P–T–t evolution of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit in Western Anatolia/Turkey: Geodynamic implications for the Aegean region

Eclogite and blueschist facies rocks occurring as a tectonic unit between the underlying Menderes Massif (MM) and the overlying Afyon Zone/Lycian Nappes and the Bornova Flysch Zone in western Anatolia represent the eastward continuation of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) in Turkey. This high-P unit is attributed to the closure of the Pindos Ocean and consists of (a) a Triassic to Upper Cretaceous coherent series derived from passive continental margin sediments and (b) the tectonically overlying Upper Cretaceous Selçuk mélange with eclogite blocks embedded in a pelitic epidote-blueschist matrix. The coherent series has experienced epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism (490 ± 25°C/11.5 ± 1.5 kbar; 38 km depth). ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica and ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U monazite dating of quartz metaconglomerate from coherent series yielded middle Eocene ages of 44 ± 0.3 and 40.1 ± 3.1 Ma for epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism, respectively. The epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism of the matrix of the Selçuk mélange culminates at 520 ± 15°C/13 ± 1.5 kbar, 43 km depth, and is dated at 57.5 ± 0.3–54.5 ± 0.1 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phengite). Eclogite facies metamorphism of the blocks (570 ± 30°C/18 ± 2 kbar, 60 km depth) is early Eocene and dated at 56.2 ± 1.5 Ma by ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon. Eclogites experienced a nearly isothermal retrogression (490 ± 40°C/~6 to 7 kbar) during their incorporation into the Selçuk mélange. The retrograde overprints of the coherent series (410 ± 15°C/7 ± 1.5 kbar from Dilek Peninsula and 485 ± 33°C/~6 to 7 kbar from Selçuk–Tire area) and the Selçuk mélange (510 ± 15°C/6 ± 1 kbar) are dated at 35.8 ± 0.5–34.3 ± 0.1 Ma by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica and 31.6 ± 6.6 Ma by ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U allanite dating methods, respectively. Regional geological constrains reveal that the contact between the MM and the CBU originally formed a lithosphere-scale transform fault zone. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica age from the contact indicates that the CBU and the MM were tectonically juxtaposed under greenschist facies conditions during late Eocene, 35.1 ± 0.3 Ma.     

A modified genetic algorithm for precise determination the geometrical orbital elements of binary stars

The paper presents a modified genetic algorithm called adapted genetic algorithm with adjusting population size (AGA-POP) for precise determination the orbital elements of binary stars. The proposed approach is a simple, robust way that can be considered to be a new member in the class of self organizing genetic algorithms. The proposed AGA-POP is applied on the star η Bootis of MK type G0 IV to find a set of optimal orbital elements. This leads to obtain the best fitting of Keplerian and phase curves. The modified method is compared with other different methods such as standard genetic algorithm, adapted genetic algorithm (AGA) and least square methods. Simulation results show the effectiveness of using AGA-POP compared with other different classic genetic algorithms in reducing the computation time. Also, better performances have been achieved when using the proposed technique.     

Assessment of environmental and engineering geological problems for the possible re-use of an abandoned rock-hewn settlement in Urgüp (Cappadocia), Turkey

The Cappadocia Region of Central Anatolia having a very distinct culture is one of the attractive touristic sites of Turkey due to its spectacular and unique landforms and historical heritages. In this region, the structures carved into thick to massive tuffs survived and kept their original integrity for a number of centuries. Environmental and anthropological factors at the Cappadocia Region have been the main reasons for extensive subsurface and multi-purpose use in the past and present. In addition, thermal insulation properties of the tuffs make these rocks suitable for use in underground openings. The Kayakapi Neighborhood, located in the town of Urgüp, is one of the famous historical sites. This site is situated within the “Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia” which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985. In order to develop the tourism potential of this abandoned site while preserving its cultural and natural values, a natural environmental conservation and revitalization project was initiated. As an integral part of this project, in this study, environmental and engineering geological problems, including rock fall potential and stability of about 1,200 rock-hewn structures, were investigated and an inventory was prepared for the possible re-use of the underground openings and other structures at the site, and remedial measures were recommended. The assessments based on observations and experimental studies indicated that the tuffs do not show significant changes both perpendicular and parallel to layering, and discontinuities and rock weathering seem to be more important factors controlling the stability of rock-hewn structures. The major stability problems threatening the re-use of the openings are structurally-controlled block instabilities, overbreaks, and erosion and shearing of the pillars made of tuff. On the other hand, the area at the entrance of the site requires some protection measures such as the construction of a retaining wall, systematic bolting of rock slabs and removal of some blocks having rock fall potential. The inventory for the openings suggests that there are a number of openings that can be re-used after necessary remedial measures.     

Development Of The Hamiltonian Function Using The Jacobi System Of Reference

In this paper we describe two different methods to expand the second term of the planetary Hamiltonian function. The Jacobi system of coordinates is adopted leading to a unique evaluation of the Hamiltonian. Previous analytical or semi-analytical planetary theories suffer from the drawback of computing the perturbation function for each planet, which is quite cumbersome. The inclinations of planets are referred to a common fixed plane and the longitudes to a common origin. This is necessary when we deal with n > 2 planets. The treatment is straightforward, and no complexities appear throughout the analysis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Remobilization of gold from a chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization Hamash gold mine,Southeastern Desert,Egypt

Pyrite, chalcopyrite, and gold occur in quartz veins in granitic rocks and as scattered and disseminated impregnations in shear zones of the highly altered metavolcanics in the Hamash area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. The minerals are associated in part with pyrrhotite, digenite, tetrahedrite, chalcocite, bornite, and covellite. Pyrite occurs in two forms: (1) idio- to hypidiomorphic coarse crystals with inclusions of preexisting sulfides, and (2) fine-crystalline aggregates. Chalcopyrite occurs in three forms: (1) idiomorphic coarse crystals, (2) fine-crystalline microinclusions, and (3) xenomorphic relicts. Three genetic phases of sulfide mineralization were identified. They are related to the successive cooling of the crystallizing solutions. Gold was hosted in the older sulfide minerals during a high-temperature disorder phase. Native gold was formed during the latest, decreasing-temperature phase through remobilization of auriferous pyrite. Microprobe analysis confirmed that gold and copper are relatively enriched in the late pyrite. Identified surface-alteration products include goethite, limonite, gold, carbonates, and sulfates of iron and copper.     

The elimination of the critical terms of a first order Uranus-Neptune theory by Hori's method

In this part we determine the value ofS ₁, and in terms of the canonical variables of H. Poincaré. A complete solution of the auxiliary system of equations generated by the Hamiltonian is presented.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,XXI

The aim of the present paper is to deduce some further properties of the fundamental quantities inherent in the frequency-domain approach-such as the fractional loss of light _l ⁰ and momentsA _2m of the light curves of eclipsing variables; and also to develop an iterative method for the solution of two key eclipse parametersa andc ₀ in terms of the observed quantities. This should facilitate practical applications of the methods developed in the preceding papers of this series for the frequency-domain light curve analysis of eclipsing variables.     

Dynamics of a complex mass movement triggered by heavy rainfall: a case study from NW Turkey

Following a period of heavy precipitation, a large and complex mass movement, namely the Dagkoy landslide, occurred in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey on May 21, 1998. This paper describes the conditioning factors of the landslide and interprets the mass transport processes in terms of a movement scenario. Geology, geomorphology and vegetation cover were considered as the conditioning factors of the failure. Observations showed that the gently sloping (about 10°) area is mostly covered by dense forest trees at the crown where the motion initiated. Significant intersection of the collapsed slope with dip of the local marls seems to have contributed to the formation and geometry of the landslide. The distance from the crown down to the toe of the landslide measured more than 600 m, with about 0.6 km³ total earth material displaced. The landslide has both a block sliding characteristics in the upper portions and a debris flow/soil flow component around the margins of the sliding blocks in the middle parts and at the toe. The proposed scenario for the landslide reveals that the movement was initiated near crown as a result of the excess water content in the marls at the end of 3 days of heavy rainfall. The early perturbations (transverse cracks, ridges, etc.) lasted for 6–7 h, after which the central part of the zone started to move as a soil flow in which very large intact blocks were transported. Even though the movement was very rapid (1.2 m/min), there was no loss of life. However, the movement destroyed 38 houses, one mosque and a considerable amount of farmland.     

Health risk profile for terrestrial radionuclides in soil around artisanal gold mining area at Alsopag,Sudan

This study shows the assessment of radiation hazard parameters due to terrestrial radionuclides in the soil around artisanal gold mining for addressing the issue of natural radioactivity in mining areas. Hence, the levels ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra in soil (using gamma spectrometry), ²²²Rn in soil and ²²²Rn in air were determined. Radiation hazard parameters were then computed. These include absorbed dose D, annual effective dose E, radium equivalent activity Ra_eq, external hazard H_ex, annual gonadal dose equivalent hazard index AGDE and excess lifetime cancer risk ELCR due to the inhalation of radon (²²²Rn) and consumption of radium (²²⁶Ra) in vegetation. Uranium (²³⁸U), thorium (²³²Th) and potassium (⁴⁰K) averages were, respectively, 26, 36 and 685 Becquerel per kilogram (Bq kg^?1). Soil radon (4671 Bq m^?3) and radon in air (14.77 Bq m^?3) were found to be less than worldwide data. Nevertheless, the average ⁴⁰K concentration was 685 Bq kg^?1. This is slightly higher than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation average value of 412 Bq kg^?1. The obtained result indicates that some of the radiation hazard parameters seem unsavory. The mean value of absorbed dose rate (62.49 nGy h^?1) was slightly higher than average value of 57 nGy h^?1 (~?45% from ⁴⁰K), and that of AGDE (444 μSv year^?1) was higher than worldwide average reported value (300 μSv year^?1). This study highlights the necessity to launch extensive nationwide radiation protection program in the mining areas for regulatory control.     

Nonlinear surface fit stability formula without any transition region for conventional breakwater design

Determining the optimum weight of the armor blocks is of vital importance in the design of conventional breakwaters. The widely used formulae in the literature include the transition region from plunging to surging waves. In this paper, it is aimed to investigate a new design formula without any transition region as an alternative to widely used Van der Meer formulae. The dimensionless parameters of Van der Meer formulae as well as newly generated variables are used as inputs. Nonlinear surface fit best subset regression model is used to find the optimum input combination that keeps the nonlinear relationships. All the input parameters, their second powers, and their two-way interactions are included in the regression analyses to obtain a nonlinear surface fit. Various goodness of fit statistics are applied to check the different perspectives of the model accuracy. It is demonstrated that the proposed model gives a realistic prediction of the stability number for critical data range. Especially for high values of stability number the proposed formula outperforms the benchmark formulae of Van der Meer and Etemad-Shahidi and Bonakdar. The other advantage is that it does not contain any transition region that depends on wave conditions. Besides, there is no need to include “number of waves” and “permeability” parameters into the equation.