Thermomagnetic properties of some Late Mesozoic diabase dikes of South Spitsbergen

Summary Laboratory investigations of thermomagnetic properties of specimens from seven diabase dikes of South Spitsbergen have been performed. Studies of temperature variation of isothermal saturation remanence combined with Hopkinson effect measurements and investigations of low temperature remanence give information on the mineral composition of the magnetic phases present in the magnetic fraction of the diabases. The experiments show that the clean natural remanence of these dikes has been acquired at the time of their, consolidation in the Late Mesozoic, though three of them may have been partially remagnetized at the time of Tertiary orogeny. Since the dikes reveal several normal and reversed directions of clean natural remanence, it is concluded that they were formed at different times in the Late Mesozoic, even though some of them may have been subjected to secondary influences at a later date.     

Dinosaur- and mammal-bearing aeolian and associated deposits of the Upper Cretaceous in the Gobi Desert (Mongolia)

The Barun Goyot Formation (? Campanian-Maastrichtian) consists of continental red-bed type sandstones. The formation was interpreted in terms of intertonguing and/or alternating dune deposits and sediments of intermittent lakes and streams. The mega cross-stratified sandstone units which show considerable lateral continuity and little variation of foresets dip were described as buried transverse dunes. They are rather poor in animal fossils. Most dinosaurs and mammals occur in water-deposited interdune sediments. This is due to ecological differences between bare dunes and the interdune depression which had a vegetation cover.     

Chemistry of waters from selected caves in Slovakia—a reconnaissance study

The chemical composition of water samples was studied from different caves in Slovakia. The water samples were collected from caves of two karst regions: (1) the Demänovský Cave System (DCS), situated in the Low Tatra Mountains (Northern Slovakia), which is mainly formed of limestone and dolomites; and (2) the Slovakian Karst to the Southeast is formed of limestone. A considerable difference between water from the two regions was shown. The waters from the DCS, that were controlled by vadose water percolating through different types of host rocks, contained more Mg ions than those from the Slovakian Karst caves whereas, the concentration of SO₄ was controlled by the dissolution of displacive gypsum and/or oxidation of pyrite. The distribution of NO₃ in the studied samples was random, hence nitrates probably derived from few pollution sources. The total mineralization of the water was covariant with calcite and aragonite saturation indices. In general, both parameters are higher in the Slovakian Karst caves than in the DCS. It is controlled probably by differences in climatic conditions, soil and plant covers between these two regions. The main goal of this article is to characterize the major-ion water chemistry within the studied caves as well as some microelements. The results have confirmed the dominant role of the bedrock petrography in forming the general chemistry of cave waters.     

Subaerial terminoglacial fans I: a semi-quantitative sedimentological analysis of the proximal environment

Fans formed under subaerial terminoglacial (previously called ice-contact) conditions have several characteristics that differ from those formed under other conditions. Twenty-five such fans in NE Poland were investigated to model the dominant genetic processes involved. These fans show, as do other types, a proximal, a middle and a distal environment. The present study deals with the proximal environment. The fans date from the last, i.e. Weichselian or Vistulian, glacial. The proximal terminoglacial fan comprises abundant gravelly sediments, resembling the glacial deposits from which they were derived. Three facies, each subdivided into two subfacies, can be distinguished; these are dominated by mass flows, unchannelised flows, and stream (= channelised) flows, respectively. The characteristics of the facies are described and illustrated. It is concluded that the irregular supply of water by the nearby ice masses dominates the sedimentary processes.     

Design criteria for roadway supports to resist dynamic loads

Summary Conditions under which dynamic loads occur in mines are briefly described and the special vulnerability of roadways in coal mines to fail under dynamic load is considered. A method for assessment of shock load energy anticipated is proposed, based on the volume of rock and the velocity of rock particles induced by rapid rock failure and/or seismic tremors. Case examples from Upper Silesian coal mines are given and the safety factor of steel supports against the shock energy from rockbursts is discussed. The shock energy damping ability of various parts of steel supports and support systems is calculated as a basis for rational support design. Results of six mine experiments where various types of roadway support were installed and then loaded dynamically by blasting within surrounding rocks are discussed.     

A Lower Palaeozoic shallow water sequence in the eastern European Variscides (SW Poland): provenance and depositional history

The Gackowa Formation of inferred Cambrian —Ordovician age is part of the metamorphosed pre-Variscan basement of the southern Kaczawa Mountains of the Sudetes region, south-west Poland. Previously variously interpreted as lavas, tuffs and sandstones, it is shown to consist of about 200 m of originally well-sorted siliclastic sedimentary rocks within a sequence of predominantly mafic volcanic rocks. Four facies have been distinguished based on relict sedimentary structures and textures and these suggest that deposition took place on a storm-dominated shelf, mostly above the wave base. The petrography, detrital zircon morphologies and geochemistry suggest affinity with, and derivation in large part from, acid volcanic rocks at a comparable stratigraphic position in a separate tectonostratigraphic unit to the south. The Gackowa Formation and its acid volcanic source rocks have a clear continental geochemical signature, in contrast with the mantle-derived basic/bimodal volcanic rocks below and above; it is suggested that the parent acid magma originated by crustal melting during the ascent of these mantle-derived magmas. A continental crust setting is inferred for the deposition of the Gackowa Formation sandstones, thus suggesting a continental setting for the associated within-plate basalts. The entire volcanic/sedimentary succession resembles elements of the Lower Palaeozoic of Germany, and all may have formed in an initial rift setting during Late Precambrian to Ordovician times.