, and facies. Thus rates of organism growth and destruction, of sedimentation, cementation, and mechanical breakdown and the dynamic changes of these rates determine final shape and preservation of the reef.Recognition of the relationship between these processes should help interpret fossil reef remnants.

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Zusammenfassung Die Schelfplattform vor North Eleuthera gliedert sich in mehrere Terrassenstufen, deren Ränder bei 6 m, 8 m, 20 m und 35 m Wassertiefe liegen. Der 6-m-Terrassenstufe folgt über 25 km ein nahezu ununterbrochener Korallenriffrücken; seewärts und landwärts von diesem Rücken hegen isolierte Riffstrukturen. Die Riffe setzen sich aus Pfeilern zusammen, die ihrerseits wieder säulige, keulenförmige oder pilzartige Korallenstöcke als kleinere Bauelemente aufweisen.Bis in 3 m Wassertiefe istAcropora palmata der wichtigste Riffbildner, tiefer herrschenMontastrea- undDiploria-Arten vor.Porites astreoides, P. porites und die HydrozoeMillepora tragen ebenfalls zur Gerüstbildung bei. Sobald geeignetes Substrat angeboten wird, beginnen die sekundären Riffbildner mit der Ausgestaltung des Riffgerüstes; hierbei beteiligen sich in erster Linie die Rotalgen, die alle externen und internen Oberflächen überkrusten, darüber hinaus aber auch das Riffgerüst fester zusammenfügen; die anderen sekundären Riffbildner fügen dem Gerüst Material hinzu. Im Gegensatz dazu zerstören bohrende und raspelnde Organismen das Riffgerüst. Aufbauende und zerstörende Organismen leben auf und unter jeder Oberfläche des Riffes, sei sie extern oder intern.Der komplexe Aufbau der Riffstrukturen, das Wachstum des organischen Gerüstes und die Tätigkeit bohrender Organismen führen zur Bildung zahlreicher Hohlräume von mm-bis m-Größe. In diesen Hohlräumen erfolgen syngenetische Sedimentation und Zementation, die zur Erhaltung des Gerüstes beitragen, wobei jedoch die Zusammensetzung, das Gefüge und die Lithofazies des ursprünglichen Gerüstes weitgehend umgewandelt werden. So wird die endgültige Form und Erhaltung des Riffes von den jeweiligen Geschwindigkeiten bzw. dem dynamischen Wechsel der Geschwindigkeiten des Aufbaues und der Zerstörung durch Organismen, der Sedimentation und Zementation sowie der mechanischen Zerstörung bestimmt. Die Kenntnis vom Zusammenspiel dieser Prozesse führt zum besseren Verständnis der Vorgänge, die am Aufbau der fossilen Riffe beteiligt waren.

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Résumé La plate-forme continentale au large de North Eleuthera est formée de plusieurs terrasses en gradins dont les rebords se situent à des profondeurs d'eau de 6 m, 8 m, 20 m et 35 m. Le premier rebord (6 m) suit pendant plus de 25 km une crête récifale presque ininterrompue de part et d'autre de laquelle se trouvent des structures de récif isolées. Les récifs se composent de pinacles, qui à leur tour présentent des amas coralliens en forme de massue et de champignon.Jusqu'à 3 m de profondeur, l'Acroporapalmata est le plus important bâtisseur primaire; plus en profondeur, prédominent les espècesMontastrea etDiploria. LesPontes astreoides, P. porites et les hydrozoairesMillepora contribuent aussi à la formation de la charpente. Les constructeurs secondaires commencent à développer et à modifier la forme du bâtis dès qu'ils trouvent un substrat approprié; les algues rouges y participent en première ligne; elles s'incrustent sur les surfaces internes et externes; par ailleurs, elles cimentent plus solidement les éléments de la charpente du récif. Les bâtisseurs secondaires contribuent aux matériaux de charpente; en contre partie, des organismes perforants et râpeurs la détruisent. Les organismes constructeurs et destructeurs vivent au-dessus et en dessous de chaque surface du récif, qu'elles soient externes ou internes.La construction complexe des structures du récif, la croissance de la charpente organique et l'action des organismes perforants conduisent à la formation de nombreuses cavités de grandeurs comprises entre le mm et le m. Sédimentation et cimentation syngénétiques se produisent dans ces cavités; elles contribuent à la formation du bâtis mais en changent la composition, la structure et les microfaciès. Ainsi, la forme définitive et la conservation du récif sont déterminées par les vitesses de croissance organique et de destruction biologique, de sédimentation, de cimentation et de destruction mécanique ainsi que par des changements dynamiques de ces vitesses respectives. La connaissance des relations entre ces processus conduit à une meilleure compréhension des phénomènes qui prirent part à la construction des récifs fossiles.

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Eleuthera , 6, 8, 20 35 . ; cyme . , , , . 3 Acropora palmata, — Montastrea Diploria. Porites astreoides, P. porites Hydrozoa Millepora. , . ; . . .., , , . - . , . . . , , .

     

Experimentelle Sideritbildung aus Calcit + FeCl2

The stability relations of calcite and siderite in the system Ca²⁺-Fe²⁺-CO ₃ ^2– Cl ₂ ^2– -H₂O have been determined between 150 and 400° C in the pressure range from 250 to 2000 bars.It was found that the composition of the fluid phase coexisting with calcite and siderite is very poor in Fe²⁺ and correspondingly very rich in Ca²⁺ (see Tab. 1 and Fig. 3). The mole proportion Ca²⁺/(Ca²⁺+Fe²⁺) exceeds the value 0.98 at temperatures below 250° C when fluid pressure is 1000 bars. The stability field of calcite narrows with decreasing temperature, increasing pressure, and decreasing concentration of dissolved salts (CaCl₂₊+FeCl₂). In our experiments siderite becomes unstable at about 400° C (see p. 158).The experimental data indicate that siderite will be formed by reaction of calcite with FeCl₂-bearing solutions that have very low concentrations of Fe²⁺ as well as high Ca²⁺/(Ca²⁺+Fe²⁺)-ratios. Solutions coexisting with calcite must be very poor in Fe²⁺, otherwise siderite is formed.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. H. G. F. Wikkleb danke ich sehr für sein förderndes Interesse an dieser Arbeit und für eine kritische Durchsicht des Manuskriptes. Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft gebiihrt Dank für die Arbeitsmöglichkeit mit den Apparaturen, die Herrn Prof. Dr. Winkler zür Verfugung gestellt wurden.     

Experimental investigation of the reaction forsterite + H2O ⇌ serpentine + brucite

A new determination of the equilibrium reaction: $$\begin{gathered} 2{\text{ Mg}}_{\text{2}} [{\text{SiO}}_{\text{4}} ] + 3{\text{ H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{1 Mg}}_{\text{3}} [({\text{OH)}}_{\text{4}} |{\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{5}} ] + 1{\text{ Mg(OH)}}_{\text{2}} \hfill \\ \hfill \\ {\text{ forsterite serpentine brucite}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ yielded equilibrium temperatures which lie (at identical H₂O-pressures) about 60° C lower than all previously published data (Bowen and Tuttle, 1949; Yoder, 1952; Kitahara et al., 1966; Kitahara and Kennedy, 1967). It has been shown that the above authors have determined not the stable equilibrium curve but instead a metastable “synthesis boundary”. The actual (stable) equilibrium curve is located at 0,5 kb and 350° C 2,0 kb and 380° C 3,5 kb and 400° C 5,0 kb and 420° C 6,5 kb and 430° C.