Hydrous partial melting within the lower oceanic crust

We studied more than 60 oceanic gabbros from the recent oceanic crust and from ophiolites (East Pacific Rise, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Southwest Indian Ridge, Oman ophiolite) by scanning electron microscopy and found in nearly all samples microstructures suggesting that hydrous partial melting reactions proceeded. The characteristic paragenesis consists of orthopyroxene and pargasite rimming olivine and clinopyroxene primocrysts in intimate contact with neoblastic plagioclase strongly enriched in anorthite. This is in agreement with recent water-saturated melting experiments on a variety of natural gabbros between 900 and 1000 °C. The observed microtextures in the natural gabbros imply the propagation of water-rich fluids on grain boundaries in a ductile regime causing hydrous partial melting. Thus, this type of hydrothermal activity proceeds within the deep oceanic crust at very high temperatures (900–1000 °C) without a crack system, a prerequisite in current models for enabling hydrothermal circulation.     

Atmospheric refraction models in terrestrial and satellite geodesy

It is shown that beams of light in the atmosphere normally are not circular. In addition, the refraction correction of zenith angles for an exponentially stratified atmosphere is derived. It is shown that the dispersion method for the elimination of the refraction effect in distance measurements is not exact. Examples which consider the troposphere only demonstrate the order of magnitude of the effect.     

Oberkretazisches Kristallin an der Basis von Ophiolithen der Südägäis: Charakterisierung der Metamorphose-Fazies

Zusammenfassung Zur Charakterisierung der Metamorphose-Fazies des oberkretazischen Kristallins wurde ein Profil bei Lendas im Asterousia-Gebirge an der Südküste Kretas gewählt. Der Kristallin-Komplex besteht dort — vom Liegenden zum Hangenden — aus massigen Ortho-Amphiboliten, die neben Plagioklas und Magnesiohornblende Diopsid enthalten können, aus Cordierit-Granat-Sillimanit-Biotit-Gneisen sowie aus einer kalksilikatischen Serie mit salitischem Pyroxen, Pargasit, Magnesiohornblende, Cummingtonit, Granat der Grossular-Andradit-Reihe, Wollastonit und Skapolith. In die kalksilikatische Serie sind Anthophyllit, Tremolit, Olivin und Orthopyroxen führende Meta-Ultrabasite eingeschaltet.Die Mineralparagenesen in den vier klassischen Stoffbeständen — basaltisch, pelitisch, kieselig-kalkig, ultrabasisch — ermöglichen eine detaillierte Charakterisierung der Metamorphose-Fazies. An Hand dieser Paragenesen und der Mg/Fe²⁺-Verhältnisse in Cordierit und Granat wurden für die Metamorphose Temperaturen zwischen 650 und 700°C und Drucke zwischen 4 und 6 kbar abgeschätzt.

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Late Cretaceous metamorphites at the base of ophiolites in the southern aegean — characterization of the metamorphic facies

Summary Late Cretaceous metamorphites, investigated in a profile near Lendas/Asterousia Mountains (southern coast of Crete), consist of the following lithological units (from the base to the top): massive ortho-amphibolites, which may contain diopside besides plagioclase and magnesiohornblende; cordierite-garnet-sillimanite-biotite gneisses; calc-silicate rocks and marbles with salitic pyroxene, pargasite, magnesio-homblende, cummingtonite, grossular-andradite garnet, wollastonite, and scapolite. Meta-ultramafics with anthophyllite, tremolite, olivine, and orthopyroxene are intercalated with the calc-silicate series.The mineral parageneses in the four classic bulk rock compositions — basic, pelitic, siliceous-calcareous, and ultrabasic — afford an opportunity to characterize the metamorphic facies in detail. From these parageneses, and from the Mg/Fe²⁺ ratios of coexisting cordierite and garnet, temperatures between 650 and 700°C and pressures between 4 and 6 kbar have been estimated for the conditions of metamorphism.

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Automated watershed subdivision for simulations using multi-objective optimization

A qualitative trial-and-error approach is commonly used to define watershed subdivisions through varying a single topographic threshold value. A methodology has been developed to quantitatively determine spatially variable threshold values using topography and a user-defined landscape reference layer. Optimization and topographic parameterization algorithms were integrated to create solutions that minimize the number of sub-watersheds and maximize the agreement between the discretized watershed and the reference layer. The system was evaluated using different reference datasets such as soil type, land management, and landscape form. Comparison of simulated results indicated that the scenario using land management as the reference layer yielded results closer to the scenario subdivided using a constant topographic threshold but with approximately 10 times more sub-catchments and therefore indicating customization of the watershed subdivision to the user-defined reference layer. The proposed optimization technology could be used in adequately applying watershed modeling technology in developing conservation practice implementation plans.     

Interactions between dioritic and granodioritic magmas in mingling zones: plagioclase record of mixing,mingling and subsolidus interactions in the Gęsiniec Intrusion,NE Bohemian Massif,SW Poland

Dioritic and granodioritic rocks coexist in the Gęsiniec Intrusion in SW Poland showing typical relationships in many mafic–felsic mingling zones worldwide, such as dioritic syn-putonic dykes and microgranular enclaves within granodioritic host. Plagioclase zonation from granodioritic rocks suggests late stage mixing probably with dioritic magma, whereas no magma mixing is recorded in plagioclase from dioritic rocks. The diorites seem to show effects of interaction with evolved, leucocratic melts derived from granodiorite, not with the granodioritic melt itself. We conclude that the diorites’ compositions were modified after their emplacement within the granodioritic host, when the diorites were essentially solidified and injection of evolved melt from granodiorite did not involve marked modification of plagioclase composition. Compositional zoning patterns of plagioclase in diorites can be modeled by closed system fractional crystallization interrupted by resorption induced probably by decompression. Granodioritic plagioclase seems to be affected by the same resorption event. Plagioclase that crystallized in dioritic magma before the resorption does not record interaction between dioritic and granodioritic magmas, suggesting that both magmas evolved separately. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

UV irradiance on arbitrarily oriented surfaces: variation with atmospheric and ground properties

Summary The dependency of erythemal weighted solar UV irradiance on tilted surfaces with different orientation is investigated with respect to solar zenith angle, variable atmospheric conditions and albedo of the location. For overcast conditions or a cloud in front of the sun, the irradiance on a horizontal surface in general is largest, with the consequence that it is reduced for surfaces with any tilted position. For cloud free conditions the irradiance on a tilted plane, in comparison to that on a horizontal flat surface, is increased for orientations towards the sun, but reduced for other orientations. The increase is strongest for low sun in combination with clear atmosphere and high ground albedo, as is typical for snow covered mountain conditions.     

Fog dynamics in an urbanized area

Summary Investigations into regional and temporal variations of fog frequency in the metropolitan area of Munich, Germany, reveal a fog maximum zone in the rural outskirts while the urban area itself represents a local fog minimum. This is an element of urban climate. It can be explained by the typical land use — dependent mesoscale thermal structure and the resulting circulation pattern during winter anticyclonic conditions with widespread fog cover.The phenomenon of a fog maximum zone near an urban area is transferable to large cities in environments which are favourable to radiation fog.With 4 Figures