Evolution of stress fields in the Por’ya Guba dike field (Kandalaksha Gulf, White Sea)

The tectonic evolution of the Por’ya Guba segment of the White Sea Rift System began in the late Paleoproterozoic, i.e., soon after completion of the Svecofennian collision. The fracture system that controlled localization of the lamproite dike complex was formed under conditions of horizontal compression combined with shear. Subsequently, this system predetermined the location of a rift-graben segment that formed as a result of simple shear. The reactivation of the rift system in the Middle Paleozoic proceeded in two stages. The first stage, when strike-slip movements along previously formed faults predominated, resulted in formation of quartz-carbonate veins bearing base-metal mineralization. The veins that filled the shear fractures opened owing to local reorientation of the stress field. The second stage fitted the transtension conditions, and the Late Devonian alkaline ultramafic dikes of this stage introded into the already existing fracture system, which was oriented at a roughly right angle to the predominant stress orientation.     

Detection of spectral variability of the optical component of the IR source IRAS 20508+2011

Our high-resolution spectral observations have revealed variability of the optical spectrum of the cool star identified with the IR source IRAS 20508+2011. We measured the equivalent widths of numerous absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions at wavelengths 4300–7930 Å, along with the corresponding radial velocities. Over the four years of our observations, the radial velocity derived from photospheric absorption lines varied in the interval V _r⊙ = 15–30 km/s. In the same period, the Hα profile varied from being an intense bell-shaped emission line with a small amount of core absorption to displaying two-peaked emission with a central absorption feature below the continuum level. At all but one epoch, the positions of the metallic photospheric lines were systematically shifted relative to the Hα emission: ΔV _r = V _r(met) ? V _r(Hα, emis) ≈ ?23 km/s. The Na D doublet displayed a complex profile with broad (half-width ≈ 120 km/s) emission and photospheric absorption, as well as an interstellar component. We used model atmospheres to determine the physical parameters and chemical composition of the star’s atmosphere: T _eff = 4800 K, log g = 1.5, ξ_t = 4.0 km/s. The metallicity of the star differs little from the solar value: [Fe/H]_⊙ = ?0.36. We detected overabundances of oxygen [O/Fe]_⊙ = +1.79 (with the ratio [C/O] ≈ ?0.9), and α-process elements, as well as a deficit of heavy metals. The entire set of the star’s parameters suggests that the optical component of IRAS 20508+2011 is an “O-rich” AGB star with luminosity M _v ≈ ?3^m that is close to its evolutionary transition to the post-AGB stage.     

Hydrogeology of thermal waters in Viterbo area, central Italy

A conceptual hydrogeological model of the Viterbo thermal area (central Italy) has been developed. Though numerous studies have been conducted on its geological, geochemical and geothermal features, there is no generalized picture defining the origin and yield of the hydrothermal system. These latter aspects have therefore become the objectives of this research, which is based on new hydrogeological and geochemical investigations. The geological setting results in the coexistence of overlapped interacting aquifers. The shallow volcanic aquifer, characterized by fresh waters, is fed from the area around the Cimini Mountains and is limited at its base by the semiconfining marly-calcareous-arenaceous complex and low-permeability clays. To the west of Viterbo, vertical upflows of thermal waters of the sulphate-chloride-alkaline-earth type with higher gas contents, are due to the locally uplifted carbonate reservoir, the reduced thickness of the semiconfining layer and the high local geothermal gradient. The hot waters (30–60°C) are the result of deep circulation within the carbonate rocks (0.5–1.8 km) and have the same recharge area as the volcanic aquifer. The upward flow in the Viterbo thermal area is at least 0.1 m³/s. This flow feeds springs and deep wells, also recharging the volcanic aquifer from below.     

New data on hydrocarbons in auriferous conglomerates of the Witwatersrand ore region, Republic of South Africa

Genesis of deposits in the world’s largest Witwatersrand auriferous region (South Africa) remains a debatable issue over several decades. Based on geological and mineralogical-geochemical investigations, we previously proposed a sedimentary-exhalative hypothesis for its origin. In the present communication, we have attempted to develop and scrutinize this concept based on the study of organic matter in ore and nonore conglomerates, quartz in conglomerate pebbles, and fluid inclusions in quartz from pebbles and cement of ore and nonore conglomerates.